Why does everyone say they live in ATL? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: to rent, neighborhoods)

[PKCorey]

If your sister said, she lived in Marietta, you would be lost but ATL, you get it. Outside of ATL makes more sense but still...

Same as if you told someone you lived in Bowie, MD..they would say, is that closer to Baltimore or DC?

Makes more sense to just say the general metro then narrow it down, imho...

[Sweet Atlanta Peach]

Originally Posted by Divine Shadow

The same reason why people say Disney World is located in Orlando Florida. It is actually located in Lake Buena Vista and not Orlando. But who the heck knows where that city is?

It also depends on who is asking where you live. If an exact location is needed, then communication needs to be more specific.

-a|ex

Wow, I didn't know that! All these years, we've always said, "Hey, we're going to Orlando, Florida to Disney World."

[YBF]

Originally Posted by atlantaATL

I live in College Park but I still tell people from out of town that i live in Atlanta because someone in california may not know where college park is I still fill like i am in the city limits when i am in college park because its quick to get into the city limits which is like 3 minutes from my house downtown is 15 mins. Its that way in every large city. People from bronx or queens is going to say im from NY and then someone would say what part then you say bronx or queens.

Thats not exactly true...people from queens or the bronx would let you know that they are from queens or the bronx. And even if they told you that they were from NYC thats still true.

[darkone]

If a person is referring to a town/city with instant name recognition for the broader population, then it can be named. Otherwise if that town/city is in a metro area, then the metro area should be mentioned.

For example, most educated/informed people in the U.S. should know the significance and location of the following small cities/towns/counties which are "standalone", meaning the mention of the metro area in which they are located should be unnecessary:

Berkeley,CA
Jersey City,NJ
Cambridge,MA
Arlington,TX
Scottsdale,AZ
Westchester County,NY
Fairfield Couty,CT
Fairfax Couty,VA
Palo Alto,CA
Pasadena,CA

etc., etc.

However, most places in metro atlanta (and other metro areas) do not have name recognition outside of the region and it makes no sense to assume outsiders have heard of them. In such instances, people usually refer to their location as "the Atlanta area" or "the Boston area" or "DFW" etc.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by michaelcarter2008

OK thats was what I was wondering. To a person thats not from there it can be misleading.I dont know how far is COBB county from ATL but tio me its BFE and very hard to get to. I am worried that I will have trouble commuting if my gf and I stay in COBB with her sis. I dont like long rides or alot of traffic so I might try to take the train some days just so I can aliviate some stress.

Cobb County borders Fulton County along the Chattahoochie River, and the distance between the City of Atlanta and Cobb County is normally the width of the river.

Actually, the centerline of the river is probably the boundary, so the distance is zero, but I'm assuming you'd be more interested in standing on dry land on either side.

There are MANY roads that will take you there. Drive on W. Paces Ferry far enough west, for example, and you transition to Cobb County immediately. Distance from Atlanta is zero feet.

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by City Fanatic

It's the Atlanta Metropolitan area, so it's often considered "Atlanta".

I agree, who wants to say they live in smallville GA? You want to say you live in Metropolis GA.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by darkone

If a person is referring to a town/city with instant name recognition for the broader population, then it can be named. Otherwise if that town/city is in a metro area, then the metro area should be mentioned.

For example, most educated/informed people in the U.S. should know the significance and location of the following small cities/towns/counties which are "standalone", meaning the mention of the metro area in which they are located should be unnecessary:

Berkeley,CA
Jersey City,NJ
Cambridge,MA
Arlington,TX
Scottsdale,AZ
Westchester County,NY
Fairfield Couty,CT
Fairfax Couty,VA
Palo Alto,CA
Pasadena,CA

etc., etc.

However, most places in metro atlanta (and other metro areas) do not have name recognition outside of the region and it makes no sense to assume outsiders have heard of them. In such instances, people usually refer to their location as "the Atlanta area" or "the Boston area" or "DFW" etc.

Perfectly said.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by coolyfett

I agree, who wants to say they live in smallville GA? You want to say you live in Metropolis GA.

Yessir!

[atlantaATL]

Originally Posted by YBF

Thats not exactly true...people from queens or the bronx would let you know that they are from queens or the bronx. And even if they told you that they were from NYC thats still true.

Well everyone that i have ran into and i lived in NYC myself they all say i live in NY thats just my experiences yours could be different

[bayarea-girl]

Haven't read the thread all the way threw. But I hate when people visit some place in GA (could be some place in Tucker for example or some place like an hour away) and don't like it and refer it as being Atlanta and say they hate Atlanta when they didn't spend one day in the place and think for some reason that the ATL airport is their reference to the whole ATL experience. IT IS SO IRRITATING! Many people I know who have visited GA and or who have lived some where far out of the ATL area say they hate it for the very reason I explained.