Downtown Atlanta is scary! So many homeless and mentally ill (Savannah: sale, hotels)

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by johnatl

That is basically what its purpose is.

Who goes to a new city and explores small malls meant to service office workers?

[Akhenaton06]

Downtown Atlanta is just a mixed bag. I can understand how certain parts left a bad taste in the OP's mouth. You've just got to know what spots you can enjoy and what spots to avoid. But I'd also say that the entire city/metro area shouldn't be judged on downtown. There are so many nodes of activity and each has its own different vibe. If there is to be another visit, I suggest that it be a more comprehensive visit.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

Downtown Atlanta is just a mixed bag. I can understand how certain parts left a bad taste in the OP's mouth. You've just got to know what spots you can enjoy and what spots to avoid. But I'd also say that the entire city/metro area shouldn't be judged on downtown. There are so many nodes of activity and each has its own different vibe. If there is to be another visit, I suggest that it be a more comprehensive visit.

I think you summed it up quite well, Akhenathon.

Is there potential Downtown? Oodles.
Has it been totally realized? Not by a long shot.
Is it a desirable place to stroll and shop? Not IMO.
Does it have the momentum of Midtown and Buckhead? Not IMO.
Is the city government complicit in the lack of progress there? IMO yes.

[BringBackCobain]

Im suprised at these reactions. Lets be honest here - Downtown is the pits. Sure, there are some ok parts, but overall its pretty bad - Especially Five Points and south (the "Government District")

One of the problems - A lot of those buildings were developed in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. The popular skyscraper building style back then was parking deck on the bottom floor with the offices on top. It is an "insular" model where all the activity takes place within the building and walking there is discouraged, but there was a reason for it - as bad as Downtown is now, it was even worse in the late 70s, the 80s, and the 90s (just like every other American downtown, as this was when the effects of white flight really kicked in). No one wanted a "street-level presence" for their buildings because the street was full of vagrants, homeless, and drug addicts.

The problem is this created a no-mans land on the sidewalk because it is essentially a bunch of parking garages. So, until those buildings are redeveloped, it wont really ever look or feel like a traditional downtown.

How many years have you heard "Downtown is coming back"? Im a 23 yr old Atlanta native, and people have been saying this as long as I have been around. And it STILL hasnt happened.

Downtown has a long way to go - but its definitely on the upswing. Georgia State is really what is going to save Downtown, along with Centennial Olympic Park area.

BUT, until the center of Downtown, Five Points, is improved, people will continue to consider it a sh*tty area. Downtown wont "be there" until Five Points is cleaned up, and I wouldnt be holding your breath for that to happen anytime soon.

[motormaker]

Have you check out his previous posts? This guy has had several names on CD. Do a search under the names.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=12192331

Including these.


i want to become amish, is it possible?
Gettin lost in the woods, camping for 2 weeks
Delaware crazy about ciphaning gas?
Is it possible to be addicted to getting Arrested?
Starting a Salt Company using Utah salt flat
Did i get a good deal on my used car?
Shipping myself in a box to Paradise!
I plan on moving to Las Vegas and opening my own Casino!
Moving to Nebraska to start corn farm
Im Moving to Alaska, Crab fishin' with empty pockets
Working on Geneva Ave
Advice for treating a broken arm and bruised ego
How weird is it one day you will be a Skeleton.
2007 Dodge Ram For sale 12k under KBB, 27k miles...its Stolen is the only problem
Yeah so i kicked my boss's door down today in a fury of rage!
Where to find cheap tires in Houston
Posts Made By: lone traveler

Posts Made By: Traveling Alone
Can you believe this! I got fired today for climbing a tree!
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
Be a part of history! Setting a world record for getting...
Competing in the Iditarod this year
Funny but bad Rent Story
Lying to your kids about Santa Claus
What do you gotta do to become a Mod around here.
Knumbchucks and Whiskey

[BringBackCobain]

Originally Posted by motormaker

Have you check out his previous posts? This guy has had several names on CD. Do a search under the names.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=12192331

Including these.


i want to become amish, is it possible?
Gettin lost in the woods, camping for 2 weeks
Delaware crazy about ciphaning gas?
Is it possible to be addicted to getting Arrested?
Starting a Salt Company using Utah salt flat
Did i get a good deal on my used car?
Shipping myself in a box to Paradise!
I plan on moving to Las Vegas and opening my own Casino!
Moving to Nebraska to start corn farm
Im Moving to Alaska, Crab fishin' with empty pockets
Working on Geneva Ave
Advice for treating a broken arm and bruised ego
How weird is it one day you will be a Skeleton.
2007 Dodge Ram For sale 12k under KBB, 27k miles...its Stolen is the only problem
Yeah so i kicked my boss's door down today in a fury of rage!
Where to find cheap tires in Houston
Posts Made By: lone traveler

Posts Made By: Traveling Alone
Can you believe this! I got fired today for climbing a tree!
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
Be a part of history! Setting a world record for getting...
Competing in the Iditarod this year
Funny but bad Rent Story
Lying to your kids about Santa Claus
What do you gotta do to become a Mod around here.
Knumbchucks and Whiskey

Wow, I wish I had as much time on my hands as you do!

[brownhornet]

I think some people are afraid of EVERYTHING. Im at underground constantly and I've never had a problem. Sure its annoying to constantly get asked for money but scary?

[atlantaATL]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

I found the PeachTree City Mall to be a disappointment. It was basically just a food court.

DID you go anywhere outside of downtown? because you only talk about downtown. ANd then you make a full judgement on the city basedon the lil area you covered.

[ArthursChoice]

Lol!

Originally Posted by weekend traveler

i just got back from my first trip ever to atlanta. At one time i had thought of relocating to ga and maybe somewhere in the atlanta area. Not anymore.

We stayed at the downtown holiday inn hotel and spent quite a bit of time walking the streets and trying to get a pulse of the city. The first thing i noticed was the lack of traffic even at rush hour. Sure there was some traffic but not so much. The number of people walking up and down the street even during 70 degree weekday lunch hours seemed limited.

I saw few stores and the restaurants seemed empty. I suspect that vital downtowns like minnapolis, dever, portland and seattle have nothing to worry about.

Downtown was full of skyscrapers but i saw limited commerce and a general lack of energy.

Finally it seemed like atlanta had a very large number of homeless and mentally ill walking up and down the street. We were constantly approached by all kinds of crazies. The tourist area around atlanta underground was terrible.

Do you agree with my observations?

[Atlantasfinest]

Pless,

For a cold beer, table games & music after a sweaty run check out Sidebar on Poplar Ave in the heart of the Fairlie-Poplar District of downtown.

Also you have a Slice which has brew on tap and great pizza and calzones right next door and The Mark Ultralounge in the middle of both of the restaurants.

You could also check out STATS which is a sports bar on Marietta Street after a nice run for some brew and food also there are tons of spots in Castleberry Hill that would satisy your needs (255, another Slice location, Star Bar, Wasabi, etc.). You can even pop into Hooters on Peachtree or one of the many spots around that area or Harlem Bar on Edgewood and there are some other places on Edgewood that recently opened can't think of the names. But there are plenty of places that would fit the bill Pless .