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I just wanna set some things straight about METRO.
1. It would be illogical to extend the green line to BWI airport when
-A: Its already served by amtrak and commuter rail and express bus service
-B: It would make the green line TOO LONG and BWI is in a BALTIMORE suburb.
2. METRO hours:
Mon-Thurs: 5am-Midnight
Friday: 5am-3am
Sat: 7am-3am
Sun: 7am-Midnight
and theres plenty of 24 hour bus routes that serve areas who are almost always busy or demand it.
There isn't enough demand to extend metro hours, but I can see it becoming a reality in a few years.
I've ridden MARTA, and its not better than METRO, but I still like it not too bad.
Once the Silver Line opens in both its phrases will be the second largest subway system in the country in miles and its already #2 in ridership.
Stop making our system sound like Philly's subway when its not.
Also theres reason trains dont serve the areas you mentioned.
1. Georgetown residents don't want it, the area can still be reached my like 10+ bus lines and its only a 10 min walk from the closest station
2. Extending the red line any further will make it too long, the red line is already over capacity on the Shady Grove branch.
3. So far no one in White Oak or the other places you've mention have complained about not having a metro line, thats what buses are for.
So after this initial post I finally made it to Atlanta and it has exceeded or at least met my expectations from what I experienced. I tried to cover a lot of ground from Sandy Spring to Stone mountain, Gwinnett down to the airport, I went far west as Georgia Tech.
I can't quite put my finger on what impresses me about Atlanta, the best way I can put it but it feels like a very open and positive place. Despite its disadvantages, it has surpassed other cities. It is not on the water, it does not have a port or some other natural advantage, it did not have the privilege of being one of the first yet it has surpassed cities like Miami, Cleveland, Seattle etc. Some would say the large African American population would be a disadvantage but it was able best other cities to host the Olympics and is constantly being compared to cities like Boston. It's one of a few cities in the US that has a supertall, a building over 1000 feet (where Boston, Philly doesn't even have one).
Atlanta is a relatively young city that has moved at breakneck pace, the number of skyscrapers and districts along Peachtree... let me just say to build an office/Mixed use tower like 3344 Peachtree in Baltimore would take 20 years or never happen at all. Buckhead alone could hold it's own as a major city, or perhaps like Charlotte (which was beautiful but dead), it just needs to be more dense, but it is moving towards that and I understand its a young city and it has made a lot of progress in a short amount of time.
Atlanta has reinforced my belief that despite D.C. area claiming to be liberal and open, it is an area of too many control freaks, too many rules, bias, division and lack of pride
I was also reinforced in my belief that D.C. area does not know how to promote itself and is definitely too expensive (not worth the extra cost).
Atlanta is bigger than I thought, I underestimated its size and next time will not get a hotel where I did.
Funny thing though is that even though the distance to travel seems like it would take forever (because the skyline looks so distance from certain parts), I arrived to my destination quicker than I thought.
It's my understanding that the biggest asset Atlanta has are its ambitious people who care, and I hope that doesn't change for it.
Here are some more of my observations, I'll highlight them and try to keep it short from now on
MARTA vs. METRO... MARTA wins.
MARTA is just a better overall system than METRO, the biggest plus to me personally was that MARTA was cleaner/neater than METRO. The train cars were less dusty part of the reason is that Atlanta wasn't stupid enough put carpet down like D.C. did. This is easier to clean and saves money. I didn't see any trash despite rules allowing you to eat on cars (METRO does not allow you to eat/drink on cars and at the stations yet there is trash everywhere, which has me believe they don't clean the cars).
METRO cars are inexcusably old, its disgusting, at least with MARTA the fact that the cars were just refurbished is even more amazing and even more shameful on METRO. Everything about METRO screams 1970s. Marta stations were also much more modern looking than I thought.
MARTA cars are also quieter than METRO, you might as well sit on top of the METRO train cause you can hear every movement, every screech, MARTA was just very quiet for a train.
MARTA did not stop and jerk the train every 500 feet unlike METRO!
The far gates work on MARTA and surprisingly well! DC METRO still uses a slot type for paper cards instead of a scan and smart trip cards dont work more than half the time.
MARTA car doors ACT LIKE ELEVATOR DOORS!!! They will not close on you!
MARTA audio announcement are far superior! I never understood why the D.C. area is so terrible at self promotion. You need to make newcomers aware of what you have, Atlanta does just that. MARTA informs you and promotes each stop, the pre recorded audio is a mini tour guide. She is precise and clear to understand. METRO on the other hand lets the operators make all the announcements. Not only can you not understand what the operator on METRO is saying many times, they are annoying, inconsistent, and say the wrong stops. I think its actually distracting to them. Why can’t announcements be automated on METRO?
Did I mention that MARTA has TVs? How is that possible without dedicated funding? METRO are you listing quit your bitching.
Ridership was high, trains were packed (probably because the days i went though)
MARTA is cheaper! I can round trip a MARTA line tip to tip for $4 on METRO redline it would cost me $10.40!!!
METRO always complains and ******* about how it doesn't get dedicated funding, MARTA has proved that METRO is wasting our money in the D.C. area!
It is true what they say the people are friendlier here,
The people working at the airport were very helpful, people working almost everywhere were helpful and kind besides the security gate (but she was even helpful despite stern) and one guy that worked at airtran. But none of the nasty attitude, like "I'm going to act like you don't exist" or a nasty stare for no reason like in D.C. If someone stares at you they greet you. In D.C. they either act like they weren't looking at you, stare like you're the most weird disgusting thing they've ever seen in their life, or even laugh. People were willing to help and they didn't act like I was wasting their time.
I struck up many friendly conversations where ever I went and I didn't have to initiate it.
Atlanta's way is definitely something I can get used to and willing to change to.
Atlanta throws a better party
The hours are long and the drinks are cheap. The clubs are also cheaper, people were complaining about $5 lol. Some you can even get in free, without a pass. No closing at 2:30am like D.C. Parking is cheap.
Piedmont Park
The things I saw in Piedmont park during the day lol. Anyways it's a very nice vantage point to get some the best skyline shots of the city. I especially like the highrise areas in midtown bordering the park, with the lush large green trees, I could see myself living there. It's a beautiful park overall, just wish it was bigger.
Atlantic Station
Atlantic station was also larger than I thought and architecture more grand and majestic. I do not know why people say its "failed" because of a certain element. It shutdown too early though IMO and the gateway bridge should have been more substantial. It's very much like National Harbor although I thought the architecture was better overall. I can only dream of office towers like that at National Harbor.
Downtown
I was pleasantly surprised to find more historic structures than I thought I would find in around downtown, by the aquarium as well. That five points area looks similar to Baltimore's Westside which although neglected has some charming structures. It's good that Atlanta can offer some grit.
So I guess this review wouldn't be so believable if I didn't mention some cons.
Atlanta needs to do some major streetscaping, the decorative street lamps stuck into sidewalks that are falling apart is not a good look. This is excusable though I guess but even the urban areas outside D.C. have brick pavers, nice street lamps and power lines buried, D.C. proper sidewalks are lined with marble. I don't know what's done in Atlanta but in Maryland at least the developer is responsible for the streetscaping in front of their building and has to use standard adopted guidelines.
Not to beat on Atlanta, New York has it worst as far as streetscaping which I don't find excusable.
The "suburbs" in Atlanta are not as developed as D.C.s
Also, rents are kind of getting up there, one place on monroe quoted me as much as $1,400! I went to Town/Brookhaven as well which was not close to MARTA at all and it was pushing close $1,000, granted Brookhaven will have the convenience of a grocery store and gym built in.
Lindbergh was close to the MARTA but no grocery, and units were small for well over $1,000 which is pushing D.C. territory and kind of defeats the purpose. I think I will end up needing a car, especially if I want something fairly new in the $600 - $800 range.
It's not so much that MARTA is inadequate, I think it's coverage is pretty good. I just don't think developers in Atlanta are taking advantage of the stations like they should, its almost like they still expect you to drive to one and park. If I'm in my car already that's it!
All in All I can definitely see myself living in Atlanta, it's my kind of environment, less harsh winters (hopefully), pro business, friendly, sense of pride and self promotion, beautiful and new cityscape, just an overall progressive place that aims to be #1.
I cant wait for you to ACTUALLY live in Atlanta so you can see whats its REALLY like....ur visit was only a skim through. Everyone aint friendly here, especially people from the ghetto and good luck avoiding those types. I agree with some takes and disagree with others. Saying Atlanta beats Miami & Seattle?? Naw. Miami beats Atlanta in a lot of things and no diss to Atlanta but Atlanta has cheap land which leads to cheaper people. Miami land aint cheap and those people have real money down there. Miami is way more international...people actually fly to their airport to visit Miami, people fly to Atlanta to TRANSFER flights for other cities. Peidmont is great like you said, Atlantic Station is cool, the Marta is a huge Asset to Atlanta, but most snobs in Atlanta dont realize the gem. Atlanta is the capital of the South!...you being from D.C. may not enjoy it the southern types after a while, especially the wanna be oldschool manners freaks..They only do ringtone rap & gospel music. Neo soul? House/Techno? Go Go? Jazz? True Hip Hop? Blues? You can forget it! Gospel & Ringtone Rap is all you will get. I like Atlanta, I think eventually it will be up their with New York, London & Paris...but its a ways off.
But where is MARTA suppose to go that makes it so inadequate? No one has answered this question.
I've already mentioned METROs "missing stations" so it is not perfect as well.
You will appreciate a clean system when you constantly get sick, sit in a wet, spot, see someones mucus or boogers (gum if you're lucky) on the windows, smell moldy carpets or step in vomit.
You complained about MARTA " I think the fact that it has poor coverage, constant delays, ever-rising fares, surly service, and is in a constant state of financial panic due to mismanagement and neglect makes it unreliable at best. "
You simply don't understand how good you have it. METRO is far more expensive than MARTA and they are still raising rates while nothing works. I've lost a lot of money because the machines dont work.
Did a MARTA train crash and kill nine people on it last year? METRO did! Did it crash again and jump the track a few months later? METRO did! Do fires constantly break out on it? On METRO is does!
Did MARTA take cars from the 70s (not even refurbished) and sandwich them between 2 new cars at each end (or sometimes only the front) as a "safety measure" with no proof that this will keep the inner cars from crumpling up like an accordion after a crash on the most heavily traveled line while the less used lines, get all new cars?
Ridership is far higher yet METRO continues to whine about not having any money, they raised rates three times in 4 months. They get an inundation of Funding from Maryland, Va, and DC and Federal Gov yet they constantly complain about no money. That's mismanagement, MARTA is a finely tuned well run machine compared to METRO.
Use your feet to get to where you're going, if you can't walk at least half a mile something is wrong, that's why New York's is excessive IMO. Or there should at least be an express service (I think there is).
And do you know how expensive Acela train service can be? I'd rather take a plane to Boston from D.C. you can find air fares lower than $49 bucks.
Damn lady your post are like friggin scrolls!! Why you got so much to say??
Marta is needed to Six Flags, Zoo Atlanta, East Atlanta, Atlanta Civic Center, Stone Mountain, Lawerenceville lol... Money aside those places would be great with Marta Stations.
Please shorting your post. You go on and on and on lady. Chill.
Damn lady your post are like friggin scrolls!! Why you got so much to say??
Marta is needed to Six Flags, Zoo Atlanta, East Atlanta, Atlanta Civic Center, Stone Mountain, Lawerenceville lol... Money aside those places would be great with Marta Stations.
Please shorting your post. You go on and on and on lady. Chill.
"DAMN ... CHILL ... BRO ... (or are you a GURL?!)" -- If you read you'd have figured out that SHE is a HE! And there's no need for READYSET to shorten HIS posts because HE has something to say ... which an awful lot of posters on C-D (including you) often don't.
OH YEAH ... and MARTA DOES go to the Civic Center ... it's called the CIVIC CENTER STATION ... ?!?!?!?! And I'm sure the people who run Six Flags, Stone Mountain and the Zoo would LOVE the trains to be dropping off even more gangsta thugs right at the front gates! NO THANKS!
There's a big misconception about the D.C. area. For one it is very divided. Maryland, Virginia and D.C. hate each other.
D.C. and Virginia get along better though.
Federal government gives most funding to contractors and leases most office space in Virginia and D.C.
You would think the biggest companies and strongest industries would be here but that's not the truth so having the federal government in your backyard isn't everything.
Keep this in mind, while Coca Cola is worth over $100 billion, UPS over $66 billion and Home Depot over $50 billion, the largest company in the D.C. area isn't worth more than $30 billion.
That is what I meant as well. If you live in the DC metro and are connected to federal govenment (ditto for NYC/finance, SFO/hi-tech, LAX/entt), then you are in your mecca. For everyone else, depending on their situation, there might be a reason to move out.
Also, unless a business is seeking work with federal govt, there is no major incentive to set up shop in DC.
BTW, out of curiosity -- did you consider any other areas in the BosWash corridor? Do you have southern connections, or other reasons to prefer Atlanta over other BosWash cities (eg. Philadelphia)?
I have always thought that there are 4 cities in the USA that should not be compared to the rest of the cities in the USA -- Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Washington DC. These cities are speciality cities -- entertainment, high tech, finance, federal government. All other cities will generally have a much more diverse economy.
IMO, it is an unfair comparison - for both Atlanta and DC -- to continue this thread in the way it is going.
very interesting post...Atlanta is a master of something though. Logistics maybe?
Atlanta works for many people for many reasons. For example, if you are from a smaller southern town, and want to live in a big city, what would be one's first preference? It is a large city, with a large economy, and several suburbs. The city has its drawbacks, and if it has stopped working for someone, it will be up to them to make up their mind about continuing to live here.
The only problem is when it is hyped to be something that it is not, and then people come here, and get diappointed. (Even though due diligence is always needed.)
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