Atlanta- Worst Place I've ever Lived (Columbus, Roswell: neighborhoods, schools, college)

[Beastwhistle]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

That's why many of us don't interact with the City of Atlanta AT ALL unless we want to see a pro sporting event or visit nice places like the Shakespeare Tavern.

That's precisely the attitude I don't understand. The hordes of people here who seem to want to take advantage of what the city has to offer without really being a part of it.

They seem willing to come on message boards like this and rave about Atlanta's good points, but when you ask them why they live in the suburbs, you get a laundry list of things they hate about the city.

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by dvcgal

Not to throw Columbus, Ga under the bus, but that was not a pleasant experience which is why we moved to Atlanta.

Oh, now we can talk about the worst city to live in! I lived there right out of college and it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. I'm almost certain that Columbus could be a great place to live while raising a family (not sure how schools are down there), but it was awful being single and wanting the kind of experiences that can only be found in a large city. When I quit my entry level job down there my boss told me I would hate Atlanta traffic and shouldn't leave. I'm glad I didn't listen to him.

As far as culture goes in Atlanta, it would also depend on what you mean by that word. When I moved here as a 24-year-old in 1989 my biggest thrill was hitting the local rock clubs every weekend and seeing amazing local and national talent. You can still do this every single weekend. Sure, other cities can offer the same (not many in the south, though), but it's just one of the things I like about living here. I've gone from that single lifestyle to having a family and we still have plenty of things to do.

I've lived in 9 different cities through my life. Each city had something to offer, but I'd still take Atlanta over most of them.

[billl]

Originally Posted by Beastwhistle

That's precisely the attitude I don't understand. The hordes of people here who seem to want to take advantage of what the city has to offer without really being a part of it.

They seem willing to come on message boards like this and rave about Atlanta's good points, but when you ask them why they live in the suburbs, you get a laundry list of things they hate about the city.

So you don't want us coming downtown and spending our money to support the symphony, museums, restaurants, art shows, sporting events, theater, Aquarium, boat show, etc.?

[fedup2008]

God you just seem like a very depressing person that complains alot, why don't you find a psychiatrist and get some help. You seem very bitter and all that better is not good for your "soul". Every huge Metropolitan area has it's issues, you are stupid if you don't realize that.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Beastwhistle

20Yes, I've heard of it. I can even spell it correctly. I love the Chattahoochee, but it is not integrated into the landscape of the core city, which is really what I was getting at with my earlier post. Neither are the mountains, which again, I enjoy, but are very much outlying rather than a part of the urban landscape. Your suggesting they can be seen from downtown under optimum conditions is stretching it a bit as far as claiming the mountains as part of Atlanta's landscape.

You don't understand the difference in a typo and a misspelled word, do you?

The mountains ARE visible from Downtown Atlanta. I've seen them on a clear day. And they are part of Atlanta's recreation, being less than an hour's drive from Downtown. Which city has sizeable mountains much closer than that? Cities are generally built in flat areas, while the mountains are nearby (like Atlanta). I know you must realize that Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain are quite visible from Downtown.

The Chattahoochee River is very much a part of Atlanta's history and fabric...as is smaller but well known Peachtree Creek (as in The Battle of):

1. Let me see how many streets are so named because of our river...Johson's Ferry Rd, Paces Ferry Rd, West Paces Ferry Rd, East Paces Ferry Rd, Power's Ferry Rd, Montgomery Ferry Rd, Heard's Ferry Rd, Shallowford Rd (Shallow Ford), Bell's Ferry Rd, DeFoor's Ferry Rd, Jones Bridge Rd, Hanes Bridge Rd, Holcomb Bridge Rd...I could go on but I don't want to...

2. The Hotlanta River Expo - a huge annual gay circuit party built around rafting down the Chattahoochee...

3. Lake Lanier, formed by Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee, is Atlanta's main reservoir - so most of the city's drinking water comes from the river. Lake Lanier is also a major recreation area for boating, camping, swimming, etc.

4. There is a loooooong list of businesses named "Chattahoochee ________", so the name is very much utilized in Atlanta. It's a native american name from tribes local to the area.

5. The river obviously is part of the fabulous Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area that is very popular in Atlanta.

I could keep explaining how important the river and mountains are to the residents of Atlanta, but I don't want to. Again, you need to step outside of your door to understand this...if you don't, you just sit in front of your computer and lodge complaints about how Atlanta has no mountains and no river. Go explore them and get back to us.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Beastwhistle

That's precisely the attitude I don't understand. The hordes of people here who seem to want to take advantage of what the city has to offer without really being a part of it.

That's called a metropolitan area...every big city has one, and even most small cities have one. Chicago's has about 10 million people in it, while the city has about 3 million...and I'm sure those 7 million who don't live in Chicago NEVER see a Bulls game, or go to the Field Museum, or take advantage of what Chicago has to offer without really being part of Chicago.

Atlanta is not unique in this respect, but very much like any other city. So you can stop compaining about suburbanites enjoying the city and then going to their suburban homes. It happens EVERYWHERE. That's why people live near New York, Philadelphia, L.A., Seattle, Dallas, etc. - and yes, Atlanta - but not in them. The want the advantages of the city but the peace, quiet, and open spaces of the suburbs.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Beastwhistle

That's precisely the attitude I don't understand. The hordes of people here who seem to want to take advantage of what the city has to offer without really being a part of it.

Since we don't go into the city, I fail to see how we "take advantage" of it in either commonly-used sense of that phrase...?

Atlanta has some things of interest to us, certainly, but so do Blue Ridge and Savannah, and our area provides much in return. Home Depot has its headquarters in Cobb County, for example. Dobbins Air Force Base is here, and so is Lockheed Martin. The suburbs aren't a corporate desert, and there are entertainment venues in the suburbs which city dwellers use from time to time as well (Six Flags, for example).

They seem willing to come on message boards like this and rave about Atlanta's good points, but when you ask them why they live in the suburbs, you get a laundry list of things they hate about the city.

If you've ever seen me do any of those things, please point them out.

I live in the suburbs because both my wife and I work in the suburbs, and we wanted to love in a quite place with hills and trees that we could afford. We found all of that here, and we're quite happy about it. Very few traffic issues, low taxes, good services, and a county government which seems to have its act together.

I don't comment about the city in general, and mainly concentrate on impressions I have or news items I read as a suburb dweller. I don't know the city firsthand all that well, and I don't particularly care about it except insofar as it impacts me ... which as I said is relatively little.

Why is this a problem for you?

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

I live in the suburbs because both my wife and I work in the suburbs, and we wanted to love in a quite place with hills and trees that we could afford. We found all of that here, and we're quite happy about it. Very few traffic issues, low taxes, good services, and a county government which seems to have its act together.

Do they allow you to love among the hills and trees in the burbs?

That one just struck me as funny. I know you meant "live"...but I had to point it out.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by Beastwhistle

That's precisely the attitude I don't understand. The hordes of people here who seem to want to take advantage of what the city has to offer without really being a part of it.
They seem willing to come on message boards like this and rave about Atlanta's good points, but when you ask them why they live in the suburbs, you get a laundry list of things they hate about the city.

I've lived here in Metro Atlanta since Jul91 ... bought a home in [30306] and 18mo later moved to the NW 'burbs [30066].

I choose to live in the NW 'burbs ... been here 16 years, NOT ONE incident of crime in the neighborhood 'cept for a few teenage pranks. That's certainly something to boast about IMO.

On the other hand ... my rental property in VaHi has experienced six or so burglaries since Sep91 and twice yearly car break-in's in and around the general vicinity. In the last 3 years, I've stepped foot in the City of Atlanta perhaps 3-4 times? Once to house-sit and take care of the tenant recovering from orthopedic surgery. Don't remember the other visits.

After living most of my life in West Los Angeles and City of San Francisco..I simply just don't want to 'deal' with common urban issues that affect probably every metro area in the world. There is just a time when you say "enough", right?

Another point that is just simply "personal" ... I don't like the neighbors in 30306; IMO they are obnoxious, "equity" affluent, non-cultured and downright inappropriately 'snotty'. Many are in "denial" about their social exuberance and think they belong in the House of Carrington & Dynasty. And treat others' according to that "vision". Nasty, yuck. NO thanks.

Wherever I choose to make residence, I'm only home 3-4 days per week. I visit some of the greatest cities on record in the world and I'm comfortable experiencing some of the different venues and attributes of all of them. I'm actually looking at working in Europe sometime in the future as that is my 'dream' goal.

I'm sure there will be good, not so good and indifference about another place as well? Just like the City of Atlanta.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

I've lived here in Metro Atlanta since Jul91 ... bought a home in [30306] and 18mo later moved to the NW 'burbs [30066].

I choose to live in the NW 'burbs ... been here 16 years, NOT ONE incident of crime in the neighborhood 'cept for a few teenage pranks. That's certainly something to boast about IMO.

On the other hand ... my rental property in VaHi has experienced six or so burglaries since Sep91 and twice yearly car break-in's in and around the general vicinity. In the last 3 years, I've stepped foot in the City of Atlanta perhaps 3-4 times? Once to house-sit and take care of the tenant recovering from orthopedic surgery. Don't remember the other visits.

After living most of my life in West Los Angeles and City of San Francisco..I simply just don't want to 'deal' with common urban issues that affect probably every metro area in the world. There is just a time when you say "enough", right?

Another point that is just simply "personal" ... I don't like the neighbors in 30306; IMO they are obnoxious, "equity" affluent, non-cultured and downright inappropriately 'snotty'. Many are in "denial" about their social exuberance and think they belong in the House of Carrington & Dynasty. And treat others' according to that "vision". Nasty, yuck. NO thanks.

Wherever I choose to make residence, I'm only home 3-4 days per week. I visit some of the greatest cities on record in the world and I'm comfortable experiencing some of the different venues and attributes of all of them. I'm actually looking at working in Europe sometime in the future as that is my 'dream' goal.

I'm sure there will be good, not so good and indifference about another place as well? Just like the City of Atlanta.

That is friggin hilarious...and I do know the type, although I would pinpoint them in Morningside, a little to the north...