Macon is so known for its architecture that it has been called “a textbook of historic architecture”. It has 15 historic districts and over 6,000 historic buildings all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are so many architectural styles in Macon including: Gothic, Romanesque, Victorian, Neoclassical Revival, Beau Arts, Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsmen, Tudor Revival, Art Deco, Moderne and another half dozen more. What’s amazing about Macon is that you don’t just visit the historic district, the entire city is basically a historic district. Here, you live amongst the history and that gives the city a feeling of substance and strength other cities this small don’t typically bring. http://www.historicmacon.org/macons-historic-districts

Note from a local about the architecture:
*Macon also has beautiful historic neighborhoods—due largely to the fact that the Union Army stopped just shy of Macon in its infamous March through Georgia. It also has a strong historic preservation culture.*


The Architecture

The Best Thing About Macon, GA?

Macon has suffered through some extremely tough years when it wasn’t clear the city would make it back to being a place of growth and positive energy. That comeback isn’t complete and so the city still holds a negative reputation that hurts housing prices and can cause those who review the city from afar or who lived here in the past to knock it around. If you move here you have to have some thick skin to take the hits. 

Notes from a local about the pros/cons of Macon:
*We have our problems, but we are a city that is trying to turn itself around and improve for the community. I've lived here my entire life and have a brewery in downtown. Macon has parts that are bad, but we also have areas that are good, like any other city in the country. We have poor public transportation for sure. However, we have a rich history.*


Don’t Call It A Comeback

The Worst Thing About Macon, GA? 

Macon is heavily music-oriented. R&B and Southern Rock have a rich history here with the Allman Brothers among the world class artists who came from and recorded here. That music-centricity remains with plenty of festivals and live music venues offering entertainment year round. It also has an annual Cherry Blossom festival that celebrates what is reputed to be more cherry blossom trees than even Washington D.C. The Downtown area is the source of the music and festival and event culture but just as much the area is known for an active outdoor lifestyle as well. Amerson River Park has 180 acres of upland forest and 7 miles of trails that overlook the beautiful Ocmulgee River. You can hike canoe, kayak and explore the wetlands through this and other parks all within the city limits. 

Macon calendar of events: https://www.maconga.org/events/

Lifestyle of Macon

In poker, “betting on the come” means betting on cards that may come in the future. Macon is making a comeback and while the city isn’t all the way “back”, it is possible to see where it’s headed and if you want to bet on a city whose cards are likely to come in then take a look at Macon. 


Bet On The Come

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Downtown Macon is where a lot of the investment and infrastructure building is happening. Restaurants, bars, music joints, cafes and plenty of lofts, condo and apartment options, all within walking distance make this the ideal location for you zoomers and younger millennials. College Hill is another cool option for young professionals and students. Sandwiched between downtown and Mercer University. While there are classic southern homes lining many of the blocks there are also homes broken up into apartments as well as some less expensive apartment building options. You are still a walk to downtown and to the University so you get the energy of the school but a bit more genteel an experience than downtown. 
- Downtown
- College Hill


Young Professionals/College Students

Downtown

Wesleyan Woods is just a few miles west of downtown but offers bigger homes on big plots of land and beautiful tree-lined streets. It’s more expensive than other neighborhoods but far less expensive than nearby Atlanta and way less expensive than cities in the Northeast. This is a family paradise with parks and its own local businesses to get a burger or ice cream or groceries. 

Families who want to be more amidst the action should check out College Hill. While the name makes it seem like a place filled with boisterous undergrads, that isn’t the vibe. It’s filled with stunning historic southern homes and a true community feel that makes riding bikes on the sidewalks and taking strolls to the local restaurants and cafes a true daily experience. 
- Wesleyan Woods
- College Hill
- Ingleside


Families

Wesleyan Woods

Macon

**What is Macon, GA known for?**

Macon is Georgia's Music City. It was home to Little Richard, Otis Redding, & the Allman Brothers (2 of whom are butied here). It has many music clubs & venues.

There are over 10,000 Japanese cherry trees in the city which has given rise to the Macon Cherry Blossom festival—a two week event which draws many visitors each spring.

Macon also has beautiful historic neighborhoods—due largely to the fact that the Union Army stopped just shy of Macon in its infamous March through Georgia. It also has a strong historic preservation culture.

On the outskirts of the city are the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds, a large, federally protected park. It contains the remnants (extensive) of one of the oldest pre-historic settlements in the south. There are several burial mounds, an earth lodge. The visitors' center contains a museum well-worth seeing.

Finally, Macon has a strong tradition of hospitality and is a welcoming place. It has an anti-discrimination ordinance which includes the GLBT community.

Finally, it is home to three colleges/universities and 2 strong community theatres which ensure that there is always a variety of events to attend.

**Do residents of Macon, GA generally enjoy a good quality of life?**

That’s kind of a strange question, but I’d like to say yes. People enjoy quality of life here the same as anywhere else. It’s hot and muggy as hell in the summer but I have memories of floating down the Ocmulgee river with a beer in hand and swinging out over the river on a rope at Billy’s rock. We like to take the ranger mudding and getting filthy head to toe. Mud bogs at Elko and skiing or riding jet skis at Sinclair or lake tobesofkee. My parents house had throw downs in the summer at their pool house and pool. My fav time of year is fall here. It’s beautiful and I enjoy searching for arrowheads, going to the Perry fair, and Friday night football games. Local bars that I play pool, foosball and darts at occupy my weekends when I feel like getting out. My neighborhood has a society garden if you want to hear live music in an outdoor atmosphere. The restaurants have history too. Cox cafe, s&s cafeteria, H&H, Jim Shaws seafood, plus the best hotdogs on the planet at Nu-way. I could go on and on about places and things I grew up with, but I’m sure that anywhere you live is capable of making good memories and enjoying your quality of life. I grew up mostly going to private school, which I was blessed to be able to attend and now there is a private school available in Macon that is free for those who can’t afford private. There are many churches to choose from, a new mall and shopping centers are popping up everywhere. Atlanta is just right up the interstate but here in Macon you don’t have the hustle and bustle but can enjoy the easy access to the big city. Sure there is crime here but this isn’t Mayberry fairyland. If your quality of life is bad based on your location then I would strongly urge to move away. I believe that home is where you make it.

**Macon?**

You're not going to find much public transportation in Macon... or anywhere in Georgia, really. Macon has some really shady areas, but there's nice parts too. Great part about the area is that if you're willing to commute, you can buy yourself a large house on acreage for alot less that you're used to spending in New Jersey! It'll be a culture shock here, but once you get used to it, you'll probably end up loving it. Except summers... summers are brutal.

**Macon?**

Macon is growing as a city and improving. We have our problems, but we are a city that is trying to turn itself around and improve for the community. I've lived here my entire life and have a brewery in downtown. Macon has parts that are bad, but we also have areas that are good, like any other city in the country. We have poor public transportation for sure. However, we have a rich history. We have a musical heritage, we've got Native American history, and a growing beer scene. Macon is on the upswing. The violence that occurs is territorial and gang related. Very rarely is it the case that somebody truly innocent is killed. It is worth considering. We are a very affordable city, a centrally located city, and a city with plenty of activities. If you have any question, or concerns please feel free to PM me. Cheers!

Macon, Georgia

Mac-Town

Looklyloo Score: 65

We're on it!