Waycross, Georgia, was home to famous movie / TV actors Pernell Roberts and Ossie Davis, as well as singer / songwriter Gram Parsons of The Byrds.
You may not have heard of Waycross, Georgia (unless you're a native Georgian), but you've probably heard of some of the products produced by its companies
Waycross, Georgia, was home to famous movie / TV actors Pernell Roberts and Ossie Davis, as well as singer / songwriter Gram Parsons of The Byrds.
You may not have heard of Waycross, Georgia (unless you're a native Georgian), but you've probably heard of some of the products produced by its companies. With a population of 14,725, the living is easy down here -- so much so that it seems on the surface like a sleepy Southern town, but in reality this place is teeming with corporate activity. In fact, Waycross has so many corporate headquarters that it has its own Industrial Boulevard. Among the heavy hitters are food manufacturer Rich Products and railcar leasing giant GATX Rail. Once you're on Main Street, however, you'd never know about all that hustle and bustle; instead, you'll be planning a weekend at Okefenokee Swamp (home of cartoonist Walt Kelly's iconic Pogo the possum), or you may head to Jerry J's diner for fried chicken. When you get there, folks won't ask you about the stock market or the latest office gossip; instead, they'll talk to you about your golf score. It's that kind of place.
If you're looking for places to rent in Waycross, you'll be glad to hear that apartment complexes and rental condos are plentiful in this area, as are rental houses. You may also be able to luck into an all-utilities-paid unit here, as well as pet-friendly rentals. There's no real boom rental season here, so you can expect rental rates to stay pretty consistent all year round. Plus, the climate is mild enough that you don't need to concern yourself with seasonal weather conditions during your move.
Most landlords ask for the first month's rent in advance, plus a security deposit of several hundred dollars, as well as a pet deposit for your furry friends. All in all, it's an easy-going business climate here, and you'll typically find welcoming, friendly landlords who are happy to do business with you.
You'll find a number of areas that are particularly popular with renters, thanks to the variety of rental properties close to local stores, restaurants and other conveniences. Here are a few places to start looking:
Pennsylvania Ave: This bike-friendly area features lovely multi-level houses, some of which are available with month-to-month or rent-to-own options. It's also close to area amenities such as Kroger, Dollar General, and Subway.
East Waring Street: Located in the commercial section of town, East Waring has a number of apartments and condos at a variety of sizes and prices. It's also conveniently close to Flanders Shopping Center, as well as eateries such as Michael's Deli and Seafood and Dunkin' Donuts.
Bay Street: In this bike-friendly area, you'll find apartment complexes that include tennis courts and swimming pool facilities, all close to the Mayo Clinic Health Care facility, as well as Satilla Square Shopping Center.
Summit Street: This bike-friendly area features lovely garden-style apartments and is close to shops such as Tea Time Gifts and Accessories and Dollar General.
Waycross has one of those great South Georgia climates, with January highs in the upper 60s and July highs in the low-to-mid-90s. You won't see snow here, except for an occasional dusting of flurries.
Transportation
This entire region is serviced by Ware County rural bus service, and while some areas of town are bike-friendly, you really need your own car here, especially if you plan to hit the expressway on a regular basis.
Beautiful Scenery
Waycross is known for its beautiful scenic areas, and one of the most famous is Okefenokee Swamp Park, home to the largest blackwater swamp in North America. While this may not sound particularly appealing, it's actually quite beautiful in an eerie, Florida Everglades sort of way. There's also a fabulous wildlife sanctuary where you can see critters in their native habitat, gardens, trails, and boat tours. If you prefer something less exotic, head over to Laura S. Walker State Park, a beautiful natural oasis set on a pristine country lake.
Great Golf
With all this natural beauty, you can expect to see some pretty spectacular golf courses in the area and The Lakes Golf Course was voted the best municipal golf course in Georgia by Golf Digest. It features a scenic course designed by famed golf architect Steve Burnes, which includes challenging sand traps and bunkers. Another local favorite is the Okefenokee Country Club just next door in Blackshear, which features a stunning course with more than 80 devious bunkers to trip you up.
Local Eats
Waycross is home to a number of great restaurants, including the oddly-named Pond View Dining Room. Be sure and try the shrimp and grits, and then come back for the crab cakes and curried duck breast. For more casual dining, locals flock to Jerry J's, where you can feast on Southern comfort food such as country fried steak, squash dippers, rice with gravy, and fried pork chops. After all that yummy cholesterol, if you're ready to lift up a cold one, head over to Rivers, a great locals' bar with an extensive beer list and a fantastic view of the Satilla River.
Waycross may be a successful business town, but it keeps its success under wraps, so that what you actually get is a charming small Southern town with friendly folks. These folks understand the difference between making a living and enjoying what's really important in life. Its business motto may be "opportunity in every direction," but its mantra is something along the lines of "slow down and enjoy life." Somehow, Waycross manages to straddle the line between serenity and success.
