Should I move to Atlanta from Boston? can't take this long cold winter! (Buford: crime, neighborhoods)

[tonygeorgia]

We have the World's largest Airport and it is becoming even bigger with the expansion of the new international terminal

[jp01358]

Originally Posted by axemanjoe

Florida is warmer, more beaches, better roads.

Also has no economy.

[architect77]

Cape Cod in the summer is Massachusett's only redeeming quality.

I attended the Boston Architectural Center in 1999-2000, and I despised Boston's weather. Always windy, chilly from October thru May, antiquated city streets that are very unpleasant to navigate, meter maids hiding around corners ready to issue multiple tickets for double-parking when you don't have any alternatives....

NYC is always about 10 degrees warmer than Boston, which seems to be affected by Canadian/Nova Scotia weather patterns rather than those in the US

People seemed unfriendly or unhappy or both...

[AnsleyPark]

I lived in Boston's Back Bay for four or five years. There are few places like the Newbury / Comm Ave district, the harbor, Harvard Square (yes, folks, I do know that is in Cambridge), etc. There are also few things like Boston winters. I'd say this: if you don't live in Boston proper, then you will likely find Atlanta to be a great place. If you live in Boston proper, you will find Atlanta to be, well, different. Personally, now that I have a family and am older, I prefer Atlanta to Boston, but there is still nothing like wandering through Quincy Market on a spring weekend morning and winding up with a pastry and espresso in the North End.

[Jackalope]

One thing that nobody has mentioned is the humidity.

The summer temperatures may not be all that bad, but our humidity is just off-the-scale. You need a shower ten minutes after getting out of the shower in July.

And can't say enough about pollen and allergies. Just absolutely a killer if you have any sort of allergy.

But finally, and this is probably the worst part, I don't know Boston, never been there and have no idea what sort of city it is to live in, but the City of Atlanta (not metro Atlanta) just sucks. Unless you really like smelling urine and being hit up by beggers, there's no walking around in Atlanta and even if you didn't mind those distractions, there's not much to walk to or from. The northern cities I've been to seem to have a lot more neighborhood attractions; neighborhood bars and restaurants, little stores, ice cream shops, etc....things that made it fun to walk around in. With a few exceptions like Little Five Points, there aren't many such areas in Atlanta. When you want to go to a bar, you get in your car and drive ten miles to a bar. When you want to go to a restaurant, you get in your car and drive ten miles to a restaurant.

Don't expect to get to know your neighbor either. He won't be there in two years.

[darkone]

Originally Posted by architect77

Cape Cod in the summer is Massachusett's only redeeming quality.

I attended the Boston Architectural Center in 1999-2000, and I despised Boston's weather. Always windy, chilly from October thru May, antiquated city streets that are very unpleasant to navigate, meter maids hiding around corners ready to issue multiple tickets for double-parking when you don't have any alternatives....

NYC is always about 10 degrees warmer than Boston, which seems to be affected by Canadian/Nova Scotia weather patterns rather than those in the US

People seemed unfriendly or unhappy or both...

First lesson to you is that it is always better to use the phrase "In my opinion, ......" when stating something, as it is just your opinion. There are in fact many redeeming qualities that many people can find about Massachusetts. The North Shore, the historic towns, the islands, the Berkshires, etc. etc. just to name a few. It would be strange if I said that Piedmont Park on an Autumn afternoon is Atlanta's only redeeming quality, wouldn't it?

Second lesson: NYC is on average about 2 to 3 degrees warmer than the city of Boston. I have followed the weather around the northeast for many years. Sometimes there is a 10 degree difference (not often) and many times there is no difference (or Boston is in fact warmer ahead of a cold front that has already passed through NYC). I'm sure many New Yorkers wish they were 10 degrees warmer than Boston on average, with the way they've been getting clobbered with snow this winter and the last. Also, the weather that affects Boston comes from the south, west and northwest, but not from Nova Scotia. Sometimes, there can be backlash events from the Gulf of Maine, but that is about it.

Third Lesson: It is not always windy and chilly from October through May .. that is an exaggeration. The weather is variable in October and May with some chilly periods and some warm spells. November can be fairly mild as can April, with the latter seeing the occasional warm day. The winters last 3.5 months - Dec through middle of March.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

One thing that nobody has mentioned is the humidity.

The summer temperatures may not be all that bad, but our humidity is just off-the-scale. You need a shower ten minutes after getting out of the shower in July.

And can't say enough about pollen and allergies. Just absolutely a killer if you have any sort of allergy.

But finally, and this is probably the worst part, I don't know Boston, never been there and have no idea what sort of city it is to live in, but the City of Atlanta (not metro Atlanta) just sucks. Unless you really like smelling urine and being hit up by beggers, there's no walking around in Atlanta and even if you didn't mind those distractions, there's not much to walk to or from. The northern cities I've been to seem to have a lot more neighborhood attractions; neighborhood bars and restaurants, little stores, ice cream shops, etc....things that made it fun to walk around in. With a few exceptions like Little Five Points, there aren't many such areas in Atlanta. When you want to go to a bar, you get in your car and drive ten miles to a bar. When you want to go to a restaurant, you get in your car and drive ten miles to a restaurant.

Don't expect to get to know your neighbor either. He won't be there in two years.

No, Atlanta is not as pedestrian as Boston. But it certainly doesn't suck, as you put it. I live in Midtown, have known very many of my neighbors for well over 17 years and frequently walk to numerous restaurants, bars, symphony, High, etc. Like any city, your experience all depends on where in the city you live. So, while your negative experience may be true for you, your statement is not only an exaggeration, but quite misleading and doesn't reflect the experience of very many, many, many people. And, trust me - Boston's July / August weather can be just as hot and as humid if not more humid than Atlanta's. I do agree with your allergy statement, though.

[TakeAhike]

As far as the OP is concerned I think his priority should be to determine if there is a chance for gainful employment in Atlanta. He may not care for the weather in Boston but he has a stable income there and for most of us that has to be the deciding factor.

I've seen several house hunting episodes on HTV featuring Atlanta --I know the Decatur area has been featured and some part of midtown---without knowing what interested him beyond the price of the houses then it's almost impossible to offer advice.

If he really liked what he saw on episode that featured Decatur--sadly, no, he won't find that in other parts of the metro area.

[society619]

If whether is you're biggest issue you may want to reconsider your options. It does get pretty cold in Georgia in the winter and you may not be happy with your move if they is your concern. If your are looking at warmer year around temperatures I say look at California or Florida.

[jetgraphics]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

4 seasons

Translation:
New England 4 seasons = furnace on for six months
Atlanta 4 seasons = air conditioner on for six months