Those of you from the Northeast that now live in Atlanta...

[chgunns]

I am a native Southerner currently living in the Philadelphia area, so I have familiarity with each area, though in reverse.

One thing you should know - very little of "Atlanta" is within the city limits. Since it became significant in the era of the car, the metro population lives in adjoining towns and suburbs more than any other major American city. The city population is 33rd nationally, trailing places like Oklahoma City and Tucson. The metro area is 9th, and _that_ region is actually much more compact than most MSA's considered by the census.

Georgia is more diverse than any state you will find in the north. It was just shy of majority-minority in the 2010 census, and likely will be well before 2020. Especially in Atlanta, that diversity is more than the historic black-white dichotomy across the South. I am not in the city up here, and the clear delineation between white and non-white areas of the Philly area was a huge adjustment. Perhaps those bemoaning the lack of diversity should have selected one of the many diverse communities across the Atlanta area.

If you have school age kids, go to one of the many school rating websites around the net. Like the communities, the schools are diverse in both population and quality. If you are from an area where you have to send your kids to a private school to get a decent education, you will discover that is not the case in Atlanta. The Gwinnett County district recently won the Broad Prize as the top large school district in the nation, there are outstanding schools in some of the other districts as well. However, look at individual school zone results. If you aren't sure, ask a friend in education what metrics to consider

Atlanta traffic is severe, and regional rail non-existent. Atlantans also drive much faster than drivers in the north. On the major interstates into the city, it is not unusual to have 6 lanes of relatively tightly packed cars all traveling upwards of 70 mph. This will be an adjustment for you, but I strongly suggest you make the adjustment - for your safety and the safety of those around you.

The humidity is worse in Atlanta than any you will find in Philadelphia (sorry, but I know it is close to your home and you probably know it well enough). I came up here for my initial interview in late July. I was enjoying the mild summer weather (mid 80's, medium humidity with a breeze), and the locals apologized for the "hot weather". I cannot find the link, but one of the city research places I consulted listed a 5-8 degree difference in average heat index (Philly vs. Atlanta) for June through August, and about a 10-15 degree difference in maximum.

However, _every_building is air conditioned, and air conditioned well. I would guess that is one reason some of the respondents believe the summer is no worse than wherever they lived previously.

Atlanta gets maybe one snow a year. The city will shut down. Unless you have a vehicle equipped to drive on ice, enjoy your day off. It is much easier to drive past snow 18 inches deep on treated and plowed roads than to drive on a half inch of ice. I have been through two winters up here now, and was surprised to learn that ice storms are relatively rare, though snow is plentiful. Atlanta will experience a handful of ice storms every winter.

Atlanta winters are mild but weird. The overnight lows are often not much different than around Philadelphia. However, there is a huge afternoon variance. Whereas I face a morning of 20 and afternoon high of 30 with heavy cloud cover up here, back home it is not unusual to have a morning of 25 and an afternoon high in the 50's with clear skys and sunshine. The winter is also MUCH shorter in duration. Most of a GA September will likely feel like May or early July to you. October will feel like March-April, and it will likely be late November before you face several consecutive days of what you would consider winter temperatures. I had never seen a man under age 50 with scarves in his wardrobe til I moved up here.

Spring arrives in force by mid-March at the absolute latest, and it will bring a severe pollen season. Expect your car and home to be covered by yellow dust for several weeks. If you have allergy problems, this is something to consider.

The other minor weather difference is in the type of rain storms. If you like thunderstorms, you will like Georgia. If you don't, you will have an adjustment period.

If sports are big for you, you will find a completely different sporting culture. College sports are king, especially football. There are a half dozen college stadiums within a short drive of Atlanta that seat more than Giants stadium, and all of them are generally sold out every weekend. You will see cars decked out in a dozen flags and magnets migrating outward from Atlanta on Friday nights and Saturday mornings, and sports bars will be packed as well.

High school games are also big events on Friday nights. Most stadiums seat from 5 to 15k, and they are often community-wide events.

I have no idea what a Falcons game is like, as I haven't been since I was a child.

If you attend a Braves game, you will likely be as surprised by the laidback nature of the crowd as I was shocked by the fan intensity for baseball up here. Baseball is more of a social event, and the crowd will likely be a lot less into the game than you are used to.

Hockey will soon be abandoning Atlanta, likely for good. It was embraced by relatively few Southerners, and the transplants couldn't keep it afloat.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by bostonbaby

I find Boston sooo humid in summer, my hair never dries not even with a hair dryer.. can' be worse than this. I think somedays we reach 99% humidity and we live accross the beach, so it's wet hair all day long!

So many people from the northeast are moving south.. I hope we like it and you too good luck.

Money will feel like real money in Atlanta, prices in Boston are crazy, same as NY probably. Although I find a lot more things cheaper in NY like clothing!

As much as I love Boston, having lived there for 5 years, I must agree with your observations. The summer humidity, heat and stink from the Charles River are often downright deplorable!

[staywarm2]

"Atlanta gets maybe one snow a year. The city will shut down. Unless you have a vehicle equipped to drive on ice, enjoy your day off. Atlanta will experience a handful of ice storms every winter. "

I've lived here in Metro ATL 8 yrs. and it has only snowed 3 winters. One snow was <1". I've only seen maybe 4 ice storms in that time. Perhaps we have less ice and snow than in the past...

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

"Atlanta gets maybe one snow a year. The city will shut down. Unless you have a vehicle equipped to drive on ice, enjoy your day off. Atlanta will experience a handful of ice storms every winter. "

I've lived here in Metro ATL 8 yrs. and it has only snowed 3 winters. One snow was <1". I've only seen maybe 4 ice storms in that time. Perhaps we have less ice and snow than in the past...

I lived in Atlanta from 2005-2010 and every year we had snow. I am not sure where in metro Atlanta you are (I was in Midtown and then Vinings).