Atlanta or DC (Marietta, Dunwoody, Decatur: unemployed, neighborhood, college)

[mbamiss]

Tonygeorgia, the OP said he is wanting to move to the Reston area. DC and Reston are as different as night and day...so while you keep referencing all of these HIV stats, it really isn't even relevant to the discussion.
OP, I live in the NoVA area and have for the past 8 years. I, too, was facing a decision as whether or not to stay in DC or move to the Atlanta area. I've chosen to stay here, because I haven't been able get ANY interest in my resume in Atlanta, and yet employers knock my door down here in the DC area whenever I put my resume on Monster. The job market is MUCH stronger in DC, imo. That being said, the cost of living SHOULD concern you here...it is HIGH, but being in IT, you'll probably do ok for yourself. I can't speak for Atlanta, but people in the DC/NoVA are ARE unfriendly and "entitled". It is hands-down the most unfriendly place I have ever lived...and it is very difficult to meet people worth knowing here (and I am a social person). There are a lot of fake people (physically and otherwise), and almost everyone tries to be a showboat. I sometimes feel like I am living in Orange County.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by mbamiss

Tonygeorgia, the OP said he is wanting to move to the Reston area. DC and Reston are as different as night and day...so while you keep referencing all of these HIV stats, it really isn't even relevant to the discussion.
OP, I live in the NoVA area and have for the past 8 years. I, too, was facing a decision as whether or not to stay in DC or move to the Atlanta area. I've chosen to stay here, because I haven't been able get ANY interest in my resume in Atlanta, and yet employers knock my door down here in the DC area whenever I put my resume on Monster. The job market is MUCH stronger in DC, imo. That being said, the cost of living SHOULD concern you here...it is HIGH, but being in IT, you'll probably do ok for yourself. I can't speak for Atlanta, but people in the DC/NoVA are ARE unfriendly and "entitled". It is hands-down the most unfriendly place I have ever lived...and it is very difficult to meet people worth knowing here (and I am a social person). There are a lot of fake people (physically and otherwise), and almost everyone tries to be a showboat. I sometimes feel like I am living in Orange County.

As a former resident of Fairfax County, I agree completely with your assessment. As far as the employment picture goes there, I suppose the out-of-control growth in the government sector does have its' advantages for some.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by mbamiss

Tonygeorgia, the OP said he is wanting to move to the Reston area. DC and Reston are as different as night and day...so while you keep referencing all of these HIV stats, it really isn't even relevant to the discussion.
OP, I live in the NoVA area and have for the past 8 years. I, too, was facing a decision as whether or not to stay in DC or move to the Atlanta area. I've chosen to stay here, because I haven't been able get ANY interest in my resume in Atlanta, and yet employers knock my door down here in the DC area whenever I put my resume on Monster. The job market is MUCH stronger in DC, imo. That being said, the cost of living SHOULD concern you here...it is HIGH, but being in IT, you'll probably do ok for yourself. I can't speak for Atlanta, but people in the DC/NoVA are ARE unfriendly and "entitled". It is hands-down the most unfriendly place I have ever lived...and it is very difficult to meet people worth knowing here (and I am a social person). There are a lot of fake people (physically and otherwise), and almost everyone tries to be a showboat. I sometimes feel like I am living in Orange County.

Those HIV stats spill over into PG and Norva but to change topics DC is a good place to live for a few years to build up your resume but it is a good place to live long term IMO

[Ebck120]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Dont forget the other side of DC...

DC HIV/AIDS Rate Higher Than West Africa
D.C. HIV/AIDS Rate Higher Than West Africa : NPR

DC has Lowest Marriage rate in Nation
D.C. Has Lowest Marriage Rate In Nation, Largest Percentage of Same-Sex Couples - The Sexist - Washington City Paper

DC Rated Number 1 in U.S. for STDs
DC Rated Number 1 in U.S. for STDs (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/dc-rated-number-1-for-stds-111809 - broken link)

Metro ($5 a pay to park)
Metro - Rail

$5 to park
$5 to work/$5 from work
$15 a day to ride the train

Atlanta is more diverse if you add the hispanics and asians living on Buford Hwy, Gwinnett, and the Sandy Springs area

If you are trying to add the large Korean population out in Gwinnett, just FYI the DC area has a much larger Korean population then Atlanta. Same with hispanics when counting the metropolitan area.

[Ebck120]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Those HIV stats spill over into PG and Norva but to change topics DC is a good place to live for a few years to build up your resume but it is a good place to live long term IMO

wow, you are really scared of the whole HIV rate thing huh? Just FYI according to the CDC Georgia is a top 10 state in this category and you know that can easily spill over into the Atlanta region. I guess it's time to consider a move?

[DennyCrane]

Wow. This thread really grew while I was away. As the OP, allow me to clarify a few points.

1. I agree that moving somewhere without a job lined up is a bad idea. However, I may not have a choice as my job will be ending soon. I've also been saving up a lot of money in anticipation of this move. Sure, I'd rather not have to eat into my savings. In Atlanta, my savings would last longer. But what's also true is that my odds of finding a job are lower compared to DC. If I don't find a job within a year in DC (or anywhere else for that matter), I'll know it's the wrong city for me. But the thing that terrifies me the most, more than the prospect of bad traffic, lousy weather, or unfriendly people is being unemployed and desperate to find work. I know that jobs are hard to come by no matter where you live. I just want to maximize my chances of finding one. I also don't want to be in a position where I'm forced to take a job because there's nothing better around.

2. In terms of a night life, I'm not a 20something guy looking to hit all the cool bars and clubs. Cultural amenities like museums, galleries, etc. are more my thing. DC feels very cosmopolitan, which I like.

3. Although I don't know exactly how much I'll make in DC, I know that IT pays well there, at least as well as what I make in Chicago. I just hope it's enough to make up for the higher housing costs. But as someone pointed out earlier, cities are expensive because that's where everyone wants to be.

4. As for housing costs, I realize it's expensive. But I'm used to paying $1300 a month. So assuming my salary goes up, I don't think the rents will be too far out of my reach, depending on what part of DC I choose to live in. Since I'm not a 20something who needs to run with the cool crowd, I don't need to live in the hippest part of the city. At the same time, I don't want to live in the far, far suburbs where it's nothing but families.

[SouthernBoy205]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Dont forget the other side of DC...

DC HIV/AIDS Rate Higher Than West Africa
D.C. HIV/AIDS Rate Higher Than West Africa : NPR

DC has Lowest Marriage rate in Nation
D.C. Has Lowest Marriage Rate In Nation, Largest Percentage of Same-Sex Couples - The Sexist - Washington City Paper

DC Rated Number 1 in U.S. for STDs
DC Rated Number 1 in U.S. for STDs (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/dc-rated-number-1-for-stds-111809 - broken link)

Metro ($5 a pay to park)
Metro - Rail

$5 to park
$5 to work/$5 from work
$15 a day to ride the train

Atlanta is more diverse if you add the hispanics and asians living on Buford Hwy, Gwinnett, and the Sandy Springs area

What about "Hotlanta"? You done bashed DC extremely. What about Atlanta?

[chiatldal]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

What about "Hotlanta"? You done bashed DC extremely. What about Atlanta?

Atlanta has already been bash look throught the thread but it's no better

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by Ebck120

isn't that what urban suburbs are for?

Whether this gets me in trouble or not I don't know, but calling a city an "urban suburb" is just plain ignorant, elistist, and petty. Whether you like it or not, Atlanta is a major urban city and there is just no way to argue that. It may not be the type of city you like, but what you like isn't of importance to anyone but yourself.

[Blkspice23]

Originally Posted by Ebck120

isn't that what urban suburbs are for?

I dont mind Driving my audi where I need to go. I hate waiting on trains I live right by my job so there is no need for me to catch a train. I hate outdoor shopping because when its too cold or rainy or too hot I cant escape the weather, so I prefer malls. i grew up in Miami so I really dont care about culture is a bit over rated too me. If I wanted to get higher education There are great Colleges right in the city. Im fine with the southern lifestyle. I dont have to have that hustle and bustle lifestyle or urban lifestyle to survive be happy and content. As long as I can live confortable im fine.