Culture of Atlanta (Buckhead: best cities, condo, credit check)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hello, everyone. I am in the process of narrowing down my search for when I relocate my life in December. I have knocked quite a few cities off of my list for many reasons, oftentimes because they don't have a vast culture. I have visited Atlanta many times and always love it there. I know things are different when you are "living" somewhere, but I can't imagine I would hate it. I'm considering much bigger cities but don't care for the high cost of living. Hopefully the articles I've read are true about the decent starting salary in ATL and a decent cost of living.
After having searched the forum thoroughly, I didn't see any specific info on the culture of Atlanta. I am interested in art, wine, sushi, ethnic foods and fitness. Can you give me an idea of what kind of life I would have there? When I visit, I never spend a lot of time venturing downtown to see if it offers what I am looking for. I am so confused at this point, but the input of others is helping me slowly narrow the search.
You would like Midtown. It has all of the above that you mentioned. Midtown has the most urban vibe and culture in Atlanta, even more than Downtown, imo. Other areas you can enjoy are Buckhead, Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, and Atlantic Station.
I agree with SeaandATL. When you get into the Burbs it is a very different experience. The ATL has a lot of culture and people from all over. Do have a job, if you don't have one set up this place will be one of the worst choices you have made. Make sure you are looking into jobs in your profession and whether or not you have to use a recruiter. Good luck.
Thanks for your replies, SEAandATL and bayarea-girl! I am glad to hear that there are choices in the lifestyle I wish to have. I think to live 100% like I would dream enthralled in culture, I would have to live in NYC or San Fran, but I am trying to get ahead right now and not be bogged down by a high cost of living. I have been giving serious thought to San Fran, thinking while I'm young and have nothing holding me back, I should do it. But I am so much more aware of my money and future (retirement, etc) now than I used to be and I don't know if I can get comfortable with the SFO idea completely.
As far as the job situation, bayarea-girl.... This is a big discussion on all the city forums. It is VERY hard to get a job before you are residing in the city. Most employers are quick to throw out a resume if it has an out-of-state address, as most are trying to recruit locally so there is no time delay and hassle of relocation. I thought the ATL job market was strong, it is still ranked in the top 10 places for college grads and young professionals. I have a little money saved up, so i could probably afford a month or so being unemployed. I also would be willing to take a temp job when I get there if nothing seems to be coming through for me quickly enough. Do you still think this is risky?
My wife and I moved here, and then found jobs after we got here last December. The market isn't as good now but depending on what you do and your experience you should be able to find work, especially if you are not picky and willing to take temp work if need be.
Steph22679VA, I use to live in SF and know that right now with the economy as it is I could find a job and just about any job in less than a month and a temp job in a week. By far N. CA has one of the best economies the US has to offer (with some of the highest cost of living too). GA is not the same situation and I wouldn't recommend moving here without a job or prospects of one no matter how high GA is ranked for employment. If you only have one months saved that is really risky.
My husband and I had a lot saved and went threw it very quickly (moving is not cheap). We too thought that the employment here was stable and strong due to rankings, polls, and the news, and found out that it just was not the case. When you go to temp agencies they will be the first to tell you that it is very hard to get people placed because there are no jobs. Yes, it can be tricky to get a job before you are here but you should use some one else's address and or telephone number to get you the interview (start the process now, don't wait until you need money). Things happen here a little slower and no employer is going to call you the next day for a job (it just doesn't work like that here). Unless you have family and or someone to stay with when you get here please don't move here without a job. October will be the 3rd month my husband will be unemployed and with 2 kids and the current economy that is very very scary.
Again, good luck to you but secure a job. Plan a trip out here before you move and meet with some prospective employers, try to get all your eggs lined up.
Another perspective for you....I think there's good info on the forbes site whether you are single or not.
Culture in Atlanta:The good news is that Atlanta has people from all over the world here. So, you'll meet diverse peoples from everywhere. The bad news is that Atlanta is far from a San Fran culturally. I lived in the Bay Area as well. But, few places are like San Fran culturally, so what can you really do?
As for moving to a place without a job, I would not recommend that action. Of course your major, work experience, and connections play the strongest part in your job hunt success. Atlanta's economy is not as bad as say Michigan's, but it's showing weakness for entry-level positions in most industries. That's normal when the unemployment rate comes close to or hits 5% nationwide. As for not being able to get a job here if you live out of state, some employers like local folks only, but not all. Truth is, if they like you enough they'll offer you the job and just tell you that they will not pay for your relocation expenses if they're trying to save money.
If I were you, I would wait until I had a job here. if you were my sister, I would STRONGLY suggest you wait unless you had some situation that made your current living arrangement unbearable. I would not come here if I only had a month's worth of expense money saved up. That's hardly any money at all. You might blow that on a down payment and security deposit on an apt, plus gas, storage costs, and other moving expenses if you didn't bring it all in your car.
And if you can't show some income to the apt people, they're not going to be highly motivated to give you a place. Plus, some do credit checks now. So, if you're credit is not good, you may have a problem.
If you have other options like living with Mom and Dad for a second, that's perfect. Wait things out, Atlanta is not going anywhere. There are few things more stressful than moving to a new place and not having a job while your money flies out of your pocket. Atlanta is not as expensive as San Fran, but it's not free either.
If you are determined to come anyway, check out Craiglist's for places. Maybe you can get a roomie or something if you don't know anyone here to help share the costs.
Checkout:Atlanta Georgia Jobs in Atlanta Georgia Job Search. (http://atlanta.jobs.com/ - broken link)
Thanks for the reply ktf! In response to a couple of people (just so you know lol), I meant i have the money saved up outside of all living expenses including car payment, gas, groceries, misc bills, moving expenses, etc. However, it isn't much and it is important that I am able to obtain a job relatively quickly. I agree that if an employer likes you they will offer you the job, but it is a common occurrence that employers are only seeking locally. Plus, the reason I would be moving mid to late Dec is because I am graduating with a Bachelors. I worked for the past 10 years and was unable to finish as quickly as I wanted. I live in Va Beach VA currently and it is expensive to live here. Right now I am paying $1700 a month for my condo. The reason I wouldn't make a stop at mom and dad's is because I have no job here right now as I'm finishing school. So I won't get a job here just until I move somewhere that I have a job... that is all too much lol Once a make a decision on where I'm going in Dec, i will have things lined up, but it will somewhat be a leap of faith!!
Please be careful, the economy in Atlanta is making it difficult for people to find jobs. There was even a slowdown in retail hiring last month.
My husband and I run a small business with about 12 employees. We are in the high tech area and have mostly skilled technical employees. For the past (well, almost forever) we have always had an opening or two, because our employees have lots of opportunities. Last night, we were discussing (knock wood) that it has been at least two months since we have had to replace anyone. On top of that, we have noticed a real uptick in the number of unsolicited resumes (and we are hard to find).
I don't think the jobs are there for our employees to move on to.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
