Milan is a small, rural town near McRae-Helena and Eastman
It's hard to imagine a place that is more different from its Italian namesake than Milan, Georgia. Locals even pronounce it differently. "My-len" is small, rural and slow-moving, the kind of place where people get to know each other. "There's not a lot of traffic out there," says local Realtor Tonya Brown of Destination Realty. "You may not see somebody for a while on the road when you go out. But it's a nice little community where everyone is welcoming." The town is part of Dodge and Telfair Counties, where hunting, farming and forestry are major sources of income and recreation. Much of the land comprises pastures, crop fields and woodlands, aside from a quiet town center, where locals gather at places of worship like Freedom Baptist Church and the Milan Church of God.
Ranch-style homes on sizable lots
Houses rarely come on the market in Milan. "Many people have lived in Milan their whole life," Brown says. "Or, they come back to it later." Most of the community's recently sold homes are ranch-style houses on at least a couple of acres of land. There are also several farmhouses across the community. Properties closer to the town center are typically under an acre, but on the community's outskirts, they can sprawl upwards of 50 acres. Residents often use the land for farming and hunting. The median sale price for a home is about $195,000, which is lower than the national median.
Hunting and fishing is popular in the greater area
Beasley Field is a small baseball diamond with lights, a few sets of bleachers and a small parking lot where locals pop in to watch a recreational game. A sign on the field's outer gates details when folks can sign up to be a part of the ball team. Across the street from Beasley Field is a sizable green space, and the small field by the town bank has a paved walking path with some more public green space. Hunting and fishing are popular across the greater region. "Lots of people go hunting," Brown says. "There is deer, turkey and quail." The Dodge County Public Fishing Area is home to a 104-acre lake where locals reel in crappie and catfish. It features boat ramps and nature trails, and visitors often enjoy geocaching. The fishing area is about 13 miles from Milan. Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge, also about 13 miles away, has a beach area, a golf course and a hiking trail across its 1,360 acres.
Local businesses with produce and burgers
Milan's commercial infrastructure is limited to a few businesses along U.S. Route 280. Residents can grab snacks and drinks from the convenience market attached to the Circle K gas station. Dollar General offers many essentials. Puck's Grill on Wheels is a small food truck that serves burgers, tacos and Philly steaks from Tuesday through Saturday. The food truck sits in the parking lot of PTWdeals, an indoor produce market open year-round. The market sells locally sourced eggs, vegetables and fruits. Locals head into McRae-Helena or Eastman for sit-down restaurants and big-box grocery stores. The Walmart Supercenter in Eastman is about 15 miles away. Waylon's Family Restaurant in McRae-Helena offers breakfast staples.
Telfair County Schools and Dodge County Schools both serve Milan
Two school districts serve Milan. Telfair County Schools scores an overall B-minus on Niche, and Dodge County Schools receives a B. Dodge County High School offers career and technical education programs, including game design information, automobile technology and firefighting programs. Students can also participate in apprenticeship programs through the Heart of Georgia Technical College, where subjects include teacher cadet and health occupations.
Navigating Telfair and Dodge County
Milan is a car-dependent community, removed from busy towns and cities. It's bisected by U.S. Route 280, which connects the community with Rhine 9 miles west and McRae-Helena 11 miles east. Eastman is around 16 miles north, connected by Milan Eastman Road and Rhine Highway. Dodge County Hospital is one of the nearest medical facilities, about 15 miles away. The Middle Georgia Regional Airport is about 67 miles northwest.
Written By
Brennen Martin
