Relocation to Georgia?? (Atlanta, Savannah: real estate, find a job, universities)

[AChiocRN]

Hi,
My husband and I have been searching for a new place to call home. We are from PA and think GA may be a good move. Can anyone suggest a nice town with outdoor activities (hiking,parks,water), 20's-30's population and hospitals nearby. Thanks

[jetgraphics]

Originally Posted by AChiocRN

Hi,
My husband and I have been searching for a new place to call home. We are from PA and think GA may be a good move. Can anyone suggest a nice town with outdoor activities (hiking,parks,water), 20's-30's population and hospitals nearby. Thanks

If you're from a mountainous section of Pennsyltucky, you might enjoy the northern Georgia mountains. However, they are sparsely populated, and much land is locked up in parks, and restricted watersheds (hydropower dams abound). (See: Deliverance, the movie, for reference to the geography - not the locals)

If you prefer high population density, that limits you to Atlanta metro. There is no simple way to determine if you'd enjoy it or not. You had better have a job BEFORE relocating. Unemployment is higher than national average - the unDepression has hit the metro pretty hard. Cost of living drops as distance increases from the center of Hot 'Lanta. One surprising factoid - Atlanta metro is one of the nation's largest "local" dialing area - toll free over an area 100 miles in diameter (roughly). The complete phone number directory is practically an encyclopedia.

If you prefer a laid back, slow lifestyle, the south and south east are popular choices. But, again, you better have a good job before you relocate.

The notorious Athens *(University of Georgia) area is very attractive to the "Collegiate" lifestyle. Many famous musicians and groups have emanated from Athens area.

Atlanta has many colleges and universities, but the cost of living is far too high - at least in the pleasant parts.

Caveat - heat and humidity will initially shock your tender Yankee hides. Air conditioning overkill can be a worse cure. Bring a sweater when going "out" - just in case you find yourself in overchill.

And learn the mysteries of "sweet tea" (not a reference to the amount of sugar, but the rigorous discipline of not letting the tea leaves steep more than FOUR minutes!)

Finally, an automobile is a necessity in most of Georgia. Though there is some mass transit close to Atlanta, the suburbs generally have stifled expansion of mass transit into their enclaves.

That may change - but if politics are any indication - change will be glacial.

[AChiocRN]

thanks for the info. What about Savannah, I like that its close to the ocean. Do you think it will be hard to find a job as a nurse? We would also like to stay away from anything that even resembles snow!

[MarianMercer]

Check out Effingham County...it's part of the Savannah Metropolitan Area. I wrote a blog about all of the "things to do in Effingham" that you can find at Real Estate Hodge Podge . Good luck to you!

[keeshonder]

Athens- plenty of stuff going on, and, with the University of Georgia here the area is loaded with 20's-30's. There are excellent medical facilities and it is centrally located between several recreational lakes, has a river flowing through it good for kayaking/canoeing, plenty of hiking around the area. It also has the lowest unemployment of metro areas in the state. What field do you and your husband work in.

[greybo]

The counties around Savannah are a good bet for reasonable housing costs. Shouldn't have any problem getting work as an RN - my wife is one and as soon as I get a job in that area we are gone ! Property values in Chatam county ae a bit higher than the surrounding area, and so are property values.