Atlanta

[KentState]

I may move to the Atlanta, GA area and was wondering if anyone is from there and could tell me about the cost of living, housing, and what to expect. I've been to the city itself for work a dozen or so times, but really haven't ventured to far outside the loop. The company is located in Norcross, which is northeast of the city. Are there areas where I can get a decent 1 or 2 bedroom apartment without having to spend more than a grand? Eventually if I could sell my house in Ohio, I would think about buying a place. That will not happen until I can live there for awhile and see what I like for myself.

 

[Rill22]

I grew up in Norcross. Atlanta has one of the most affordable costs of living for a major city. You shouldn't have any problems finding an apartment for that price, especially if you're considering living in Norcross, which is outside downtown Atlanta.

Depends on how far you want to commute and if you'd rather live "OTP" or "ITP" (outside the perimeter or inside the perimeter). While I grew up as a kid in Norcross, I later moved to downtown Atlanta and loved living there. Beware the traffic though, it's miserable.

Feel free to PM me if you need to know anything specific.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

The trick is: kick someone's ass the first day, or become someone's bitch.

But it's definitely a lot cheaper than Northern VA, where I'm at now for an internship. Parts of the city are rough, parts are nice. Suburbs like Marietta and Norcross are fine, but traffic to get into the city can be bad. So if you live in Norcross and want to go downtown a lot keep that in mind.

 

[KentState]

Do you think there are more benefits to living ITP being 30 and single or is Norcross still a good area for the single life? I've seen the traffic there and would like to avoid a commute if possible. Currently in Ohio, I have a 30-40 minutes commute to work and I would really like something under 15.

Hopefully the job will pay my first 6 months of rent, which should give me some time to sell my house. Too bad the market is so bad. I have a feeling I'm going to have it on the market for more than a year.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Currently in Ohio, I have a 30-40 minutes commute to work and I would really like something under 15.

Then you can't live anywhere close to downtown/midtown, because traffic on that commute is terrible.

 

[Rill22]

Eh, I'm sure you could find a good crowd and some good places to hang around in in Norcross, but downtown and the general vicinity are still going to be better for the younger, single crowd, like in most large cities. Unfortunately, commuting from downtown Atlanta to Norcross isn't the greatest drive. Your only consolation is that you'd at least be going against traffic for most of that commute, since everyone else would be heading towards town.

Where exactly is the company located?

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: KentState
Do you think there are more benefits to living ITP being 30 and single or is Norcross still a good area for the single life? I've seen the traffic there and would like to avoid a commute if possible. Currently in Ohio, I have a 30-40 minutes commute to work and I would really like something under 15.

Honestly, the drive from Norcross into Atlanta really isn't all that bad. It'll take you maybe 20-30 minutes at most, depending on what part of Norcross you're living in. And getting around in Norcross for daily activities is a lot less stressful than driving through Atlanta everyday.

Beyond that, Norcross is pretty standard as far as suburbs go. I can't think of anything immediately awesome off-hand, but there are plenty of restaurants and bars around, and you're also right near Duluth, its malls, and the surrounding businesses.

Just don't try driving out of Atlanta anytime between the hours of 3:30pm and about 6:30pm, and don't ever get on 400, and you should be fine.

Edit: if you really want to live in the city itself (which is a pretty fun place), but don't want to deal with downtown/midtown traffic for the most part, you can try finding a place right off I-85 on Lenox Rd/Cheshire Bridge. Lenox Rd. itself is fairly miserable during morning and afternoon rush hours, but if you find an apartment or condo close enough to 85, you won't really have to worry much about it.

That area is growing pretty damn quickly at the moment, and it's just close enough to midtown/downtown/buckhead to make getting a taxi affordable.

 

[KentState]

It's located on Triangle Parkway in Norcross.

 

[ponyo]

Easy to get a decent 1 or 2 bedroom apartment for under a grand. You're probably looking at $700-800 for one bedroom and $850-950 for two bedroom at a good apartment community.

Cost of living is cheap, housing is cheap, but traffic is horrible during rush hour on the interstate. Norcross is not a bad area but not that great area IMO. Higher numbers of Hispanics in the area I believe.

 

[Rill22]

Ha, too funny, I lived about 2.5 miles from that office complex for 15 years.

Yeah, actually, they've been building up this massive shopping district within walking distance of Triangle Parkway, "The Forum". It's got just about anything you could need in that area, clothes stores, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, anything. It's a nice suburb over there.

I think it really would come down to personal preference when it comes to commuting. Unfortunately, Atlanta simply is just a commuter city, although it's making an effort to get better. The city and it's suburbs are just so spread out. I may be biased in preferring to live in downtown Atlanta, since I think any 18-year-old kid is ready to get the hell out of wherever they are when going to college rolls around, but all in all, it was a really nice place to grow up.

 

[Lounatik]

You want close, I would second the Cheshire Br. Rd/ Lenox/Lavista Rd area. Nice enough and close by to Buckhead. Added bonus: You would be heading north on Peachtree Industrial, away from the disaster that is Atlanta traffic, during the morning commute and then you get the benefit of whitey fleeing ATL to the north while you head south. Its a win/win for you. Nice neighborhoods with plenty of stuff for a single guy to do and no traffic to contend with.

<<<<<<<<< Truck driver all over ATL and I know where I would live if I had a choice. I live in Acworth, about 30 miles NW of the city

Edit: Atlanta really is a great place to live, in spite of the traffic. Most all the folks you will meet are friendly and people are generally nicer all around. Perhaps that is one of the reasons so many people like moving here and never leave.

Also I forgot to add this: If you lived where I suggested, you will be within a few miles of the best restaurants that Atlanta has to offer, as well as being close to the High Museum, Fox Theater and all sorts of other neat stuff.


Peace

Lounatik

 

[Loop2kil]

I've lived in the Atlanta area my entire life...if you would like my input just PM me and i would be glad to share

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Lounatik
You want close, I would second the Cheshire Br. Rd/ Lenox/Lavista Rd area. Nice enough and close by to Buckhead. Added bonus: You would be heading north on Peachtree Industrial, away from the disaster that is Atlanta traffic, during the morning commute and then you get the benefit of whitey fleeing ATL to the north while you head south. Its a win/win for you. Nice neighborhoods with plenty of stuff for a single guy to do and no traffic to contend with.

<<<<<<<<< Truck driver all over ATL and I know where I would live if I had a choice. I live in Acworth, about 30 miles NW of the city

Edit: Atlanta really is a great place to live, in spite of the traffic. Most all the folks you will meet are friendly and people are generally nicer all around. Perhaps that is one of the reasons so many people like moving here and never leave.

Also I forgot to add this: If you lived where I suggested, you will be within a few miles of the best restaurants that Atlanta has to offer, as well as being close to the High Museum, Fox Theater and all sorts of other neat stuff.


Peace

Lounatik

Very nice suggestions and I agree with him.

 

[KentState]

Thanks for the advice. I will be going down the week of July 6th to do some contracting work with the potential company. I will take some of my spare time to explore the area and see what I like.

 

[Lounatik]

Originally posted by: KentState
Thanks for the advice. I will be going down the week of July 6th to do some contracting work with the potential company. I will take some of my spare time to explore the area and see what I like.

Its kinda quiet around here right now, with school out and and vacation time in full force. You will be coming at a good time to be able to get around without much hassle. Keep us updated and perhaps we can be of more assistance to you. If you find something you like post it here and we could give you the pros and cons of an area. Good luck!

Peace

Lounatik

 

[Descartes]

I spent about 3 years living in midtown Atlanta. I had a condo with the entire front of the place being nothing but windows and looking at this. Not bad. Needless to say, I ended up making Atlanta my new home (though getting married might have contributed to that a bit).

As a single man, I would avoid the 'burbs. When I first got here, I was in Alpharetta. That's about as bad as it can get for a single man, and I'm saying this now that I have a home in Alpharetta. Really, all the 'burbs are great for various reasons, but for single men they aren't unless you just prefer a much quieter life.

$1k will be rough in midtown or Buckhead, though if you sacrifice a little on quality and size you could probably get a decent place. You could find some condos in midtown for maybe around $1k if you look hard. This will be in the middle of everything. There's a lot of night life, great restaurants, and it's a walking neighborhood; people are always out on the streets having a good time. It's one of the best areas I've visited in a city. There's just something about it all.

In reading Lounatik's replies, I agree. That's probably a good area to start, though I prefer the setting of midtown a lot more than Buckhead. In midtown you get a lot of the great feelings of established neighborhoods with all the pubs and restaurants to go with it. There are parks, people walking their dogs and every kind of cuisine you could really want. I used to commute from midtown to Alpharetta, and it really wasn't that bad; Norcross would be easier.

Good luck. I think you'll like Atlanta. I came from Cleveland, OH and though I enjoy Cleveland, it was a welcome change.

 

[KentState]

Ok, just a little update on things.

I took the job in Atlanta and will be moving into a fully furnished apartment in Buckhead. It's about 12 miles from work and from driving with one of my new co-workers home to midtown, I think I can take the drive. Even up here in Cincinnati, it can take me 45 minutes to an hour.

Couple questions:

1. What is the cost for yearly car registration? I own a 2008 CTS which is probably worth around $39k now.
2. What does it take to get a license? I assume just proof of car insurance and passing the written test.
3. What's a good way to meet people in Atlanta? Are there certain things that are really popular for single guys in their 30's?
4. Anything else to consider?

 

[d4mo]

Take in some Brave's games. They are pretty cheap and really fun.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: KentState
Ok, just a little update on things.

I took the job in Atlanta and will be moving into a fully furnished apartment in Buckhead. It's about 12 miles from work and from driving with one of my new co-workers home to midtown, I think I can take the drive. Even up here in Cincinnati, it can take me 45 minutes to an hour.

Couple questions:

1. What is the cost for yearly car registration? I own a 2008 CTS which is probably worth around $39k now.
2. What does it take to get a license? I assume just proof of car insurance and passing the written test.
3. What's a good way to meet people in Atlanta? Are there certain things that are really popular for single guys in their 30's?
4. Anything else to consider?

1. My guess is around $600-700 a year. You have to pay it on your birthday. $20 until then.
2. http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/...x?con=1744173714&ty=dl
3. Just go and do stuff and explore the city. Join clubs, churches, organizations, etc.
4. Congrats, and welcome to Atlanta. It's a great city with tremendous opportunities but like anywhere it's what you make of it.

 

[SilentButDeadly]

Out of curiosity, where did you end up moving too? What apartments and how much is rent? I am in sort of the same type of situation you were in a month ago except I am deciding on whether to take a co-op position here.

 

[KentState]

The apartments I'm are corporate furnished apartments and run about $2500/month. They place is called Gables at Lenox I think.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: KentState
The apartments I'm are corporate furnished apartments and run about $2500/month. They place is called Gables at Lenox I think.

I know that place. My cousins lived there years back around '99-'00. Was a nice place back then. Lot of hot girls there back then. I haven't been back there in years but I assume it hasn't changed much. Great location. The Pink Pony is close to there.

 

[Q]

Traffic is a nightmare

 

[razor2025]

Buckhead has tons of bars and clubs. If you're up for that, they should be walking distance from where you live. Oh and welcome to ATL.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Traffic is a nightmare

Isn't most cities?