ATL vs. Chicago & Dallas (Palmetto: movies, mall, safe)

[kwiley1221]

Originally Posted by greg_atlanta

I've heard Dallas described as "Atlanta without trees".

Atlanta or Dallas will provide a higher standard of living for the money if you have a moderate income ($50-100K/yr).

I agree with you on both points.

I've lived in Dallas and Atlanta. I've heard the 'Atlanta without trees' thing too. I think that's a fair description. The two cities, to me, are very similar. And either city will be cheaper than Chicago, plus a lot better weather. I think Atlanta has the better overall year-round climate, since Texas can be hot in summer. I think the COL is cheaper in Dallas...no state tax and I think home prices are a little cheaper, too. I am from Texas, so I would obviously favor Dallas over Atlanta. Both cities offer GREAT golf, if you are a golf nut.

Atlanta, I think, is a prettier city (trees) and offers a little bit more to do (the coast and the NGa mountains are close by), although DFW as a whole has a few interesting things around. I especially like the Stockyards area of Ft Worth and the Ft Worth Zoo is very underrated. I think the people are friendlier in Dallas vs Atlanta. I lived in both places; that's just my personal experience (and biasness?). I'm sure others will disagree. Both have good/busy airports. Both have a LOT of good shopping and restaurants to choose from.

I didn't talk about Chicago. I've been to Chicago and wouldn't have a problem living there. I think it's a great city. But given the cost of living between the 3 locations, I'd put Chicago last. That would personally be MY first consideration. But I could be happy in any of those cities.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3. Just make sure that you choose based upon what's most important to you (things to do, cost of living, weather, or whatever)...

[KevK]

I have lived in all 3 places (plus Wichita, KC and Seattle). Here is what I think about it. Dallas is huge. The metroplex of Dallas and Ft Worth is probably 4 times the size of the Atlanta metro. And unlike Atlanta NOTHING in Dallas is centrally located. I lived in Plano and had to go to Richardson to work. Chances are the same for you. Atlanta is spead out too but the job centers are usually clustered in downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and the Perimeter. And Dallas is hotter than the worst day in HELL in the summer. People gripe about the heat in Atlanta but this place is great next to Dallas. When I lived there in 82 it was over 100 degrees almost everyday in July! Some days it would top at 107 with humidity! The only pluses about Dallas were the fact that the traffic is not half as bad as Atlanta's and that it is not expensive to live in.
Now Chicago is a different story. Recently Chicago winters have been pretty mild. Don't be fooled. I lived there for 13 years and my sister still lives there. The winters there are rough. Ir rarely snows big amounts but it snows alot- sometimes 4 times a week and the city sprays road salt on everything! Your car and your shoes will last alot longer down here. Chicago is also very expensive. A house that fetches $170,000 here will cost you twice as much in Chicago. Taxes are high too although the city services and parks are much better than Atlanta's. And Chicago is crowded. In most areas you will have to rent a parking space if you have a car because there is simply no legal places to park there and you sure as hell don't want to rack up parking fines because they are expensive. Also, my car insurance in Chicago was twice what it cost me here. But Chicago offers alot too. You have great colleges and universities, good transportation and always lots to do there. What I would do is this- if you are young, single and want to have some fun, Chicago. If you are a bit older and want to settle down a bit and like being outside alot, Atlanta.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by greg_atlanta

I've heard Dallas described as "Atlanta without trees".

I just took a picture out of my office building window this evening. With the trees turning color, I think it's starting to look quite pretty down here. It isn't very good, but it show some trees.

[fit]

We (I and wife) are moving to Atlanta in Jan/Feb. I find this forum really useful to know about the city. Thanks to all.

[jxn3000]

wow..so many different perspectives...and all useful!!! thanks guys. keep them coming.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by fit

We (I and wife) are moving to Atlanta in Jan/Feb. I find this forum really useful to know about the city. Thanks to all.

You will like it here. Most people do BUT a warning- the traffic here is worse than anything you have ever seen. Plan where you are going to live and work carefully unless you like "12 hour days" or 8 hours at work and 2 hours each way driving. It is really "that bad". I have a neighbour and she works 22 miles away in Dunwoody. 1 hour commutes are the norm and many days if there is weather or wrecks she has told me they stretch into 2 hours on 285. She drives a mustang with a manual shift and has said that on more than one day she has never got past 2nd gear driving to work! It is absolutely terrible on both the highways and surface streets here. Other than that, it is a pretty decent place to live.

[Mamato3BB's]

Originally Posted by jxn3000

have the opportunity to make a major career move at the beginning of '08. opportunities are available in chicago, atl and dallas. anyone have thoughts on how the three stack up against one another?

I have not lived in (or even been to!) Dallas so I cannot comment on that. My perspective comes from someone who lived in MN most of her life. However I lived in Chicago for just over 3 years after college and have lived in ATL for about 9 months now. They are two VERY different cities.

Chicago is more of a 'city' feel but just beautiful and I like the weather there. I love snow and the cold is just fine with me. I cannot think of any 'bad' things to say about it, other than it can get pricey. I would move there again in a heartbeat, and probably will eventually end up there again. It's our long term goal.

Atlanta, as others have said, has a lower cost of living. The weather is "eh" to me. Summer seemed to last FOREVER and just starting to feel like 'fall' to me now. People are nice, lots of transplants and you will not encounter the sterotypical 'redneck' here. However the culture outside the city is very different than you will encounter in the city and can be interesting. Diversity is a nice plus, as is the city's proximity to oceans and mountains. We just took a trip to Disney World with a quick 6.5 hour drive there, that was nice. I'm not wild about the Palmetto bugs but Chicago has lots of fun bugs too....

Good luck with your decision

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Mamato3BB's

I'm not wild about the Palmetto bugs but Chicago has lots of fun bugs too....

Yeah.. They're called Blackhawks fans.

[fit]

Originally Posted by KevK

You will like it here. Most people do BUT a warning- the traffic here is worse than anything you have ever seen. Plan where you are going to live and work carefully unless you like "12 hour days" or 8 hours at work and 2 hours each way driving. It is really "that bad". I have a neighbour and she works 22 miles away in Dunwoody. 1 hour commutes are the norm and many days if there is weather or wrecks she has told me they stretch into 2 hours on 285. She drives a mustang with a manual shift and has said that on more than one day she has never got past 2nd gear driving to work! It is absolutely terrible on both the highways and surface streets here. Other than that, it is a pretty decent place to live.

Thanks for the info. I'm yet to find a job in the city. Initially I'll be staying Revenia drive near the mall. I was wondering how safe is the area around the mall.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by fit

Thanks for the info. I'm yet to find a job in the city. Initially I'll be staying Revenia drive near the mall. I was wondering how safe is the area around the mall.

Which mall? As long as it isn't Greenbriar Mall or South DeKalb Mall, it is probably safe.