What is it about Atlanta for its population to be growing like a sunbelt city? I don't see it. (Dallas: condo, homes)

[timeofseasons]

What is it about Atlanta for it's population to be growing like a sunbelt city? I don't see it. I always question why Atlanta have a hudge reputation, and seems to be growing the way it does, I'm confused.

[atlantagreg30127]

First off, I'm moving this to the Atlanta room where it belongs, as in the Georgia room you'll get fewer replies.

To answer the post:


1) Corporate head hunters tell people from around the country that Atlanta is "the place" to get a job (it's not true - the recession is here as much as anywhere just about).

2) Black leaders tell blacks that Atlanta is a "black mecca" land of milk and honey. Many find when they get here that it's simply a large city with a lot of black people, but not necessarily a mecca, and you have to work very hard for your share of the honey.

3) Location: Some folks move for location. You're not far from the mountains, not super far from the ocean, and have four distinct seasons.

4) Transportation: If you run certain types of businesses, the Atlanta airport plus the fact three major Interstate highways and a train yard or two that run through the city would be a major selling point.

5) Weather: I personally think our weather is "extreme", meaning it's either really good, or really crappy. But some folks love it. No 3 foot snows in the Winter, and no Miami type heat/humidity (though close sometimes).

6) Home prices: Before the bust, you could sell your home in L.A. or NYC and easily buy 2 or even 3 homes for what you made back in your old place. You could sell your NYC condo, and move here to buy a place twice the size, one-third the price, and poof - enough money left over for an instant retirement account. Even now home prices are cheaper than most any major city.

I'm sure others will come up with more.

[Tdiddy0027]

Atlanta is considered a sunbelt city, by the way

[Saintmarks]

Wow AtlantaGreg, a great response to an off beat question. You are quite the gentleman. All I wanted to do was ask what a hudge was.

[bgNCATL]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

First off, I'm moving this to the Atlanta room where it belongs, as in the Georgia room you'll get fewer replies.

To answer the post:


1) Corporate head hunters tell people from around the country that Atlanta is "the place" to get a job (it's not true - the recession is here as much as anywhere just about).

2) Black leaders tell blacks that Atlanta is a "black mecca" land of milk and honey. Many find when they get here that it's simply a large city with a lot of black people, but not necessarily a mecca, and you have to work very hard for your share of the honey.

3) Location: Some folks move for location. You're not far from the mountains, not super far from the ocean, and have four distinct seasons.

4) Transportation: If you run certain types of businesses, the Atlanta airport plus the fact three major Interstate highways and a train yard or two that run through the city would be a major selling point.

5) Weather: I personally think our weather is "extreme", meaning it's either really good, or really crappy. But some folks love it. No 3 foot snows in the Winter, and no Miami type heat/humidity (though close sometimes).

6) Home prices: Before the bust, you could sell your home in L.A. or NYC and easily buy 2 or even 3 homes for what you made back in your old place. You could sell your NYC condo, and move here to buy a place twice the size, one-third the price, and poof - enough money left over for an instant retirement account. Even now home prices are cheaper than most any major city.

I'm sure others will come up with more.

Great post! I also want to add that Atlanta is the biggest city/metro in one of the hottest regions in the US. I stated in another thread that you have to drive 600 miles in any direction to find any real competition. this makes ATL stand out. The music industry and the media(CNN, Weather channel, Cartoon network, Trutv, TNT, etc.) in the area also makes it stand out. The movie industry is on the come up as well. It amazes me how many people still think of Atlanta as just home of Coke, underground and the Airport.

[Tdiddy0027]

senoia, ga is the next hollywood haha

[Jonnno]

Atlanta is the unofficial capital of the South and as such, every major corporation in America and the world wants to have a presence there. So that means jobs and once Atlanta got the repuation (especially among young people) that good jobs were available the influx began and sort of fed on itself. Atlanta has the reputation of being a boom town, deserved or not, and once a place gets that reputaion it is hard to stop people coming. Just like people avoid Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo because they have the repuation that they are "dying" they will keep flocking to Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, etc. based on perception and hope. The good weather and relatively low cost of living in Atlanta doesn't hurt either.

[timeofseasons]

Answers given on this forum were no reasons to convince me, though I see how it could trigger others to the Atlanta area. I just don't see it as a diserable place, but it really goes by preference. It will be interesting to visit the city though.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by timeofseasons

Answers given on this forum were no reasons to convince me, though I see how it could trigger others to the Atlanta area. I just don't see it as a diserable place, but it really goes by preference. It will be interesting to visit the city though.

It's just a matter of personal taste...some people have good taste, other people don't. People make choices in life depending on their taste and preferences, and obviously MANY people have made a choice to reside in Atlanta.

I don't think anyone was actually trying to 'convince' you...but simply to answer your question. If you haven't visited the city, how can you possibly say that you don't see Atlanta as a desirable place? You can't possibly know...

[hokiehigh]

It's cheap, warm and has a growing number of jobs. That's sort of sums it up. Most growing cities seem to be those with low cost of land.