How's the public transit system in Atlanta? (Decatur, Doraville: apartment, to rent)

[afonega1]

If you are looking for minimum wage jobs,You probably will be okay.Best to try and line something up before you get here.A car is not necessary but it will give you better options for jobs and living arrangements.Marta is not that bad at all.It could be better but its as good as many other cities outside of the Northeast.

[Brillemeister]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

You do realize that transit systems across the U.S. have considered cutting back service, including hours/days of operation? MARTA is certainly not the only one...Chicago has been in a transit budget crisis for a while, and just raised the transit tax AND fares. Minneapolis LRT hasn't been around nearly long enough to even have a reputation - either good or bad.

It's so cute how synically proud some people appear to be of themselves when they jump to point out some negative tidbit of information. But it's usually a good idea to know what you're talking about beforehand.

Tidbit? The proposal to close MARTA on Friday (of all days) was seriously threatened by its chairwoman, and was all over the news about three weeks ago. I have actually been to Chicago, by the way, and comparing the CTA with MARTA (which I rode almost daily last year) I found the former to have noticeably more frequent service, especially bus service, which is why I mentioned the city as a viable alternative. I think the fact that you've jumped on me so quickly for being "proud" displays a reflexively defensive disposition about Atlanta, but let this native tell you that I've been to much more inviting cities.

[Mgyeldell]

My commute everyday is the 93 in east Point to Five Points to go to GSU back to Five Points to North Springs to the 87 or 85 to work on Dunwoody Place in sandy springs. My commute takes about 15 minutes to get to school and about 20 minutes to get to work and and 1 hour to get home and that is a decent commute.

MARTA is reliable as long as you live in Atlanta, South Fulton, North Fulton, and Dekalb. And the other transit agencies are reliable on certain corridors. Cobb County CObb Pkwy Cheap apartments and lots of Minimum wage Jobs, Gwinett County along BUford Hwy, and Clayton County along Riverdale Rd,Gardenwalk Hwy 85 in Riverdale, Upper Riverdale And Mount Zion-Morrow Area(Thats one long bus route), Lots of Jobs and Cheap apartments. SO Public Transit is "decent" and you can find plenty of minimum wage jobs here so if you want to come

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Brillemeister

Tidbit? The proposal to close MARTA on Friday (of all days) was seriously threatened by its chairwoman, and was all over the news about three weeks ago. I have actually been to Chicago, by the way, and comparing the CTA with MARTA (which I rode almost daily last year) I found the former to have noticeably more frequent service, especially bus service, which is why I mentioned the city as a viable alternative. I think the fact that you've jumped on me so quickly for being "proud" displays a reflexively defensive disposition about Atlanta, but let this native tell you that I've been to much more inviting cities.

Many of us have been to Chicago...

We weren't discussing CTA's superiority over MARTA or even comparing the two systems - but I love the way you try to turn it into that. I was commenting on your criticism of MARTA's proposed service cuts by pointing out that MANY transit systems are facing cutbacks in service...including hours/days of operation - and that's the only reason I mentioned CTA.

I'm certainly no debate expert, but I don't think that it's considered a defensive position to simply share factual information that refutes your unnecessary criticism. But the common knee-jerk reaction is to label ANY response as "defensive".

There is no reason to bash MARTA for possible cutbacks in service...especially when:

1. MARTA is underfunded to begin with, and was just denied access to funding by the inactivity of the Georgia Legistature. The announcement that service would be diminished was surely meant to bring attention to the issue.

2. Many transit systems across the U.S. are in similar situations where, without an increase in funding, transit services will suffer. CTA and MARTA are two of them...but do an online search and you will come up with several others.

[redheadedsister]

I lived in Atlanta for 16 years and moved to Idaho. I am trying to sell my house and go back there. When I lived there I rented an apartment at The Park at Briarcliff. The phone is 888-397-7435. The apartments are nice, you can rent about a 600-800 sq apt. It is on public transportation, a very short bus ride to the Marta station, right outside of VERY desirable Buckhead, close to downtown, midtown, nightlife, single life, cool shops, cool restaurants and culture. If I were single, I would go right back there to live. I loved it there and it's a safe as anyplace in a large city. A very nice neighborhood, very diverse but in a good way. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be glad to answer them.

[mimi1988]

Originally Posted by redheadedsister

I lived in Atlanta for 16 years and moved to Idaho. I am trying to sell my house and go back there. When I lived there I rented an apartment at The Park at Briarcliff. The phone is 888-397-7435. The apartments are nice, you can rent about a 600-800 sq apt. It is on public transportation, a very short bus ride to the Marta station, right outside of VERY desirable Buckhead, close to downtown, midtown, nightlife, single life, cool shops, cool restaurants and culture. If I were single, I would go right back there to live. I loved it there and it's a safe as anyplace in a large city. A very nice neighborhood, very diverse but in a good way. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be glad to answer them.

Thanks (EVERYONE) for taking the time to respond to my post; I really appreciate it!
If I have anymore question (which I'm certain I do lol) I'll be sure to ask.
Again, thanks!

[Brillemeister]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

I'm certainly no debate expert, but I don't think that it's considered a defensive position to simply share factual information that refutes your unnecessary criticism. But the common knee-jerk reaction is to label ANY response as "defensive".

You accused me of trying to show off, a defensive type of behavior on your part, when in fact I thought it was prudent information that should have been shared. But I shouldn't be dragging this on. My initial point regarding MARTA was to watch out for service cuts.

[jeffreda30238]

In my opinion, it sucks, but its better than no system. It just goes N, S, E, W...not NW, NE, SW, SE, etc., like the subways or rail systems up north. Where it may only take you 20 minutes to drive somewhere, taking Marta may take you 1hr 30 min, to get to that 20 min place. I agree with the other poster that said if you leave near some Marta areas, the neighborhoods surrounding them are questionable, unless you pay mucho deniero (did i spell that right), to live near the rail systems on the north line..

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by jeffreda30238

In my opinion, it sucks, but its better than no system. It just goes N, S, E, W...not NW, NE, SW, SE, etc., like the subways or rail systems up north. Where it may only take you 20 minutes to drive somewhere, taking Marta may take you 1hr 30 min, to get to that 20 min place. I agree with the other poster that said if you leave near some Marta areas, the neighborhoods surrounding them are questionable, unless you pay mucho deniero (did i spell that right), to live near the rail systems on the north line..

Well, of course there are some stations where the surrounding area is questionable...Atlanta is a big city, and public transportation is intended to serve all citizens - even the less fortunate and/or those who live in undesirable neighborhoods. Additionally, there are several stations NOT on the North line that aren't in questionable neighborhoods...Inman Park, Westlake, Lenox, Brookwood, Doraville, Avondale, Decatur...and there are several others where we would probably disagree on the status of the area surrounding the stations.

Your MARTA knowledge apparently isn't very extensive...because there is a NE line with Doraville station at the end (NE10). Are you a frequent MARTA customer?

MARTA - Getting There - Rail Schedules & Maps

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Brillemeister

You accused me of trying to show off, a defensive type of behavior on your part, when in fact I thought it was prudent information that should have been shared. But I shouldn't be dragging this on. My initial point regarding MARTA was to watch out for service cuts.

Yes, service cuts may be necessary - at MARTA and many other transit systems across the U.S. I have no problem with that statement.