Atlanta is one of the most vibrant, most exciting and fast-growing cities in the country. It is also one of the nation’s most important business, financial, and transportation centers. The city combines a healthy blend of southern charm and big city vigor. It is consistently rated as one of the top places to live in America, and also attracted the attention of the entire world when it hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
But if you are to enjoy a smooth and seamless move to the New York of the South you must plan carefully, and to do that there are a number of things you must be aware of and prepare for.
Prepare for the Heat
Atlanta has been appropriately nicknamed “Hotlanta” by the natives of the city. Although it is nowhere near the southern most point of Georgia, nor even of the South, you will encounter some of the most intense and unremitting heat you have probably ever experienced.
The humidity is the thing that gets most people. If you are moving during the summer, that is, any time after June, ensure you keep plenty of cool refreshments nearby and take frequent breaks in the shade to help your body adjust to the heat. Don’t be a hero. Don’t think you can handle the heat without these precautions. The Atlanta heat has a way of breaking down even the strongest.
Brace for the Traffic
Atlanta is a car crazy city. That makes getting through traffic a daily nightmare. Interstate 85 runs through the city, and 285 is the beltway that encircles the main city and its numerous suburban counties. The MARTA rail is good for getting around certain parts of the inner city, but if you live in one of the outer suburbs, as you most likely will, you will have to use your car to get from place to place.
Count on slow traffic and plan your trips accordingly. Although city officials have worked over the years to ease the various bottlenecks, the slightest accident or incident can back up traffic for hours.
Enjoy Ample Living Choices
The Greater Atlanta area is composed of 29 counties. Each county contains numerous towns and cities that have all the venues and amenities necessary for modern living. These counties are connected by extensive highways, so you will have the option of living in one county and working in a county on the other side of the city without too much difficult. For those who don’t want to live in Atlanta proper, some of the most popular places to live include Marietta, Decatur, Alpharetta, and Lawrenceville.
Embrace the History and Culture
Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. His family home is now a museum, and there are several other monuments dedicated to his work and legacy. The city also contains the Presidential Library of Jimmy Carter, the Underground Railroad, Centennial Olympic Park, and Stone Mountain. The city also offers residents an assortment of great restaurants and a high-energy nightlife.
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