Five best and worst things about the Atlanta metro. (Palmetto: crime rates, houses)

[rcsteiner]

Saw this thread in the Minneapolis/St. Paul forum, and decided to bring this great northern idea to the Atlanta forum. :-)

What do you folks think are the five best and worst things about the Atlanta metro area?

These are the impressions of a Twin Cities native (lived there for almost 42 years) who has now lived in the Atlanta metro for almost three:

Best things about the Atlanta metro:

(1) There are still four seasons, but three of them feel like "autumn" to me. :-)
(2) More trees than you can eat. It's a forest down here!
(3) More diversity in the suburbs. A lot of self-segregation, but I'm thrilled to see more folks not only of different races but from more different areas of the country. I grew up in Minnetonka MN (wealthy white Minneapolis suburb) in the 70's -- I need the exposure.
(4) Housing is far more affordable than where I came from.
(5) The economy seems more vibrant down here, although the recent housing slowdown is having a noticable impact even here.

Worst things about the Atlanta metro:

(1) Summer lasts for-fricking-ever. :-)
(2) Crime. Our neighborhood is relatively safe, I think, but we still have an alarm system.
(3) Palmetto bugs. I don't mind them, and our four kitties love them as edible toys, but my wife ... dislikes ... them.
(4) Many drivers down here are aggressive idiots. Really.
(5) No hockey except the Thrashers. No college hockey at all. :-(

And to add a twist:

Best things about the Twin Cities:

(1) Good schools (in general)
(2) Low suburban crime rates (relatively speaking).
(3) A generally intelligent road layout, including smart stoplights. Atlanta needs those emergency vehicle detection thingies badly but doesn't have them (such vehicles have to run lights and dodge traffic down here).
(4) Bike-friendly roadways and paths (Atlanta has almost none).
(5) Wintertime. Sometimes I really miss it.

Worst things about the Twin Cities:

(1) Houses are (or were) 20% overpriced compared to Atlanta.
(2) Metered freeway entrance ramps.
(3) Fewer Minnesota women have soft southern accents. :-) :-)
(4) Very poor IT job market (guess why I'm in Atlanta?). Maybe it's better now, but it sucked in 2002-2004.
(5) Wintertime. :-) Sometimes I really don't miss it.

Oh ... if this has already been done a lot, hit me. I hadn't seen it, but I've not been here that long...

[Go Blue 99]

I won't hit you, but yep it's already been done

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Go Blue 99

I won't hit you, but yep it's already been done

Figures.

So what are the five best and worst things about "best of" and "worst of" lists here in the Atlanta forum?

[wxjay]

There are metered free entrance ramps here too. See I-75 at the Northside, Howell Mill, and Moores Mill exits.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by wxjay

There are metered free entrance ramps here too. See I-75 at the Northside, Howell Mill, and Moores Mill exits.

A few, perhaps, but that's not quite the same. The Twin Cities had *430* of them operating as of 2001, but some have since been turned off.

The ramp meters have been the source of at least one major study...

[atlantagreg30127]

I saw a funny naked guy walking on the side of the road today. That's not a great thing, but at least it's a funny thing that makes you forget about the traffic.

[JBnC]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

(3) Palmetto bugs. I don't mind them, and our four kitties love them as edible toys, but my wife ... dislikes ... them.

Really? I rarely see them. I see some sizeable roaches, but rarely a palmetto bug. I am from Florida and believe me, I know Palmetto bugs.

[sj73]

Don't forget about the Gwinnett Gladiators for hockey.

[mg83]

One of the worst things about this city is something that can't be changed: no large body of water.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JBnC

Really? I rarely see them. I see some sizeable roaches, but rarely a palmetto bug. I am from Florida and believe me, I know Palmetto bugs.

We have quite a few living under the leaves in our wooded backyard, and every once in a while once gets inside. When that happens, and if my wife sees it, I hear about it rather quickly. :-)