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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 9:13:44 PM
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I'd like to ask everyone if they think Atlanta folks moving into Lake Martin is good or bad and what the positives and negatives are... just for fun - no personal attacks are allowed....
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| Name: |
jawjagal
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 9:45:51 PM
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We have owned in Destin for 21 years. I remember telling my Atlanta friends that we had a condo there. Over a 21 year span it went from:
1. "Where?"
2."Oh, I have heard of Destin."
3."Oh, I know where that is."
4."Oh, I have been to Destin."
5."Oh, I have heard of Mainsail." ( our place)
6."Oh, I have been to Mainsail."
7. "Oh, Destin is so crowded, we are now going to Seagrove, etc."
21 years divided by 7 (lines of familiarity dialogue - see above) means every 3 years on average, Destin became more popular. When Atlanta found out about it, it grew, became more congested, can't get in the honky-tonk restaurants and the quiet appeal has gone. When I hear Atlanta people are looking at Lake Martin, I shudder.
I BEG Destin locals to please tell me about some restaurants they don't want others to know about....that I PROMISE not to tell...but, they don't even have a haven any more.
I despise Destin in the summer. I only want to go in the Fall and Spring now.
Does that answer your question?
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 9:58:59 PM
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Have to agree with jawjagal.
Quit going to Destin about 6 years ago as it has became overly crowded, had been visiting Destin for over 40 years. Used to be known as a Fishing Village. Better name now is Condo / Traffic city.
I know progress....................., but uncontrolled progress is not always the best thing look at Lanier and other lakes.
BTW - Still go to Destin in October to participate in the Annual Fishing Rodeo, really a great event
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Are people from Atlanta worse for the lake (or better, as the case may be) than-- say-- people from Birmingham, or from Mobile, or Ocean Springs or Pascagoula or...... or..... or...?
Why Atlanta in particular??
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| Name: |
Tate AU
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 10:12:45 PM
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Being from Atlanta, I can tell you that most people (that I know at least) are good down to earth people. However, as with anywhere you go, I have run across a couple of pompous jerks who think the world revolvs around them. I'm a student at Auburn, a friend of mine who i grew up with also goes to Auburn with me. His family owns a house on the south-east side of the lake off HW-9. They take good care of their house and make sure to keep it clean even when they are not there and during the winter. When I visited their lake house I was so impressed with how beautiful the lake was that I am still to this day trying to convince my parents to retire there. Anyways back to the point I saw jawjagals post and my family has also owned a condo in Destin since 83, back when they had to drive to Ft. Walton Beach to find a restaurant. However, I think the difference between Lake Martin and Destin is that Destin was hardly developed when a major magazine ( I believe it was Travel Magazine) came out and said that it was among the top ten beaches in the world. Since then our condo has gone from being worth right at One Hundred Thousand to being worth Well over 1 Million Dollars. I think that even if people from Atlanta begin to move to Lake Martin it will stay the same. I happen to know from experience that one of the reasons for Destin's boom in recent years has been, in part, because of Cobb Counties Spring Break. When I was on spring break there were literally THousands of spring breakers from Cobb County alone. Then those parents who took their teenagers on the trip saw how beautiful the beaches were and wanted to own a place of their own. I know of 13 families who did just that. I wouldn't be too worried about people moving to the lake, as long as they don't rent their property. People tend to take care and respect their own things, whereas vacationers tend to be louder and more careless. As for Destin, this past year was our last year to visit because of the traffic and all, from here on out its Italy!
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 10:46:44 PM
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Fulltimer - What I was agreeing with, with jawjagal was "I despise Destin in the summer. I only want to go in the Fall and Spring now"
My point Fulltimer is the lake's current growth is basically controlled, in that, the vast majority of the lakefront property is owned by Russell and APC.
Destin is no longer the great place it once was (still has beautiful beaches and is geat in the Fall), as the growth went out of control about 15 or so years ago with condos going up everywhere. And I agree the property values have skyrocket based on its popularity. But who wants to go fit the traffic and congestion during your vacation, as that is no fun, as you are there to relax -- rather than fit the traffic.
As long as the growth on the lake remains controlled property values should continue to increase and the lake traffic/congestion under control. -- Keeping Lake Martin a very popular both place to live and visit.
Nothing in my previous post has to do with Atlanta, as I actually work in Altanta. I am open to anyone at Lake Martin as long as they continue to show the same GREAT respect towards the lake as its current residents and vacationers.
We are all fortunate here as we have a treasure, and yes treasures are not for an eternity. However, if we all continue to suport the Lake as has been the case in the past, hopefully our children, grandchildren and their children can continue to enjoy this piece of paradise for years to come.
Basically my point is we currently have a treasure with controlled growth. What happens to the treasure is the growth goes uncontrolled.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/15/2006 10:59:38 PM
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Wish this forum had an Edit function;
Meant fight rather than fit.
OK Jim go correct my other spelling / language errors LOL
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Here is my opinion Rick....Growth is growth and it has little to do with an exclusion to Atlanta people; as baby boomers retire, they will continue to seek places like Lake Martin. People from all over (with big money) are building and buying here. It is quickly becoming a place where middle and upper middle class working folks from Atlanta, Bham, Montgomery (and other nearby cities) will be financially excluded unless they were lucky enough to get in early or to have invested well......for example, if I wanted to repurchase my lake house, I couldn't even come close to affording it with neighboring properties selling easily for seven figures. My brother is a very successful financial planner for the baby boomer crowd, and he sees places like Lake Martin going nowhere but up in value for the next 10 years.
That being said, both good and bad things can be argued on growth; but you can't stop change and I'm just glad to be here!
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| Name: |
longtimer
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| Subject: |
jimimy christmas...
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Date:
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2/16/2006 12:20:58 AM
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So you, using all of your experience, have decided that Lake Martin will "stay the same?" Let me ask you, the same as WHAT? The same as it is right this very second? Well, I guess there is a chance, but history says otherwise. The FACT is, this lake has changed more than you could possibly comprehend in just the last few yesrs; go back 20 years, like many of us do, and it's not even close to what it once was.
NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.
What's the reason for this change? People. Not "Atlanta people" or "Birmingham people", but people-- more and more of them discovering what used to be a secret has created what we have today. And while it still might be considered great, listen to some of us old-timers-- it isn't even CLOSE to being as nice as it once was. It's dirtier, noisier, uglier, and the mind boggles at how much more crowded it is. (And, the three previous things I mentioned are all side-effects of the fourth.)
Now, there are some who will say that the lake area is better than it used to be because now we have more restuarants, more shopping centers, more grocery stores, more street lights, more paved roads, more houses, more boats and more people (along with fewer of those annoying trees and animals, fewer stars at night, and less of that icky fresh air.) Fact is, we could have had all of those things in the 50s, 60s and 70s had we wanted them, but those of us who were here decided we liked those things much better when they stayed where they were, and we could go to them when we felt the need. But then a few soulless folks who worshipped money discovered us, liked what they saw, and moved here. But, they soon realized that they missed all of those things that we were escaping from. And rather than move back to where those things were, they brought them here.
So if you like things the way they are now, you're lucky, and I bear no malice towards you for that. But if you think things are going to stay like this, you're stupid. Or, let's be nice and say naive and uninformed; if you're not truly stupid, you'll do what you can to become more informed, rather than do the usual thing and say "That's what I think, and that's good enough for me."
To answer the original question, why "Atlanta people?" Because there are so many more of them. So many more of them who don't have a problem with living in a cement and glass jungle, and who think they should import those backwards ideas down this way.
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| Name: |
Tate AU
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| Subject: |
jimimy christmas...
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Date:
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2/16/2006 2:12:34 AM
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The first of many things is that I do not appreciate being called stupid. Nor am I naive or uninformed. I may be young but I am by no means inexperienced in the ways of the world and developement. I say this because my family owned 40,000+ acres in N. Georgia that I remember visiting as a young child. My great grandfather worked his tail off setting up a school system, public works, and providing jobs for people. A good bit of our land has since been sold and within the last ten years has greatly developed, and the area population has grown by 10,000 people. This is, as you stated due to peoples' longing of "getting away from the norm". Secondly the family that owns the lake house on Lake Martin have owned it for well over 50 years, and it was one of the first on their side of the lake. I have heard how things used to be and I personally do like the way they are now. I would much rather drive 5 miles to get some milk from the store, instead of having to drive 20. It all depends on how you look at things. Thirdly progress is inevitable, any place as beautiful as Lake Martin will eventually be found. As for things "staying the way they are" as long as zoning laws are enforced and covenants are placed on new developements there should be no real problems. One can not honestly expect people to not find out about it. One of the things that all of us here learned when we were young children is sharing ... can the beauty of the lake not be shared with everyone priveleged enough to do so? Also with more people means more money, as was stated, for roads, better schools, and other such necessities. However, the pollution rate is not Nearly enough to effect the visibility of the stars. I am not saying that the population will not grow, because it will. When I said that I think the lake will stay the same I was referring to the type of people on the lake and the good attitude that characterizes it. I have met many of the residents around that lake house and everyone seems to be very nice and caring. As long as new residents are treated nicely, I see no reason why the community can't grow positively.
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| Name: |
lamont
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| Subject: |
WOW!
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Date:
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2/16/2006 8:07:40 AM
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Quite a generalization there Longtimer. I am from Atlanta and still trying to figure out what I imported here although, I know it was not cement or glass. And, I still see the stars at night and the air still seems rather fresh to me.
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| Name: |
BigFoot
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| Subject: |
jimimy christmas...
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Date:
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2/16/2006 9:25:12 AM
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I like the way you think, Tate. I have no problem with our lake being
desirable and find that the great majority of Lake Martin people, new and old, are wonderful people who share a common spirit of pride in our
lake. I'm not going to worry about the few who feel differently.
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| Name: |
Carnac
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 9:27:55 AM
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Ric, I have long felt that the folks from Georgia who have found this lake are the best of the out-of-staters. Most of the Georgians bring with them a fairly keen understanding of what can happen when you don't take care of a lake. If they didn't have first-hand knowledge of the transformations of the north Georgia lakes they have heard many stories and opinions from the relatives and friends back home.
So, in addition to the money they spend here that helps our local economy they bring a deeper appreciation for this precious jewel that is Lake Martin. They tend to be better stewards of this lake than non-lake dwelling Alabama natives.
Atlanta conjures up images of congestion and uncontrolled growth. The governments of Atlanta and its suburbs are our opponents in the water wars. Everybody else who don't fall into the categories of Atlanta government and affiliated bureaucrats are ok.
Come on over and bring your money and good intentions with you.
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| Name: |
joyrider
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 10:02:41 AM
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We have Atlanta "lake" neighbors that come in about every other weekend. They used to be Birmingham people but his job transfered him to Atlanta, and although it's a longer drive for them now, I don't think they would ever sell. We're over on the Real Island side, so it's a drive for them. They're great neighbors, very friendly.
We thought about buying a Destin condo before we bought here last year. One too many 4th of July's in Destin and we were outta there!
We rented on the lake 2 summers prior to finding the perfect spot (for us).
There are two (tiny) cute little places close to us on the market right now. One was nothing more than a glorified storege room last year on the market for $200,000 and after being overhauld, just sold for $360,000.
I am amazed how a little paint and siding could up the price in such a short period.
I am with everyone else though,....if the sale of vacant land is controlled,
and with the grace of God, Lake Martin won't turn into Destin, although I'm sure Ecletic wouldn't mind a little more traffic.
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| Name: |
WSMS
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| Subject: |
I think you missed the point
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Date:
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2/16/2006 10:56:30 AM
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The lake has ALREADY changed; why would change stop now? Some change is good, some bad, but change is change, and no one will ever convince me that the lake area will cease to change. (And in the time it would take someone to make a convincing arguement, the lake will have changed, thus proving them wrong.)
As far as the stars, it is a fact that you can see fewer at night than you used to be able to. (There are several amateur astromomers in the area; ask one of them.) And yes, the cause is pollution: LIGHT pollution. Although the cause if this is 'more people," it's the way these people are living that is the real problem. More people in small houses tucked into the woods is one thing; more people in large developments with an over-abundance of streetlights is another.
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| Name: |
CranBob
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 11:26:43 AM
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In our experience the problems are not where the people come from (Atlanta) but come with the larger developments such as condos/town houses and where people rent for the week/weekend.
We had a town house in Stillwater (poplar point) in the mid 90's and sold and bought a house because of the congestion.
People that own their own property tend to respect it and respect others.
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| Name: |
ChrisCraft
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 11:42:32 AM
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Very good responses from all. It is so true that everyone has an opinion on the subject of change at the Lake. I, for one that's been here for 35 yrs, haven't seen a need for any of the changes. They take away more than they will ever give.
My question concerning the "Atlanta" people is, can we shoot them? LOL!
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| Name: |
Tate AU
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 1:14:03 PM
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If you go back to destin check out Dewey Destins Seafood Market if you don't already know about it. We have been going there the past couple of years and enjoy it. It's just a little "hole in the wall" place hardly big enough to seat 25 people it seems like. I'm sure you know about Bayou Bills, this place used to be the locals hang out and is now common knowlege among visitors. However, I will say that their food is just as good as it was 10 years ago. If you are looking for less of a crowd try Bayou Anne's same food but it is still somewhat of a locals' hang-out. What part of Destin is your condo in?
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
jimimy christmas...
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Date:
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2/16/2006 1:44:33 PM
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I am not disputing anything I have read pro or con so far with this entire thread. The differences of opinion or thought may come from different experiences. I hear what Longtimer is saying, and I believe there still sections of the Lake that are closer to the way he recalls it. I also recall Lake Bum espressing almost the exact sentiments. Not sure which section of the Lake Lake Bum and Longtimer had or have their places. I know over in the Western section of the Lake in the Parker Creek area it is not as bad as I have heard some assert other sections have become. It is 11 miles by road from my Brother's cabin to my cabin. I generally visit the Lake between May and Sept. I often can drive from either place to the other and not see more than three or four other vehicles on the road. I very seldom see more than a very few boats in the Oakachoy area sleughs. Early in the morning you can hear the owls and turkey. Except for the clouds and the distant airport search light you see nothing but stars at night in that area. Some folks do have the security lights in the vicinity of their cabins. I believe APCO only puts those in by request and a monthly charge.
I even spotted a few housetrailers on one Eastern section of the Lake. There are far more of the old Russel Cabins remaining. I found one Seciton of the Lake over near Alex City that seemed to be nothing but old Russel Cabins. It is a most quaint section of the Lake.
I have driven to other sections of the Lake generally over in the Dadeville area, and it seems to be a slightly different story. I have read on this Forum of others complaining about the heavy boat traffic. I understand and have driven by road to see some of the association type developments. I understand some like that atmosphere and to each his or her own.
It must be hard on those that are in an area of transitions or has transitioned since it becomes difficult to sell and rebuy for the same money. That gives more reason for new buyers to be most careful about the part of the Lake they buy in. So if you want peace, I believe it is there in places. If you want associations, condos and more closely united communities, then if is also there and possibly increasing.
Just another view point.
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| Name: |
Council Roc Doc
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| Subject: |
jimimy christmas...
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Date:
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2/16/2006 2:34:37 PM
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I don't think that the support structures of population growth that you detest Longtimer could have been available as easy as you think in the 50's, 60's or 70's. Grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants are not brought to areas by money hungry transplants. They do their homework and if the demographics give them a fighting chance to succeed, they'll set up shop. Fact is, in that time frame, the population probably could not have supported alot of what you see now. I don't believe you had much of a direct say in regulating the support environment of the lake, much like we don't now......
Also, we Newnan residents do not consider ourselves from Atlanta.....
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| Name: |
JIM
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| Subject: |
Atlanta People
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Date:
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2/16/2006 4:16:32 PM
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Yea, shootem, what a dumd ?, Folk`s welcome to progress, and enjoy your Ivory Towers while you can. In 5 years it will be hard to find a wet spot.
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