Moving to Atlanta from Milwaukee- differences? (Smyrna, Druid Hills: transplants, apartments, low crime)

[Sally_Sparrow1]

I'd like to preface this by saying that I know there have been a few threads about moving from Milwaukee to Atlanta, but those mostly seem to deal with the question of 'should we,' 'where,' and 'how?' My question is slightly different.

In September, I will be joining my boyfriend in Atlanta for the next four years or so. We're choosing our apartment this coming weekend in either the Druid Hills area or the Smyrna area. He will be attending medical school at Morehouse and I will be looking for a job at a publishing house or, at the very least, in advertising. We're both in our 20s.

I was hoping to get some advice on the biggest regional changes between Milwaukee and Atlanta. I had a hard time with regional differences between people in Milwaukee (warm, affable, easy-going) and people in New England (cold, distant, angry), where we both got our undergraduate degrees. What are the regional personality differences between Milwaukee and Atlanta?

Also, in terms of safety, nightlife, walk-ability, and friendliness, which is better: Druid Hills or Smyrna?

Finally, I know the job situation in Atlanta was really tough a couple years ago; do current residents feel that it has changed at all? Are there jobs available, generally or particularly in the editing/publishing field?

Thanks so much for all your help!!

[MathmanMathman]

If you want warm, affable, easy-going people, Atlanta will suit you fine. We do have a lot of transplants so some of that northeastern is here.

I don't know about the editing/publishing market in Atlanta. The market in general has improved.

[cqholt]

do current residents feel that it has changed at all?

I would say yes. More people working= worse traffic. I know my company has hired several people this year. We expanded to another floor, but that's just my personal experience.

[lorilove]

What area of Smyrna are you looking in. In general, Smyrna is safe, walkable and friendly. Nightlife is generally good restaurants with a nice bar section - not much for dancing and limited for live music.

[Sally_Sparrow1]

Thank you all so much! This is super helpful!

We're looking in at apartments south of Smyrna near Woodland Brook and Highlands park, just west of the 285. In Druid Hills, we're looking at apartments north-east of Emory University.

We can live without dancing and live music, though both on occasion are nice.

Also, I completely forgot to ask- how are the bugs? Mosquitoes, black flies, deer/horse flies, gnats, etc.? In northern WI, you can't sit outside for longer than two minutes in May and June without being soaked in DEET because they're so bad.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Sally_Sparrow1

Thank you all so much! This is super helpful!

We're looking in at apartments south of Smyrna near Woodland Brook and Highlands park, just west of the 285. In Druid Hills, we're looking at apartments north-east of Emory University.

We can live without dancing and live music, though both on occasion are nice.

Also, I completely forgot to ask- how are the bugs? Mosquitoes, black flies, deer/horse flies, gnats, etc.? In northern WI, you can't sit outside for longer than two minutes in May and June without being soaked in DEET because they're so bad.

the place you're talking about is actually north druid hills, which is a separate neighbourhood from druid hills. the homes are newer, but typically smaller, and it's very safe and walkable. it's a majority orthodox jewish neighbourhood, so there'll be plenty of kosher food, and you'll see a lot of huts in people's yards in late september/early october— those are called sukkot.

even if you don't eat kosher, the jews down here are pretty nonjudgmental and they're open to anyone who wants to eat there. in addition there are a lot of restaurants in the neighbourhood that are not kosher and serve good food, too, so you won't be alone.

as for the bugs, get ready. we don't have as many horseflies and gnats, but we have big funny looking flying bugs that are all over the place, most of them don't bite, but don't be surprised if you have guests swirling around your lights at night.

the area you're looking at in smyrna is nice, but isn't as walkable. might i suggest if you're looking on that side, taking a look at whittier mill village, which is right inside 285 across from that neighbourhood? it's an old mill community, quiet but walkable to local parks and restaurants, and low crime. you take south cobb drive to go right inside 285, and turn right on bolton road. then, take an immediate right on parrott avenue. i think you'll definitely like it.

[crock99]

We just moved to Buford from Milwaukee about a month ago. I don't know much about the area to be able to weigh in on any of those questions, but I can add that the people here are very, very pleasant. Everyone is warm and friendly... very similar to Milwaukee, except with a bit of a southern drawl.

I've also lived in the Northeast (New York) and it is nothing like that... although you will come across the occasional transplant.

I think you'll like it here. Good luck!!