All -

After nearly 19 years of active duty service (Navy), I'm considering my next move.  My wife and I are considering moving to GA in the coming 3-4 years, after I retire.  My sister- and brother-in-law live in the Eatonton area and we've enjoyed our visits the last few years.  So, I solicit advice/opinions:

1) As we hope to live near the in-laws, what are the thoughts on Greene, Putnam, Morgan, and Hancock counties (good, bad, and ugly)?
2) My initial research indicates GA is:
  (a) gun-friendly
  (b) CCW friendly
  (c) NFA friendly
  (d) cost of living is "reasonable" - at least compared to SoCal, where I've been stationed nearly half of my Navy career

My hope is to buy enough land that I can build my own small shooting range and shoot to my heart's content (100 yds ideal, but 50 yds would work).  Also, love to shoot trap/skeet.  Definitely will get CCW's for both the wife and I (currently have them in our home state of WA and FL).  And NFA weapons a must - hope to pick up or build an SBR and get a suppressor or two.

Thoughts?   Requisite "GA is FULL" responses okay, too.

rich  

i am not from that area but I know the sheriff of Green county and he is a good guy. It always helps to have a stand up man running the show where you live.

putnam county would be great for a retiree with no small children.  taxes are fairly low, but from what i understand the school system isn't great.  again, a moot issue assuming you don't have school aged children.  land runs in the $3-5K an acre range in the area.

you may consider jones county, too which is one county south of where eatonton is located.

if land is important, and you really want a big spread, you can check surrounding counties that are even more remote.  wilkinson, washington and hancock.  whole lot of nothing out that way...and it is cheap.  i saw 105 acres for 1900/acre advertised recently.

eta: may want to check out this forum, and just browse around the ads.

I would recommend looking into the south end of Oconee County. It's beautiful down there and still close to "town" and close to the in-laws.

The Sheriff is a great guy and there's good places to eat/shop/recreate/etc.

Thanks for your service. Enjoy your retirement. You've earned it.

Thanks for the responses so far!  

I'm not looking for a huge plot - 20-40 acres would be ideal.

I just want to make sure I can meet the laws concerning ranges on private land.  From what I can determine, the counties may have their own laws but most fall back on the State laws:  50 yds from a public road and 250 ft from another residence.  

I figure if I put a 100 yd x 100 yd "range" in the middle of 20 acres (approx 1000 ft square), I'd be good to go with a small margin for error.

40 acres would allow me the flexibility to put the range in varying locations that may be more appropriate to a range (high ground, a hill or cliff to use as a backstop, etc.).

Thanks again. Keep the responses coming!

What he said!

Georgia is a great place to live. With me just starting my military career I plan on moving back to retire.

That is a great area...come on over and thanks for your service !

Oh yeah, I forgot.  I'll also be looking into starting a small business.  FFL.  I've tried here in SoCal, but they've made it just too hard to comply with local business laws.  Anyone have info on FFL-saturation in this part of GA?  Also, I'll be very reasonably priced!!!  My cost on firearms to all active duty, vets, LE, firemen - probably a few others, too.

rich

i'd be sure to stop by your place, even if eatonton is a little out of the way.  there are lots of ffl's around, but there is only one in the macon area that i try to deal with with any regularity.  all the rest seem to be doing their best to perpetuate classic gun shop stereotypes.

there is alot of small shops in that area but they are pawn brokers,hardware stores and bait shops that sell guns and ammo.

I would say stay FAR away from Hancock County.  Property taxes are close to if not the highest in the state and the local governement is completely out of control.  The county is 90% Democrat and not likely to change.  Down town Sparta (the county seat) looks like Mogadishu and is about as safe.

I hunt in Hancock County...and what little I know about the county is its mostly owned by the forest companies very little other ag crops.
The little town of Greensboro is pretty neat.
Oconee, Green or Morgan would be my first choices.

As Mattlist listed the GON forum is a good place to get an idea of the land out that way.

And thanks for your service & welcome to GA!



7mm

MOST DEFINITELY TRUE!!! Stay FAR AWAY from the Mog AKA "Sparta"...... Wilkinson and Washington are both great counties to be in..... just leave Hancock alone..... my .02

Happy to see someone else escape. Seal Beach or Diego?

Naval Medical Center San DIego for now.  To Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton this coming summer.  Most likely my last tour!!!!  

rich

I run a small pawnshop in Madison, my wife is a teacher in Eatonton, and I've lived here for over 20 years. I think you'd really like the area, but the population is a little sparse for another gun shop. There's 2 pawnbrokers in Madison, another in Eatonton, a new one out at the lake, and yet another in Greene County, all of which sell guns. That doesn't include the kitchen table guys, or the guys that do it under the table, I suspect there are probably another one or two small shops that I'm not aware of as well.

There is virtually no industry, and good paying jobs are few and far between. I doubt you could scare up more than 50k people in all three counties put together. But if you are bound & determined to have a go at a gun shop, don't let me talk you out of it. However, I suspect you'd have the best luck living in Putnam and opening the shop in Milledgeville, as the population is much higher down there.

I sent you a PM with my phone number at the shop. Call me if you like, I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have.

Hope to hear from ya!

I appreciate the offer.  I'm at least 3 yrs from the move, so a lot can change.  I'm just toying with the idea of an FFL business.  If I did it, it'd be kitchen table, at least to start.  I do appreciate your insights.  Thanks much.

rich

Wow.  Can't believe no one mentioned Milledgeville and Baldwin county.  Just down the road from Eatonton.

A straight shot on 441.

I have no idea on land prices but it was a nice town in the early 70's.  Close to Lake Sinclair.

Say goodbye to good Mexican food .It is a small price to pay for all you gain. Be prepaired, people here like to honk and wave, with all five fingers.

Its ubeleivable !