Relocating to ATL (Atlanta, Washington, White: transplants, apartment, to rent)

[HATENYC]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I are planning to relocate to ATL this summer. I have a plethora of questions interms of good school districts. I have a child that will be entering HS and a child that will be entering Kindergarten. Which counties have great school districts?

How is the job market? I have a masters degree in education but I dont think I necessarily want to teach what are my opinions?

I hear that Georgia is blantantly racist...in your face, but I guess I've heard that about the majority of the Southern States. Is this true?

If your wondering why Im leaving NYC, well its b/c I want a better quality of life and its just oober expensive to live here and every activity is $$$$.

Thanks

[lorilove]

Please read this thread and answer the questions regarding budget etc.

Moving to atlanta soon? Read this first

Are you moving to Atlanta without a job - note that we have one of the highest unemployement rates. That is a huge risk that is not recommended - why have you chosen Atlanta

As far as rascism in Altanta and the South - NO NO and NO. That is not that we dont' have our issues but you need to lose that thought before moving here or you will just set yourself up for failure.

[ATLTJL]

There may be certain parts of Georgia where racism is more in your face. Just like there are certain parts of New York state where that is true.

In Atlanta it is simply untrue. There is no more racism here than there is in New York or Washington DC. There is probably considerably less because we tend to have an open and healthy dialogue on race instead of sweeping it under the carpet and pretending it doesn't exist.

Keep in mind that Atlanta has a huge black population. White people here are used to seeing and dealing with black people every day, so we don't think anything of it.

[bryantm3]

depends on what you mean by 'in your face' racist. if you mean, people get in your face and they're like "we don't like yerr kind around these here parts" or whatever— no. honestly, there are only a couple of areas in georgia that i've seen where they might look at you funny, and they're all these super out-of-the-way backwater places. plus, georgia is a huge state, it's 400 miles from top to bottom. you won't see anything like that within 30 miles of atlanta easy. atlanta also has a huge korean population in gwinnett county (top 5 in the nation, actually, you can drive for miles and see nothing but signs in korean), muslims in sandy springs through alpharetta, indians all over the place, somalians in clarkston, and we jews are speckled all over the city.

however, you'll have to specify how much you're willing to spend, whether you want to rent or buy, whether you want a house or an apartment/condo, whether you want access to the subway system, and if you'd feel more comfortable in an urban setting or a suburban setting. just a quick warning, "suburban" here doesn't mean what it means in the northeast. if you say you want to live in the suburbs, you're talking about this kind of house, at least 15 miles away from the urban core:



whereas someone from the northeast might think *this* looks suburban:



which is a neighbourhood called cabbagetown, we'd call that 'intown'.

[HATENYC]

Thanks for your reply! I will more than likely have to rent until I become employed. I hope landing employment will not be to difficult. As I have contacted serveral staffing agencies that have advised that I only apply to positions when I have a GA residence incase Im called in for an interview.

As for living requirements, I definately want to live in the suburbs the 1st picture you posted. I am so ovver city living I just want peace and quiet, you know a better quality of life for my children...something that is very difficult to get living here in the concrete jungle of NYC...

Do you have any suggestions on the job front? Any specific companies that I should like at?

[HATENYC]

Hi Lorilove,

Ive choosen ATL for a couple of reason one being a better quality of life. I am totally aware that relocating without a job is risky but its something that Im willing to do b/c NYC just isnt cutting it anymore....honestly it never cut it in my opinion. Thoughout my travels I just know there are better places to live and raise children and Ive heard ATL is one of them.

I am hopeful that my education will aid in getting me decent employment.

[westau]

The job market is still mixed at best here. It would be hard to tell you companies to look at without knowing what you are wanting to do/qualified to do.

[HATENYC]

Westau, I have a masters degree in education but I really do not want teach....but I would like to work in the school system in some other capacity. I also have ten years ++ as a admin asst. I constantly look on indeed and there seems to alot of job openings but I guess I will be able to better tell once I arrive.

[tonygeorgia]

I new GM building is currently hiring

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by HATENYC

I hear that Georgia is blantantly racist...in your face, but I guess I've heard that about the majority of the Southern States. Is this true?

I don't think that's true, though it will vary by location. This region has a long history, and that history has left a lasting mark so at times the discussions here on City-Data can get a bit heated, but there are so many transplants in the Atlanta metro that you probably won't see much of it unless you look for it.