Considering a move from NW Georgia (Atlanta: apartment, rental, student loans)

[dodgehilton]

I am considering moving to the metro Atlanta area from NW Georgia. My primary reason is because I want to find people to socialize with who share my interests. (Writing, music, art.) I am also gay and there aren't that many gays in my area. I am 45 and I want to develop some friendships with people of common interest. I am also considering attending Georgia State to finish my degree in Journalism. (I am currently taking online classes.) I'd like some feedback from people who live there as to whether making a move to Atlanta would be a good thing for me.

Thanks.

[BobKovacs]

Well, there's definitely plenty of folks in/around Atlanta who would share your interests, and there's a large gay population as well. I'm not sure that we can determine if moving to Atlanta would "be a good thing for you", though, just based on those two items.

Have you thought about where you'd work? What's your budget for renting/buying a home? Are you used to living out in the sticks, and are you "ready" to live in a more urban environment?

[dodgehilton]

All good questions Bob. My Intention is to go to Georgia State and work on completing my degree in Journalism. While doing that I will be getting grants and student loans that will help to pay the bills but will obviously not cover them all, so a job PT job will be necessary. I haven't looked into job availabilities there yet. I do have a small amount put back to relocate (about $6000) that should tide me over for a while until I get something going. I also plan on spending the day in Atlanta with a friend of mine who is from there sometime in the next week or two to get a "feel" for the area.

As to the housing budget, I haven't looked into what apartment rental rates are. I don't think I should even try to buy something right off the bat until I am more familiar with the area. I know I am paying $720 a month now where I live, but that includes most of the utilities. Removing them would leave a rent of about $550 per month. I'd like to be within walking or MARTA distance from the school so I would think an apartment in that area would be my first choice. Does anyone have any idea of what the rental rates are in that area?

I was raised in the "sticks" as you say, but living in the big city appeals to me. I think I'm ready for the change.

Any suggestions for how to meet people from there are appreciated.

[KimmaAnn]

You're gay and survived NW Ga? Congratulations! lol. Seriously, ATL would be a good place. I have moved around Ga quit a bit and think the closer you can get to ATL the better. ATL is very diverse and has a very large gay population.

[dodgehilton]

Yes KimmaAnn, I have actually survived NW Georgia but it hasn't been easy. :-)

Like I siad, I am considering moving to ATL in the spring. Part of me wants to do it without much planning, kind of like an adventure sort of thing (middle-aged hippie hanging out at Little Five while writing books of some significance type of experience), but my pragmatic side is telling me to not be such a dufus and plan a bit. My purpoe for wanting to move is mostly social. I just want to meet some people of my own "kind" and get a life, being a late bloomer to the whole "out" thing. I also want to finish my degree, either in Journalism at GSU or in Advertising at the Art Institute. In short, what I am talking about here is a major life change both geographically and socially. I'd like ot have a couple of connections in place before I strike out into the great ATL unknown, but I don't do the bar scene and prefer to meet people of, let's say a higher calibre than one would normally meet there. (Nothing against bar hoppers, OK?)

I've stashed a bit of cash but it's unrealistic not to have a source of income in place before moving. To that end I am updating my resume and putting a few contigency plans in place. I have visited ATL to see what city life would be like but I still feel like Bambi in the big woods. I love the mid-town area, I have to say.

I guess what I am fishing for here is some feedback and advice from some of the gay residents, young and old, who live there as to what type of lifestyle they have there and what is the best way to "ease" into it?

Any help appreciated.