Atlanta class obsession/Class insecurity. (salaries, living, wealthiest)

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

It's not the norm to own a $45,000 car...the average salary is not even that high. It might be the norm for the people around you, but it's not representative of the entire city.

It is not the norm to own a 45k car when your income is 60-80k.

[CollegeStudentinAtl]

Never in my life have I seen so many Toyatos= Mercedes, Hondas= BMW, and Tahoes=Range Rovers driven around a city. I can be at a stop light, and can spot at least seven mixture of these vehicles in one minute.

I believe that there is a slight flashiness to the city, not in regards to cars of course, but from observations that I have seen when exploring the ATL metro region. I think there is a flashiness from Buckhead condos, to lake windward, to sugar loaf cc, to camp creek, to cascade, to east Cobb, back to midtown. Even in media, Atlanta is becoming a exclusive city in regards to wealth, power, class, and so on.

But I also believe that buying, under certain circumstances, a new car shouldn't be seen as boastful, or flashy. Its a matter of personal choice and style, one might not like the box looking Toyato Camry but would prefer the nice sports car. However What I do have a problem with is seeing is this.

For Example, 2002 - 2004 BMW 7 series, you can pay the base price of 10-12k for it but you cannot maintain it. Brakes are scrubbing, car making noise, service engine light on. And the same with Mercedes CLK, the earlier E class, same issue. AND those are the cars I see mostly driven around ATL. So this is where the notion of being flashy is prevalent here, you riding it but cant maintain it. Or you crediting that card, however on your credit report, debt to high ratio is 99.9 percent.

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by CollegeStudentinAtl

For Example, 2002 - 2004 BMW 7 series, you can pay the base price of 10-12k for it but you cannot maintain it. Brakes are scrubbing, car making noise, service engine light on. And the same with Mercedes CLK, the earlier E class, same issue. AND those are the cars I see mostly driven around ATL. So this is where the notion of being flashy is prevalent here, you riding it but cant maintain it. Or you crediting that card, however on your credit report, debt to high ratio is 99.9 percent.

Goes back to my post when I said ENTRY LEVEL BMW. i.e-3series. That what you see. Same thing with Volvo, i.e. S40.

[berkeleylake]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

It is not the norm to own a 45k car when your income is 60-80k.

It is unwise to buy a car that expensive on such a salary, but many people overextend themselves anywhere "trying to keep up with the Joneses."

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

She could be legitimately wealthy. Do successful woman intimidate you?

I doubt it has anything to do with being intimidated, people can be shallow and have a way of trying to make people feel inadequate. You may say--"No one can make you feel inadequate". Well, that sounds good but it's not the cause. Similar to the lie we were told as kids---something to the tune of "sticks and stones.......words will never hurt me". Words do hurt and they can hurt for a lifetime. People do try to put people in a box and place them where they feel YOU belong. Adults can be and are very often shallow. It has nothing to do with race or gender.


I'm a quiet guy, not flashy but I have a VAST amount of experience and have attained a great deal of career success. I come from a family that is VERY successful. But based on my low key style, most "WANNA BE" affluent people "dismiss" me.............little do they know. :0) So, no it's not about intimidation, it's about being shallow or lacking in character. When you've been around success all of your life and you've attained success, your outlook is MUCH different from "new money". New Money is all about external appearances and social status. Mediocre people acting "Top shelf".

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by berkeleylake

It is unwise to buy a car that expensive on such a salary, but many people overextend themselves anywhere "trying to keep up with the Joneses."

I KNEW a girl that FILED for bankruptcy, makes about $14/hr and drives a 2011 Camery.

[Nairobi]

Our society is becoming increasingly materialistic, and the "new money culture" is becoming more and more pervasive.

I believe that everyone should treat themselves when they can, but using these luxury items to symbolize your own inflated sense of self-worth only makes you look like a fool to those of us who know better.

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

Our society is becoming increasingly materialistic, and the "new money culture" is becoming more and more pervasive.

I believe that everyone should treat themselves when they can, but using these luxury items to symbolize your own inflated sense of self-worth only makes you look like a fool to those of us who know better.

I like to call them "Groupies".

[MrWJr]

Interesting topic! I recently made a trip to my company's office in ATL and was amazed by the amount of Audi's, Land Rovers and etc that passed me on 400 compared to what I see daily in SC. My thoughts were "either the people in ATL make a lot of money, or folks are living above their means." To a young person not used to having much money or success, I can see how easy it could be to fall into debt by keeping up with society in that area. The flashiness seems to be a norm..

[Ant131531]

That's why people move to Atlanta. So they can show their friends how big of a house they have because it's cheap.