Denver to Atlanta?? (Buckhead: appointed, crime, how much)

[DenCoGuy]

Hello,

I am a recent college graduate considering a move to the Atlanta area within the next year or so. I currently live in Denver and have only changed planes at the airport in Atlanta, so I am not really familiar with the city. I have read a number of posts on this site and have gotten a good feel for the good and bad things about ATL.

I do have some questions, possibly someone who has lived in or is familiar with both places can answer them. What are some of the positives and negatives about both places? I know that the number one thing everyone complains about is the traffic. How much worse is the traffic in Atlanta than Denver? I also saw a number of posts about how Atlanta is racially segregated. Is this really a big problem? Are there good recreational opportunities there? How is the nightlife in comparison? I know the job market is good in Atlanta, I am a marketing graduate. Can anyone tell me if there is good availablity of marketing jobs? Lastly, I am gay and wanted to know if the city is accepting as a whole. I know that there are "gay areas" but overall, how is the environment? Is Atlanta as liberal and progressive as Denver?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[backfist]

You'll find your niche and fit right in here. Yes, traffic is bad, so you'll have to learn the ropes. Everyone does, though.

The job market here is better than in Denver. The gay community is larger and more influential here than in Denver. Atlanta's still working on letting go of its segregation past. And even that's getting better. You may not like the humidity come summer, but again, it's a matter of adjustments.

Depending on marketing salaries, Midtown or Buckhead might be great choices for living. Do your best to stay within the "perimter". And if you can't, be as close to it as possible.

I think you'll like it here.

[carolineinMN]

Hey there!

I have lived in both Denver and Atlanta, and now reside in Minneapolis. There were things I loved about Atlanta and things I hated about it. First of all, for a recent college graduate, Atlanta is a good area. The economy is strong and there should be plenty of jobs to choose from. The weather is nice, although I really missed having seasons. It rarely snows but when it does it shuts the city down (even if it only snows half an inch)
Yes, one of the worst things about Atlanta is the traffic. It is literally a nightmare! The freeways typically sit at a standstill from about 6AM til 9AM and 3PM til 7PM. Even on the weekends, expect delays... I got so tired and frustrated with the congestion in that city. It feels like you plan your whole life around traffic. I often thought to myself, "Do I really need to go one mile down the road to the grocery store or can I wait til 10:00 tonight when the traffic dies down?" My 10 mile commute in Atlanta often took over an hour on good days, rediculous!! Traffic in Denver is much more managable- of course traffic in DEN is heavy but it is nothing in comparison to Atlanta. Denver is also proactive in eliminating the traffic problem with light rail, etc... Atlanta is probably decades from good public transportation. OK, enough complaining about the traffic
I did feel alot of racial segregation in Atlanta, it was sad- I didn't see alot of blunt racism but you can definately feel the racial tension. I didn't really see racism in Denver and have not seen it in Minneapolis. Atlanta had several "black" and "white" bars, churches, communities, etc...
Nightlife in Atlanta is comparable to Denver- lots to choose from, lots of fun! Atlanta is fairly gay friendly (especially in the gay areas). For the most part, I think people are fairly accepting but Atlanta is still in the bible belt. Atlanta is a liberal city in a very conservative state so it depends largely on the individual. Atlanta is home to a wide range of people with broad political views all the way from far left liberal to far right conservative. On the friendliness scale, I would rank Atlanta equallly with Denver.
I think Atlanta is a nice city with beautiful neighborhoods, good shopping and lots to do. I think that Denver is equally nice, but is much more manageable. Denver does have the advantage of having breathtaking mountain views but Atlanta is close to the mountains. Atlanta is less expensive but the crime is much worse. Alot of it just depends on what you are looking for. Good luck!

[Figment 07]

Yes, one of the worst things about Atlanta is the traffic. It is literally a nightmare! The freeways typically sit at a standstill from about 6AM til 9AM and 3PM til 7PM. Even on the weekends, expect delays... I got so tired and frustrated with the congestion in that city. It feels like you plan your whole life around traffic. I often thought to myself, "Do I really need to go one mile down the road to the grocery store or can I wait til 10:00 tonight when the traffic dies down?" My 10 mile commute in Atlanta often took over an hour on good days, rediculous!!

Caroline, some of us have tried over and over to warn people about traffic, but for every cautionary post like that, you will have ten more people rising up to say we don't know what we're talking about, that it's certainly no worse than (insert any big city name).

After reading many wildly optimistic posts of how it's easily "about 20 minutes" to here and no more than "30-40 minutes most days" to there when I know better, I just smile, scroll on by and silently wish them well.

I love living and working in Atlanta. I don't purposely discourage anyone who appreciates its charms as I do, even from a distance. I just want people to come here with more realistic expectations so they won't leave angry and disappointed.

[xxman777]

I moved here from Denver about a year and a half ago so I'll answer some of your questions. There is a huge gay population here centered in midtown so you shouldn't have any problem fitting in. Traffic here is much worse the in Denver. I never had the problems in Denver that I have here.

One thing I miss more then anything else is the weather. Georgia has a very mild climate and it doesn't really snow here ever.

Personally I don't think the nightlife is as good but that is partially because there isn't anything as nice and walkable as Lodo. There are more bars and clubs but they aren't set up as nicely as Denver's. Also there are a lot of gay bars and clubs, I'm not really sure how much of that scene existed in Denver but I've heard it's bigger here. Is nightlife what you were refering to when you said recreation. There aren't as many cultural activities or as much outdoor recreation. Atlanta has the smallest city park system (percentage) in the US compared to Denver which has the largest city park system (by acreage). The mountains are close by here but not as close or as spectacular as Denver's.

You should check out:
Updates – Are you happy w/ your decision to move to ATL?

Am I missing anything? Let us know what other questions you have.

[AtlantaCruiser]

Well they are different citys, that is for sure. I moved here about 6 months ago from CO. You can search by my posts to see how I am doing. Day-to-day right now.
In short-City of Denver is superior.
Cost of homes & jobs in Atlanta are superior.

[AtlantaCruiser]

By cost of homes, I am refering to those WAY outside of 285. Just wanted to be clear about that.

[sprtsluvr8]

Dealing with traffic in Atlanta is really a matter of common sense and planning. Your job should be either near your home or in a direction that is against rush hour traffic. Also, I make it a point to almost never go to certain high traffic areas at peak congestion times. There is also the option of using Marta more often, which I rarely do but it IS an option. People who are sitting in standstill traffic every day have only themselves to blame...there are alternatives.

[Figment 07]

People who are sitting in standstill traffic every day have only themselves to blame...there are alternatives.

Not necessarily true. And not everyone can afford the alternatives.

[AtlantaCruiser]

Originally Posted by Figment 07

Not necessarily true. And not everyone can afford the alternatives.

Exactly, which would then make home prices more $$$ than Denver.