What is your opinion of Atlanta, GA? How would you compare it to other U.S. cities that you've visited?

Question

I lived in ATL for ten years and I've visited other cities such as NYC, Chicago, and Miami. Natives always like to hear what visitors think of their home city. Rate on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the highest opinion please

Answer 1

8.5

I have travelled all over the country, and moved a good bit accross it too. I have to say of all the cities I have lived in, I like Atlanta the best. I moved to DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX for all you non-Texans) for work. I lived there about 6 months. I will completely agree, it is a very similar city to Atlanta. Similar size (a little bigger), similar culture, similar costs, and similar traffic (not quite as bad). It was a lot of fun, and I would not mind living there again. I have also lived in a couple smaller cities which obviously do not compare. You do not realize how much you enjoy the comforts and diversity of a city until you do not have it. I recently moved to Augusta, GA for work. It is very nice, but just not quite the same.

Atlanta is obviously not the city that NY, Chicago, LA, Washington DC is. I have travelled to all those, and enjoyed them very much. But I could not live there. Atlanta is sprawled, and that can be obnoxious. But at least when you are in it, you still see trees, neighborhoods, parks here and there. You do not get those in the other cities. I have heard Atlanta be called the "City of Trees" and it is true. I lived downtown (just off Ga Tech) and had had large trees all around the house. It is nice.

Atlanta needs to get with the times on public transportation though. MARTA needs to be expanded to really be a usable system. I think this is the one thing that most good major cities have that Atlanta does not. If this were to improve, there is no telling where Atlanta could go. The push to recentralize Atlanta has already started. There is more upward movement going on in the city. More housing and mixed-use facilities. This is encouraging people to forego the long drive and live in town. With a good public transportation system, Atlanta could actually take the step to the next level.

Answer 2

7

I have lived in Atlanta for one year. I moved here from Louisiana. I live in Baton Rouge. I have lived in Jacksonville and Miami as well. By far my favorite was Baton Rouge. I love Louisiana, the people, the weather, all it is a good atmosphere and good place to call home. Miami was my second favorite. For obvious reasons.

Atlanta has a lot to offer. There is a lot to do, great jobs and a lot jobs available. There is also tons to do in this city. You will never be bored here. I love the parks, the city is clean and beautiful. The shopping is good. Great restuarants and bars. It is overall a lot of fun.

I give it a 7 because I like a laid back Southern city a little bit more. The big city life is a bit overwhelming sometimes. I love it too, but I like it laid back with more laid back people. I also think Atlanta has a lot of racial tension you don't experience in other cities. I think that takes a lot of the appeal of this city away. The last thing I don't like is the weather. It is too cold here. Sometimes it is nice, but I did not think Atlanta would get this cold.

Overall Atlanta is great. I am very happy I choose to move here. I have made a lot of great friends, I have a wonderful job and I love my weekends here because I can do anything I can think of!

Answer 3

8

I would compare Atlanta to Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. Other large, Southern cities of commerce that are laid out similarly and run similarly. They are all fine cities with fine opportunities for employment.

People within these cities like to vouch that one is better than the other. Most of this is just pride. Culturally and economically and Sunbelt city wise, they are mostly the same.

You cannot say the same for other large American cities or other world cities (as far as being like these 4). They have their own distinct cultures, beliefs, and structures and could easily differentiate those 4 from Philadelphia or Seattle, for example. That's why, again, a lot of these arguments b/w these 4 cities is mostly just fluffing. That and they are obviously economic competitors fighting for "BEST ANSWER" status.

Answer 4

I lived in Atlanta for 14 yrs....up until 5 yrs ago. It was a great place to have a career and there are many opportunities there. However, the down side is that it's crowded, the traffic is horrendous and it's very scattered. No matter where you go, it's a drive on the highway to get there. I also lived in Vegas, Ft.Lauderdale, Charleston, SC and have traveled extensively. Overall, I'd give Atlanta a 5.

Answer 5

I'll rate it a 9. There's nothing like it. NY is too dirty and congested, Chicago's weather is not for me and Miami is overrated. Being from Souf Cakalackey (that's South Carolina for all you who don't know that), I consider GA my second home. I've lived in Columbus and have family in Savannah, Waycross, Toccoa, Lithonia, Dunwoody and a few in the "A". 2 1/2 years ago I went to ATL to celebrate my 25th birthday and..........let's just say I'm still talking about it!!!!!!

Answer 6

it really is an exceedingly exciting city. there is the Aquarium, international of Coke, Zoo Atlanta, Underground Atlanta, etc. Atlanta has many golf equipment. also, you may want to inspect the metro area, as there is lots to work out in Metro Atlanta.

Answer 7

living here all my life i rate atl a 9.5. i absolutely love it here