SperlingFile on Atlanta, GA
by Todd, SperlingExpert
Atlanta is a great city for young professionals who are just starting out in their career or midlevel professionals. It's diverse, people come from all over the U.S. and many different countries, cost of living is relatively low, climate is mild, and the city is always changing. Atlanta is a beautiful city with great restaurants, a national music scene, and excellent shopping. The suburbs are more appropriate for families and schools tend to be better outside the central city.
The negatives of Atlanta include traffic and crime. Traffic can be very bad anytime of day or night. The public transportation system, MARTA, is actually very good. But because of Atlanta's vast size, it cannot effectively service the whole metro area. As for crime, certain neighborhoods should be avoided by those not familiar with the city. However, crime seems to be pervasive throughout the whole area. Most crime is petty though (car break-ins, etc.) and not violent crime.
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Todd
Atlanta, GA
| About this SperlingExpert
Todd Currently lives in Atlanta, GA
I have lived in various parts of the metro area for the last ten years. Currently, I reside in downtown/midtown area. |
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People
Atlanta is an interesting city in that most people you meet are not native Atlantans. People come here from all over the country and newcomers rarely feel isolated due to not having grown up in Atlanta. Atlanta is known as a city that attracts college graduates in large numbers. For this reason, it's a great place for young people starting off in their careers. Many New Yorkers seem to have made Atlanta home in recent years.
Atlanta has a large black population that it also very diverse. There are a lot of well-educated professional blacks residents, as well as a lot of well-to-do blacks. On the flip side, there is also a lot of poverty in Atlanta and because of the sheer numbers, many blacks are affected.
Immigrant populations are continuing to grow at a tremendous rate. Mexicans are probably the largest immigrant group, but Atlanta also has a lot of Indians, Ethiopians, and Vietnamese.
There's a large Jewish population as well as one of the largest gay and lesbian populations in the country.
In all, Atlantans tend to be friendly people who are proud of their city. The southern hospitality one might find in Savannah, GA doesn't exist in Atlanta. But, Atlantans are still generally friendly, helpful people.
Economy
Atlanta's economy is diverse. No one industry predominates. The city is home to the third largest number of Fortune 500 companies in the country. One of the largest employers is Delta Airlines, whose headquarters is near Hartsfield-Jackson, the world's busiest airport. Other big companies headquartered in the area include Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, CNN/Turner, Newell Rubbermaid.
Higher education is also big as Atlanta is home to several large and/or prestigious colleges and universities like Emory, Morehouse, Spelman, Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta, and Georgia State.
The city has lost a few companies recently like Bell South (which was bought by AT&T) and Scientific Atlanta (which was acquired). But, overall, Atlanta is definitely a business city.
Cost of Living
Atlanta's cost of living is probably one of the best in the country for a big city. Living in Atlanta is definitely cheaper than the northeast, west coast, and Florida. It's comparable to the midwest.
Housing
Atlanta used to be a suburban city. Few people lived in town. Everyone had a house or apartment in a master-planned suburban community. That's all changing now. Many older buildings are being converted into trendy lofts, and the number of highrise condos that have been constructed in the last five years is amazing. Many more are under construction, or planned pending an upswing in the housing market. Housing is still relatively inexpensive compared to other parts of the country, but it is rising.
Health
Atlanta has plenty of excellent hospitals. Air pollution is an increasing problem and there are smog alert days frequently in spring and summer.
Crime
Crime is problem. Most violent crime is confined to acquaintences, but petty crime is frequent. Getting to know the city and avoiding areas that you don't know well is certainly recommended in Atlanta. However, Atlanta is still safe enough to walk around many neighborhoods alone at night.
Climate
Atlanta has a nice climate if you like distinct season, but don't like too much cold. Summer is hot and humid, but tolerable...usually never exceeding the low 90's. Afternoon rain showers or storms are frequent in summer. Fall is beautiful with many days of blue skies and temperature in the 60's and 70's. Winters are mild. It can get very cold, but cold snaps usually on last a day or so. It snows maybe once year and usually melts immediately. However, it can rain a lot in winter and fog is common. Spring is pleasant like fall.
Every few years there's an ice storm that can be pretty, but dangerous to drive on. Also, Atlanta gets a lot of rain. There can be heavy, non-stop rain for a day or two, especially in fall. But afterwards the weather is usually gorgeous for the next week.
Tornadoes are rare, but can happen, especially in spring and usually affect the northern suburbs.
Education
Atlanta public schools aren't the best. Fulton County schools are a little better. Some of the best public high schools are Grady High School, Northside High School, and Riverwood High School. Dekalb County school system is probably better than Fulton and Atlanta. Cobb County schools are generally very good.
Atlanta has a lot of colleges. Emory, Morehouse, and Spelman are some of the best schools in the country. Georgia Tech is one of the best public schools in the country. Georgia State is an urban, public university that has really made a name for itself in the last ten years. Other schools include Clark Atlanta, Oglethorpe, and Agnes Scott College.
Transportation
Traffic is definitely a problem in Atlanta. The freeways are excellent, but often backed up. Because Atlanta is hilly, streets often twist and turn making traffic worse. Atlanta gained 3 million people in the last twenty years and the city has done a decent job trying to keep up with the infastructure...but it's still far from enough. MARTA is the subway/train and bus system. The train is great for getting around downtown, midtown, and the airport. But it doesn't go enough places to make it useful for many suburban dwellers.
Recreation
Atlanta has some great parks. Piedmont park is beautiful. Centennial Olympic Park is a very nice legacy to the 96 Olympic games. The city is making efforts to improve the parks and create new ones. Golf is plentiful in the metro area, and tennis is huge. ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) is the largest recreational tennis club in the country. Atlanta also has all the professional sports (baseball, basketball, football, and hockey).
Society
To be honest, I would say Atlanta is trying to become the Southeast's L.A. Fancy cars abound, people dress fashionably in order to be seen. Even going to the mall can be a fashion show for many. That said, it's still tolerable at this point. The average person can still get a table at a trendy restaurant...but this seems to be changing.
Atlantans are generally liberal in the city and conservative in the suburbs. Religion is big as Atlanta is home to a number of mega-churches (predominantly black and white ones).
People seem to be somewhat frustrated with local government, although the current mayor is extremely popular and has done an excellent job.
Arts & Culture
There is a healthy art and music scene. Music is big. Atlanta has become the new hip hop capital. Neosoul, jazz, house, and rock are also plentiful. The Woodruff Arts Center in a very nice facility in a nice location that houses the symphony, a museum, and the Alliance theater. A brand new symphony center at the same location is in the process of fund raising. The opera has relocated to a new facility in suburban Cobb County.
