Considering a move from Boston to Atlanta (Decatur, Washington: lease, job market)

[chesneyfan1]

Hey all. I'm a 27 year old woman who was born and raised MA. I grew up in southeastern mass in the suburbs and have lived in the Back Bay area (right downtown) for the past 5 years. I have recently decided to make a "big move" when my current lease ends on August 31st, and several people have suggested the Atlanta area for me. I want to give you a bit of background on myself and any feedback will be greatly appreciate.

I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism and P.R but currently work as a nanny in the South End of boston and take part time evening classes in Education. My next job position in Georgia I HOPE would be in the same line of work, but I also have a ton of experience in retail, Hospitality, sales, and also public relations. What is the job market like for education and these above fields in Georgia?

Another bit about me....I do not have a license due to a seizure disorder that I have. I am otherwise healthy, but my doctor has recommended that I do not drive. This obviously puts me at HUGE disadvantage whereever I move, because I know most cities are not as "public transportation friendly" as boston is. In fact, I have more friends who DON'T have cars than DO. Is it even possible to live in Atlanta without a vehicle? PLEASE BE HONEST. And if so, where are the best areas to live?

Furthermore, I am a VERY friendly, outgoing person. I have always found Boston to be cold, rude, and judgmental. I have heard that Georgia is very friendly and I wanted to knwo if this is true. I did want to add however; that I am in fact gay and I am a hardcore liberal and this is something that I have always felt very comfortable being here in MA. I know there are stereotypes about the south and I wanted to know what the city was like.

Also, what is the nightlife like for a single in Atlanta? I would love to hear aback from anyone on ANYTHING that I have asked about. Espeically if there is anyone who has made the same move I am considering making! I hope you all have a GREAT weekend! Thank you in advance for your help!

[chesneyfan1]

Oh and I also wanted to add that I HATE bad weather. I like a more steady climate year round. What are the average winter temperatures like? Are the summer's super humid? I know that anything will be better than boston, but I was just wondering how hot it gets in the summer and what it is like on a January day!

[IntownHomes247]

Winters are mild. Summer is hot as hell and humid as dragon's breath.

There are only a couple of neighborhoods where is possible to live in Atlanta without a car -- Midtown and Downtown Decatur. Both neighborhoods have a wide variety of shops, restaurants, at least one grocery store, and MARTA rail stations.

You should defintely plan a trip to judge the area for yourself before you consider such a major move.

[applejuice]

I think what stood out from your post the most is that you can't drive. I gotta tell you that will be tough here in Atlanta. Mass transportation? Not in Atlanta...

People are friendly but I have had a hard time making friends...I am not from the area (from Florida) and I am not sure if that is the reason.

Sorry, I can't help you much with your other questions. It seems like ITP you would not have a probably blending in. But I will let someone with personal experience fill you in.

Good Luck on your impending move...but rent first until you are sure this area is what you are looking for. I have been to Boston, and Atlanta defintely has a different vibe. I don't know how else to explain it but it I think you are either going to love it or hate it.

[mg83]

I'd really reconsider a move to Atlanta... there are some people who claim you don't need a car in Atlanta... but people who do not drive are in the tini-tiny minority here. I'm just being honest.

You'd pretty much be bound to a job on or very close to a MARTA line, and that is hard.

The summers are hot, humid, with very little breeze.

[chesneyfan1]

Thanks for all of the help thus far...

in regards to the non-driving situation, I know it may not be atlanta, but what other cities have some of you folks lived in that you feel as though you could get by without a vehicle?

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by chesneyfan1

Thanks for all of the help thus far...

in regards to the non-driving situation, I know it may not be atlanta, but what other cities have some of you folks lived in that you feel as though you could get by without a vehicle?

Vancouver, Canada. Temperate climate, vibrant downtown community (the West End) where you can get by quite well without a car, and which is also a major centre of gay population. However, you might not qualify for Canadian immigration.

[kagmypts]

Originally Posted by chesneyfan1

Thanks for all of the help thus far...

in regards to the non-driving situation, I know it may not be atlanta, but what other cities have some of you folks lived in that you feel as though you could get by without a vehicle?

You could definitely live in Chicago, Washington DC, NYC, or Boston without a car. I would highly recommend against a move to Atlanta. I lived in Boston for a while (love Back Bay), and Atlanta is nothing like Boston. Also, you definitely need a car here. Even if you live near MARTA, it does not really take you anywhere (not when you come it to The T). I have met a few other people from Boston who moved here without a car and then moved back within a few months.

As for the weather, the winters here are much better! The summers are hot and humid, but then again Boston is not mild in the summer either. At least here you have air conditioning everywhere. Good luck!

[SteelCityRising]

You might wish to consider Washington DC. The winters are much milder than they are in Boston, but you can still get a little snow every season just to whet your appetite. Summers can be hot and humid, but a tad more moderate than Atlanta. As a fellow gay person, I can assure that overall the LGBT community is tolerated rather well in the nation's capital. Mass transit is also much better in DC than it is in Atlanta. Best of luck!

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by chesneyfan1

Another bit about me....I do not have a license due to a seizure disorder that I have. I am otherwise healthy, but my doctor has recommended that I do not drive. This obviously puts me at HUGE disadvantage whereever I move, because I know most cities are not as "public transportation friendly" as boston is.

I did want to add however; that I am in fact gay and I am a hardcore liberal and this is something that I have always felt very comfortable being here in MA.

I would definitely make a case for (city of) Decatur here...I lived without a car here for four months and was fine...I actually lost about 10 pounds walking everywhere!

Also, check out Citi-Data's Top 101 lists...it will show you that Decatur has the second highest per-capita % of (likely) lesbian couples in the nation.