Albany, Georgia

The healthcare provider is located in Southwestern Georgia, just outside Albany. A storied institution of healthcare since the 1900’s, the facility has expanded within the last decade to meet the critical needs of their community. Services include cancer care, family medicine, emergency care, and more. The hospital is dedicated to maintaining the best medical technology around for their patients and staff. Over 4500 staff and volunteers offer services within the healthcare center, and several departments have received national recognition for their care excellence. This busy medical center is a top destination for certain specialties, including neonatal and cardiac health. It’s affiliated with a major regional healthcare provider and sees over 100,000 patients each year.

This is what one of PassportUSA's currently working RNs has to say about his experience at this hospital:

"I would like to say thank you to my wonderful team. They molded me to push myself out of the box. I discovered some of my hidden abilities because of them. There are so many times when I am scared to do new things out of my comfort zone but they patiently guided me. I love working with all of these amazing nurses. This is my second family. I created a family away from home. I want to see myself retiring with this hospital." -Josedario, USRN

Albany, Georgia, is a town (city) of 69,048 people in the state's Southwest region on the Flint River. The city has the nickname “Where history and nature flow,” as it incorporates both extensively in its attractions, including the Flint River Aquarium. Albany maintains a diverse community that offers small-town charm with modern convenience. The area features picturesque scenery, welcoming neighbors, and culture, plus plenty of recreation. Everywhere you go in Albany, you’ll find that it’s steeped in Southern Hospitality. The city features over 10 unique neighborhoods, each with their own appeal. Albany's transit system features 8 routes to take you through the county and to popular areas. Taxi service is also available in the area. If you want to explore even further in Georgia, nearby Valdosta offers even more charm and adventure.

Community Links & Resources

• Website
• Visitor website 
• Tour video

Albany, GA, is affordable, with the cost of living 16% lower than the national average and the state of Georgia overall. Its lowest expenses are groceries, housing costs, and transportation. Albany has some of the lowest rental prices in the South, and a one-bedroom in Albany is $800 a month. However, the rent price will vary based on where you live, square feet, and other factors. 

You have a range of housing options to choose from within Albany. Apartment communities often feature great amenities both in the units and within the community.  Community amenities may include pools, parking garages, media rooms, and gyms. 

• Georgia demographics

Apartment Listing Resources

• Apartments.com 
• Rentable.co
• Apartment Finder
• Trulia
• Zillow
• Rent.com

The below apartment management companies work with PassportUSA employees, so you can get set up with a place to live as soon as possible:

• Huntington Apartments    
• Princeton Place Apartments  
• Quail Call Apartments    
• Shoreham Apartments  
• Summer Lane Apartments
• Summer Tree Apartments

Dougherty County School System (DCCS) runs the public schools in Albany. The district includes 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school. There are also 12 preschools within the district. 

With 16 schools ranked with a 4 and 5 for excellence within the state, DCCS is a leading Georgia school district. In addition to the state’s recognition, all 3 high schools appear on U.S. News and World Report’s Best U.S. High Schools list. 

There are also 9 private schools in Albany.

Various youth programs in the community

• City of Albany Parks and Recreation
• Albany Area YMCA 
• Boys and Girls Club of Albany

Albany’s public transportation offers several options for getting around the city. In addition to rideshare services, Albany features a bus system and taxis. Albany’s bus system includes 9 routes, serving various city points, including Albany Mall.  The closest airport to the city is the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, just an 8-minute drive of 4 miles / 6.4 KM.  Once at the airport, you can hop on one of its 3 daily Delta flight connections to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Daily Driving in Albany

• The average commute in Brick is 18 minutes compared to the national commute of 26 minutes
• 76% of people in Albany drive their own vehicle

Plains, Georgia - The historic city of Plains, Georgia, is only 43 minutes from Albany. You can enjoy accessing Plains via a short 37 miles / 60 KM drive along the US Route-82 highway. Plains offers a chance to learn about the legacy of former American President Carter at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Site. This sprawling park features Carter’s childhood farm, a railroad depot, a school, and many artifacts of his life.  

Dothan, Alabama - Albany is less than 2 hours away from Dothan, Alabama. This 83-mile / 133 KM drive is along Georgia State Route 62, a state highway connecting Georgia to nearby Alabama. It’s a pleasant drive, and once in Dothan, you can enjoy this Southern area known as “the Wiregrass.” Dothan includes various attractions, such as the Dothan Botanical Gardens, the Wiregrass Art Museum, and the Adventureland fun park. 

Tallahassee, Florida  - Tallahassee, the Florida state capitol, also sits less than 2 hours away from Albany. The 87 miles / 140 KM drive uses two major highways, ensuring a smooth drive there and back. There you'll find the beautiful St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, perfect for wildlife spotting, hiking, fishing, and attending nature programs. While in Tallahassee, Florida, stop by the Tallahassee Automobile Museum to see vintage and antique cars, boats, fishing lures, sports memorabilia, and even a few Batmobiles. Tallahassee is rich in history and features a sprawling museum to explore its legacy. Located on the shores of Lake Bradford sits the Tallahassee Museum, a family-friendly place to learn about the local area and its inhabitants. There are 30 permanent exhibits including displays about wild animals, local history, trains, and restored historical buildings. You can even visit the Big Bend Farm, a real working farm that brings the 1800s to life with animals, blacksmithing demonstrations, and syrup-making. Head downtown to The Challenger Learning Center, an educational fun center with a space mission simulator, IMAX theatre, dome theatre, and planetarium 

‍Atlanta, Georgia - Atlanta, the Georgia capitol, can be reached in under 3 hours on a 181.7 mile / 292.4 KM drive on the interstate, perfect for a day or weekend trip. Atlanta is one of the busiest cities in the country. The city features diverse museums, including the Coca-Cola Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta Monetary Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Atlanta is also a famous filming location for Hollywood productions, including Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, and many Marvel projects, making it a great place to take a tour.

Albany and the rest of Dougherty County feature numerous things to see and do. 

Albany’s shopping options include grocery retailers such as Piggly Wiggly, Aldi, Food Lion, and Publix. The big-box store Walmart is also here with plenty of groceries, household items, toys, and clothes. Other name-brand stores include Target, Kohl’s, and the outdoor supply store Gander Mountain. For a unique shopping experience, browse some of Albany’s boutiques and stores. Albany’s store owners curate great merchandise selections, antiques, jewelry, and gifts, with many pieces, unlike anything you’ve seen before. For anything else, brands such as Journeys, Dillard’s, Old Navy, and Foot Locker are at the enclosed shopping complex Albany Mall. Local goods are also plentiful in Albany, as every Saturday, the city features a Community Market in Tift Park, an event with vendors of fresh produce, art, crafts, and locally-made foods. 

Albany has quickly become one of Southwest Georgia’s most desired cultural destinations, with museums, a symphony, ballet, and several performing arts groups. With the bustling event calendar of the Albany Civic Center, you’re always in for a treat as the venue welcomes comedians, children’s shows, and live music. Theater fans will be enthralled with the Theatre Albany productions available in the area, as the company presents 6 live shows each season. 

The Albany Museum of Art is a great way to spend an afternoon. Enjoy free admission and a chance to see their permanent collection, plus rotating exhibits of art throughout the year. Among the museum’s objects is a large collection of  American and European art, plus one of the Southeast's biggest Sub-Saharan African art exhibits. Also within the area, the Thronateeska Heritage Plaza is a complex dedicated to local history. Housed in a historic railroad depot, it contains the Science Museum, the Wetherbee Planetarium, and the History Museum, all located on Albany’s one remaining brick street. 

Those who love animals and learning about their preservation will enjoy Albany’s two well-established animal facilities, Chehaw Park and Flint River Aquarium.  The first, Chehaw Park, is a zoo and park spanning 800 acres. It was created and designed by Wild Kingdom’s host, Jim Fowler. The park lets visitors tour through animal habitats along a boardwalk in a cypress swamp. Here you’ll see 234 specimens, including endangered species such as black rhinos, red ruffed lemurs, and cheetahs. To cool off during the summer months, the park features a Splash Park and shaded play structures included in admission. To see even animals, this time under the sea, head over to the Flint River Aquarium on the Flint River riverbank. Home to both saltwater and freshwater specimens, the aquarium has over 160 species. Animals on display here include alligators, a variety of fish, gopher tortoises, and herons. The facility offers an eye-catching exhibit, Blue Hole Spring, which showcases animals in their natural habitat of the Flint River. 

Albany offers fun year-long no matter the weather, thanks to the All-American Fun Park and Race 2 Escape attraction. At All-American Fun Park, you can battle with bumper boats and cars, participate in a game of laser tag, hit the links on one of 2 mini-golf courses, and try for a strike at the center’s bowling alley. Race 2 Escape is an escape room challenge for ages 10 and up, with 3 themed “escapes” to attempt.

‍Chamber of Commerce Website

Overview of nearby Filipino communities

• Filipino-American Association of Greater Atlanta
• Filipino-American Association of Southern Georgia 
• Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
• ‍Filipino restaurants: Filberto’s Restaurant in Columbus, Georgia and Kamayan ATL in Atlanta, Georgia

One can find information on religious communities in the United States through:

• Religious websites or directories: Church Finder and Church Angel
• ‍Social media groups or pages dedicated to a particular religion or city
• Local community centers or mosques/temples/churches
• Online forums or discussion groups
• Ask for recommendations from friends or acquaintances who live in the area
• Community event listings or local news websites

Albany has a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. It receives a higher annual average rainfall than the national average, with 50 inches / 1270 MM; however, it rarely snows. The month of February brings the most rain, while October is the driest month. Albany is sunny throughout the year, with an annual average of 224 days, more than the United States’ average of 205 sunny days. 

Average Albany Temperatures

• Annual: 40ºF to 92ºF / 4.4ºC to 33.3ºC
• December:  Low of 45.5ºF/7.5ºC  and High of 61.2°F /16.2ºC  
• July: Low of 72.7ºF/22.6.ºC and High of 89.8ºF /32.1º C

The warmest month in Albany is July, while the coldest month is January.

Albany is safe for families and has a crime rate that makes it safer than several Georgia cities.

• Police Department
• Safest neighborhoods: Radium Springs, Acreee, Doublegate, Putney, Crestwood, and Ducker