Change: Visited Atlanta Again For First Time Since 2004 (Tucker, Decatur: houses, neighborhood)

[jjbradleynyc]

I lived in Atlanta from 1998 until 2001. I revisited this past weekend and went to midtown. Whoa! How it has changed. In my opinion, lost its character a lot in midtown. The highrises have really gone up, but the area itself is just becoming sterile now I think.
Also, what we really noticed again was how un-pedestrian friendly Atlanta is. Atlantic Station is a start, but total cookie-cutter and lacks a vibe.

What direction do other people think Atlanta's growth is taking it?

I think it is out of control, with traffic on par with LA or worse. Traffic in Atlanta is FAR, FAR worse than NYC's.

[jlcalle]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

I lived in Atlanta from 1998 until 2001. I revisited this past weekend and went to midtown. Whoa! How it has changed. In my opinion, lost its character a lot in midtown. The highrises have really gone up, but the area itself is just becoming sterile now I think.
Also, what we really noticed again was how un-pedestrian friendly Atlanta is. Atlantic Station is a start, but total cookie-cutter and lacks a vibe.

What direction do other people think Atlanta's growth is taking it?

I think it is out of control, with traffic on par with LA or worse. Traffic in Atlanta is FAR, FAR worse than NYC's.

Yes, it's aboslutely un-pedestrian. And not just in the city, you can live in a nice house and if you decide to take a walk in the 'cool of the evening' you'll be doing so in the road because you ain't got no sidewalk. It really is odd, but people here don't know any better. I am afraid to ask why, because I think I know, and the answer is profoundly sad.

Atlanta's future growth- Intown.

[midtown mile girl]

Midtown has gotten much better, and I have lived in the Atlanta area since 1988. The run down buildings have been renovated or replaced, and shops and restaurants have moved in. I do not miss the sad, dilalpitated, scary place that it used to be. I there are plenty of places to walk. Plus, who drives in New York City?

[DreamKeeper]

Sorry but traffic in Atlanta is not even close to NYC traffic. I've lived, worked and driven in both places and Atlanta is like a stroll through the park compared to NYC. That's not to say that Atlanta doesn't have traffic problems, it most certainly does and in certain parts of the city it can be very bad. The thing about Atlanta though, compared to NYC, is that if you take the time to study a map of the secondary roads you can find a plethora of alternative routes to take that most people don't even know about because they usually just follow the herd and drive the freeways.

[painter62]

I will have to say that I drove through the City of Decatur area this past week for the first time in 10 years. Either I have changed or Decatur has changed. It seemed very run-down to me. Renfroe Middle School looked a bit depressing. Actually, to me, all of Atlanta looks much more run-down than it did years ago. Not sure what has happened? VaHi and Inman Park looked a bit better. But, still, the yards were unkept. Maybe it will look better once it's green and blooming!

[JPD]

Originally Posted by DreamKeeper

if you take the time to study a map of the secondary roads you can find a plethora of alternative routes to take that most people don't even know about because they usually just follow the herd and drive the freeways.

This is absolutely true.

I drive from Tucker to downtown every day. Once I get off Ponce, there is almost never more than two or three cars in front of me for the remainder of the drive into downtown.

[shivtim]

I like Midtown a lot better now than 10 years ago. It's cleaner, safer, and there have been a lot of sidewalk/walkability improvements (especially on West Peachtree), plus tons of new restaurants and stores. It has character - a very urban, "big city" character, as opposed to a small neighborhood feel.

[blondandfun]

Well you know most those people who live in those old houses in midtown are all wealthy have no personality/character, whereas the people in those new skyscrapers are the avg. young professional types. But you might be one of those types still wailing and B-in about a particular club closing which needs no mention....

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by painter62

I will have to say that I drove through the City of Decatur area this past week for the first time in 10 years. Either I have changed or Decatur has changed. It seemed very run-down to me. Renfroe Middle School looked a bit depressing. Actually, to me, all of Atlanta looks much more run-down than it did years ago. Not sure what has happened? VaHi and Inman Park looked a bit better. But, still, the yards were unkept. Maybe it will look better once it's green and blooming!

Really? Renfroe is not my favorite building for sure, but I would think that generally after 10 years you would find that Decatur's stock has risen...a lot of positive things have happened there.
Everything landscape-wise looks terrible to me prior to Spring in Atlanta as well, so I think I know where you're coming from.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by DreamKeeper

Sorry but traffic in Atlanta is not even close to NYC traffic. I've lived, worked and driven in both places and Atlanta is like a stroll through the park compared to NYC. That's not to say that Atlanta doesn't have traffic problems, it most certainly does and in certain parts of the city it can be very bad. The thing about Atlanta though, compared to NYC, is that if you take the time to study a map of the secondary roads you can find a plethora of alternative routes to take that most people don't even know about because they usually just follow the herd and drive the freeways.

I lived in Atlanta from 98 to 01, and it was bad. Tons of sprawl, tons of underplanned areas, and bad growth overall. Anyway, with that being said, it's just getting worse.
NYC has 8.4 million in the city, and 20 million around it, so yes, the traffic can be awful there.
However, with that being said, NYC does have a massive subway, bus and railway system that carries millions of people into the city each day. Whereas Atlanta lacks the major public transportation system to support its growing population. I think that is what makes the traffic so unbearably bad in Atlanta--little public transport useage.
I just hope Atlanta starts making wise decisions for its future traffic issues. And the answer is not with the automobile for sure.