relocated people-what do you think of city of Atlanta? (Alpharetta: real estate, condos)

[south-to-west]

It also depends on who you know and who your friends are. I really don't like malls and shopping is nowhere near my favorite pastime. My friends and I get together, hang out, check out live music and one of many of live music venues here in Atlanta, go to house parties, check out indie films at one of several movie theaters (not to mention the Atlanta film festival), go hiking, etc. I can do all of those things here--except no beach. Whenever you move somewhere, it's about the neighborhood where you live, as well as the company you keep. When I first moved here, I lived in Buckhead, which was wild has hell back in the day. At first it was fun, but then I was bored and felt like I lived in the midst of commercial madness. When I moved down to East Atlanta and actually lived in a real neighborhood with great venues, bars, and activities, my whole perception of Atlanta changed and I really began to like it.

As far as the weather, Atlanta has one of the best climates east of the Mississippi. This past week was an aberration and far from normal in regards to the snow and cold. I've been able to walk outside comfortably at some point every month of the year.

[compelled to reply]

It really does depend on who you associate with no matter where you are. I didn't know Atlanta had that big of an Indie film scene but I'm not that into films, although it sounds interesting.

[knightgoose]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Thank you for the reply. As a young professional in South FL I find there is plenty more to do here than the (shallow) bar and club scene. Yes I like the beach, but I also enjoy strolling through some of the kitschy shops in downtown Hollywood, going to see bands play at Culture Room or Revolution in FTL (also Langerado Music Festival, an AMAZING 3 day festival) going out to dinner at a quality restaurant with a group of friends, cycling/hiking in the Everglades (Shark Valley), and there is a lot going on here in the way of festivals and the arts, more than ATL in my opinion. There is just "more going on", especially during the winter season when the weather is more mild. I don't know, there were some cool artsy intown neighborhood in ATL, but overall the biggest pastime to me there seemed like shopping, and my fav. activities are mostly outdoor activities that I prob. would not enjoy as much with the air quality issues in ATL.

Apologize for lack of eloquence. My keyboard is having some probs right now or else I would expand more. Point being, there is way more to do here than go to the clubs, anyone who calls South FL "Boring" needs to open their eyes.

During the summer, yes my activities become more beach and indoor oriented.

That theater sounds great, I wish I could find something like that here.

I know what you mean as far as FL goes...maybe you just get used to it especially spending your college years here and places like ATL, charlotte, etc feel too cold by a FL guy's standards. I agree w/ your post and then there are the simple things like having pool parties(something I seem to do a lot) on a Saturday w/ friends at your apartment pool in March and November where other places are too cold to the same. I've visited Atlanta a few times and have had a good time but I'd think twice about moving there but the job market there does seem better than any city in FL

[vixmix]

anyone familiar with Powder Springs ?

[south-to-west]

Originally Posted by mg83

compelled, in my opinion, someone like me, in their 20's and a few years off from having children, there's no DOUBT in my mind that I made the wrong decision moving to Atlanta. I'm searching for jobs right now, and looking to move to Miami Beach (yes, I've been to South Florida, and I know all about the materialism there... ), however I think Miami Beach has a different vibe than mainland Miami.

Anyway, so far in Atlanta, my favorite thing has been the Tara theater, it shows more obscure, "indie" films. It's great.
As for things to do on weekends, back when I was in Florida, if I was ever "bored" on a Saturday, I'd go to the beach... it wouldn't even have to be with other people, and it didn't matter which month it was. In Atlanta, there are outdoorsy things to do on the weekends (though NOT now, it's been cold since late November), but as a female, I wouldn't do them alone. I'd NEVER hike the Hooch trails alone, I'd never just hang out in one of the parks here. I dunno, I just don't feel comfortable here all by myself. I don't know what people do here on the weekends. I mean, how many times can you go to the aquarium? Or to the High? It really gets old and boring. Seems like the only thing to do is shop.

You should really check out Castleberry Hill where there are a lot of smaller, independent galleries if you're into art. It's a really cool neighborhood of old warehouses that have been converted into lofts. It almost has a "Tribeca" feel to it.

[turtleman]

I relocated to Atlanta from Dallas,Tx in 1991 and lived there untill 2004. The last 7 years, my wife and I lived in a 2br 2b apartment in Dunwoody and loved it. Our jobs were within 1 to 2 miles within the perimeter. It wasn't unitll I was impacted by a layoff, that we went thruough some 'soul searching' and decided to move back to Dallas,Tx. One of the reasons we decided to move to Texas was because the real estate there is cheaper and there is no state tax in Texas. This would be a 'pratical and 'logical' choice for baby boomers who can pay a condo,townhome or single home cash, and live in a place where there is less traffic and live more confortably.

Well, unfortunately, this was not the case for us,because;

1- You pay twice as much in electricity in Texas vs. Georgia because of the deregulation of electiricity since 2002.
2- Even though the real estate is cheaper here, the property tax is very expensive (about the double compared to Atlanta)
3- The summers here are extremely hot...Believe me, I have lived in Atanta for almost 15 years, and its nothing compared to Texas.

Realistically, I know there are always pros and cons to every city. There are pros to living here (less traffic and no state tax) but, It is not as pretty and nice like Atlanta. I guess it boils down to where you feel happier to live with,despite all of the negative and cons to a place.

Anyway, We have plans to move back to Atlanta circa fall of 2009 and buy a small 2br 1 br condo in Dunwoody in the price range of 200,000. We plan to pay that cash and look for jobs within the perimeter. They may not be high paying jobs, but with a paid off condo, we would not have the pressures with paying a mortage. I stll keep in contact with some of my managers at the company I worked for a year (the one I worked after I got laid off the previous one),with the hopes of having a job waiting for me when I get there. If not,we would have reserves for about a year. I am sure I would find some job close by. I am Bilingual with an MBA and have lots of experience.

Do you thing this is a crazy idea?

[plessthanpointohfive]

No, it's not a crazy idea.

Also, you might be able to find a condo even closer to your work since you dont' have to worry about schools (or do you?).

The area of West End and Westview are transitioning and a lot of young people are buying. You could find a house in your price range there.

Good luck and welcome back!

[maddy1980]

Originally Posted by mg83

hahaha, there are many, many people who want to be at the beach all day everyday... if that wasn't true, then places like California and Florida wouldnt be a retirees paradise. Water does amazing things. Though, it also brings hurricanes.

Unless they are filthy rich millionaires then they can not do it. So for those of us who hath to work and can't spend all our time having fun on the beach then I see no real point of living near one. Besides when hurricanes come you hath to leave your homes sometimes for days out of fear you may get hurt. And then on top of that your home could be ruined. I love my home state of florida and is happy to be born and raised here but it is seriously time for me to move on for a better living.

[turtleman]

Thanks for your feedback. Do you live in Dunwoody? If so, I was wondering if you by any chance know what the property tax rate is for Dekalb county...

[Condo Expert Atlanta]

Midtown Atlanta is really happening! Theatre, Art galleries, Clubs, and awesome restaurants. Piedmont park has festivals and events. I relocated to Atl from NYC about 13 years ago. I have lived in the burds and now in midtown and this is the BEST! Atl is a bit more relaxed so once you wind down a bit you will enjoy it very much.

I am a real estate agent and know the Midtown and Downtown areas very well.