Affordable living but at a cost
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2/28/2010
We have lived in Marietta for over 3 years. Overall, the experience has been average. There are several aspects that might appeal to families and couples alike - relatively low taxes, accessibility to Atlanta, most conveniences within driving distance, affordable housing, relatively less congested as compared to other suburbs, decent schooling.
Here's one important aspect that one should consider - Marietta is a TRAIN ZONE (sometimes it feels like a train yard depending on where you live), but most of the city is built around train tracks and train crossings. Train crossings invite train honking. For people who are sensitive to noise, this will absolutely drive you to the brink. Train honking is mandated by the FRA with certain guidelines but you cannot be sure that operators will be consistent with that. So at time it feels like the honking is incessant and LOUD especially at night. With over 40 trains passing through the city in a 24 hours period, it can feel as if you are living in a train yard. If you are a light sleeper or need quiet to fall asleep, you will find yourself fighting to find 'the' window of opportunity. Train rumbling is also felt in places but there is nothing one can do about that. There is something that the communities can do about honking but as the rules are laid out, it can be prohibitively expensive and very time consuming to get that done. There is little to none government assistance.
When we moved here, we weren't neither informed of this nor to the extent of the crossings. Please make sure that you research the neighborhood and spend at least 1 hour to calibrate yourself and determine if the noise levels and frequency are acceptable.
Bp | Marietta, GA