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I just got hired at my new job in Calhoun, GA, which is an hour Northwest of Atlanta. I spent the last two years in Boston going to school to become a piano technician--and it turns out that I've got a job with the current president of the Piano Technician's Guild (how's that for making good business contacts?). I have everything I own in my Ford Expedition and I've driven down to look for apartments. I'm looking in Cartersville, Rome, Marietta, and those surrounding areas--so I thought I'd ask if there were any Atlanta hatrackers out there who could give me any advice on places to check out or stay away from.
And if you need your piano tuned, give me a holler Posts: 1314 | Registered: Jan 2006
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Thanks--it's a fantastic job, and I'm glad I found it. It satisfies both the engineer and musician inside of me.
Posts: 1314 | Registered: Jan 2006
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Boston will miss you. Sorry we never got to meet while you were here.
Best of luck with the new job. Although missing Autumn in New England is a shame. But missing Winter in New England probably makes up for it.
Posts: 2926 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Glad I got to meet you before you made your move down to the deep south. I'm sure the humidity will keep you in the piano tuning business ad infinitum.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Check out Kennesaw and Acworth. Cheaper than Marietta and just as good. Let us know when you get settled. If you are in town in 2 weeks, come to our housewarming party.
Welcome to Georgia!
Posts: 1572 | Registered: Jan 2004
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Good Luck Launchy, Atlanta and the surrounding area is one of my favorite places. We visited there again last year. BB is right about the humidity. When I lived in Montgomery AL, just across the jungle a piece, I had a beautiful old upright, that I bought for $17 and a case of beer. The case was intricately carved. The harp was old, so we tuned it about 3 semitones flat. The pivot system on the hammers was compacted felt over stainless steel pins. There was enough corrosion on the pins that there was a .5 to 2 second delay on resetting the hammers. So, the trumpet flourish at the start of "The Wedding March" was reduced to two chords. Enjoy "Hotlanta"
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Welcome to the South! Atlanta's a lovely city. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I have to second the recommendation for Kennesaw. My cousin used to live there and it's nice.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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I had a great day at work and I'm currently staying in my manager's guest room (She's the bomb). I'm going apartment hunting tomorrow and I've found a great complex in Kennesaw that I might shoot for. Thanks for the advice, guys! I've also got the option of finding a small-town apartment for cheaper up here in Calhoun. I'd like to be closer to the city, but it's like a 40 minute drive from Kennesaw to Calhoun, and the extra miles would add up over time.
Decisions, decisions. We'll see after I look around tomorrow. Thanks for all the good will--and speaking of good will--people are SO POLITE down here. I've heard of Southern hospitality, but experiencing it is almost overwhelming.
And Ben--I'd love to come to a housewarming party! Just give me the details when it comes up.
Posts: 1314 | Registered: Jan 2006
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A little backround...Born in Atlanta. Raised in Ringgold (north of Calhoun by 25 minutes). Live in NW Atlanta (mableton). Work in Marietta.
If the job is in Calhoun...I would say no to Kennesaw and Marietta. To far of a commute, unless you have to have the big city.
Cartersville is probably a good option for a little more city than Calhoun, with half the drive. Plus it makes it a short drive into Atlanta proper for the weekend.
You could also look at moving into Dalton (north) and be in a decent size city with Chattanooga just 25 minutes away.
Rome is a possibility (only 25 minutes to Calhoun). I would do that, if you just really fell in love with Rome (as some of you crazy artzy-fartzy types do).
Visit Cloudland Canyon on your first good weekend (this weekend would do). It is a huge canyon in the NW corner of GA with a good hike to a big water fall. I grew up in North Georgia and was amazed that something like that was just down the street. There is also a pretty amazing place called Little River Canyon just outside of Rome in Alabama. The river goes over a big falls and the volume and spray is huge. You could do both in a half day trip. Little River just a look and see and Cloudland Canyon a 3 hr. tour.
Go to the Calhoun Football home game on a Friday night. Even if (especially if?) you aren't a football fan, this will be a shock and really show you what small town Georgia is like. If you are a football fan, Calhoun is one of the better programs in Georgia.
If you are a golfer, ask for recommendations.
Sorry for the disjointed post...running on fumes and a teacher in need of the three day weekend.
Posts: 317 | Registered: Sep 2001
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As it turns out, I'm staying with a family whose son is on the Calhoun football team. I didn't go to the game tonight because I'm still apartment hunting--but judging on how they were talking about the team, I'll definitely go to one. I actually haven't even had the chance to go looking anywhere yet because I've been working since monday. Cartersville seems like a good bet, and I'm hoping to make it down there tomorrow. I liked Rome, too--Berry college was one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever seen. I've also gotten a few recommendations for Cloudland Canyon, too--it must be pretty amazing.
Btw, if you teach in Marietta, there's a good chance that either me or my boss will tune your school's pianos Posts: 1314 | Registered: Jan 2006
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regarding calhoun: we just stopped at a place there called Popcorn Haven on our way out of the state. 100 popcorn flavors. some are pretty crazy and awesome. that is all...
Posts: 1572 | Registered: Jan 2004
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Found an apartment in Adairsville, GA. Much closer to work, nice small town. Thanks for everyone's advice. Looking forward to living alone for the first time in my life!
Posts: 1314 | Registered: Jan 2006
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I haven't been active here in quite a while, but I do check the forums every now and then. This thread caught my attention, as I've grown up in Georgia and now go to school in Alabama.
I'm from Tallapoosa, Georgia, about an hour and a half away from Calhoun. A friend of mine's dad tunes pianos, and he's from Rome. His last name is Lane (his first escapes me); I wonder if you'll be working with him?
Either way, from a Georgia native and fellow musician, welcome to Georgia! I love it down here.
Posts: 12 | Registered: Jun 2008
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