Aversion to Driving: Is it Just Atlanta---or Everywhere? (Sandy Springs, Marietta: lease, transfer)

[researchnerd]

Originally Posted by rzzzz

This is not just an Atlanta thing. It's not even a driving thing. In NYC couples break up over having to travel from Uptown to Downtown. Forget about inter-borough friendships and romance.

I agree, I think it's psychological. I met a guy once who refused to date anyone who lived OTP, which boggled me. But I suspect that was less about distance than ITP snobbery.

Sure, during rush hour, everything's a mess. On a bad day I've had it take me 45 minutes just to drive the 6 miles from Kirkwood to downtown (<6 miles), and 3 hours to get downtown from Ball Ground (50 miles). But non-rush-hour, Atlanta is really easy to get around. I can drive from northern Cherokee to the airport in under 40 minutes.

Maybe I lived out in The Middle Of Nowhere for so long that I got used to long distances, I dunno. I just don't see distance as a good reason not to see friends, or to get out and do stuff. Even from Ball Ground, I made it over to see my friends in Loganville and Monroe pretty regularly.

[cqholt]

I can drive from northern Cherokee to the airport in under 40 minutes.

At 2am and speeding like hell?

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by researchnerd

I agree, I think it's psychological. I met a guy once who refused to date anyone who lived OTP, which boggled me. But I suspect that was less about distance than ITP snobbery.

Sure, during rush hour, everything's a mess. On a bad day I've had it take me 45 minutes just to drive the 6 miles from Kirkwood to downtown (<6 miles), and 3 hours to get downtown from Ball Ground (50 miles). But non-rush-hour, Atlanta is really easy to get around. I can drive from northern Cherokee to the airport in under 40 minutes.

Maybe I lived out in The Middle Of Nowhere for so long that I got used to long distances, I dunno. I just don't see distance as a good reason not to see friends, or to get out and do stuff. Even from Ball Ground, I made it over to see my friends in Loganville and Monroe pretty regularly.

W-h-e-r-e's Logan-ville?

(Recent transplants need not respond )

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by cqholt

At 2am and speeding like hell?

I reckon
55.7 mi, 1 hour 2 mins
In current traffic: 1 hour 14 mins
I-75 N and I-575 N

>Cherokee Airport to Hartsfield<

[DaBurgh]

The way people treat each other on the roads is awful. Not only is it time-consuming and expensive, it's stressful in a new way. I see at least 2 incidents of road rage on 400 every day on my commute to and from work. I never know from which direction the next car is coming. I've seen accidents and close calls, people flipping each other off. Get people behind the wheel of their automobiles and all decency disappears and selfishness rules the day. To get home and want to get out and do it all over again is a bit much. I get out, but plan the drives carefully.

Anyways, I suspect that your acquaintances may feel the same way.

[aus10]

Originally Posted by researchnerd

I agree, I think it's psychological. I met a guy once who refused to date anyone who lived OTP, which boggled me. But I suspect that was less about distance than ITP snobbery.

Sure, during rush hour, everything's a mess. On a bad day I've had it take me 45 minutes just to drive the 6 miles from Kirkwood to downtown (<6 miles), and 3 hours to get downtown from Ball Ground (50 miles). But non-rush-hour, Atlanta is really easy to get around. I can drive from northern Cherokee to the airport in under 40 minutes.

Maybe I lived out in The Middle Of Nowhere for so long that I got used to long distances, I dunno. I just don't see distance as a good reason not to see friends, or to get out and do stuff. Even from Ball Ground, I made it over to see my friends in Loganville and Monroe pretty regularly.

You do get used to the distance driving... I come down from Blairsville to the city regularly to see my son. Typically an hour and 45 minutes to two hours from Blairsville to North Druid Hills...

[cqholt]

The way people treat each other on the roads is awful. Not only is it time-consuming and expensive, it's stressful in a new way.

That is why I choose to take MARTA. People treat each other with respect, men giving up seats for ladies and kids and its stress free. Sometimes, very rarely during rush hour is there every someone playing loud music without headphones. I am impressed with the way people treat each other that use MARTA regularly.

[researchnerd]

Originally Posted by cqholt

At 2am and speeding like hell?

Nope. At 11am, or 6am, or 2pm, or 7pm, at cruising speed in my Acura - which is about 72 mph.

Originally Posted by cqholt

That is why I choose to take MARTA. People treat each other with respect, men giving up seats for ladies and kids and its stress free. Sometimes, very rarely during rush hour is there every someone playing loud music without headphones. I am impressed with the way people treat each other that use MARTA regularly.

This would be especially awesome if MARTA actually went anywhere. We really, really need proper commuter rail service OTP.

[cqholt]

Nope. At 11am, or 6am, or 2pm, or 7pm, at cruising speed in my Acura - which is about 72 mph

Then that is amazing and I am shocked.

We really, really need proper commuter rail service OTP.

Yes we do!

[researchnerd]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Then that is amazing and I am shocked.

It's not amazing or shocking, it's just...not as prohibitively far as people assume. That's what I mean when I say it's psychological. Outside of rush hour, almost everything in the metro area is pretty accessible.