Newcomer’s Guide to Living in Decatur

This episode offers an introduction to life in the city from a new resident's perspective. Join us as we explore what makes Decatur a great place to call home.

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Ashley - You are listening to Decatur minute, live the city's official podcast where we take a look inside the stories that shape our city.

LaTasha - I'm Latasha Brown, communications manager,

Ashley - and I'm Ashley Powell, Communications Coordinator. Each month, we'll take you behind the scenes to explore the stories, people and projects that's shaping our city.

LaTasha - And today, we have Corrine Milian, known to the community as CM of green office golf. Are you gonna keep that? Yes, we can.

Corrine - Okay. What up? Hey, listen, I'm so excited to be on this podcast. 

LaTasha - All right, we have an award winner right here, sitting right here in front of us. Thanks for joining. I'm so this is a big deal.

Corrine - No, no. Hey, listen my contribution to the podcast. I'm gonna add the sound effects for you guys love that. Okay, cool, yeah, where would it? Yeah, just gotta represent the city. Absolutely gotta represent the voices of the people well.

LaTahsa - And you do, because you have received the welcoming Business Award. And I mean, you gotta be very intentional in order to get this award and be recognized by the community members. I mean, they voted for you. 

Corrine - I can't believe it. I, you know, I went back to read about, like, what the award is, and, like how it works. I was like, how did I even get here? Like, did I submit some you know, when you're a business owner, like, like, when you're starting something new, especially, like, for me, I learned a lot as a brick and mortar. But like all these things you just apply for, just put your name on the thing, just hopefully, maybe somebody called me. I don't know why don't I don't even understand,

LaTasha - but people are noticing.

Corrine - yeah, so I noticed that you had to be nominated. So someone went out of their way to submit this paperwork, because, you know, this is still the city, so was definitely a form.

LaTasha - Yes, you know, you know, we like the forms.

Corrinne - It was definitely a form. So somebody as busy as they are in their day, they took the time out. They remembered some experience, or maybe somebody told them about it, they express it for themselves, and they're like, you know, this place shows up in their community and makes other people feel good in their space. So definitely excited to be a business owner in this city and to be a resident and to kind of bring all that together well, and let's

LaTasha - not downplay it. It wasn't just one person. The fact that you're like, oh yes, somebody took the time to remember.

Corrine - I mean, that's a cool thing. Thank you. Now I'm feeling even, wow, you know, I it's, you know, we just out there slanging tee times, okay? And I don't, I try not to overplay the space. It is just a vibe. It is where I go, where I would want to be like I walk there every day. It's where I shop, it's where I eat, it's where it's where I live. So that's awesome.

Ashley - So we want to start first with your story, so all the listeners can get to know who you are, and what led you to the city of Decatur?

Corrine - Okay, alright, so I never thought I would live in the city of Decatur. I don't know if I even knew city of Decatur. Maybe I just knew Decatur, like Decatur, where it's greater Decatur. Yeah. So, yeah, I'm from Jonesboro, Clane County. Sorry, I gotta, you know, Clay co clay coat forever, but I do love the city of Decatur. And I actually won a grant from Adidas. And a part of that was investment. And I was living in coming at the time with my mom. And I love, I love coming Forsyth County. I was a coach, and my they had a great dog park. I was substitute teacher. I was I felt good in the in the community, but I definitely didn't get out as much as maybe I would have wanted to. I definitely didn't feel like, super awesome, and I didn't bring a lot of energy, yeah. So part of that investment, I took and moved I didn't knew, I didn't want to be in the city, but I wanted to, like, just have a little bit more in my day. Will rise. Little Dazzle. So yeah, ended up here in Decatur and love. Fell in love from the moment I went to the dog park and people just welcomed me. Still on in a group chat, even though I have been so busy, I haven't been able to go shout out Adair the early crew, 6am yeah, their dog park, they welcomed me. And from the every idea I would have and I would come to the dog park and share, like, yeah, they were open to business. Like, yeah, you should, you should, everything. I might, I might, you know, run for office. Well, you should, you should, like, hyping me up, following up with links, you know, like, community, so, community, so I met some great people at that dog park. Definitely shout out to I don't know if I would be as rooted in the community if it weren't for the people I met the dog park, because it was an early introduction. I'm not I'm not like I don't go on these streets. I'm not out there like that. I'm pretty not outside. I can be pretty recluse, but I always got to take care of my dog. I got to take him out so and he don't really like the dog park, actually, Drake. I think the dog park calls him a cat. He's just there. He's just having a good time. But definitely loved the community that I felt here, and just being able to know what's going on. And I liked that. You know?

LaTasha - what surprised you most about living here,

Corrine - Just how involved people love it here. People love it here. That's true. It's so real. It's so real. And like kids, all kind of ages, and their even understanding of knowing where they live, and the parents and their pride and having raised a family, having lived here, having left and come back. You know, people really stepped up to not only include me in that as someone who hasn't been here all that long, but, you know, include me in their traditions. I've been going a long time. I was like, this is pretty cool, and it's like a lot of everybody got some contract. They stand in line at taqueria Del Sol every Friday. Like everybody got something that they do. They go to brick store. They go to twains every Monday. Like, whatever it is, somebody got something indicator, yeah, it's very much so online too.

Ashley - So in addition to you getting settled meeting your people at the Adair dog park, you are also the owner of green office golf. So for the listeners who may not know, can you describe your business and tell us what inspired you to start it?

Corrine - Yeah, green office is your private fairway. It's a indoor golf studio downtown. 24/7 I wanted just to play more golf and make it convenient, and I converted a one bedroom apartment into a two simulator space where myself and my community, my neighbors, to play golf, whether that was practicing on the range, playing a course, working on their game beginners. I'm not a I'm not an instructor, but I have instructors. They can provide lessons, and they do a great job with beginners, youth, like everybody in between, having a good time. And I try to not upsell you on nachos and beer. I'm just there to give you a good time the city of Decatur. You can go and get something and bring it back. That's what it's about. That's, you know, shout out to the ordinance people staying engaged, making that something that was possible. But we're in the old district depot next to Dairy Queen and around that Kimball house, Kelly's market, Smiley's burger area too. So we just adding a little entertainment to the city of Decatur. Downtown, there's a lot of opportunities to shop and eat, and now we're providing another play option.

LaTasha - What does it mean for you to run a business in Decatur?

Corrine - Oh, it means a lot, because I don't think I could have gotten it off the ground as thoughtfully as I could have if it weren't for the support of the city to get open and understand the business I was trying to make, being there at my ribbon cutting, being able to talk to Sean karate from the Decatur Business Association about my very first plan, I know I just had a terrible deck, a terrible deck. I can't believe he sat there with me and let me go through that. I didn't mention that to him. I gotta follow up and see what did. What was he really think? I think it was pretty good. Probably it was probably good. But I'm sure he was like, This is so she got a lot. Work to do. So, you know, even like going on Reddit and the subreddit for Decatur and asking neighbors, like, Hey, if you would have an indoor golf space, would you what would you want it to be? And having that survey out there, I put my first iteration of the website and the Decatur, Reddit, and, you know, all valid points, like everything was on point, but I'm like, ain't no kind of feelings about

Ashley- no compliment sandwich

Corrine - much, nothing like way to go. This is great, immediate love. And you know, I gave them all little promo codes. A couple people came through, but like, that was the cat. I didn't just go to like some global Reddit. I went to my local Reddit. And definitely wouldn't want to. I have ventured outside of my Decatur Reddit a little bit, but I definitely that's what I find out about all the things. Every time I hear about something, I go to Reddit.

LaTasha - Let me see what they say about it.

Corrinne - But I talked to my friends about it, I think I've made them jealous. They probably will question where they live. Like, do I know this much about where I live? Right? Because you guys make it so easy to know just what's going on. Like, I think a lot of people don't you know. They still don't know. But I think one thing you guys make it if you want to know what's going on in the city, you can know. You can know, yeah, I think Yeah. I think so. It's great to hear no, I think so, yeah, definitely.

Ashley or LaTasha - And I love how you found a way to connect with the people in your community who would also be the ones that are, you know, experiencing green office golf or just experiencing you. So in addition to that, what have you learned about the business community itself? Like, were there any Reddit Groups for Business Owners? 

Corrinne - No, but shout out to the businesses. We got our little retail and restaurant, you know, 8am crew, right? You know, I spent, I don't, I don't drive, so I spent a lot of, What if I can't walk there, I'm probably not gonna be there. 

Ashley - I feel that. 

Corrinne - So if I got to take a little Moder station stop, it just decreases the likelihood of me being there every stop is just like another percentage of anything, and I will walk pretty far. My friends, I don't mind walking. Walking is good, but if I gotta get on, I started looking at the map, like, what is what kind of street is this? Is this a freeway? How much do I really want to be there? No, I want to be everywhere. So I spent a lot of my money in the Decatur business areas, you know, and I wanted my dollar to circulate. And I think that was reciprocated by the other business owners. So there are a lot of things from the local that spaces that I shop at, and I want people to ask me where I got this. I can say, Go, check out, home, grown, or go or, like one thing again, I don't serve food and beverage. So I always ask, Oh, what are you eating after this? Are you What are you doing after this? And I try to recommend places, and I you know, they let me put my flyers up, all my different little flyers, all my little test things. These businesses also let me put stuff. You know, they've supported and helped the sister out so, and these are my neighbors too. A lot of them live in Decatur too, and their kids go to schools in Decatur, so their friends, their kids, friends, will be like, it's all strategy,

LaTasha - yeah, yeah, yeah. Community, though, community,

Ashley - yes. That's how it should feel. Yeah, we can all have each other's back, yeah?

LaTasha - And I will say you are always plugging somebody's business or restaurant. I love it, yeah?

Corrinne - So Well, it's because I want people to come here and spend money here, so we can continue to pour back into the community like the way the city invests in itself to create a space for people to enjoy what they enjoy, whatever, like so many options, like you literally can find what you're trying to do. 

LaTasha - Yeah, yeah. So moving to a new city can be overwhelming, and you've definitely made your footprint since being here as a resident, but also now as a member of the charter Review Commission. What motivates you or in wanting to get started and wanting to be involved more closely?

Corrinne - Yeah, something you notice a lot. When you walk a lot, you notice a lot. I mean, I would go on the same routes, especially I walk into there. They had those flags for city of America that were up on the on the posts of some like lamps and, you know, old school, whatever they call them. But they're so proud. Like every time you this, the banners change, things change, like people were taking their time to change the what is on the lamppost, this mile, this city is 4.6 square miles. Like it ain't a big city, right? So the fact that somebody, one is employed to do that, somebody like all of the things that come with, all of the stuff that you notice around the city. And I wanted to be a part of that, because it can't be that hard if we just all do a little something. I would think, I don't know. Again, I don't sense. Yeah, I'm not, I'm not a big city person I like, but I like, you know, I like the things that come with the city, but I also like the things that come with knowing your neighbor, and if someone doesn't see me in three days, I'm getting like, hey, where you been? Like, I just want that kind of stuff. Yeah, you know. So the best part about that was the opportunity to get engaged. It wasn't hard to find those opportunities. Either. It wasn't like an obstacle to try. You know, I randomly came to a city hall meeting because I could walk there. It was long, it was long, and it was talking about speed humps and pedestrian which I appreciate. Like I got my scooter. I walk a lot, so I'm also passionate about these things. Yeah, so I appreciate someone advocating for that, for myself and like, when you get the focus and all the different organizations and groups that are recognized for the work that they're doing, the residents, longtime residents, people who have taught at Agnes Scott who are like, I beat these people. Like, I see them at the market. I They come to green office like they're proud of being a resident. And it just That's why, who? Why wouldn't you want to be proud of where you spend your tax dollars?

Maybe Ashley - And so for listeners who might not be familiar, how would you explain the charter Review Commission and its purpose?

Corrinne - Well, I really thought about this because I want to. I always wanted people to understand. So the charter hadn't been reviewed since it was read in 2001 and a lot has happened to the city, to where we live, how we experience things, and to be able to take the document, which is essentially the constitution of the city, and how the city governs itself, how, you know our mayor serves, our commission sits, how all of these things work together was important, because one day, you know, wherever my voice takes me, I want to be informed on how that process works, and if I could Be the voice to help someone else understand that, you know, and I definitely didn't know what I signed up for, I will that was a intense process, and I'm thankful to my co chairs will slack and John, we did a great job together with the other appointees to Make this document something that was received well by the commissioners, and there was a lot of conversation. I mean, it was, again, a pretty intense process, but it showed a lot of opportunity for the city. It showed a lot of progress that has been made for the city, a lot of hopes, a lot of excitement that the city has, and to be a part of a lot of that foundation to like, learn about all the different people that work for the city and with how they contribute, has been exciting, and now I can go and be somewhat of a prophet and sharing the good work that the city is doing in my own way.

LaTasha - So you mentioned that you were surprised by all the intensity. 

Corrinne - Yeah, there's always something going on in Decatur. Like, if I'm ever bored, I can, you can never be bored in Decatur. You have to, like, you really, I could just walk. There have been times I've just walked during it. I think it is just a regular day, regular day to day. I mean, this is not a day to day, but the this has been things that have happened on the day to day that I'm like only indicator. But this happened one time. I was walking past twains, and it was early Democratic National Party, little shindig at twains. And nakima Williams was there, and our commission, one of our commissioners was there, and Keisha Lance bottom, and I was like, Am I really walking past this thing? And I'm like, really just standing outside of Twains, like, looking through the window, looking through the window, like, am I appropriately dressed for this? I'm not. I'm not appropriately dressed, but I if I go home, I'm not coming back out. So I had to step in here, so I tied my dog up, and I went in there, and I got a button, and I actually walked with Keisha as she went to Te Wilcox. Looked around in there, and I was like, I'm walking city of Decatur with former mayor of Atlanta, somebody who will continue to do great things. So I. Um, that's just, that was just a nor I was like, this is some Wow. Like, I did not plan for this. Yeah, this a random day. I mean, I love it here. I've seen some awesome thing. I've seen the community step up in some great ways. But, you know, day to day is really about the ability to connect with somebody else, and it's easier to do that indicator. So it's been nice.

Ashley - someone who is fairly new to see about three years. Yeah, so three years now? Yeah. What advice would you give to a new resident who wants to get involved so they live here, they don't know what to do, where to start? Yeah? What advice would you give? 

Corrinne - Just talk, like most people, if you're seeing them at the supermarket or wherever you're buying your groceries, they've been around, and start asking them, like the parents, if your kids are in school with the other parents. Like I don't think it's that hard to put yourself in a space where you receive a lot of that, but online, I would never think to say online, but there is like between Facebook and Reddit and a lot of these other places. People literally just ask, like, Hey, I'm starting a supper club. Who else wants to join? Like, this is real things that are happening on Decatur or Reddit, right? That people want to Decatur ish, you know, there are a lot of places to just find, I don't, I mean, but at the end of the day, just talking to people, they'll just start inviting you like I've been invited to so many things, I think I'm I'm starting to not receive as many because,

LaTasha - because it's too far…

Corrinne - it's too far, and now I got the green office that I can't leave sometimes. So now people like she busy, but you can still, you can still invite me. You can start inviting me. I need to get out. I need to get out more. That is one thing. If I looked back, I wish I wasn't. There's a lot to do in Decatur, and sometimes I still haven't really experienced porch fest, yeah, really, I know you have to, I know. And it's because I don't know if I have, if I have a solid crew people who will commit to that experience with me. I don't want to rush through it. I don't want to feel like, you know, I don't know. Maybe that's asking for too much. Call to go with Kareem. I need it. Yeah, Reddit. Read on Reddit, put it on Reddit. I love it. I love it here. I love that. I have a business here, for sure, I think. And I'm getting I'm teaching right now Agnes Scott, and so that was always a goal. Once I moved to the city, I realized how close Agnes Scott was to do something with the students there, and so being able to use green office as a classroom to teach golf and leadership this semester at Agnes Scott through the great partnership with Dr Kanika Richardson over at the athletic department, I'm really excited about that continued legacy that I'll be able to leave here in the city of Decatur, too. So I'm just trying to be one of these old heads that says Decatur that like, just walks their dogs. Everybody loves them. That's really what I'm trying to get to. They get along to get along. Yeah, people cool with them. They cool with everybody. And that's what I'm trying to be.

Ashley - So if you could describe Decatur in three words, ooh, what would they be?

Corrinne - What would I describe to cater in three words, community, tradition and pride? Yeah, yeah, those are good words. I think so too. I think so people love it. Here they do. People like for real, for real. They ready, they they will box people. Will box over Decatur, all kind of people take it to the street. Any, any kind of person I've seen, any I've seen, all kind of people in Decatur take it to the streets. Ready for anything. You know, my favorite stats, 70% of residents foster or own a pet instead of Decatur, you can fact check. Would know that stat? You would fact check me. I would love for you all to follow up. Maybe it's been that's probably old census, but check it out. I tried. I spent a lot of time on the website, really.

LaTasha - Yeah, that's good to know. 

Ashley - Yeah, before we wrap up, is there any final thing you would like the listeners to know, especially those who may be new residents themselves, or someone who's listening to this and are considering moving to the city? 

Corrine - We full

Ashley - open, fully open.

Corrine - Come on down, new friends. No, I'm serious. Okay, so no, come on. Has all the friends. We're friendly, but we're awesome down here. Bring Good vibes. If you coming down here, don't be trying to do the most, but we love it here is just what you need to bring. Really enjoy living I feel like I enjoy living here. I don't not enjoy living here. Yeah, so thank you for this platform. I want to end with making sure like you feel good about what you all are doing here, and helping people understand how awesome we are. Yeah, it's been great. Thank you.

Ashley - It's been great having you. Yeah, got one thing for the residents, bring a pet. Bring a pet.

Corrinne - I mean, or you're, you're gonna get it. Come on. You're gonna get, like, be prepared to be a pet protector. Yes, that's your role. Now, I like that in one way or another, even if it's temporary. You taking care of somebody dog, and we're really excited about what's coming. And that's what excites me, is, like the as a geek, I'm excited for, like, the foresight The city has had into so much of its growth from watch fest is coming up this summer and beyond. Like, having downtown revitalized to match that, what that could bring, like, that's very intentional. Like, what I love, the John Lewis statue, is something that I walked by a lot just to be honored to be in the shadow of that statue, but this square is something that they take so much pride in that they want to bring people from far Atlanta and beyond to this space, and that's just cool, like it's our little you know, you know, it feels good To be a part of this community every day in all these different ways. 

Ashley - We want to thank you guys for listening to another episode of Decatur minute live. 

LaTasha - Be sure to follow the city of Decatur on social media and subscribe to Decatur minute live wherever you get your podcast.

Ashley - We'll be back next month with another behind the scenes look at the people and the projects that shape our community. 

LaTasha - Until then, I'm Latasha 

Ashley - and I'm Ashley. Thanks for listening. 

LaTasha - See ya.