Atlanta opinions appreciated

[MrScorpio]

When the USAF sent me on that seven week TDY to Gawdawful Montgomery Alabama, I took a few Saturdays and headed up to Atlanta.

I really like that town.

When I retire in '05, I'm putting it on my short list of places to move.

But should I? I don't know. I need to know more about the place.

If you can, please give your observations, both bad and good about "Hotlanta".

I'm really interested in knowing about the job market, nightlife, housing market and general mindset.

What I really need to know if a 43 year-old, black northern liberal can make an easy transition to the heart of the new south?

[ulysses]

1. got pavement?

(further observations will probably be forthcoming from those who didn't spend half the day today driving...)

I like Atlanta. I've been here for twelve years. It's not Nirvana.

[newsguyatl]

2. i've been here more than three years

and i really like atlanta...

it's a very new, clean, young, fun and happening city with something for everyone...


the main drawback with atlanta, is that it's still a very racially divided city... but that can only change with more diversity and more folks working towards the goal of changing it...

yes, you, as a 43 year old, black, northern liberal can definitely make it here and prosper... i'm a white, southern liberal and i've done just fine... there's a spot for everyone here i think... and some spots where everyone converges even :-)

i encourage you to make the move, you'll like it here!

[wyldwolf]

3. Only the 'burbs are racially divided...

The city of Atlanta itself is a very liberal, and often black dominated, city.

I love it here.

[catzies]

5. As a visitor, I see many different Atlantas!

I've seen Chamblee, and Buckhead, and Marietta, and Norcross/Doraville, Lawrenceville, and downtown. Forgive me, but coming from LA I recognize sprawl when I see it, and I consider everyting from downtown out to Athens "Atlanta!"

But I love to visit Georgia. When I live in north Florida I know I'll be in driving distance to Savannah. :loveya: Savannah!

[MrScorpio]

4. I'm liking what I'm hearing so far.

What I liked: I love the radio stations (I big pet peeve of mine)

General openess

I didn't care for the narrow streets and lack of parking though.

[wyldwolf]

7. Atlanta radio is very diversified...

...in a corporate way.

Several college stations. Many shaded of R&B, classic rock, new rock, country, pop, classical, jazz, etc. They're not very daring, though.

[ForrestGump]

6. The town too busy to hate. Or so they say.

I like it - for a big city, it doesn't feel like a big city and it has so many trees that, until you're right downtown, it doesn't even look like a big city. Some nice architecture, all the amenities you'll need or want.

There's been some corruption in local government, though I'm not sure how uncommon that is. Downtown feels pretty safe in comparison to that of most large US cities. Probably as many (or more, certainly in the suburbs) Yankees thereabouts as southern-born folks. Don't know about the job market. Housing's way more affordable than in many parts of the US. From the visitor's point of view it certainly SEEMS that racism is not apparent - Atlanta is primarily a black city but it has quite an ethnic mix, including growing numbers of Hispanic people. All sorts of food, restaurant-wise and otherwise (Harry's Farmers' Market, De Kalb Famers' Market, Chinese supermarkets, etc). I don't care about nightlife, so can't inform you directly about it, but a look at Atlanta's "Creative Loafing" (sorta underground paper that I think also has a Web presence), will reveal that Atlanta's loaded with nightlife of all sorts, and music of all sorts. It's a great town.

Usual geographical factors, of course: humidity, heat, tornadoes, and a heinously-polluted Chattahoochee River. Atlanta is also a horrible example of urban sprawl. Still, it's a place I would consider, for sure.

[wyldwolf]

8. Nightlife in the ATL!

Top notch! A few years back we were infused with LA, NY, and Miami style night spots.

Variety of areas, each with different feel.

Downtown.
Midtown.
Buckhead.
Little Five Points.

[ulysses]

10. heh

We lived in L5P the first three years we were married. Not the same place now, but such is life...

[ulysses]

9. Forrest, are you *here*?

:wow:

Agreed on the architecture - I like Atlanta's skyline a lot. The job market sucks ass (maybe you're not here) and housing is affordable as it is because the city's overbuilt. That said, try being anything other than an "urban pioneer" for under $150k.

The available food resources - we're exactly 1.1 miles from the DeKalb Farmer's Market - are unreal. There's a great southeast Asian community around Buford Highway and Norcross with the attendant culture. The city proper really does offer a great variety.

[ForrestGump]

20. I'm everywhere!

I'm bad, I'm nationwide!

:D

[newsguyatl]

11. oh, i almost forgot

the restaurants!

atlanta has the best restaurants in the country!


it's not uncommon on summer, spring and fall evenings to drive down peachtree in midtown or buckhead and see the street lined with folks dining outside...

[wyldwolf]

12. One of my fav Atlanta restuarants is Sylvia's! Here's the menu!

http://www.sylviasatlanta.com/page421550.htm

[MrScorpio]

13. The South does fry everything, doesn't it?

What does the Med and Asian cuisine scene look like?

[wyldwolf]

15. What do you want?

I'm not into those foods but I see the restaurants all the time.

[MrScorpio]

17. Middle Eastern and SE Asian

Greek, Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Falafel, Indonesian, Thai

Good, spicy and unusual

[wyldwolf]

19. look here:

http://www.atlanta.net/tourtravel/dining.asp

[stanwyck]

14. Please move here!

I've been here over 20 years, since college. Love it. I've raised my kids here. This is an accessible city. People complain about the traffic, but really, I'm a Yankee and I don't think it's as bad as many of the cities up north. Good restaurants. Lots of colleges, which helps with the diversity of cultural events.I drive all over the city. I feel safe here...I got my massters at Georgia State (downtown), classes mostly at night, and never had a problem with crime. I live in DeKalb County, Cynthia McKinney terrority. DeKalb is very diverse. Some of the suburbs are predominantly white and conservative. I wouldn't recommend Cobb County. Gingrich and Barr terriroty. There are also many intown residential areas which would be good places for you to look.

[MrScorpio]

16. This is good info

I don't know why I didn't think of looking up the Congressional districts, but thanks for pointing this out.

[wyldwolf]

18. Here's a resource for you...

http://www.atlanta.net/