How much does traffic affect your quality of life?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by MrDarkKnight

Hello everyone. I don't currently live in ATL, but considering relocating there. I know that everyone complains about traffic. I was wondering outside of the normal rush hour times, how much does traffic really discourage you from participating in activities. With young kids, I know I'll be trekking around the area with whatever they are involved in, but of course I have my own life and I need to get out and participate in my interests. Is it just one of these things that you sort of get used to or would you participate in more if it weren't for the traffic.

Depends partly on where you live and where you work. We live in Central DeKalb.

I know that it changed what we did after we moved here from Houston. I make much more of an effort to combine trips. We don't go very far on Friday nights to dinner because the traffic continues well past 7. With the hospital, university and CDC, the rush hour is pretty extended in our area. It doesn't end until about 9:30 and starts up about 2:30 or 3. I know of a church that quit doing some meetings on Wednesday night that had traditionally been that night because of traffic.

Not so much of an impact on weekends, but we allow extra time because its not uncommon to get caught in some delays.

[hunterseat]

I can't remember living in another place that had the traffic report 24/7. Oahu is supposed to have the worst traffic, or is it LA. I've driven in both places and Atlanta is right up there with them.

I lived in Gwinnett for a year and a half and traveled around the area for work. When I want south, it was no trouble. I went to Forest Park, East Point, and Decatur, right off the loop. BUT when I went north to Marietta - it totally sucked.

I agree, try to move close to work if possible.

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by hunterseat

I can't remember living in another place that had the traffic report 24/7. Oahu is supposed to have the worst traffic, or is it LA. I've driven in both places and Atlanta is right up there with them.

I lived in Gwinnett for a year and a half and traveled around the area for work. When I want south, it was no trouble. I went to Forest Park, East Point, and Decatur, right off the loop. BUT when I went north to Marietta - it totally sucked.

I agree, try to move close to work if possible.

From some report, it is supposed to be someplace in Hawaii that has the worst traffic so I guess it must be Oahu. Doesn't look like it from watching Hawaii Five 0 so that must be on a different island.


I'm jumping on the move close work if possible bandwagon.


OP, depending on where you live, the rush hours vary, but keep in mind that you could be looking at 7 am to 9:30 am, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, and 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. It can even extend longer in he evening or the morning - it just depends. If you have things you'd like to do during the day, you'd like to do during the day (not morning or evening), then you need to try to miss the lunch crowd as well.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by MrDarkKnight

How about those of you who live OTP and not fortunate to live close to a MARTA station?

Even then, there's ways around it. When I visit my parent's house in Marietta, what I do is drive to the nearest MARTA station which is Sandy Springs via Paper Mill Rd and Johnson Ferry. It takes about 15-20 minutes. If I lived in Gwinett, I could drive to the Doraville Station.

[bornjacksonian]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Folks tend to dramatize traffic issues around here. It can be a pain, sure, at times. But it's not life altering as some may imply.

Well said. I can count on one hand the number of traffics jams I've been caught in on a monthly basis. Being that I know how to maneuver around the city using back roads also comes in handy.

[Atlwarrior]

I try to start work at 6:30 so I can leave at 3pm from Sandy Springs. All because traffic outside the perimeter after 7am and 4pm is horrible. Thank God for Waze app! I shouldn't have to plan my work schedule because of traffic, but its a habit now.