Atlanta weekend traffic?

[gt6974a]

My fiance works in Buckhead, I work downtown....we generally use Friday as our date night....rather than face that horrible traffic we just meet up for dinner then head home

To the OP, just check out the map on georgianavigator.com through out your day to get an idea.

[Mass Exodus]

So JPD, what areas do you think allow you to avoid the freeways? Even though we won't have to commute to downtown, avoiding the freeways definitely sounds like a good thing.

The Friday traffic thing happens here in Boston, too - maybe not as bad as ATL, but even in our suburb 35 miles south of Boston, I HATE going anywhere after 2pm on a Friday afternoon. The afternoon rush hour in Boston on Fridays seems to start around 2pm and doesn't really end until after 7pm.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Mass Exodus

So JPD, what areas do you think allow you to avoid the freeways? Even though we won't have to commute to downtown, avoiding the freeways definitely sounds like a good thing.

I live in Tucker, which is just outside of I-285 to the east (slightly northeast) of Atlanta and I never have to use the freeway to get around. Other areas that I'm familiar with that give you easy access to Downtown/Midtown without using the freeway are Decatur, Emory, Druid Hills, Avondale any of the "intown" neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Candler Park, Inman Park, Grant Park, etc.) Basically, just about anywhere near the East line of the Marta rail puts you close enough to the city with no need for freeway travel.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Mass Exodus

So JPD, what areas do you think allow you to avoid the freeways? Even though we won't have to commute to downtown, avoiding the freeways definitely sounds like a good thing.

The Friday traffic thing happens here in Boston, too - maybe not as bad as ATL, but even in our suburb 35 miles south of Boston, I HATE going anywhere after 2pm on a Friday afternoon. The afternoon rush hour in Boston on Fridays seems to start around 2pm and doesn't really end until after 7pm.

Your best device to own here is a good GPS system.

Magellin has one at Costco right now in the stores for $349 that even has a feature on it with real-time traffic reports so it'll suggest other routes during heavy traffic. A Garmin version is slightly more with similar features. You can also pick "avoid interstates" and it will show you how to get somewhere without getting on a single freeway. A VERY handy thing to have here. I mean - VERY. Garmin and Magellin seem to work the best around Atlanta. The "Mio" brand is less expensive but works decently well. TomTom just plain stinks around here.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Your best device to own here is a good GPS system.

Magellin has one at Costco right now in the stores for $349 that even has a feature on it with real-time traffic reports so it'll suggest other routes during heavy traffic. A Garmin version is slightly more with similar features. You can also pick "avoid interstates" and it will show you how to get somewhere without getting on a single freeway. A VERY handy thing to have here. I mean - VERY. Garmin and Magellin seem to work the best around Atlanta. The "Mio" brand is less expensive but works decently well. TomTom just plain stinks around here.

I have a Garmin in my work vehicle and it is deadly accurate

[jzizza]

Hopefully, you have visited the Atlanta area a few times to get a "feel" for that traffic gridlock. I am also from the Boston area and have visited my son several times and believe me, it is a nightmare. Everything you do there has to be well planned out or you will sit in traffic. Atlanta is second to LA for traffic congestion. I want to move there but it would be like trading one problem for another. Good Luck!

[netdragon]

Driving around suburban Boston and suburban ATL is pretty similar... Arterials that meet at all kinds of angles. Central Boston has a much more developed grid whereas Central Atlanta is still largely arterial. What you get to avoid in metro ATL is those 5 star rotaries all over the place that drive me crazy in Boston :-) I do wish some ATL intersections would have roundabouts put in, though...

[plessthanpointohfive]

What's your price range? If you can afford $300K+ then definitely look to the hoods that JPD mentioned. They have the benefit of also having very good public schools. I live in Candler Park ($397K for my 1925 duplex - get $1100/month rent from the upstairs apt) and my son goes to Mary Lin ES. We're EXTREMELY happy here. I feel just about immune to traffic, no matter what day of the week it is or if there's something going on. Most of the bad traffic is on the interstate and highways and I don't have to get on them to get around the city from my hood. I can walk to resturaunts, the park that the neighborhood is named after (which has a 9-hold golf course on it and a fabulous playground and a wonderful FallFest every October), to my son's school, and I even walk to work (that takes an hour but it's my exercise for that day).

So, try your best to live in one of the neighborhoods inside the city. Here's a link that talks about my hood and has links to other intown neighborhoods:

Candler Park Atlanta Map - interactive map of Candler Park with neighborhood information, schools, business, parks, and churches

Good luck and welcome to Atlanta!