Orlando or Atlanta? Which one makes for a better place to live? (insurance, crime)

[dana6703]

I'm curious as to which of these two cities make for better living. I hear schools aren't as good in FL, but I hear racism exists in GA. Crime is probably a factor in both, but I'm looking more at the areas surrounding these major cities vs. directly in them. I'm sure there are goods and bad for each, just like any place, but I'm interested in seeing how many people would choose FL over GA, or vice versa. What is great? What deters you from the other?

What would you prefer and why?

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by dana6703

I'm curious as to which of these two cities make for better living. I hear schools aren't as good in FL, but I hear racism exists in GA. Crime is probably a factor in both, but I'm looking more at the areas surrounding these major cities vs. directly in them. I'm sure there are goods and bad for each, just like any place, but I'm interested in seeing how many people would choose FL over GA, or vice versa. What is great? What deters you from the other?

What would you prefer and why?

I think there are a number of other factors that need to be considered. The possibility of securing stable employment would go at the top of my list.

Comparing Atlanta and Orlando would be like comparing apples and oranges.

The metro Atlanta area includes over 5,000,000 people and 6/7 counties. There are some very nice communities and good schools.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by dana6703

I'm curious as to which of these two cities make for better living.

...

Atlanta.

[tomno00]

I think both places are very similar. Both are car dependent cities. Both have good and bad parts. Both have similar crime statistics. Both have good and bad schools. Both have pretty good night life. If you have no family ties to either area, then I would choose orlando just for the fact that traffic isn't as bad and the beaches aren't too far.

[Lagwagon113]

Atlanta is much much bigger than Orlando. Orlando is more of a smaller city while the Atlanta metro is the 9th largest in the nation. Orlando is closer to the beach though and has warmer weather year round. Apples and Oranges.

[MathmanMathman]

Well, Florida has no state income tax. But I think Florida is buggy (or more so) and alligators are in every body of water.

[billl]

Have you ever been to Orlando in the summer? It's ridiculously HOT. Florida gets very hot and humid in the summer. Coastal cities are still somewhat comfortable because they have sea breezes. But Orlando is about as far inland as you can get in Florida. It's all the heat and none of the breeze. I would never want to live there.

For me that consideration trumps all others.

[EastsideDave]

Originally Posted by dana6703

I hear racism exists in GA

There are racists everywhere friend, even Fla.

Anyway, If I was choosing between the two, I'd go with Orlando because of 1 big reason, I hate the cold weather that still seeps into the northern half of GA, I'm a shorts and flip-flops kind of guy 365 days a year.

[Esteban5]

Google "Chinese Drywall" and "Florida". Homeowner's insurance in FLA costs an arm and a leg....just be cautious if you pick Orlando and want to buy a house.

[NYPeach]

This may not be a big deal, but for me I would choose Atlanta over Florida because of the hurricanes. Yes I know a hurricane can come as far inland as Atlanta (Hurricane Opal '95) but I would feel more exposed living in Florida/Orlando than Atlanta when a hurricane hits. Also in traveling to escape a pending hurricane, I think traffic might be horrendous...and of course securing your home every time there is a warning....

Maybe I am blowing this out of proportion but I've been in a couple of hurricanes so I truly respect their power...just like being a bit more inland when they hit...