Is Albany really as bad as many make it out to be? (Atlanta: apartment complex, school)

[Southern Soul Bro]

I've mentioned on here before that while visiting a relative at Albany State a couple times, I didnt particularly see anything too frightening. When she graduated about 4 years ago, I went to the Civic Center and to a restaurant (dont remember the name) but I didnt see anything that bad while driving to either. I have another relative there now and I ventured to parts of Albany I've never been to before (at least as an adult) today. I traveled from ASU to the mall. I saw a sketchy apartment complex near the campus and some public housing on my way to the mall, but the area around the mall and I believe it was Westover Blvd seemed to have a decent retail and it didnt look unsafe. The mall had more than I was expecting too.

I'm aware that coincidentally, it just may happen that I always end up in the better looking areas and most of the places I havent been to may be horrible, but just from what I've saw alone, it doesnt seem as bad as most say.

Does it take more negative criticism than it deserves?

[Yobabeee]

My daughter just graduated this past May from ASU and just returned back Monday to attend ASU Darton College of Health Professions. She has never mentioned to me any problems there.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Race relations and being located in South Georgia are two of the main reasons why Albany receive so much negative criticism.

[Newsboy]

I'm embarrassed to say I've only been to Albany 2-3 times in my life but the times I was there it wasn't nearly as awful as the rest of Georgia makes it out to be. In fact parts of the town are quite nice. I think the Downtown area (like most) is seeing a renaissance of sorts and has lots of potential.

That whole SW corner of the state is a hidden gem IMO. Lots of really neat small towns and beautiful farmland down there.

[Southern Soul Bro]

I always get the impression that it's severely rundown, and on here I've read there's extreme reverse racism (whites treated very rudely by the black majority). It leaves me expecting something similar to the inner city of Detroit. Honestly, when I was out on Westover Blvd, I even saw many more white patrons in the stores and restaurants than i expected, with the typical southern hospitality regardless of race (small talk, holding doors open and thanking each other, etc). I was like where is this horrible place I've heard of? Granted its a smaller area and doesn't have a Shoppes at River Crossing development like us, Albany mall definitely looked better than Macon Mall and The Galleria in Warner Robins/Centerville

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Southern Soul Bro

I always get the impression that it's severely rundown, and on here I've read there's extreme reverse racism (whites treated very rudely by the black majority). It leaves me expecting something similar to the inner city of Detroit. Honestly, when I was out on Westover Blvd, I even saw many more white patrons in the stores and restaurants than i expected, with the typical southern hospitality regardless of race (small talk, holding doors open and thanking each other, etc). I was like where is this horrible place I've heard of? Granted its a smaller area and doesn't have a Shoppes at River Crossing development like us, Albany mall definitely looked better than Macon Mall and The Galleria in Warner Robins/Centerville

Seems to be typical small town South Georgia. Not as much money as Thomasville or the job base of Columbus, but not so bad.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by bu2

Seems to be typical small town South Georgia. Not as much money as Thomasville or the job base of Columbus, but not so bad.

It's the center of the SW Georgia agricultural industry. I'm fascinated by all the miles and miles of row crops as well as the pecan orchards that surround Albany. Americus and Sumter County (home of Plains and Jimmy Carter) is a fascinating place -- tons of history and things to see and do.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

It's the center of the SW Georgia agricultural industry. I'm fascinated by all the miles and miles of row crops as well as the pecan orchards that surround Albany. Americus and Sumter County (home of Plains and Jimmy Carter) is a fascinating place -- tons of history and things to see and do.

I grew up there and return often to visit my family. South Georgia is really a nice place once you accept the fact that it is not Atlanta.

[AUGnative]

Albany is no worse than Macon, Columbus or Augusta... just on a smaller scale.

[AUGnative]

Originally Posted by cafeaulazy

I'm honestly don't really care for South Georgia. Remember the segregated prom incident?

apparantly the segregated proms were voluntary.. and it had to do with different tastes in music. Now that doesn't excuse it but it is not like the school system had official segregated proms.