"Vidalia would ya stop livin' up to your name / Vidalia, Vidalia / Girl, won't you tell me why / Sweet Vidalia / You always gotta make me cry." -- "Vidalia," Sammy Kershaw
The small Georgian city of Vidalia is known for the sweet onions grown in the area. When the town began though, pecans and tobacco were more prominent cash crops. Today, most people work in other fields (get it?). The largest city in Toombs County, Vidalia counts more than 10,000 people as residents. Founded in 1890, Vidalia gets its name from the daughter of Georgia politician William M. Wadley. First produced in the early 1930s, Vidalia onions are known for their sweetness. Once local farmer Mose Coleman discovered that his onions were sweeter than others grown in the area, his neighbors began producing the same onion until the whole town was growing what is today marketed as the Vidalia onion. In 1990, Georgia named the Vidalia onion the state's official vegetable.
Because the city's cost of living is lower than the national average, moving to Vidalia can actually end up saving you money! You'll want to give yourself at least a month or two to find home rentals in Vidalia
"Vidalia would ya stop livin' up to your name / Vidalia, Vidalia / Girl, won't you tell me why / Sweet Vidalia / You always gotta make me cry." -- "Vidalia," Sammy Kershaw
The small Georgian city of Vidalia is known for the sweet onions grown in the area. When the town began though, pecans and tobacco were more prominent cash crops. Today, most people work in other fields (get it?). The largest city in Toombs County, Vidalia counts more than 10,000 people as residents. Founded in 1890, Vidalia gets its name from the daughter of Georgia politician William M. Wadley. First produced in the early 1930s, Vidalia onions are known for their sweetness. Once local farmer Mose Coleman discovered that his onions were sweeter than others grown in the area, his neighbors began producing the same onion until the whole town was growing what is today marketed as the Vidalia onion. In 1990, Georgia named the Vidalia onion the state's official vegetable.
Moving to Vidalia
Because the city's cost of living is lower than the national average, moving to Vidalia can actually end up saving you money! You'll want to give yourself at least a month or two to find home rentals in Vidalia. Begin gathering your paperwork once you make the decision to move to Vidalia. You'll want to have your rental history, credit history, and proof of employment. If your move includes four-legged family members, include their veterinary records in your paperwork. Be aware that moving with pets might cost you a little more in security deposits, but renting an apartment that allows pets shouldn't be too difficult. Regardless of the size of rental property you need, you'll find plenty of options in Vidalia since almost half of the residences in the city are rented as opposed to owned.
Neighborhoods in Vidalia
The city of Vidalia is roughly made up of three separate neighborhoods, though some have more focused rental areas than others. It is important to find the area that best suits your individual needs as a renter; not just go after the best deal.
Tarrytown: This large neighborhood on the western side of town is so vast that it even has its own Main Street. The rural area typically has plenty of vacancies, although you'll have better luck if securing a house to rent is your goal, as opposed to seeking out studio apartments.
Normantown: Hawk's Point Golf Club is a popular spot in this suburban enclave on the east side of town. Tons of apartment complexes abound in this area, so snagging an apartment of any size -- from studios to two-bedroom apartments for rent -- shouldn't be a problem here.
Historic Downtown: The downtown district is a charming historic area with quaint shops and locally owned restaurants. A few blocks west of the center of town, stroll along the banks of Twin Lakes or Achenbach Lake.
Living in Vidalia
Be ready for onions to become a large part of your life! In addition to the onion stands on the side of the road and the huge displays in grocery stores, the town holds its Onion Festival every spring. The five-day event draws visitors from across the country and even international visitors to the "Sweet Onion City." The festival kicks off with a battle of the bands, a carnival, and a Miss Vidalia Onion pageant. And that's just the first day! The week continues with a children's parade, cooking demonstrations, skydiving demonstrations, and even wagon rides at a nearby onion farm. As popular as the onion festival is, it isn't the only thing to do in town. Far from it, actually.
Visit the Altama Gallery, an art and history museum, located downtown inside the historic restored Brazell House. Golfers will enjoy the courses at Hawk's Point or Rocky Creek golf clubs. Take a river excursion to one of the area's rivers like Altamaha, Oconee, Ohoopee, or Ocmulgee. Spend the day canoeing, kayaking, or fishing just a few miles from Vidalia. Athletic events like the 5K and 10K Kiwanis Onion Run held during the onion festival, and the Sweet Onion Century, a 100-mile bike ride held each May, keep residents in tip-top shape. See historic sites from another angle when you hop on your bike and follow the Yamassee Bicycle Trail. The 17-mile trail can be explored on your own, or you can arrange for a guided tour of the area.
Want to get a taste of the arts in Vidalia? Head to nearby town called Lyons in April to catch the "Tales from the Altamaha" folk-life play based on the writings of Colonel T. Ross Sharpe. The play depicts the history of the area and the five counties surrounding it. The Blue Marquee Theater in Lyons hosts performances -- plays, concerts, and even movies -- throughout the year. Just 15 minutes from Vidalia is the city of Santa Claus. Visit the quaint community to stroll down streets with Christmas-themed names like Reindeer Street and Candy Cane Lane. Take your holiday cards to city hall (at 25 December Drive, of course!) to have them postmarked from Santa Claus, GA.
