If you're thinking about moving to Georgia soon, there are some things you need to know about this great state. Living in Georgia is an absolutely wonderful thing, don't get us wrong. But there are some dangerous things in Georgia. Think of this as your quick, easy-to-read survival guide to living in the Peach State. Don't say we didn't warn you! Here are the 10 biggest risks to living in Georgia.
1. You'll be harassed by smiling people greeting you all day.
Visitors from up north are always shocked and surprised to learn that living in Georgia means you speak and wave to everyone you see. Yes, even strangers. No, there's no catch - we really are just that nice!
2. You might get sunburned.
Make sure you bring sunscreen (and remember to put it on), because it does get hot! We have tons of lakes, plus all that magnificent beach down on the Atlantic coast. Make sure you are prepared, or you will get burned!
3. You'll get bit up by mosquitoes, ants and other various bugs.
We aren't sure what it is about the Peach State, but you really can't go outside in the summer time without getting practically eaten alive. Don't even think about laying in the grass. You'll end up covered in fire ants, ticks, you name it.
4. Allergy season will almost kill you.
Allergy season in Georgia is pretty darn intense. The pollen coats absolutely everything. Your car will be painted yellow, regardless of its original color. Make sure you have your Claritin handy, because there's no escaping the stuff!
5. You'll be run off the road if you're slow.
Much of Georgia may have a small town feel, but it appears that everyone has somewhere to go and they want to go quickly. People on the road here in Georgia are not always that nice to folks who don't know what they're doing or where they are going. Watch out if you're a driver who is new to Georgia roads!
6. You won't be able to buy a Pepsi here.
If Pepsi is your favorite soda, you may be in for a heck of a time finding it here. Coca-Cola is the drink of the land in the Peach State. You won't catch us dead with a Pepsi in our hands! As a matter of fact, you may even have a tough time getting one in your hands. There aren't too many restaurants in Georgia that even sell it.
7. A deer might jump in front of your car.
At any given moment, your car could be attacked by a deer that decides to randomly jump out onto the road. This happens a lot in rural areas of Georgia with tons of forests. Be especially careful on fall evenings, and always go slowly around curves!
8. Prepare to see roadkill.
We have a lot of roadkill here. In a 2018 study over the course of a year, one tiny 3/4 mile stretch of highway in Baldwin County resulted in 29 (discovered) instances of roadkill. Multiply that by the nearly 125,000 miles of public roads in Georgia and you've got a lot of roadkill. Be safe out there, folks!
9. A neighbor might feed you deer stew.
If you were a child that teared up while watching "Bambi," you may not want to know what's in the stew your neighbor is feeding you. Living in Georgia might mean you're big on hunting (or eating) deer. We've got over 200,000 registered deer hunters here!
10. The weather is crazy unpredictable in Georgia.
From hurricane season to city shut-downs over just 2 inches of snow...you never know what you'll end up with in Georgia. One day might bring 95 degrees, the next 50 degrees. Our weather varies wildly throughout the state and even the day!
What other crazy things do people need to know before they consider living in Georgia? Share your favorite (or least favorite!) risks of living in Georgia in the comments!
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