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I know it might be a weird comparison, but here is our situation:
My wife and I are both graduating from medical school and will be medical residents. We're currently trying to decide between places in these 2 cities. In terms of what we are looking for, we want a nice 3 bedroom house with a backyard. We like to have new, fun things to do most weekends, but aren't really club-goers anymore. We like to eat good local food. I am a tad worried about Pittsburgh because of the weather and the "months of gray" i keep hearing about. On the other hand, I am a little worried about the traffic and crime rate in Atlanta. I've had an opportunity to visit both and they both have their plusses and minusses...which is why I have come to you wonderful people for your thoughts.
EDIT: To note, since we are doing residency, there is a good chance we will only be in either city 4-5 years. There is a the possibility we will fall in love with either city and stay, but an ever bigger one that wherever we go, we might also want to resell our house in 5 years. Just something to add, in case that makes a difference. Thanks!
While I live in Atlanta, you would probably be happier in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh like the rest of the U.S. is in a recession, but the old saying "The larger they are the harder they fall" is very true of Atlanta right now. Uncontrolled uber-growth for decades and sprawling out the wazzo has left us in a hard drop in many ways around here lately.
The housing market is becoming a buyer's dream now though - in less than a year you'll pretty much have a premo pick of homes and condos for half price in many spots around. But yes, our traffic is infamous (second only to L.A.), and crime is pretty high, too (not "old New Orleans" high - yet, but high). It is definitely warmer here through the year than it is in Pittsburgh. Almost never any snow. Your first pollen season here might kill you, though. Atlanta is a city of "extremes" - top or bottom, hyper or dead, super speed or stopped, wealthy or trailer park... etc etc.. it's a this-or-that city - not a lot of middle ground. Pittsburgh is more "steady mellow in the middle" all the time with seemingly far less extremes. Atlanta is definitely a love it, or hate it, kind of town, but I guess that applies to many places, too.
Pittsburgh is more laid back - it is after all, part of Appalachia. Much slower growth than Atlanta has experienced, but it's not "depressed", either. Plenty to do there. Home prices are reasonable. It's an older "feeling" city, so if you want shiny glass and steel and glitz, Atlanta is more that. Pittsburgh is more brick and concrete. Of course, if you have time, try staying in both cities for a week or two, but this time try to hook up with a local who would be willing to show you each city as they see/live it - not as tourists would.
I am a tad worried about Pittsburgh because of the weather and the "months of gray" i keep hearing about.
Yes, that's typically one of Pittsburgh's big complaints. I just went out today in our "miserable" weather to take some pictures, because IMO, snow can be beautiful too...so you can decide for yourself:
BTW, I have literally thousands of Pittsburgh pictures; just ask and I can send you some pics of nearly any neighborhood worth shooting.
Nice photos. Make sure you send them links to those "thousands" of photos though. LOL. Try to limit to 5 pics per posting so as not to bog things down per our new sticky at the top of the room: //www.city-data.com/forum/city-...e-posting.html
I think so far Pittsburgh is a definite winner for this couple, though.
Atlanta is better because it is a bigger city than Pittsburgh
Mexico City is a bigger city than Atlanta - does that make it better? I believe just because a city is bigger it doesn't make it a better fit for everyone.
While I live in Atlanta, you would probably be happier in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh like the rest of the U.S. is in a recession, but the old saying "The larger they are the harder they fall" is very true of Atlanta right now. Uncontrolled uber-growth for decades and sprawling out the wazzo has left us in a hard drop in many ways around here lately.
The housing market is becoming a buyer's dream now though - in less than a year you'll pretty much have a premo pick of homes and condos for half price in many spots around. But yes, our traffic is infamous (second only to L.A.), and crime is pretty high, too (not "old New Orleans" high - yet, but high). It is definitely warmer here through the year than it is in Pittsburgh. Almost never any snow. Your first pollen season here might kill you, though. Atlanta is a city of "extremes" - top or bottom, hyper or dead, super speed or stopped, wealthy or trailer park... etc etc.. it's a this-or-that city - not a lot of middle ground. Pittsburgh is more "steady mellow in the middle" all the time with seemingly far less extremes. Atlanta is definitely a love it, or hate it, kind of town, but I guess that applies to many places, too.
Pittsburgh is more laid back - it is after all, part of Appalachia. Much slower growth than Atlanta has experienced, but it's not "depressed", either. Plenty to do there. Home prices are reasonable. It's an older "feeling" city, so if you want shiny glass and steel and glitz, Atlanta is more that. Pittsburgh is more brick and concrete. Of course, if you have time, try staying in both cities for a week or two, but this time try to hook up with a local who would be willing to show you each city as they see/live it - not as tourists would.
Good luck in your search.
1. Traffic in Atlanta is atrocious - IN THE SUBURBS. Choose a nice turn-of-the-century streetcar suburb in the city and traffic will not be an issue for you.
2. There is more crime in Atlanta than in Pittsburgh...as one would expect. Larger cities normally have more crime than smaller cities.
3. There is as much middle ground in Atlanta as there is anywhere. If you are a person of extremes, then wherever you choose to live will end up being a city of extremes. Note: everything in Atlanta is certainly not a choice between "wealthy or trailer park". But being college graduates I'm sure you already realize that it's a gross exaggertation and nowhere near factual information.
4. Just like the extremes mentioned in #3, if you are a laid back, mellow kind of person then any city you choose will be laid back and mellow.
5. Many people seem to look at Atlanta's skyline and conclude that the city is all "shiny glass and steel and glitz"...but that is simply the main thing that catches your eye about the skyline. You have to look closer to find out that it's not representative of the neighborhoods of Atlanta - or even the highrises of Atlanta. There is no more brick and concrete in Pittsburgh than in Atlanta, where you will find all building materials in abundance.
6. Are you kidding me? Pittsburgh - concrete and brick - not STEEL?
1. Traffic in Atlanta is atrocious - IN THE SUBURBS. Choose a nice turn-of-the-century streetcar suburb in the city and traffic will not be an issue for you.
Sounds nice, but I've never heard of a "suburb in the city", and when did any of the neighborhoods intown get streetcars? Did they finish the beltline project and I missed it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeaconJ
3. There is as much middle ground in Atlanta as there is anywhere. If you are a person of extremes, then wherever you choose to live will end up being a city of extremes.
So.... for example.... Los Angeles has as much middle ground/ middle income per capita as Little Rock? You can generalize anything, but the point was that some cities are more extreme than others, some have a more laid back atmosphere than others, etc. I swear, some folks just seem geared to argue things other people say as opposed to simply contributing things themselves.
Rhayven44, just spend time in both cities. You'll come up with your own conclusions once you do that so long as you stray outside the touristy stuff and try to see the city as locals do.
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