Georgia is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. However, despite its many attractions, Georgia is not a popular destination for people who are looking for a new place to live. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia had a net migration loss of 10,886 people in 2020, meaning that more people left the state than moved in. Why is that? Here are seven possible reasons why no one is moving to Georgia.
1. The Weather Is Unpredictable
If you are looking for a place with consistent weather, Georgia is not it. Georgia has a humid subtropical climate, which means that it experiences hot and humid summers, mild winters, and frequent thunderstorms. However, the weather can also vary widely depending on the region and the season.
For example, the northern part of the state can get snow and ice in the winter, while the southern part can have tropical storms and hurricanes in the summer. The weather can also change drastically from one day to the next, or even within the same day. You never know what to expect when you live in Georgia.
2. The Cost of Living Is High
While Georgia is not the most expensive state in the country, it is not the cheapest either. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Georgia had a regional price parity of 91.4 in 2019, which means that the cost of goods and services in the state was 8.6% lower than the national average. However, this also means that the cost of living in Georgia was higher than in 28 other states.
Moreover, the cost of living can vary significantly depending on the city or town you live in. For instance, the cost of living in Atlanta, the state’s capital and largest city, was 7.5% higher than the national average in 2020, making it one of the most expensive cities in the South.
3. The Traffic Is Terrible
If you are planning to move to Georgia, you better be prepared to spend a lot of time on the road. Georgia has some of the worst traffic congestion in the country, especially in the Atlanta metropolitan area. According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Atlanta ranked as the 11th most congested city in the world and the 4th most congested city in the U.S. in 2019, with drivers spending an average of 108 hours per year in traffic.
The traffic situation in Georgia is not only frustrating, but also costly and dangerous. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, traffic congestion cost Georgia drivers $7.1 billion in wasted time and fuel in 2019, and according to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 1,507 traffic fatalities in the state in 2020.
4. The Education System Is Poor
If you have children or plan to have children, you might want to think twice before moving to Georgia. Georgia has one of the lowest-performing education systems in the country, both in terms of quality and outcomes. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Georgia ranked 30th out of 50 states in education in 2021, based on factors such as preschool enrollment, high school graduation rate, college readiness, and standardized test scores.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Georgia had a high school graduation rate of 82% in 2018-2019, which was below the national average of 85%. According to the College Board, Georgia had an average SAT score of 1043 in 2020, which was also below the national average of 1051.
5. The Health Care System Is Inadequate
Another reason why you might want to avoid moving to Georgia is the lack of access and quality of health care in the state. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Georgia ranked 42nd out of 50 states in health care in 2021, based on factors such as health care access, quality, and public health.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Georgia had an uninsured rate of 13.4% in 2019, which was the third highest in the country and well above the national average of 9.2%. According to the Commonwealth Fund, Georgia ranked 46th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in health care system performance in 2020, based on measures such as access, affordability, quality, equity, and outcomes.
6. The Crime Rate Is High
If you are looking for a safe and peaceful place to live, Georgia might not be the best choice. Georgia has one of the highest crime rates in the country, both in terms of violent and property crimes. According to the FBI, Georgia had a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100,000 people in 2019, which was the 15th highest in the country and well above the national average of 366.7. According to the FBI, Georgia also had a property crime rate of 2,476.8 per 100,000 people in 2019, which was the 10th highest in the country and well above the national average of 2,109.9.
7. The Culture Is Not For Everyone
Finally, one of the reasons why you might not want to move to Georgia is the culture. Georgia is a state with a strong Southern identity, which can be appealing to some people, but not to others. Georgia has a rich and diverse history, culture, and cuisine, but it also has a legacy of slavery, segregation, and racism, which can still be seen and felt in some parts of the state.
Georgia is also a conservative and religious state, which can be a source of comfort or conflict, depending on your personal beliefs and values. Georgia is not a state for everyone, and you might find it hard to fit in or feel at home if you are not used to or comfortable with the Southern way of life.
Conclusion
Georgia is a state with many pros and cons, and it is not a place that everyone would enjoy living in. Some of the reasons why no one is moving to Georgia are the unpredictable weather, the high cost of living, the terrible traffic, the poor education system, the inadequate health care system, the high crime rate, and the culture.
Of course, these are not the only factors that influence people’s decisions to move or not to move to a certain place, and there might be some people who find Georgia to be a great place to live. However, based on the data and the evidence, it seems that Georgia is not a very attractive or desirable state for most people who are looking for a new place to call home.