Monthly Archives: May 2022

5 Best Places To Live in Georgia

Did you know that Georgia was made a state in 1788? Since then, many of the small towns in the state blossomed into bustling cities. Today, there are many interesting cities in Georgia that people are moving to from all over the United States.

If you’ve been thinking about moving to this state, you might be wondering what the best places to live in Georgia might be. However, there is no one answer to this inquiry. For example, the best places to live in Georgia for families may not be the same as the best places in Georgia to live for young professionals and single people.

Even so, you will find that there are many cities in Georgia that can accommodate all sorts of people and lifestyles. Keep reading to learn more about the best cities to live in Georgia.

Canton

If you’ve ever asked, “What is the best place to live in Georgia?” or “Where is the best place to live in Georgia?” you will find that Canton will always be high on the list.

The city of Canton is actually one of the larger cities in Georgia. For that reason, you will never lack things to do in this interesting and bustling city. 

Even the location of this city is quite ideal. It is right near the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is a very scenic area full of many expansive national forests. For that reason, if you love being in the great outdoors and hiking or simply walking along forested trails, you won’t be far away from all those great attractions if you live in Canton. 

Canton is also very close to Atlanta. And yet, you won’t feel the same stressful, busy feeling that you might get when living in Atlanta. That’s because, even though Canton is large and has plenty to do, it still has an old-town feel.

The Details

After all, there are only a little less than 30,000 people living in Canton. 

This is in comparison to the almost 500,000 people living in Atlanta. Canton can provide everything that a big city can from restaurants to entertainment without also providing stressful crowds and rowdiness.

Canton is actually quite a scenic city. It has plenty of parks and the Etowah River even runs through the city itself.

Because Canton is so in touch with nature and because the population is on the smaller side, it only makes sense that this is one of the best Georgia cities for raising a family. Canton provides a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere that is perfect for parents and growing kids alike.

This is not to mention that Canton has the Cherokee County School system, which is one of the best school systems in Georgia. 

Athens

Athens is the perfect city to move to if you’re a young professional or a college student. That’s because this bustling city is home to the University of Georgia. You might think that because Athens is home to this university that it is nothing more than a rowdy college town, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

While it is true that Athens is technically a college town, it has plenty to offer for those who aren’t even college students. Athens is particularly renowned for its amazing nightlife and plenty of food options. If you’re a passionate foodie, Athens might be the perfect city for you. 

If you’re tired of trying to figure out what to eat for dinner, you won’t have to struggle with that task any longer. Athens is home to all sorts of interesting restaurants from BBQ to vegan and beyond. For that reason, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a restaurant that can satisfy your palate. 

Nightlife in Athens

Besides the wide selection of restaurants in Athens, there are also many breweries that you can visit. If you love the taste of craft beer, you’ll be able to try many different samples and the different breweries and decide which ones you like the best. As for nightlife, the city really comes alive when the sun goes down. 

At night, you will often find musicians playing music in the streets and in bars. This will give you the opportunity to soak in the tunes and relax with a beer and some good food. For those who are more artistically inclined, Athens is also home to several art museums such as the GA Museum of Art. 

Once you spend an afternoon at one of the art museums, there will be nothing stopping you from taking a stroll down one of Athens’s many hiking trails.

The average price of a house in Athens is only $171,000. The cost of rent for an average apartment is usually less than $1,000 per month. 

What else could you ask for?

Decatur

Decatur is a city that you may not have heard of before. That’s likely because it is a smaller city and it is home to only around 25,000 people. However, just because Decatur is small doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of the best cities in all of Georgia to move to

In fact, you will find Decatur on most lists that rank the best cities in Georgia. But what makes this city so special? To start, Decatur provides the feeling of a cozy small town while still having all the amenities and benefits of a big city. 

Many people end up moving to this city because it is quickly growing and there are plenty of jobs available that are perfect for young professionals. Decatur also has a very relaxed atmosphere, which is perfect for those who don’t like too much hustle and bustle that is usually associated with cities. 

What to Know about Decatur

There is actually so much greenery in Decatur that you might forget you’re in a city at all. Many of the streets are lined with beautiful trees and there are plenty of parks and trails to walk around on when you have a moment to take a stroll.

Many of the parks have picnic areas where you can sit down and have a bite to eat while taking in the enjoyment of the great outdoors. 

Because Decatur has so much greenery, it is ideal for those looking to start a family. There is plenty of space for children to run around and play safely. The public schools in Decatur have very high ratings, so you won’t have to worry about the quality of your child’s education. 

There are also a few colleges situated in downtown Decatur if you have older kids who are preparing to continue their education. If that isn’t enough to sell you on the idea of moving to Decatur, you should know that there is a metro system that brings you to downtown Atlanta in a very short period of time.

So, if you don’t want to live in Atlanta but want to work there, you can live in Decatur and simply take the train to Atlanta for your daily commute. 

Johns Creek

Johns Creek is actually one of the largest cities in all of Georgia and it is also one of the safest. This, of course, makes it ideal for those who have children. They will be able to play outside and walk home from school without you having to worry about their safety, as you might have to in other cities with higher crime rates.

But just because Johns Creek is a great fit for families doesn’t mean that it’s a boring place to live. In fact, there are plenty of things to do in this city for all sorts of people, regardless of whether they have children. There are actually hundreds of acres of parks that you can explore in this city alone. 

This will give you plenty of opportunities to go out and explore Johns Creek on foot. If you have a dog, there are many trails that you can spend an hour or two walking around on. If you are a fan of golf, you should know that Johns Creek has quite a few golf courses that you can explore as well. 

Housing and Things to Do in Johns Creek

If you’re not very particular about golf or wandering around in the great outdoors, don’t worry because there are still plenty of things to do. For example, Johns Creek is home to several coffee shops that are sure to pique your interest. These shops are great places to spend an hour or so hanging out with friends and family and even meeting new people.

There are quite a few luxury neighborhoods that you can settle into in Johns Creek. While the average home in this city is worth around $400,000, you won’t have a problem finding some beautiful homes that are worth millions. Even if you can’t afford these homes, they are certainly beautiful to behold considering their unique architecture and craftsmanship. 

Roswell

If you want to live in a place where there is always something new and exciting happening, Roswell may be the place for you. Roswell is actually quite a historic city, making it of particular interest to history buffs. While this city always has things coming and going, there are only about 100,000 people living here. 

While this may sound like a large number in comparison to the population sizes of the previous cities we have discussed, you will find that Roswell doesn’t feel at all crowded. Instead, it feels just as quaint and roomy as the other cities. Roswell has a tendency to make everyone feel like an important part of the community due to its frequent festivals. 

Its beer and art festivals are of particular interest. During these festivals, everyone comes together and enjoys all sorts of different craft beers and unique art pieces that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Because each festival always brings something new and unique, you’ll never get bored of going to them. 

Things to Do in Roswell

If you’re a lover of music, you’ll be delighted to know that Roswell also hosts many free concerts on a regular basis. Many of these concerts are outside, where you can sit on the grass and enjoy the music without feeling crowded or stressed. It’s actually very unlikely to feel crowded in Roswell because it is home to more than 900 acres of parkland.

Much of this greenery is due to the Chattahoochee River, which you can easily spend the afternoon fishing in or taking a kayak down whenever you see fit. There are plenty of trails all around Roswell where you can go hiking or mountain biking. If you don’t care much about the great outdoors, there are also some stellar restaurants throughout Roswell that will satisfy any kind of palate.

But what about the cost of housing? The average house cost in Roswell is actually quite affordable and hovers around $300,000. This is a great price for both growing families and young professionals alike. 

If you’re looking to live in an apartment, monthly rent in Roswell tends to be a bit more than $1,000.

The Best Places to Live in Georgia 

When it comes to the best places to live in Georgia, there are many cities you can choose from. From Athens and Roswell to Johns Creek and beyond, the cities in Georgia vary quite a lot and each one of them has something of interest. 

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Turks and Caicos Tourism Is Surging Right Now

Tourist arrival numbers continue to surge to Turks and Caicos, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The destination’s numbers in the first quarter were just about even with what had been spectacular visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2019. 

Indeed, Turks and Caicos welcomed 138,762 arrivals in the first quarter, which represented 98 percent of the same period in 2019. 

The 98 percent number represents one of the strongest tourism recoveries in the entire Caribbean region.

The Dragon Cay resort on Middle Caicos.

“The tourism industry is poised for a full recovery,” said Mary Lightbourne, the acting director of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. 

“The first quarter, especially March, is traditionally excellent for winter vacationers, and has seen a robust [change] in visitor arrivals, almost paralleling the corresponding month in 2019, which saw the best pre-COVID arrivals for the sector,” Lightbourne said. 

Turks and Caicos has been reporting an average month-to-month increase of 33 percent so far in 2022. 

turks and caicos tourism surging
The Sands at Grace Bay resort in Turks and Caicos.

The United States continues to be the destination’s primary source market, according to data from the Tourist Board. 

“These arrival figures are indicative that the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be a sort after destination,” Lightbourne said. “We are indeed on pace to increase our arrivals in the coming weeks and months, welcoming all our guests to our Beautiful by Nature isles.”

The growth comes as Turks and Caicos last month lifted its pre-testing requirements for all vaccinated travelers. 

For more, visit Turks and Caicos

The post Turks and Caicos Tourism Is Surging Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Barbados Just Waived Testing for Vaccinated Travelers 

In a significant step, the island of Barbados has removed all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers. 

The move comes as more than 70 percent of the eligible population in Barbados is fully vaccinated, according to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley. 

She said removing the entry test requirement would “have positive implications for the country’s tourism experience,” including faster processing times at the Grantley Adams International Airport. 

The Club, Barbados.

Barbados has seen a nearly 90 percent decline in tourism over the last two years. 

“[Now we are significantly on our way back up,” Mottley said this week. 

Unvaccinated travelers must still present a negative test to enter Barbados. 

barbados testing
Sweetfield Manor in Barbados.

“What this signals to our travelers is that it is safe for them to come to Barbados, and we are in a position where we can comfortably accommodate many of the same measures they are experiencing at home, such as the protocols for mask wearing and testing for certain activities,” said Barbados Tourism Minister Lisa Cummins. 

More and more Caribbean destinations are removing their pre-testing requirements; some, like those in the Dutch Caribbean and islands like Antigua and Jamaica, have dispensed with the rules for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. 

For more, visit Barbados Travel Protocols

The post Barbados Just Waived Testing for Vaccinated Travelers  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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