Has anybody moved to Atlanta from Chicago and have regretted their decision? (Buckhead: wood floors, for sale)
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I would dispute your characterization of "Korean Town" (itself a questionable moniker used by you) as "ghetto," but having lived all over Chicago, north, south, and for a few months, even west (there's no east side, not really), I can say that the cost of living is better here, until you look at your state income tax bill. Travel on the roads is the pits, but really, if you time your trips maybe ten minutes outside the collars of the high commute times, you really can get anywhere within twenty minutes within the metropolitan area. Given today's winter ice storm (1/10/11), ice removal here is a joke. I heard the Mayor Kasim Reed brag about having 10 snow plows on the road! Groan. Daley put 20 in my Hyde Park zip code at the first snowflake, but that's the north. I live about 135 footsteps from Grant Park (Atlanta's, not Chicago's new Millennium), where there's the zoo and some cool family-oriented vistas. Nice coffee houses and pizza places do the area, plus one or two experimental restaurants that spring up when the seasons change. I am 3 miles from downtown, and I walk it, weather permitting, once a week to where my job was. Your question is whether anyone has regretted their decision. For being in "the element," I guess I have some regrets. Chicago has a vibrancy you cannot feel here. Atlanta is an incidental big city fueled fast forward by the Olympics, not one that grew organically like Chicago, and you feel the detachment. Still, the weather is super (today notwithstanding) and the good old southern hospitality is refreshing. Down here, you can have a 30 second conversation with your cashier at Kroger after your transaction has been completed without the people behind you griping. In fact, if you don't you're downright rude. Make it a point to expore the history here. The literary giants are amazing. The Civil War heritage is deep and respected, although not always defensible (my opinion, not fact, of course). I actually like the museums and the Aquarium is even more impressive than Shedd! (Please don't tell any Chicagoans that I said this...especially the upcoming Mayor Emmanuel...Chicago politics lets me know he's gonna be elected. I wanna go back to Chi-town to visit.)
Given today's winter ice storm (1/10/11), ice removal here is a joke.
Considering the metro Atlanta has only 1 good snow covering a year, if that, spending money on snow plows and such does not make much sense from a financial perspective.
Mookie1 wrote
Quote:
Chicago has a vibrancy you cannot feel here. Atlanta is an incidental big city fueled fast forward by the Olympics, not one that grew organically like Chicago, and you feel the detachment.
I think I relate to this opinion that you have. I never lived in Chicago, but visited many times over the years. It is interesting to see everyone's perspective who has lived in both. Chicago is one of my favorite US cities to visit. I would not consider living there now with its high cost of living, but the downtown is fun for visitors almost any time of the year.
Atlanta is an incidental big city fueled fast forward by the Olympics, not one that grew organically like Chicago, and you feel the detachment.
Actually Atlanta did grow organically and it was larger 40 years before the Olympics. If there's any big city in America that's not master planned it's Atlanta.
We have a five year old house up north with all the bells and whistles that we custom designed so I'm worried I won't find something I really love but hope to find something as close to this as possible down there. Laurel Springs does have some newer homes and the oldest they have were built in the late 90's but I know St. Marlo does have a lot more newer homes. If only my husband would go for it but St. Marlo has a public course and he just doesn't like it as well as Laurel Springs.
Livinginbuffalo,
How is your home search going? I know you and your husband are both looking in Laurel Springs, but you and your agent should definitely check out the new construction in St. Marlo. I think the area closer to the McFinnis Ferry border will have a premium in S. Forsyth. You probably already know this, but generally new homes will have less maintenance costs and will appreciate faster than the older homes. My builder recently informed me that 10 out of 15 lots are now in contract and the remaining lots should be all sold out by March. Peachtree Residential didn't even market these homes and they have already sold out 2/3 of the lots. The area where the new homes are being built (off of Prestick and Inverness) are really really nice. You definitely have to see it.
IL had only one good thing going which which was the low state income tax of 3%. Now since they raised to it to 5%, there is absolutely no incentive to stay in Chicago. My townhome recently appraised at $340,000 and my taxes are $8000. Crazy huh? You realize you can own a million dollar home in St. Marlo CC and pay the same $8000 in taxes. The schools where my townhome is located is ghetto, and schools that St. Marlo CC feeds into are ranked in the top 3% in the state of Georgia. I am glad I am leaving IL.
I would dispute your characterization of "Korean Town" (itself a questionable moniker used by you) as "ghetto," but having lived all over Chicago, north, south, and for a few months, even west (there's no east side, not really), I can say that the cost of living is better here, until you look at your state income tax bill. Travel on the roads is the pits, but really, if you time your trips maybe ten minutes outside the collars of the high commute times, you really can get anywhere within twenty minutes within the metropolitan area. Given today's winter ice storm (1/10/11), ice removal here is a joke. I heard the Mayor Kasim Reed brag about having 10 snow plows on the road! Groan. Daley put 20 in my Hyde Park zip code at the first snowflake, but that's the north. I live about 135 footsteps from Grant Park (Atlanta's, not Chicago's new Millennium), where there's the zoo and some cool family-oriented vistas. Nice coffee houses and pizza places do the area, plus one or two experimental restaurants that spring up when the seasons change. I am 3 miles from downtown, and I walk it, weather permitting, once a week to where my job was. Your question is whether anyone has regretted their decision. For being in "the element," I guess I have some regrets. Chicago has a vibrancy you cannot feel here. Atlanta is an incidental big city fueled fast forward by the Olympics, not one that grew organically like Chicago, and you feel the detachment. Still, the weather is super (today notwithstanding) and the good old southern hospitality is refreshing. Down here, you can have a 30 second conversation with your cashier at Kroger after your transaction has been completed without the people behind you griping. In fact, if you don't you're downright rude. Make it a point to expore the history here. The literary giants are amazing. The Civil War heritage is deep and respected, although not always defensible (my opinion, not fact, of course). I actually like the museums and the Aquarium is even more impressive than Shedd! (Please don't tell any Chicagoans that I said this...especially the upcoming Mayor Emmanuel...Chicago politics lets me know he's gonna be elected. I wanna go back to Chi-town to visit.)
Question, how does a place grow organically? I was under the impression that all big cities grew to be large because of what they provide (i.e. jobs, opportunity, lower taxes, etc).
I agree but it depends on what you value. I am younger (28) and the nightlife, restaurants, etc suck in Atlanta compared to Chicago. Like prior posters have mentioned, Atlanta compared to Chicago is not Walkable and the Vibrancy of Chicago is not there. But if you are looking at cost of living and weather, Atlanta beats Chicago hands down.
Ecureresident, I agree. but even if I was your age I would rather move to Los Angeles or Orange County. Atleast the high taxes would compensate for the sunshine all year around. High taxes in Chicago? For what? This crappy weather?
Your right... I am a family man with two infants. I don't really value the city life, but the suburban life. so what i am looking for is different from you? Again, even if i was 28 and single... I would not waste my valuable single years in Chicago, I would be in LA or OC, California.
Last edited by mrpanda; 01-17-2011 at 12:44 PM..
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