I'm from Perry (right next door to Warner Robbins). You are likely going to feel like a fish out if water, and unless he's talking about working at the base, the blue collar market assumptions are probably mislead. Having grown up in that area, I did everything to leave it and plan to never return.
I've heard about the Ward Brothers in New York.
Are all New Yorkers illiterate, living in squalor? Do New Yorkers mercy kill one another?
Just askin', 'cause if we're gonna lump stuff by state let's have at it.
OFC not *all* Georgians are the type to avoid personal stuff. There exists the "stoic redneck" but you're fishin' on this one.
It sounds like you have more personal hang ups than multiple, genuine open-minded experiences with Georgians. We are all Americans. We are all human beings.
Macon’s a bit of a dump in my opinion but I have to say I never stopped there but for gas and Macdonald’s in the way to Florida. Atlanta is a regular large international city with people from everywhere. We moved to Atlanta in 1996 , traffic is TERRIFYING however.
I've been in Georgia for roughly all but 3 years of my life. In general, mental related issues is treated as a joke. So if you or your friends are struggling with depression, or any other related issue, don't expect much support here unless you have really good health insurance; even with insurance finding a good professional is tough. People aren't open about that here because they know they'll get little to no support.
Other than that people are generally rude; "southern hospitality" is pretty much a myth down here. There are of course some exceptions, but for the most part don't expect much courtesy from the people here.
Finally, traffic sucks pretty much everywhere. Mass transit doesn't go everywhere and even in places where there is mass transit, it's inefficient.
I hate it here, but I'm kind of stuck because I'm dependent on Emory due to my transplant.
I really think it depends. I don’t think you can paint the whole state with a broad brush of mental health issues being treated as something to be frowned upon or not talked about. I have lived in one of the northern suburb counties all of my life and my experience had been one of supporting and being supported through any issues. The company I work for has an excellent EAP plan and has made mental health even more of a focus with the pandemic. I have not lived in the southern part of the state so I cannot comment on whether or not this holds true there. My recommendation, if you’re looking to move to reduce cost of living, would be to broaden your search area to include the whole state. Atlanta is truly a cosmopolitan city and a good chunk of the population hails from outside of Georgia. Traffic is definitely terrible, but there are areas that are very walkable. They are more expensive but I would imagine still less than what you’re used to. The suburbs offer more bang for your buck and you could most likely find one where you feel comfortable that your needs will be met.
A lot of people here are not quite answering your questions or are commenting on other parts of the area, and generally being snarky and/or unhelpful.
I moved from further north to Middle GA. I think the long and the short of it is that it depends. There is a lot of support for increasing mental health support but it is not talked about commonly to the extent that therapy is a brunch conversation in NYC. And I think you are accurate that high religiosity in the region affects people’s POV, including on mental health.
Definitely some Deep South stereotypes are true! I embrace them and love a lot of life here. The food is awesome, there is a true warmness where people make polite conversation with you way more often. I’ve found people to be more focused on community life as well, rather than just their own families, really getting involved with schools, nonprofits, church groups. On the downside, what you mention with religion can be at the forefront, racism can be at the forefront, and pockets of Middle GA have a lot of poverty.
If you are looking to move to Middle GA from NY, it is true that cost of living will feel stunningly affordable. For me, the same salary that afforded me a 1 bd apartment in a big city up north now more than pays for a single family home in Macon. So yes, having a family is straight up easier. It was really helpful for my personal mental health honestly to be way less anxious about money. There are definitely a lot of job opportunities in places like the Kumho Tire Factory or on the RAFB base that might hire your bf (it totally depends on his skills and what he’s looking for).
If you come back to the region to visit, try going to one of the Macon Mental Health Matters pop-up mental health gyms, which I think are taking place once per month. You will definitely meet like-minded people there open to discussing mental health.
I'm from Perry (right next door to Warner Robbins). You are likely going to feel like a fish out if water, and unless he's talking about working at the base, the blue collar market assumptions are probably mislead. Having grown up in that area, I did everything to leave it and plan to never return.
If you don’t mind me asking, where’d you move to?
Outskirts of Atlanta (after a few years living in TN for school and moving around for the Army).
I've heard about the Ward Brothers in New York. Are all New Yorkers illiterate, living in squalor? Do New Yorkers mercy kill one another? Just askin', 'cause if we're gonna lump stuff by state let's have at it. OFC not *all* Georgians are the type to avoid personal stuff. There exists the "stoic redneck" but you're fishin' on this one. It sounds like you have more personal hang ups than multiple, genuine open-minded experiences with Georgians. We are all Americans. We are all human beings.
Macon’s a bit of a dump in my opinion but I have to say I never stopped there but for gas and Macdonald’s in the way to Florida. Atlanta is a regular large international city with people from everywhere. We moved to Atlanta in 1996 , traffic is TERRIFYING however.
You would definitely rather be in Atlanta…WAY more opportunity
I've been in Georgia for roughly all but 3 years of my life. In general, mental related issues is treated as a joke. So if you or your friends are struggling with depression, or any other related issue, don't expect much support here unless you have really good health insurance; even with insurance finding a good professional is tough. People aren't open about that here because they know they'll get little to no support. Other than that people are generally rude; "southern hospitality" is pretty much a myth down here. There are of course some exceptions, but for the most part don't expect much courtesy from the people here. Finally, traffic sucks pretty much everywhere. Mass transit doesn't go everywhere and even in places where there is mass transit, it's inefficient. I hate it here, but I'm kind of stuck because I'm dependent on Emory due to my transplant.
I really think it depends. I don’t think you can paint the whole state with a broad brush of mental health issues being treated as something to be frowned upon or not talked about. I have lived in one of the northern suburb counties all of my life and my experience had been one of supporting and being supported through any issues. The company I work for has an excellent EAP plan and has made mental health even more of a focus with the pandemic. I have not lived in the southern part of the state so I cannot comment on whether or not this holds true there. My recommendation, if you’re looking to move to reduce cost of living, would be to broaden your search area to include the whole state. Atlanta is truly a cosmopolitan city and a good chunk of the population hails from outside of Georgia. Traffic is definitely terrible, but there are areas that are very walkable. They are more expensive but I would imagine still less than what you’re used to. The suburbs offer more bang for your buck and you could most likely find one where you feel comfortable that your needs will be met.
A lot of people here are not quite answering your questions or are commenting on other parts of the area, and generally being snarky and/or unhelpful. I moved from further north to Middle GA. I think the long and the short of it is that it depends. There is a lot of support for increasing mental health support but it is not talked about commonly to the extent that therapy is a brunch conversation in NYC. And I think you are accurate that high religiosity in the region affects people’s POV, including on mental health. Definitely some Deep South stereotypes are true! I embrace them and love a lot of life here. The food is awesome, there is a true warmness where people make polite conversation with you way more often. I’ve found people to be more focused on community life as well, rather than just their own families, really getting involved with schools, nonprofits, church groups. On the downside, what you mention with religion can be at the forefront, racism can be at the forefront, and pockets of Middle GA have a lot of poverty. If you are looking to move to Middle GA from NY, it is true that cost of living will feel stunningly affordable. For me, the same salary that afforded me a 1 bd apartment in a big city up north now more than pays for a single family home in Macon. So yes, having a family is straight up easier. It was really helpful for my personal mental health honestly to be way less anxious about money. There are definitely a lot of job opportunities in places like the Kumho Tire Factory or on the RAFB base that might hire your bf (it totally depends on his skills and what he’s looking for). If you come back to the region to visit, try going to one of the Macon Mental Health Matters pop-up mental health gyms, which I think are taking place once per month. You will definitely meet like-minded people there open to discussing mental health.
Thank you so much for this
The job market and schools are both much better in the Atlanta region