Advise on moving to Georgia (Atlanta, Columbus: rent, crime, unemployment rate)

[jdaryl2002]

If you are one of the thousands who are thinking of relocating to Georgia then you are making the right move. Georgia is a beautiful diverse state that has so much to offer. It is also a large state land wise and in fact is the largest state per sq miles east of the Mississippi. I have read many posts where people are looking all over for a place to move in Georgia not knowing where to start. To simplify your search break it down this way. Do you like cold or heat? You can have cold winter days and snow in the mountains or warm winter days on the south or coast. Starting south and heading north for 100 miles you have flat land with mostly sandy soil. In the middle of the state to just south of Atlanta you have rolling hills. Atlanta heading north you are in the mountains. If you want big city life then no doubt Atlanta is the place. Also look at Augusta, Columbus, Macon or Savannah for an urban lifestyle. If you’re looking for a Mayberry type town then you’ll have to draw a 40 mile radius outside of Atlanta. Many small towns still have that southern charm and slow lifestyle. Georgia also has many medium size cities of you like conveniences without driving 30 miles. A few cities are Dalton to the North, Rome in the Northwest, Gainesville in the Northeast, Griffin in middle Georgia and Valdosta to the South. I am a native Georgian and can tell you without hesitation that Georgia is no different then any other state in race relations. You have good and bad wherever you go. Georgia has a low unemployment rate so jobs should not be hard to find. For what it is worth Georgia state government is control by Republications. Not a big government state. Good luck in your search and see ya’ll soon.

[Intrepid]

I moved here last Oct. 2005 to start a new life...

My Short Informative Story

---------------------------> //www.city-data.com/forum/atlanta/5436-forest-park-ga.html


Atlanta, GA was highly rated in a very informative book published in 2004 called "Cities Ranked & Rated." Out of 400 cities representing every area you could possibly move to or live in... Atlanta, GA is rated number 7! It's the highest ranked BIG city in the entire country! Does this surprise you? Some other chart toppers were Minneapolis, MN at 24 and New York at 40... For a TOP 50 list right from the book check out the NBC coverage of the book here

---------------------------> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4625179


My personal ratings of life here in Atlanta 1-10 (Bad-Good)

Air = 7 Spring pollen could keep the allergenic away... A couple hazy days here and there too
Jobs = 9 - Plenty of opportunity for anyone who has the will...
Crime = 6 Recent reports show that Atlanta crime has dropped while other cities have risen...
Parks = 8 Plenty of places to have a picnic and walk the dog!
Radio = 10 - News Talk 750 WSB & Clark Howard are the only reasons you should need to move here!
Taxes = 9 - The Georgia tax system has proved fruitful for the state and its people
Traffic = 3 - I don’t drive, but I did get caught in traffic with a friend once...
Leisure = 9 - Just relaxing at the pools are enough for me!
Culture = 9 - Whoever you're looking for, you can find them here!
Housing = 8 - Avg rent for one bedroom is around $500 - $600
Schools = 9 - This is no doubt a college town... The MARTA train even runs right through Georgia State College!!!
Weather = 10 - AVG never drops below 32 degrees!
Shopping = 10 - Malls everywhere!
Hospitality = 10 - People who love people!
Mass Transit = 8 - MARTA Trains and Buses get you there fast and easy!
Cost of Living = 9 - It's just a tad higher than Canton, OH (My Hometown) & 94% less than NYC
Survivability w/o car = 8 - You can take a bike on the train and buses have racks as well!

[MrTudo]

Thanks for the links and info!

We're going to look at Fayetteville, Tyrone and area on thursday!