Does Atlanta Have the worst big city downtown in the South? (taxes, nightlife)

[atlantamoi]

I don't think the OP sounds ridiculous. I'd rarely ever venture downtown if I didn't work there. I go to Midtown for specific events and Buckhead probably only for shopping (not the ritzy places). This city is so much different as a place to live compared to tourist activities, although we know how to make guests have a really good time and fall in love with Atlanta. Midtown would be a wonderful place to live. Buckhead probably as well. I'm not offended by people only spending a couple of days here and not understanding why some of us really love this place.

[bryantm3]

that's a major problem that people think five points and places like underground are the places to be when they come to town, and then they think atlanta sucks. the fact that cool places like piedmont park, little five points, west midtown, etc. are not accessible by transit and are not as easy for outsiders to find makes atlanta seem boring; you could say it is the fault of the OP for not researching the city before coming here, but if thousands of people are having the same issue (which it appears is what's happening), then isn't the problem one we need to fix?

to the OP: yes, most of the stuff going on in atlanta occurs just to the east and west of midtown, in neighbourhoods like west midtown, virginia-highland, and the old fourth ward along the beltline, and then further south in places like little five points, grant park, cabbagetown, and east atlanta village. if you really want to see what makes atlanta unique, you have to see those places.

we are working on our urban core as fast as we can— just a 50 years ago midtown looked like this:


and today it looks like this:



so we're trying to catch up as fast as we can. are we as urban as cities in the northeast yet? of course not. but we hope to be at the level of about baltimore or philly in the next 30 years, and that's what we're going for. by looking at the above photo you can tell that we're a good portion of the way there— we've just got to get land values high enough that parking lot and parking deck owners would make more money selling the land to apartment and condo builders than they would continuing to operate lots. that will be the tipping point, and in some crucial corridors such as in midtown between 7th and 15th, that is happening right now.

but most of all, be patient. we weren't a big internationally known city until like 20 years ago. you guys have had an 100 year headstart.

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

Also, you have to keep in mind that Atlanta metro is not very pedestrian-friendly so things are going to be a little different than maybe what you're used to.

This is worth keeping in mind when setting expectations of what Atlanta will be like, especially for visitors from northeastern cities. This is not Philly or Boston, where you can easily walk from Cheers to Fenway. We're rather decentralized, and a car will be a necessity to see it all. I'll admit; I was a lot like the original poster when I first moved here from Up North [by way of Philly, I might add] in that I was confounded by how spread out things in town were ["Buckhead is way up there?!?" I asked from Midtown, having been pointed to high-rises many miles away].

As has been getting discussed in the Coca Cola Museum thread, Atlanta easily has the means to entertain almost any demographic of tourist. Some people might have to re-calibrate their urban entertainment compass, if you will, to find what suits them.

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by AZ GUY

I would give weather, nightlife and women to Philadelphia. Everyone has their opinion though.

And no, it is a proven fact more overseas travelers visit Philly.

Philly last call is at 1:30, they dont have one megaclub, etc. Atlanta has more visitors than Vegas and we also have more than Philly. Any straight man who has been to both cities know Atlanta women has way more attractive women. Fact is killadelphia is extremely poor, violent, horrible topography, weak nightlife, majority hootrat women, no AA professional nightlife band they are forced to drive to DC to party, horrible taxes, over 40k abandoned buildings, etc

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

Opinion, opinion, opinion, not sure, opinion, fact, fact, fact, opinion, fact, fact.

5/11 on the facts there.

Why do many Atlantans dismiss criticism about the area and boast other nonsense instead of addressing the points raised by the OP? I understand they're opinions too, but the views of outsiders should be recognized and not shunned. Whenever someone says something not 100% positive about Atlanta, it is written off as another 'Atlanta basher.' It gets old.

The aforementioned rant is applicable to multiple threads, not just this one.

The truth is the truth. The bible says "let the truth set you free" and that is what I'm doing

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by DJDeadParrot

This is worth keeping in mind when setting expectations of what Atlanta will be like, especially for visitors from northeastern cities. This is not Philly or Boston, where you can easily walk from Cheers to Fenway. We're rather decentralized, and a car will be a necessity to see it all. I'll admit; I was a lot like the original poster when I first moved here from Up North [by way of Philly, I might add] in that I was confounded by how spread out things in town were ["Buckhead is way up there?!?" I asked from Midtown, having been pointed to high-rises many miles away].

As has been getting discussed in the Coca Cola Museum thread, Atlanta easily has the means to entertain almost any demographic of tourist. Some people might have to re-calibrate their urban entertainment compass, if you will, to find what suits them.

But given that downtowns are usually the place to be in most major cities, how would a vsistor know that?

If you are planning a trip and know nothing about the city, how would you know to ask what places other than downtown to see? From a tourist/visitor perspective, how would you know that a major citiy's downtown isn't bustling and that the city is not pedestrian friendly? How would you know that if you don't know anyone in the city already? Why would a major city not be pedestrian frienldy? When you are used to sidewalks everywhere, it wouldn't occur to you the another major city doesn't have everywhere because you think sidewalks are "normal." Atlantans expect visitors to assume thingsouldn't assume normally.

Yes for northerners from other major cities, these just aren't questions you would think the ask because we are used to everything being right there. Sure it's fine that Atlanta's not like northern cities. The thing is, you don't know that until you actually get here.

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by gerrythesnake

The truth is the truth. The bible says "let the truth set you free" and that is what I'm doing

I'm sure it does. That applies to the truth, though, not opinions. If you find a way to objectively quantify that Atlanta has the best topography or even better topography than Philadelphia, then I'll believe your preaching. Until then, no.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Does Atlanta Have the worst big city downtown in the South?

NO.

Best answer!

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

I'm sure it does. That applies to the truth, though, not opinions. If you find a way to objectively quantify that Atlanta has the best topography or even better topography than Philadelphia, then I'll believe your preaching. Until then, no.

Whatever that makes you sleep better at night

The end/

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

that's a major problem that people think five points and places like underground are the places to be when they come to town, and then they think atlanta sucks. the fact that cool places like piedmont park, little five points, west midtown, etc. are not accessible by transit and are not as easy for outsiders to find makes atlanta seem boring; you could say it is the fault of the OP for not researching the city before coming here, but if thousands of people are having the same issue (which it appears is what's happening), then isn't the problem one we need to fix?

to the OP: yes, most of the stuff going on in atlanta occurs just to the east and west of midtown, in neighbourhoods like west midtown, virginia-highland, and the old fourth ward along the beltline, and then further south in places like little five points, grant park, cabbagetown, and east atlanta village. if you really want to see what makes atlanta unique, you have to see those places.

we are working on our urban core as fast as we can— just a 50 years ago midtown looked like this:


and today it looks like this:



so we're trying to catch up as fast as we can. are we as urban as cities in the northeast yet? of course not. but we hope to be at the level of about baltimore or philly in the next 30 years, and that's what we're going for. by looking at the above photo you can tell that we're a good portion of the way there— we've just got to get land values high enough that parking lot and parking deck owners would make more money selling the land to apartment and condo builders than they would continuing to operate lots. that will be the tipping point, and in some crucial corridors such as in midtown between 7th and 15th, that is happening right now.

but most of all, be patient. we weren't a big internationally known city until like 20 years ago. you guys have had an 100 year headstart.

Plus, you have to remember that Atlanta was burned to the ground by that arehole Sherman. He knew Atlanta was an important center even back then.