Positives about Atlanta? (Duluth, Decatur, North Decatur: insurance, gated, travel)

[LLD]

Unfortunately most cities and towns in the US don't plan for bike paths and lanes, nor do they address public transit very well. The US is still a "car" society in most places with a few notable exceptions like NYC, DC etc.

[jeweloflight]

Originally Posted by LLD

I'm new to the forum and I've been reading lots of the current threads and I'm a bit dismayed at all the negatives and not seeing lots of positives about Atlanta. Have I missed the positives?

I've been researching Atlanta and frankly thought there were lots of positives: major airport, lots of universities, some very interesting intown historic districts, lots of diversity, lots of revitalization going on in the city, standard amenities of a big city like shopping, restaurants, movies, theater, seems to be lots of singles groups for all ages from dances to wine tasting to hiking and traveling, four seasons, decent priced housing, choice of lots of housing in several price ranges depending on location etc., close to the mountains, not super far from the beach. I even found a couple of bellydancing (my latest passion) studios that had the kind of philosophy I'm looking for. Atlanta was also recently rated very well in Money Magazine for the housing market -- affordable and predicted appreciation in the next 5 years.

The negatives are traffic and not a good enough transportation system. And of course there are always high crime areas in big cities.

But I have to say that after reading some of things posted here I was almost scared of some areas -- and I've lived in Houston, the DC metro area, Austin and currently reside in Albuquerque which is just too small for me and not enough amenities and basically geared towards families and college students -- not a lot of activities for the single professional. I'm 47, single, and the Atlanta area also has lots of jobs in my field -- usability or human factors engineering. I may even be able to keep my current job as a research engineer for a university. And it's only 10 hours (or a short plane ride) from DC where my son is. I really enjoyed the DC area -- the culture and diversity and the amenities but the price of houses is just outrageous. A standard 3/2 house anywhere close in the DC metro area is $500K easily and often $750K and I'm just not willing to pay that.

Atlanta can be positive or negative for you depending on what you're looking for. No, it's not NY or LA or even DC. I think this cliche has been attached to it simply because it's one of the most progressive, growing cities in the south. And in fact, I wouldn't live anywhere else in Georgia. The reason it will never be a NY or LA, is because with all it's progressiveness, transplants, big buildings and diversity, it's still the south. And the Good 'ol boys who want a lot of things to stay the same, and the other closed minded people around here who are uneducated and have never been outside of Georgia in their entire lives will keep it that way. I think Atlanta has come a long way, but has a long way to go.

THE NEGATIVES: The traffic, the very limited public transportaion system, lack of density (atlanta is very,very, spread out), because of this, commute times can be a nightmare, and the favorite of the south, racism. You'll find plenty of neighborhoods here where racism will be non-existant, but others where it will be like a stinch in your nose.
THE POSITIVES: Good real estate market and affordable housing, although the market has gone a little soft at the moment; employment opportunities, (depending on what field you're in and who you know) good schools, lots of colleges, a very present gay/lesbian community, decent restaurant experience, lots of shops and entertainment, and close proximity to other cities by car for weekend getaways.

Don't worry about crime. I've been here almost four years and have never, ever felt in danger on any level. I think it all depends what area you decide to settle down in. I currently live in Vinings, and hardly ever lock my car at night. Come here for a tour, and check things out for yourself. Just be sure to have SOME idea of what areas you're interested in, because otherwise you could driving around aimlessly forever; you don't want to, believe me. Be sure to scout neighborhoods in the day time and at night. I can't tell you how many neighborhoods I've looked at for living in the day time, when everyone was at work, kids where at school, no visitors, and it seemed like the ideal place until the sun set! My suggestion to new Atlantans is RENT BEFORE YOU BUY. Only you know you best, and what you would like, no one can tell you that. You absolutely need 3-6 months the get your own feel for the place. Good Luck!

[LLD]

Jewel, thank you so much for that post.

[Steven2149]

Good - I have to say that Mayor Franklin is a very good leader for the city. I believe that she is pro business and has brought in the right people for the police department. I know the incident with the 92 year old lady looks bad, but Pennington is the right man and is doing a good job. The city is changing rapidly by becoming more dense. This provides a much more vibrant, urban character to the city. It isn't, nor will it ever be dense on the scale of some of the bigger northeastern cities, but is definitely working to reverse the trend of EVERYONE moving to the burbs. Other goods.... Shopping, Dining, Entertainment.

The Bads ---- This is much easier to do as the bad things are much more glaringly obvious. The traffic is absolutely, positively, nothing but, 100 percent... terrible. It is almost incomprehensible... City, suburbs, exurbs, 50 miles out... traffic is and will be an issue that affects your quality of life here. Until someone gets very bold and the region and state are ready to find a solution (which in the end will probably be extraordinarily expensive), it will only get worse. Crime is a real issue, but usually is worse in some areas than others. Usually the first 5 - 10 minutes of the news is spent reporting on murders and so forth. Race is still a major problem that creates unnecessary boundaries. This is a very deep rooted issue in the metro area. One would have to live here to understand the issues.

My two cents...

[brian_2]

The obvious: The big northeast cities, even with traffic problems of their own, have well established mass transit rail service. Atlanta is lacking a viable mass transit rail system - sorry, MARTA's route is far too limited.

If mass transit had been given priority & initiated many decades earlier in Atlanta, the patterns of sprawl, and the traffic congestion that symbolizes Atlanta today would be different for the better. A 'park n ride' system, similar to those used in the northeast, would save much congestion and stressful commutes for Atlanta commuters, and workers elsewhere have realized this and often accomplish work-related tasks in route to their work sites as well.

America's deeply ingrained private motoring mindset is the problem. Personal motor vehicle private space comes at great cost to our society. We are now paying dearly for the lack of political foresight, and the shortsightedness of the people to embrace mass transit. All of us hope for a technological breakthrough, but for now stay tuned for more transportation and energy price upheaval to come with peak oil upon us, and with China and other countries competing for the limited fossil fuel resources supplied by countries hostile to American political policies. It's going to be interesting to watch it unfold.

[carolinajack]

i agree with the positives, but i think people just like to bash the south because they think it is cool to their friends back north.

ATL has alot of black people who love the city and would never leave. There is a very strong middle class here that you dont see in places like Portland Oregon, or Phila Pa. There are excellent schools and there is art, theatre and shopping.

i hear people talk about how boring it is where they live--well most suburbs are boring whereever you live in this country. they are all void of culture and you will find that true in Westchester NY, or Darien Conn, or Wellesley Mass, or Palo Alto Calf. The suburbs are bedroom communities that surround a city but in the city you find the arts, culture, diversity, shopping, and entertainment.

Atlanta is very nice place to live, but you get what you pay for when you move out to the suburbs. I love the suburbs, i grew up in suburbia so i know whats there. Get a car and drive into the city or move to a town.

[LLD]

Thank you so much for all the great comments in this thread.

On the subject of mass transit, oh I just completely agree that we need massive amounts more of it in the US, not just Atlanta.

[Zelia]

Most of my surfing on this Web site is limited to Atlanta and Georgia, but I have looked at perhaps 15 other states from time-to-time. Not in depth, though. Just a few posts here and a few posts there.

It seems like to me there's a theme of negativity in quite a few of the posts, not only in Atlanta but elsewhere. The following is a typical post: "We've had it in this terrible and awful state and we're moving. We've had enough. We'd like your input on X city or Y city.

Quite a few people posting about Atlanta seem to be overly negative. The weather seems to be a biggie:

"IT'S AN OVEN HERE. YOU'RE A PRISONER IN YOUR HOUSE, DURING THE SUMMER, BECAUSE IT'S SO HOT OUTSIDE."

One should remember that summers are hot in most regions of the United States. Only New England, Alaska, a few northern Rocky Mountain states, and the Pacific Northwest escape hot temperatures. The rest of the country is hot and humid--maybe 35 to 40 states. It's no hotter here than in most states. In fact, it's cooler than in some. Atlanta has an elevation of 1000 feet, so that helps just a bit--not much but a bit. Two or three degrees cooler than some places does make a bit of a difference.

Generally, Atlanta scores very well across the board.

1. COST OF LIVING.

Atlanta has very reasonable living costs. Homes are a bargain, and the state income tax is moderate. The median price of an Atlanta home is NOT $500,000, $400,000, or even $300,000. I think the median house price is a little under $200,000.

2. NATURAL DISASTERS.

Atlanta has very few earthquakes, and very few hurricanes. You don't need hurricane shutters, and you don't have to spend thousands bolting your house to its foundation.

3. HEALTH CARE

There are two medical schools in Atlanta. Emory Medical School is one of the best medical schools in the country. Hospital rooms are probably half what they cost in New York and California.

4. BEAUTY

Atlanta is a beautiful, leafy city with millions, and millions, and millions of trees. The Georgia Mountains are visible from a few northern suburbs. Not all, but a few. The highest mountain in Georgia is approximately 5,200 feet, and most Atlantans can be there in 60 to 90 minutes. Beautiful scenery.

Modern low-rise and high-rise office buildings dot the city. Everything looks new because it IS new.

5. CULTURE

The list of attractions is long. Among the many attractions are the biggest aquarium in the world, and the High Museum.

6. HIGHER EDUCATION

The number of colleges and universities must exceed 20.


Is Atlanta perfect? No!

Z

[carolinajack]

Zelia,

Thanks for your honest answers and info. Can you tell me why people are always saying there is nothing to do in Atlanta? I find it is like any other city with lots of attractions.

Do you think it is because people come from NY or SF and they think every city should have endless choices and so they wonder why its not the exact same as NY??

[Zelia]

carolinajack,

It does puzzle me a bit as to why a person would say that there's nothing to do here. There's just lots, and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of things to do here.

Many papers, including the AJC, keep us abreast of what's happening locally. Creative Loafing is an excellent resource.

If you like to read there's always a prominent author, entertainer, or politician in town promoting a book on a weekly basis. If you wish to buy their book, they will personally sign it. Sometimes, you don't have to drive very far. For example, Marlo Thomas was recently at an Alpharetta bookstore promoting her new book.

If you like to attend lectures, there's always something going on at a local college or university, the Carter Center, and other venues. Like Newt Gingrich? You got it. Like Jane Fonda? You got it.

I attended a Jane Fonda lecture last year in Candler Park, which was sponsored by a feminist bookstore, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was one of the few men there, but it didn't bother me in the least.

Whatever your musical taste, there's always a major, or not so major, musical artist or group in town: Yo-Yo Ma, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, Barbra Streisand , George Winston, Faith Hill, Cher, Madonna, and various hip-hop artists.

There's a myriad of support groups running the gamit from Messies Anonymous to Tourette's Syndrome. If you miss your home state or native country there's probably a support group here for you. If you're a native of North Dakota you might be out of luck, but natives of bigger states may have a support group--not all, but some do.

Like poodles? You got it with a poodle club. Like Corvettes? You got it with a Corvette club.

If you like chocolate-covered ants you might be out of luck in the restaurant department, but almost anything else you'll find it here. Like $8.00 dinners? You got it. Like $100 dinners? You got it.

Z