Atlanta sucks according to Travel + Leisure Magazine (Auburn, Jersey: condo, neighborhood)

[Jerefizzle]

I think for people who live in the south you would want to go to Atlanta but if you live here most of the time you want to go to places like New York or Los Angeles. For me I consider Atlanta a growing city. If you want proof just look at our skyline before the 1996 olympic games is was so tiny. Now when i go downtown i say dang its freaking huge. However it is still in development stages so there might not be so much as a tourism spot but soon im pretty sure its going to be. Lets get real too other citys are tourism spots for famous locations like statue of liberty , Hollywood or the sears tower. Cities like new york, Chicago, and Los Angeles have been in tons of movies too. recently Atlanta just got into that business opening up independent and "theatre" films here. But really i don't care cause i love Atlanta and ive been too new york and los angeles lets talk about trashy ewww!!!

[adambos]

I lived in Atlanta and it is what it is. What it is NOT, however, is a world class city. It was amazing to me how many people in atlanta thought they were a "Southern New York". There is NO comparison. Boston and San Francisco, (two other cities I lived in never mind NYC) were more worldly to me than Atlanta.

It was an OK place, and certainly a hub of the southeast, but not an international center.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by Rhiannongymru

the last time I went to hear ASO (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) in March, they sounded like a high school youth orchestra. and what's wrong with the age old concert hall, isn't there any money or donationations from Art patrons to refurbish it??

I mean it looks a high school audiitorium!!!!!! Listen, I have heard world class orchestras in NY, LA , Amsterdam and Paris.

ATL is about 100 yrs behind with classical music progression. I guess there just isn't enough patrons to do anything about it.

If you high school orchestra level and amateurish performance and dismal looking facility in which they play in then Atlanta is it!!

I guess for most of you, the truth hurts

Actuallly the truth does not hurt.The truth is simply the truth.However if you give your opinions based on very little insight that does not make it the truth.The truth is that Cleveland's Symphony is widely considered to be one of the best or the best in the U.S.Does that make Cleveland more international or Global.The orchestra's you mention are from cities that are more than twice as big or have a lineage of classical and operatic performances.

Robert Shaw who is credited with bringing Atlanta's Symphony to the highest standards from it humble beginnings.The Atlanta Chorus he founded is still today considered one of the best in the U.S.Yoel Levi continued on to that success. Robert Spano is HIGHLY considered to be one of the best conductors in America.Atlanta's Symphony has won several Grammy's over the years as well.While it is not as good as say Cleveland's,NYC's,L.A.'s or Boston's.It is not fair or TRUTHFUL to say that it is 100 years behind.I have heard a few orchestras.I am not an expert nor am I a connoisseur of that genre of music.I do enjoy it on occasion.Atlanta's is not nearly as bad as you try to pretend it is.
Also a new Symphony Hall was commissioned to be built by world renowned Architect Santiago Calatrava.Its a beautiful design actually.However they decided recently to change the location so a new design will have to be commissioned.This is keeping with the Woodruff Arts Center commitment to have world class facilities such as the Richard Meir designed High Museum and its major expansion completed by Renzo Piano.Unfortuanately due to the economy ,currently the plans are on hold for another year.As you see their is a major commitment to the arts scene.Atlanta is a fairly young growing city its
All that said,classical music or opera does not ALONE make a city culturally great.I think that every major city should have a decent selection of venues that showcase not only the Classical Arts but also stay true to it cultural heart and identity.That should be Hip Hop,Country,Blues and Jazz as well as classical.If you want the best of classical music in the world then go to Amsterdam,NYC,Vienna,Boston or L.A.Atlanta

In one breath you state that Atlanta needs to stop acting like its those other more famous cities yet you berate Atlanta because has not reached the aptitude culturally of those "worldly cities".So which is it? The truth is what is actually missing from many of your statements.You do yourself a disservice when you speak from your emotions instead of factual information.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by adambos

I lived in Atlanta and it is what it is. What it is NOT, however, is a world class city. It was amazing to me how many people in atlanta thought they were a "Southern New York". There is NO comparison. Boston and San Francisco, (two other cities I lived in never mind NYC) were more worldly to me than Atlanta.

It was an OK place, and certainly a hub of the southeast, but not an international center.

Ludicrous for anyone to say Atlanta is like NYC.NYC is NYC ,it has no other equal in North America.Those people i'm sure they are just saying that as far as influence in THIS REGION(The South),its like NYC.Anyone who has ever been to both places knows this.However to say it has no international presence is also not accurate either.Just not on NYC level.I also agree that Boston and San Francisco do feel more international,but if you look at the numbers,Atlanta international footprint is growing at a faster rate than either of those two.Atlanta is a world class city,it just ranks on the lower end.It does not have everything it should,but it does offer a lot in terms of what is considered world class

[blondandfun]

The person who says the "downtown" skyline has changed is sorely incorrect.

Portland designed most of the downtown area, after 1988 that the area has hardly been touched by developers. My parents used to take me to Braves games in the 80's and when I go downtown it seems like it hasn't progressed since 1988.

It's a failed city.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

The person who says the "downtown" skyline has changed is sorely incorrect.

Portland designed most of the downtown area, after 1988 that the area has hardly been touched by developers. My parents used to take me to Braves games in the 80's and when I go downtown it seems like it hasn't progressed since 1988.

It's a failed city.

What are you talking about?What do you mean "progressed"?If you mean buildings then here is a list of new buildings ad structures downtown.
191 Peachtree
SunTrust Building(s)
Georgia State University Commons
Centennial Olympic Park
Atlanta Apparel Mart Expansions
The Georgia Aquarium
The W Hotel
Ernest and Young Building
Twelve Hotel and Residences
Embassy Suites Hotel and Condo across form Centennial Olympic Park
Phillips Arena
The NEW Omni Hotel
Turner Field (The Braves do play there now.In case you thought Fulton County Stadium was still where the Falcons and Braves play.
The Georgia Dome
Southern Company Headquarters
New Atlanta Municipal Courts Building
New Atlanta Department of Public Safety Buildings
Georgia State University Sciences Building
Renaissance Place Condominium on Auburn Ave
Summerhill Neighborhoods
Castleberry Hill District
Georgia World Congress Center major Expansion

Failed city indeed.LOL!What downtown were you in Camden, New Jersey?

[IMISSNY]

Originally Posted by adambos

I lived in Atlanta and it is what it is. What it is NOT, however, is a world class city. It was amazing to me how many people in atlanta thought they were a "Southern New York". There is NO comparison. Boston and San Francisco, (two other cities I lived in never mind NYC) were more worldly to me than Atlanta.

It was an OK place, and certainly a hub of the southeast, but not an international center.

I would say I have to agree with you 100% I came here with the notion that Atlanta was the Southern New York, to find out no it is not.
There are some nice things about Atlanta, like the homes, but the salaries do not fit the expense of living and it makes things tough.

[atlantagreg30127]

WARNING:

The number of snarky comments and jabs are increasing. Post your opinions and stay on topic. If you don't agree with someone, do not attack them for it.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

The person who says the "downtown" skyline has changed is sorely incorrect.

Portland designed most of the downtown area, after 1988 that the area has hardly been touched by developers. My parents used to take me to Braves games in the 80's and when I go downtown it seems like it hasn't progressed since 1988.

It's a failed city.

So because you don't think any new skyscrapers have been built downtown--never mind all the new towers in Midtown, Buckhead, Atlantic Station, etc.--that makes Atlanta a "failed city"? DC doesn't even build skyscrapers, so I guess it's the biggest failure of all, huh?

[Rhiannongymru]

afonega1

Why must you go on a tirade against everyone who disagrees with you that ATL is the best city in the universe??