With Florida getting more and more popular, some people look to Georgia as an alternative.
There are certainly quite a few great things about living in Georgia, but there are some negatives as well.
Understanding all that Georgia has to offer prior to moving there is a very smart decision to make.
If you are considering making a move to the Peach State, let’s take a look at some of the things that could make this a good or a bad idea for you.
25 Pros Of Living In Georgia
One of the best parts of living in Georgia is that you will have access to so much to do.
Since Georgia is a state that has a good amount of coastline, the possibilities are quite extensive when it comes to staying busy.
1. Winter Is Warmer Than Other States
In Georgia, you will experience winter, but that winter is going to be mild enough that you most likely will never have to shovel snow.
In the winter, you can still get days where the temperatures hit 70 or more.
This leaves many people heading to Georgia to enjoy the winter months and get a break from the frigid temperatures.
Even on the cooler days, you will likely just be wearing a sweater, and coats and gloves are rarely needed unless you live in the mountainous areas.
2. Not Much Snow To Deal With
When you live in the Georgia mountains, you may have to deal with the occasional snowstorm.
However, when you live close to sea level, the chance of getting snow is more of a once-in-a-lifetime event.
There have been a few snowstorms that have made their way through the southern parts of the state, but the ground is not usually cold enough for the snow to stay for any length of time.
3. Four Distinct But Mostly Mild Seasons
There are four seasons in Georgia.
The seasons all last for a few months, and you will be able to feel the distinct differences between the seasons.
The great thing about the weather in Georgia is that the fall, winter, and spring are all relatively mild.
Of course, the summer months are going to be the warmest and most difficult to get through, but this is your time to enjoy all the watersports and recreation that Georgia has to offer.
4. Amicalola Falls
When you first think about Georgia, you may not consider the access to the beautiful nature that the state has to offer.
If you are at all interested in seeing waterfalls, there are more than 50 of them in the state.
The Amicalola Falls are among the biggest, and they are a popular attraction for Georgia residents to check out and enjoy.
5. Savannah
Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia.
In addition to being a great spot in the state of Georgia, it is also a great spot in the United States.
There is quite a bit of history in Savannah, which is appreciated by people all over the United States.
Savannah is a fun coastal town with some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the state.
If you plan on heading to Savannah, take a look at their St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
6. Colleges
The colleges in Georgia are quite well known.
The University of Georgia is the most popular in the state, and it is a great place to get an education.
Not only are the students serious about their education, but they care about their football as well.
The Georgia Bulldogs are a very popular football team.
7. Augusta — The Masters
The Masters Golf Tournament is held each year at Augusta National.
The tournament is the most well-known in golf, and the history associated with this event is enough to make any person want to become a golfer.
The Augusta National Golf Course is not one that you can get into to play, but it is a fun event to go and watch if you have the chance.
8. Family-Friendly Vacations
Georgia is a very family-oriented state.
There are vacations, events, and outdoor activities that can keep you and your children entertained all year long.
People who enjoy sports, the outdoors, and spending time together will find that they have plenty to do in the state of Georgia.
9. Major City: Atlanta
Atlanta is a major city that has everything that a Georgia resident could need.
There are so many jobs in Georgia, plenty of ways to stay entertained, music, history, arts, and great food.
Atlanta has some of the best health care and education in the entire state, and you can fly almost anywhere in the world from the Atlanta airport.
10. Hiking
If you enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors, hiking is something you can do in Georgia.
Since you have both the mountains and the beach, you can get in all the exercise and hiking that you would like while you are in the state of Georgia.
11. Boating
Although the coast of Georgia is not as long as it is in some other states, there is still plenty of boating to do.
In addition to saltwater boating in the Atlantic, there are plenty of large lakes in Georgia, like Lake Lanier, where boaters have lots of fun with watersports and fishing.
Overall, boating is quite popular in Georgia considering how much it seems as though access to the water is limited.
If you enjoy your boat and want to spend time on the water, Georgia is a great choice.
12. Golfing
There is lots of golf to play in Georgia.
In addition to Augusta National, there are hundreds of other beautiful golf courses, both private and public.
One of the things that we like best about golfing in Georgia is that you get a very long season.
Even in the winter when the temperatures start to drop, there are still some great golf days mixed in.
This makes it possible to work on your game all year round.
13. Sightseeing/Leaves Changing
In the autumn in the western parts of Georgia, you can see some really unbelievable color-changing leaves.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a very popular destination for those who enjoy seeing the leaves changing in the fall.
Make sure to finalize your plans early as the places in this part of Georgia will book up fast during this beautiful time of year.
14. Birthplace Of Coca-Cola
If you are a fan of Coca-Cola, then you will enjoy spending some time in the Atlanta area and getting to learn more about the birthplace of Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola is an American icon, and when you go and visit the birthplace in Atlanta, you can learn all about it.
The Coca-Cola exhibit is fascinating to see and there are lots of other great features and activities in Atlanta very close to it.
You can check out some Olympic history and even head to the Georgia Aquarium if you want to learn a bit more about sea life.
15. Historical Attractions
Throughout the state of Georgia, you will be able to see many different historical attractions.
There are lots of forts and attractive monuments and museums throughout the state.
With Georgia being a large part of the Civil War, you can find history scattered throughout the state.
For those who are interested in learning more about Georgia, there is ample opportunity to do so.
16. Relatively Low Cost Of Housing
The overall cost of housing in Georgia is fair.
Of course, there are certain areas that will completely negate this fact, and you will be astonished by what the pricing can be for a small home.
Areas in the middle of the state tend to have the fairest pricing on real estate.
The problem, of course, is that you will have to drive a few hours to the sea or the mountains.
17. Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is a unique destination in the state of Georgia.
This large rock is a family-friendly destination that provides beautiful views, lots of fun activities, and areas that the whole family can explore and enjoy.
Stone Mountain is not very far outside the Atlanta area for those who find Atlanta to be a good final destination for them in Georgia.
18. Good Economy
Overall, the economy of Georgia is quite strong.
The larger cities of Atlanta and Savannah tend to bring in quite a bit of money and some great jobs.
The economy has quite a bit of farming involved in it from the middle of the state.
Much of the central area of Georgia is made up of small towns where people are able to work and live while staying above the poverty line.
This is a good thing for the state and something that will help it to stay in good condition for years to come.
19. Job Market Is Strong
The job market in Georgia tends to be strong.
This has quite a bit to do with the bustling city of Atlanta, but even the surrounding areas offer some excellent jobs.
With the cost of housing being fair, people often find that, even if a job pays a bit less, it can still provide a good quality of life in the state of Georgia.
20. High Country & Low Country
If you enjoy both the mountains and the water, you can have both in Georgia.
The mountain area is known as the high country.
The beach area is known as the low country.
For residents to be just a few hours from either the mountains or the beach gives Georgia a very unique benefit that many other states do not have.
21. Diverse State
The state of Georgia is quite diverse.
There are people from all over the world living in the state of Georgia.
Having this type of culture and diversity makes Georgia a better place to raise children and learn about other people.
You will notice that the areas surrounding the major cities are great spots for cultural centers.
22. Good Nightlife
There is plenty to do in Georgia.
Of course, in the more rural areas, things will be a bit different, but for the most part, the nightlife in the city is good.
In downtown Savannah, there is an open container law, and you can walk around the town with an open drink as long as it remains in a plastic cup.
This is something that is very rare in other areas and can be an attraction for some of those moving to the Georgia area.
23. Property Tax Rates Are Fair
Depending on where your property is located, you will likely find that property tax rates are rather fair in the state of Georgia.
The pricing will depend a bit on your local area, but it will certainly be less than if you were located in New York or California.
Property taxes tend to stay rather level over time, and you won’t have to worry about large increases from one year to the next.
Keep this in mind as you are doing your budgeting for your move.
24. Auto Insurance Is Fair
Overall, the price of insurance for cars in Georgia is quite fair.
There are not nearly as many issues with uninsured motorists in Georgia as there are in Florida, and it helps keep the pricing down.
You will still have to make sure you are adequately covered, but it won’t take a huge chunk out of your next paycheck.
25. Craft Beer Is Big
Craft beer is a big thing in the state of Georgia.
As you move around across different cities, you will see many breweries.
Some of these are local, but many are national as well.
One of the larger ones, Sweetwater, has tours and a tasting room just outside the Atlanta area.
If you enjoy a hike or a ride on the boat followed by a craft beer, Georgia may have everything you need.
Cons Of Living In Georgia
As great as it is that Georgia has all of these positives, there are still some things that are not so great about the state.
As you can imagine, if Georgia were perfect, everyone would move there.
Of course, you won’t want to take these cons and let them completely discourage you from moving here, but they are things that you at least should be aware of.
1. Summers Are Very Humid
If you think you have experienced what a humid day can feel like, think again.
The state of Georgia has some of the hottest summers in the country.
The major reason behind these difficult-to-manage temperatures is the humidity.
The humidity almost never drops in Georgia, and unless you are used to it, it can become a bit difficult to manage.
2. Some Areas Experience High Temperatures In Summer
In addition to the high humidity, you can also find that some areas in Georgia will experience really high temperatures in the summer.
This combination of the heat and the humidity tends to make it very difficult to manage the summer.
Over the course of time, you learn to adapt and handle the temperatures, but it is still very uncomfortable and something that you will likely want to try and avoid.
Those who live in Georgia will often escape to the mountains or try and head to the beach in the worst times of the summer.
The alternative is to spend the day inside with the air conditioning blasting away.
3. Mosquitos
There is a joke in the state of Georgia that the state bird is the mosquito.
The mosquitos in Georgia are large, and they are everywhere.
If you have ever wondered why so many homes have a screened-in porch, the mosquitos are the answer.
4. Sand Gnats
The sand gnats are a major problem in the coastal regions of Georgia.
The major issue with sand gnats is that they tend to enjoy the perfect weather that humans do.
When the temperatures around 70 degrees and the weather is perfect, the sand gnats come out to attack.
Although these bites don’t tend to be quite as bad as those of the mosquitos, they are extremely annoying.
There are hardly any sprays that work to keep the gnats away, and they will quickly ruin any outdoor event.
5. Not Much Beach
Although Georgia has a decently long coastline, there is not much area to spend time on the beach.
Since the coastline of Georgia is a bit tucked in, there is quite a bit of marsh and mud along the edge of the state.
The decrease in the beach size can make the beaches like Tybee and St. Simons very busy in the summertime.
Areas like Florida don’t really have to deal with smaller beach sizes.
6. High Obesity Levels
Some areas of Georgia are known for having very high levels of obesity.
This could be because of issues with wages or healthcare, but it is generally considered a negative when associated with the state that you plan to move to.
7. Housing Around Major Cities Is Very Expensive
As we mentioned in our pros, the housing expenses in Georgia are relatively fair.
However, when you look for housing in places like downtown Savannah or downtown Atlanta, the pricing goes up quite a bit.
There are homes around the Atlanta area that are priced well into the millions, yet the houses themselves don’t offer nearly as much as a house in the middle of the state would.
This is a harsh reality, but it has everything to do with access to the best parts of the city.
If you want to be close to the action, you are going to have to pay for it.
8. Atlanta Traffic
The traffic in the Atlanta area is genuinely some of the worst in the country.
There are times when you will want to completely avoid Atlanta at all costs.
If you don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to get yourself out of a traffic nightmare, try to consider alternative forms of transportation.
9. Things Tend To Move A Bit Slower
Georgia is still considered part of the deep south.
This means that things tend to move a bit slower.
If you are someone who comes from New York and is used to life moving by extremely quickly, Georgia is going to take a little while to get used to.
After a while, some people tend to enjoy the slower pace of life that some areas of Georgia can offer.
10. High Crime Rate In Some Areas
Depending on where in Georgia you are located, the crime rates can be rather high.
This is unfortunate with the beautiful landscape and history that Georgia has to offer, but it is an issue that has been fought for many years.
Always check the crime rates prior to moving to a new state.
You won’t want to find out after the fact that you got such a great deal on your property because the crime rates are incredibly high.
11. Quality Of Health Care Is Not As Good
The quality of the health care in Georgia is known for being not quite as good.
There are several large hospitals known for their teaching programs and good research.
However, outside of this, the health care is not known for being all that good, and it can be hard to find the treatment you need for specific issues.
If you find that you are struggling with something health-wise, it’s a good idea to look into other states for some better health care.
12. State Income Tax
The state income tax in Georgia is yet another negative.
If you move just a bit further south, you can end up in a state that has no income tax at all.
Certainly, you will have to consider the impact that this is going to have on your overall income and the expenses you need to make it in the state.
State income tax will combine with federal income tax to determine your overall tax rate.
It is unfortunate that taxes take such a large cut out of people’s pay, but it is also what helps the state stay in good condition.
13. Bad Pollen In Spring
If you are a person who suffers from seasonal allergies, be careful moving to the state of Georgia.
The pollen in Georgia is extreme, and it will cost you a lot of energy and sleep if you are a person who has allergies.
The pollen only tends to last for a few weeks, but it will coat your entire property with a sticky yellow substance.
If you wash your car in the morning, it will need to be washed later in the day.
This is really annoying if you have any outdoor landscaping.
The deck, patio, and all the belongings are going to be covered in pollen.
14. Humidity All Year
There is almost never a break in the humidity in the state of Georgia.
Even in the winter, when the temperatures drop, the humidity will still stay high.
Also, the humidity in the winter months brings some temperatures that feel very damp and cold.
The dampness in the air means that the 50-degree day will feel much closer to 40, so if you don’t do well with humidity, you should choose a different state.
15. Snakes And Other Creatures
We mentioned that bugs could be an issue in Georgia, but they are not the only issue that you will come across in Georgia.
There are snakes and other wild animals throughout the state that can end up scaring some of those who are not fans of wildlife.
If you want to avoid snakes and other creatures, you may need to find a different state or stay very close to the city so there won’t be as much wildlife around.
16. Homeowner’s Insurance On The Rise
With some recent issues with storms in the state of Georgia, you will notice that homeowner’s insurance is on the rise.
The more you have to spend on homeowner’s insurance, the harder it is to afford your property.
Make sure you get some quotes on the homeowner’s insurance prior to moving so that you can see what your costs will be like.
17. Georgia Accent
Some people in Georgia have a thick southern accent.
If you are not good with figuring out accents, then you will have to spend a bit of time learning what the southern accent in Georgia sounds like.
18. Technology Is A Bit Behind
Georgia is not known for being able all that far advanced when it comes to technology.
As we mentioned, some parts of Georgia are a bit behind when it comes to the pace of life.
With technology being behind, some of the IT and tech jobs do not come up all that often.
Georgia residents don’t seem to be too bothered by the inability to find jobs, but you won’t find too many big-time technology jobs in the state.
19. Public Transportation Is Almost Non-Existent In Some Areas
If you don’t have your own means of transportation when living in Georgia, you may want to consider another place to live.
Public transportation is almost non-existent in most areas of Georgia.
Although public transportation is becoming more popular and better developed, it is still not as good as it is in other states.
20. Some Very High Poverty Areas
Some areas of Georgia have very high poverty rates.
These areas are going to also have higher crime rates, and it can be a difficult place to safely move to.
Although there are some organizations in place that are working to try and make certain areas of Georgia safer and better, you will still have to watch for these spots.
21. Beach Can Be Very Far Away
If you live in western Georgia, you are going to be very far from the water.
If you enjoy spending time in the sand, make sure that you live near the east coast of Georgia.
Although there are some lake beaches that are quite popular, you will not get quite the same feel that you do from the saltwater beaches on the coast of Georgia.
Tybee Island is one of the most popular beach destinations in Georgia.
This is a town with quite a bit going on, and it is typically very crowded.
You can be sure that you won’t be the only one looking to spend some time on the Tybee Island beaches.
22. Not The Best Schools
Although the schools in Georgia are not known for being the worst in the country, they are also not known for being the best.
There are many great private schools located throughout the state, but these are going to have very high costs associated with them.
If you are looking for a state with great education opportunities, you may have to go elsewhere.
23. Outside Of Major Cities Not The Best Restaurant Choices
The major cities in Georgia, like Savannah and Atlanta, do a great job with their restaurants and their cuisine.
However, outside of these major cities, there are mostly chains that you will have.
Of course, there are exceptions to this, but most of the time, Georgia is not a state that is well known for its cuisine.
24. Long Trip To Get Boats Offshore
If you live on the coast of Georgia and you like to go deep-sea fishing, you can plan to spend a long time on your boat making your way out to sea.
Georgia is fairly well protected, which makes it a great place for cargo ships, but it is not all that well known for deep-sea fishing.
There are plenty of people who do it, but you will have to commit to spending a good portion of your day out on the boat.
25. Road Switching Traffic In Atlanta
Atlanta has some of the worst traffic in America, but there are even more complicated problems with the Atlanta traffic.
To try and get the traffic to be more manageable, the authorities in Georgia will switch certain lanes during the morning and evening.
Therefore, in the morning, a road you took to get into the city will likely have its traffic reversed when you are done with your workday.
If you have a fear of driving the wrong way on a highway, driving in Atlanta is only going to make that fear more pronounced.
This intentional wrong way highway driving is certainly something that is a unique and not insignificant part of living in Atlanta.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our pros and cons of the state of Georgia have helped you to decide if this state is a good choice for you.
When looking to move to a new state, you have to consider all of the good and bad things about the area.
As much as you may love what your state has to offer, there are always things that could be a bit better.
If Georgia can do some things about the healthcare and the gnats, they would likely see quite a few more residents on a yearly basis.
I am glad to be a visitant of this everlasting website! , appreciate it for this rare info ! .