Hotlanta is a city with a long history and consistent enough growth to make anyone tempted to move there.
From being a business hub to hosting the Olympics, there is always something going on that would keep any citizen with a calendar full of events.
As fun as it would be to live in such an active place, there are things to look out for.
Take a journey with us as we take you through some great and not-so-great points about living in the biggest Georgia city.
Contents
Pros of Living in Atlanta, GA
1. Diversity
If you’re looking for a place that has more ethnic variety, Atlanta is it!
The breakdown of the population here is 50% African-American, 40% European-American, 5% Asian-American, and 5% other.
The great thing about having a bigger mix of people means there are a lot more cultural activities and opportunities to learn.
This also means children grow up being exposed to people from all walks of life, which research shows make them more empathetic as adults.
2. History
Speaking of learning, there is plenty of historical significance to take in about Atlanta.
From being the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to being the home of Coca-Cola, this southern city has so many stories to tell.
It is also nice to see how much the city has evolved from once being a place that was burnt to the ground by General Sherman during the Civil War.
Now, it is the third most populated city in the southeast with half a million residents.
3. Proximity to Getaways
One fun thing about living in this part of the country is how close you are to adventure.
You know a commonly asked question, “Do you prefer mountains or beaches?”
You do not have to make that choice in Atlanta.
You are a short drive to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
In the opposite direction, it is about 4 hours to Tybee Island and the Golden Isles.
No matter where you go, there is a natural oasis calling your name.
4. Things to Do
Speaking of getaways, if you want to experience a staycation, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Atlanta is basically a hub for entertainment.
From the Fox Theatre to the Atlanta Zoo, there is so much going on.
This is especially great if you anticipate having out-of-town guests.
It is impossible to be bored, even if the house is on a tight budget.
We are talking about free museums and the enormous Centennial Olympic Park to start.
That is just downtown.
5. Cost of Living
Compared with other major cities, Atlanta is more affordable.
The metro area is close enough to a drive that it is a viable option to work and live.
Parking downtown is nowhere near as expensive as in other cities, either.
That means you can live, work, and visit Atlanta and not worry about the expenses waiting to attack you.
Even the cost of goods and services have you getting more for less.
6. Friendliness
Atlanta would not be a proper southern city if the neighbors were not friendly.
It is called southern hospitality for a reason.
A good number of people that you will encounter while traversing through the city will be willing to chat or help out with a smile.
Actually, you do not even need to stop to come across an enjoyable disposition.
Just walking down the sidewalk will almost guarantee acknowledgment with a greeting.
7. Small Business Success
A quarter of the population is classified as millennials.
This age group has been a big proponent of small businesses and trying new things.
Due to the diversity, where there is also a sizable Indian and Middle Eastern presence, there is a deep craving for food and products that do not originate next door.
These small shops catering to a wider array of preferences are popping up all over the city.
Continuous support from locals offers a breath of fresh air into an overly manufactured world.
8. Sports
Having popular, professional and collegiate sports means you have a pretty dedicated fan base.
Throughout the year, there’s some sort of game going on all the time.
Following a team is a great way to meet other fans and build morale in a city.
That extends to when a team isn’t doing particularly great.
We are looking at you Falcons.
A new stadium was built anyway because of support from the fans.
Cons of Living in Atlanta, GA
1. Crime Rate
Despite a steady decline in the last few years in crime, Atlanta still has high criminal activity.
Both property and violent crimes are still well above average compared to the nation.
It is widely known that you are not supposed to go to certain areas alone and you just do not want to be in many spots after dark.
This includes places downtown that is heavily frequented
You can be at a club then turn the corner and someone is following you.
If you live here, ask around and make sure not to go anywhere alone at night.
2. Traffic
While the rest of the country is coming to terms with quicker highway speeds, Atlanta is resolute about sticking to 55 mph.
Who cares that there are places where the speed limit goes up to 85 mph?
It is no wonder that the roads are always so horrifically backed up.
To be fair, those super slow speeds are largely ignored.
When most major cities have a minimum of 45, Atlanta creaking out at 55 mph is embarrassing.
Cars have advanced, it is time to get with the program!
3. Pollen
One morning in April, you will head out to work in a green car.
When you get ready to leave for the day, you will leave in a yellow car.
The pollen is so thick and so substantial that it gets on everything.
If pictures of the Dust Bowl pop into your head, do not worry!
It is not quite so bad that you cannot escape it indoors.
But if you leave a window open, expect a yellow-dusted room.
Not even a screen can save you from the pollen.
Definitely do not move here if your allergies are already a pain.
4. Humidity
Speaking of things that seem like natural disasters, consider the summers.
On one hand, you might believe that heat is heat.
That is not the case.
Just like every other type of weather, heat is different considering what you are used to.
It gets hot in Atlanta, but not hot-oven heat like in Texas.
The heat in Georgia is more like living in a tropical rainforest due to high humidity.
It is wet heat that causes you to get drippy with sweat relatively fast.
5. Flying Out
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is constantly battling it out with Chicago O’Hare as the busiest in the world.
That sentence alone might give you a good preview as to why this is a con.
The great thing about Hartsfield being so busy is that you can practically get to anywhere in the world from here.
That also means a crowd is trying to get to everywhere in the world from here.
The TSA lines are out-of-this-world long.
It surely also battles as one of the most confusing airports.
The area surrounding Hartsfield and the highway leaving can cause internal strife and suffering.
6. Public Transportation
With as bad as traffic is, you would think the city would invest in better public transportation.
There is MARTA, which can be helpful.
Most people will park and ride MARTA to events downtown that they do not feel safe leaving their car at.
With that being said, the bus and train system is severely outdated and unreliable.
It is also a hub for illegal activity and all-around bad vibes.
Finding someone passed out or in dire need of help is common.
The upheaval of current resources and inventive ideas would make such a difference.
7. Racism
The strange thing about a city being as culturally diverse as Atlanta is racism.
How is it that emboldened racists to feel comfortable in a city where they are the minority?
It is not typically people who live in Atlanta that have bad behavior towards others that do not look like them.
Georgia is a pretty big state and Atlanta is only a small part of it.
A good chunk of the population is from small towns where they are conservative leaning.
8. Not Walking Friendly
Sidewalks are often in disrepair, that is if they exist at all.
Walking around the city is a bit of a nightmare.
Car is king in Atlanta, even with the horrific traffic.
Everything is built around driving, so getting anywhere on foot can be dangerous, especially in particular areas of town.
Not enough lights and security, with the lack of space to walk, make it an unreasonable place to get around.
Pros and Cons of Living in Atlanta, GA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Atlanta, GA | Cons of Living in Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|
| 1. Diversity | 1. Crime Rate |
| 2. History | 2. Traffic |
| 3. Proximity to Getaways | 3. Pollen |
| 4. Things to Do | 4. Humidity |
| 5. Cost of Living | 5. Flying Out |
| 6. Friendliness | 6. Public Transportation |
| 7. Small Business Success | 7. Racism |
| 8. Sports | 8. Not Walking Friendly |
Atlanta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Atlanta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the Olympics in Atlanta?
In 1996, the summer Olympic games came to Atlanta in the most fantastic way.
Because the world was watching, the years leading up to the global event forced a dramatic beautification of the city.
The memory of the games lives on across the city and culminates in Centennial Olympic Park.
Why are there so many Peachtree Streets?
The same reason the ladies of Georgia are called Georgia Peaches.
That is what we are known for.
Peachtrees are just a part of the Atlanta culture.
Fun fact, Georgia produces more peanuts than peaches, but being the peanut state does not have the same ring to it.
Why are so many movies made in Atlanta these days?
The state of Georgia offers massive incentives to anyone who wants to film in the state.
That brings a lot of studios to the area.
It is attractive both for finances as well as for the diversity Atlanta brings.
Are there theme parks in Atlanta?
Six Flags is in the Atlanta area and is the most frequented theme park in the state.
There is also LEGOLAND and the World of Coca-Cola located downtown.
Just outside of the city are Stone Mountain Park, White Water, and Fun Spot.
What are Atlanta winters like?
There is maybe light snow once or twice a season.
Otherwise, it is mainly just cold with gray skies.
Some years it is not even cold enough to wear holiday-themed sweaters.
Overall, winters are pretty mild.
I love living in Atlanta, it has its ups and downs like any other place, but it’s a vibrant city that has everything I need, and the people are lovely.
Hotlanta is a cool city with plenty of things to do, but be aware of high crime rates and traffic.
Atlanta has high crime rates, terrible traffic, heavy pollen in the springtime, humid summers, crowded airports with long TSA lines, outdated public transportation system that can be unsafe at times. I do not recommend moving here.