Carrollton, Georgia
Carrollton can probably best be described as a college town. It is home to the University of West Georgia and has a population of only 25,000, of which about half are the students, faculty, and staff of the university! But it is not so much the city of Carrollton that I am considering as it is the surrounding county, which has a population of about 110,000. The climate in Carrollton is slightly milder than Augusta, due to its higher elevation at 1,160 feet. Carrollton has a humid subtropical climate, with short winters and an very humid summer. High temperatures in July average 88 °F (31 °C) but occasionally approach 100 °F (38 °C). Temperatures at or above 90 °F (32.2 °C) occur more than 40 days per year. January averages 51.5 °F (10.4 °C), with temperatures in the suburbs slightly cooler. Overnight freezing can be expected 30 nights annually, but high temperatures below 40 °F (4 °C) are very rare. Extremes range from −9 °F (−23 °C) in 1985 to 103 °F (39 °C) in 1980. For more information about Carrollton, see the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton,_Georgia.
Advantages
Carrollton offers a number of homes in my price range, but many of those homes are in poor condition and would require significant repair or renovation. One of Carrollton's major advantages is its proximity to Atlantic, which is only 45 miles away -- about a one-hour drive. Atlanta has a metropolitan population of over 5 million, making it a source of business opportunities, including a dojo. Atlanta also has a major international airport, although it is an extremely busy airport and subject to substantial delays and congestion. On the other hand, the Atlantic airport is served by the MARTA rapid transit system, which offers a park-and-ride service directly to and from baggage claim.
Summers in Carrollton are slightly milder than in Augusta, due to the higher altitude, yet Carrollton affords the same opportunity to grow hot weather fruits and vegetables, including: peaches (of course!), grapes, berries, melons, citrus, corn, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, okra, sweet potatoes, and squash. Since Carrollton is a more rural area, most houses have at least 1/4 acre of property and many include an acre or more.
Carroll County, with a population just over 100,000, is barely large enough to sustain a dojo. However, with its proximity to Atlanta's population base and transportation hub, it could serve as a location for regional or even national seminars, gasshuku, tournaments, etc.
Three of the four nearest golf courses are private country clubs, so golf opportunities in Carroll County are limited. However, the country club in nearby Villa Rica has dues as low as $110.00 per month, so playing twice a week would cost under $15.00 per round.
Disadvantages
Summers are hot and humid, and I have a low tolerance for heat and humidity, so I will enjoy few outdoor activities during the summer in Carrollton. It is probably a little more comfortable than Augusta, but I will still have a difficult time motivating myself to do lawn care, gardening, and other outside chores in oppressive heat and humidity, which means in summertime my garden will suffer along with the curb appeal of my house!
So, what are your thoughts about Carrollton? Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea? What are your impressions of Carrollton? If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Carrollton than you would in Marion? Or the other locations I'm considering?
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