Moving to Georgia?
Tucked in the southeastern corner of the United States, Georgia was one of the original Confederate
states that has been the nerve center of the Civil War and has witnessed General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to
the Sea. Georgia is known by the nicknames “Peach State” and the “Empire State of the South.
With a southern
antebellum atmosphere and headquartering around 26 Fortune 1000 companies such as Home Depot, UPS, and Coca Cola, Georgia
beckons one and all and has anchored its roots in a rich cultural heritage.
If you’re moving to Georgia, there
are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Georgia
Georgia Climate
Georgia is characterized by a humid subtropical climate with mild temperatures that range from cool in the winter
time to very hot and humid during the summer months. Georgia is surrounded by the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
in the northwest, the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northeast, the Piedmont plateau in the central portion of the
state and the Central Plain in the south. Even though Georgia is susceptible to hurricanes that hit the Florida
panhandle, they very rarely have experienced a direct attack. These hurricanes are capable of bringing in storm
winds and heavy rain to the interior of the land mass.
Registering your Car
You have 30 days to register your car in Georgia from the date of the beginning
of your residency in the state of Georgia. Registration is done at the Tax Commissioner's Tag Office in the county
where you are residing. Failure to do so might result in fines of up to $100 if stopped by local law enforcement.
Obtaining a Georgia Driver's License
A driver’s license should be obtained within 30 days of becoming a resident
of the state of Georgia. Customer service centers at the Georgia Department of Driver Services will help you
in transferring an out-of-state license to a Georgia license. The state also has a provision for exchanging a
valid or expired (less than two years) out-of-state license for a Georgia license. Driver's licenses held by
residents of other countries are acceptable in Georgia as long as they are valid.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Georgia was ranked 32nd out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 40
violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
Georgia is mainly involved in agricultural products and the food industry. It is the leading producer of
pecans in the world and the production of pecans is mainly concentrated around the region of Albany. Other industrial
products include textiles, paper products, chemical products and electrical equipment. Tourism also contributes to the
growth of the economy.
Employment Statistics
The unemployment rate as of March 2012 in Georgia was 9%, about 0.8% above the national level.
However, when compared to the unemployment figure from October 2009, it has decreased by 1.5 percentage points.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Georgia is $49,347, while the average per capita
income for the state is $36,104.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Georgia is $254,359, while the median sales price is just over $172,000. The Georgia Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Georgia.
Major landmarks and attractions
Bellevue; Carmichael House; Etowah mounds; Fort James Jackson; Fox Theater;Rock City; Brasstown Bald
Largest Cities: Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, Athens, Sandy Springs
Schools
The state of Georgia has long since adopted a standard in public school education to test the aptitude of public
school students in several core subjects. The End of Course Test (EOCT) and Georgia High School Graduation Test
(GHSGT) are administered to high school students yearly and help to keep the students of Georgia schools on par
with other school systems around the nation. In addition to the public school system, Georgia is also home to
several great institutions of higher learning. There are a total of 70 public colleges located in the state such
as the University of Georgia, the University of Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University,
Emory University and Morehouse College.
National Parks
Chattahoochee River National Park
Augusta Canal National Park
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
State park System
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and National Park Service oversee about 63
parks in the state of Georgia, out of which 15 are historic sites and 48 are state parks. The beautiful landscapes
throughout the state of Georgia provide many opportunities to appreciate the natural wonders of the Peach state
by hiking, fishing, biking and hunting.
Major Airports
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Augusta Regional Airport
Columbus Metropolitan Airport
Middle Georgia Regional Airport
McKinnon-St. Simon’s Island Airport