[fintstone]

I lived in Georgia a few years and have had a rental there for decades. Overall, it is a reasonable state to live in if you make the right choices. If the Atlanta metro area, commutes are really tough and the mass transit does not work as well as some areas (to take you downtown from the beautifully manicured suburbia)....so depending on if you need the good schools in the suburbs or not...you might want to try to get a bit more expensive place in a gentrified area. I would certainly return there to live depending on job situation, etc. In general, gas prices are low, water and garbage pick-up is cheap, the climate is reasonable, home prices are low, etc. You can buy where there is no HOA if you choose...and much of the state is rural. Like most of "fly-over" America, if not in a major metro area and have a decent income, you can live like a king IMHO...although you might have to put up with lesser choice in services, restaurants, etc..

There is a big difference between counties as far as county taxes. For example, when I lived there, folks who worked in northern Fulton County bought just across the county line in Forsythe County.

I don't know if it is the same in GA (changed since I lived there), but we have something similar tax wise for autos in VA. where mine are registered now. Fortunately, in VA, they value all older cars at $200 (I would guess my 911s are worth about $35 and $40K respectively and both are valued at $200)...so they cost me little.

Do you still work? If so, what is the general area where you intend to work? Downtown? North part of the city?