People who live wayyyyyy OTP (Atlanta, Columbus: hotels, neighborhood, living)

[fieldm]

(Besides work if you work in the city) how often do you come Downtown?

[Atlanta Scientist]

I lived OTP for a minute and only came downtown every few months.

[Mattie]

Only when the dreaded jury duty notice arrives.

[ATLTJL]

That's an interesting question. I live about 13 miles OTP, is that WAAAAAYYYYYYY out?

To answer the question, I come into town all the time for work, sometimes as much as 5 times a week. Before moving to the suburbs, I lived in Buckhead, and I was very conscientious about never becoming one of those people who refuses to go outside the perimeter for anything. I went OTP all the time to visit friends, eat out, I even would drive up to Alpharetta to go to Walmart at 2am since the intown locations close at midnight.

When I moved OTP, I made a similar promise that I would never be one of those people who never goes into Atlanta. So I go into the city all the time, not just for work, but to meet up with friends, eat out, go to concerts, whatever.

However, I will say this: My wife used to want to go "eat out intown" pretty frequently, like once a month. We actually do that a lot less now since we've discovered sophisticated restaurants OTP that anybody would swear were in Buckhead or Midtown if you were just teleported inside and didn't know where you were.

If it were up to me, I'd probably come into Atlanta less than I do. If I didn't have to for work and wasn't part of a social activity with weekly meetings intown, I'd probably come in once or twice a month. Maybe a bit more around the holidays to go the symphony, botanical gardens, etc.

[Brian_M]

I'm so far OTP, I'm half way to Columbus. :P

I get ITP about 3 times a year, never 'Downtown' though (Dekalb farmers market, spot off Ponce for my wifes hair, maybe Ikea if it's a weekday). Even when I was living ~2 blocks from 285 (20 years ago, Tucker), it was very rare to go Downtown.

[primaltech]

I live about 1/2 mile ITP. In "fake ITP" as you put it. I'm going to comment anyway.

Downtown Atlanta sucks. Only reason I ever have to go there is shows at Tabernacle and Masquerade. Maybe in 5-10 years it will be a lot better. Right now it's mostly tourist bull crap, GSU, and hotels. Why would I go there? Centennial Park area is cool, that's about it.

Downtown Marietta is a million times better. I go up there instead.

I will say this though, I've always been fascinated with Peachtree Center. When I worked Downtown back in 2004, on my lunch break I used to have fun seeing how many buildings I could explore without ever going outside.

John Portman was/is sort of a futurist, IMO. I like his designs, and how connected everything is around there.

When I was a kid I really liked Hard Rock Cafe.

The Sun Dial is cool, but I'm not good with heights. I still go.

[Need4Camaro]

I'm in Central Gwinnett. I commute to N.Fulton. Only time I go downtown is literally when I'm passing through it to get to the southern suburbs which occurs maybe 3 - 4 times a month.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by primaltech

I live about 1/2 mile ITP. In "fake ITP" as you put it. I'm going to comment anyway.

This whole ITP/OTP business is the height of bogosity. The mayor of Atlanta lives several miles OTP, as does his chief protege and the next possible mayor of Atlanta. So does the head of MARTA, as do the heads of several city departments.

Does the fact that they may personally prefer a suburban lifestyle mean they can't have an urban outlook and urban sensibilities?

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This whole ITP/OTP business is the height of bogosity. The mayor of Atlanta lives several miles OTP, as does his chief protege and the next possible mayor of Atlanta. So does the head of MARTA, as do the heads of several city departments.

Does the fact that they may personally prefer a suburban lifestyle mean they can't have an urban outlook and urban sensibilities?

I personally would never ever want to live ITP of Atlanta.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This whole ITP/OTP business is the height of bogosity. The mayor of Atlanta lives several miles OTP, as does his chief protege and the next possible mayor of Atlanta. So does the head of MARTA, as do the heads of several city departments.

Does the fact that they may personally prefer a suburban lifestyle mean they can't have an urban outlook and urban sensibilities?

Especially since the Perimeter is not a circle. Not even close.

The mayor's neighborhood area (Loch Lomond and all that Cascade area), is outside 285, but is inside of Atlanta city limits, and about as far from Downtown Atlanta as Lenox Mall is.

Smyrna and Chamblee are the same distance out from Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead. Yet one is considered in-town and urban these days, and the other is considered out in the suburbs. (MARTA has a lot to do with that, but still.)