Nashville or Atlanta (Franklin, Brentwood: for sale, homes, living)

[asooner]

I am considering retiring in either the Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin area or the Atlanta / Marietta area. Any comments comparing the two areas would be appreciated.

[IngleDave]

I would personally never retire to the Atlanta area. If I were much younger, it might be the place to be. But I'd be dogged if I would enjoy the practically non-stop traffic nightmares, long lines, and any number of other reasons to avoid the area near an enormous city. 35 years ago, sure, why not, Atlanta was about the size of Nashville now. Nashville is just a sweeter community. For me, it just fits like a glove. I'm nearly 56 years old so I speak as one who is beginning to think about retirement eventually. Nashville's possibly conjested, choked out future is at least still many years away. Hopefully, it'll never happen on the scale of Atlanta. Please no.

[alleycat]

This one probably has more to do with what you're looking for than in the differences in the two city. My brother lives in Atlanta and has always liked it; I had to work in Atlanta for several weeks back in the 90's and couldn't wait to get back to Nashville. To me there's a different vibe to the two cities; but it would be hard for me to explain it.

Obviously there's more everything in Atlanta than Nashville, if that's important to you. You can find most anything you need in Nashville, but there are things that Atlanta has that Nashville doesn't.

[htmlfamily]

Originally Posted by asooner

I am considering retiring in either the Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin area or the Atlanta / Marietta area. Any comments comparing the two areas would be appreciated.

Atlanta/Nashville are complete opposites. I love Nash and I avoid Atlanta at all costs.If you have to ask Atlanta is surely calling your name.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by alleycat

Obviously there's more everything in Atlanta than Nashville, if that's important to you. You can find most anything you need in Nashville, but there are things that Atlanta has that Nashville doesn't.

Like home invasion robberies.
Nightmare traffic.

Trust me, I got away from Atl and have never regretted it.

[htmlfamily]

Originally Posted by irvm

Like home invasion robberies.
Nightmare traffic.

Trust me, I got away from Atl and have never regretted it.

You forgot to add: A City .gov that should be a "Comedy Routine"...But sadly it is Real Life.

[JMT]

I've lived in both cities and love both cities. But unless I were to live right smack in the middle of Atlanta across the street from IKEA, I could never live in Atlanta again, ESPECIALLY the suburbs.

The Atlanta metro area is growing by over 120,000 people per year. The road system simply can't keep up. While Nashville is also growing at a healthy rate, it's got a long, long ways to go before it can compete with Atlanta's outrageous traffic problems.

Plus, Nashville's airport is smaller and easier to maneuver and, thanks to Southwest Airlines, offers good deals.

[sjsbooboo]

Atlanta.

[sent]

Originally Posted by JMT

I've lived in both cities and love both cities. But unless I were to live right smack in the middle of Atlanta across the street from IKEA, I could never live in Atlanta again, ESPECIALLY the suburbs.

I was at that IKEA in March, and I saw lots and lots of homes for sale in the immediate vicinity. If you want a small, easily commutable city, choose Nashville. It's really easy to fly out of Nashville as well - a little over 3 hours to the west coast, 2 hours to the east - and the airport is just the right size to be manageable. I agree with the above poster, Southwest services many parts of the country reasonably (except NYC where I need to go!). Atlanta being only a 3.5 hour drive from here, makes it a very easy weekend trip to go there. I am young and like living and traveling to large cities, but Atlanta is not in the same league as NYC or Chicago. The absolute need for a car there and the lack of adequate public transportation leads to lots of traffic problems in Atlanta. Since you need a car to get everywhere in Atlanta, you may as well live in Nashville and have life go a lot smoother on a daily basis and just visit Atlanta as needed.

[Watertown Gal]

Nashville!!