The Newcomer

By Jeff

August 27, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Growing up, Atlanta was the menace to the south that dictated virtually all of politics while leaving our day to day lives alone.

Eventually, I came into the city more as a learning and growing experience more than anything. I toyed with the idea of staying, but eventually came to realize that it just wasn’t for me.

So I moved even FURTHER away, to a place just outside of one of the Regional Cities, where life is SOOO much calmer and simpler, but with many of the perks of the ‘big’ city. (Malls, theater, good restaurants, chain stores - we even recently got a Kohls and Best Buy is rumored to be coming here -, colleges - we have 3 in the city, with 2 more not far away - etc.)

I definetely made the right choice for me.

But ya know what?

Atlanta STILL dictates virtually all of the politics while leaving our day to day lives alone.

By Russell

August 27, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

I miss Jay’s soft touch.

By Prootwadl

August 27, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

My wife and I moved to the Atlanta metro from the Twin Cities because I found a job here. How did we make it work? We rented first, learned about the area, made a few minor adjustments to fit in, and bought a house in the NW metro roughly 10 months after we arrived.

We almost never interact with the City of Atlanta proper, but the same was true up in our previous location (we lived in a Minneapolis suburb and almost never went into the city itself). Works just fine for us. :-)

By Eternal Optimist

August 27, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

What brought me to Atlanta? A tan colored 1983 Mercury Lynx about 23 years ago. What made me stay? I made a few lifelong friends shortly after I arrived and never thought about going anywhere else. I love my job, my house, my neighborhood, most of the people I meet, the climate, the seemingly endless possibilites for entertainment, events, etc.

By Terri

August 27, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

A MAN

By Native

August 27, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Born here, raised here, staying here.

By Lissa

August 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

My husband and I both grew up in the Middle Georgia area. Long story short, he moved to Atlanta after college and six years later I moved to be with him. He already had a house and it was the more logical choice.

How am I handling it? Honestly, not well. I’d rather be back in Middle Georgia. My husband is the one who loves it here. I’m having a terrible time meeting people that I have anything in common with and miss my friends “back home.” I keep hoping things will change, and try to do more outgoing things, but it’s been two years and I still have no friends outside of my husband’s friends’ wives. I’m friendly and well-educated, but I’m not kid-obsessed or a housewife so I guess I don’t fit in with the suburban life here.

By mike

August 27, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

I moved to the ATL because the cost of living is so much less here than up North. As former a teacher in a surburan DC school district, I could not afford to purchase a home. Down here, I bought a big home with a big yard, and the payments are the same as the rent I paid up North. Besides this, Atlanta is a beautiful city and the weather is much better. There is so much more possiblity in Atlanta than just about any other place.

By John

August 27, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

I moved here in 1986 from NC (after a brief stint in N. California). I’ve always had a love hate relationship here. I love the people, the food, the things to do, and the trees. But I hate the traffic, the short-sighted over development, and the over emphasis of racism from the media.

Atlanta is no New York City, nor is it East Nowhere, Georgia. Considering the things to do, job opportunities, and general affordability, I can’t really think of any place better.

By KJ

August 27, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I’d rather be back in Middle Georgia

I’m not kid-obsessed or a housewife

DOES NOT COMPUTE

By KathrynIrene

August 27, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Why did we come? I got a job last year here, and the cost of living was just a tremendous improvement over where we came from, in the Northeast.

Are we staying? Maybe one more year, at most.

Why are we leaving? No job for my husband, a teacher with outstanding qualifications and credentials. It is an enormous lie that is continually being perpetrated, that there is a need for teachers and that there are jobs for teachers here in Georgia. After 132 separate applications placed in four school systems, we realize what a lie this is. Today, it was reported that Georgia’s SAT’s are 47th out of 50th in the nation. Education is just not a priority for Georgia, and it never will be.

It’s also not a very friendly place if you didn’t go to Georgia/Georgia Tech/Emory. I’ve had more Southern hospitality in South Jersey than Atlanta.

In spite of the great weather and the great cost of living, we are leaving. And I doubt we will miss it, or that it will miss us.

By Filbert

August 27, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Came here to go to school and because my wife’s family had all moved down here. After graduating stayed to work. Have almost nothing to do with Atlanta proper or south of the city. Have never seen such blatant racism, stupidity, ignorance, and small-mindedness. Have lived in Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, and will gladly go back to any. Atlanta is a city which seems to bask in its medioctory (compated to true metropolitan giants such as NYC, LA, DC, etc.) Just look at Georgia’s, and the South’s in general, abysmal education accomplishments. Folks care more about UGA’s pre-seaon ranking in football than raising SAT scores. Then again, since most Georgian’s don’t leave this state I just they just don’t have much to care about other than UGA. Sad but true. And for all those local yokels who will tell me to go back where I came from, believe me I am trying my darndest. But I have spouse and children to think about so can’t just give in to my wishes, but I would be gone today if I could. Atlanta, and the rest of the South, is evey bit the stereotypical joke the rest of the country believes it to be.

By JJ

August 27, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

I came because my father was offered a job here, and he loved Atlanta. We moved here in 1977 from Colorado. I was fresh out of high school. I had already been accepted to college out there, so after the initial move, I went back to Colorado.

However, college didn’t work out for me, so here I am. I NEVER thought I would put roots down here, wanted to get back out west as soon as possible. But, now my entire family is here, my job is here, I have a child in high school here, and I guess I’m here for life.

I like living in the burbs, but I have lived all over the metro area in the past 30+ years. It’s home now……but I still sometimes long to be back in the West.

By Critic

August 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Didn’t take long for someone like Filbert to come out of the wood work did it? Do us all a favor and leave if you don’t like it. It will be good riddance when you do.

By Mudd

August 27, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

My then-husband and I moved down here from DC as we love the livability of Atlanta - you get so much more house for the $$ than up there, but salaries are comparable. I love Atlanta and, even though I’m no longer with the wasband, plan to stay here indefinitely. I started out in NYC, so a decent city life is important to me… Love living in-town and being close to everything. My friends and neighbors are very friendly and are like family! Lots of good restaurants and shopping!

By Garden Hills Native

August 27, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

I own the house I grew up in and have always lived here. But with all of the incompetence of the Atlanta City Government, the outrageous taxes I pay for nothing in return and the desecration of the city by developers, I’m seriously considering getting the hell out of here. It will be the hardest thing to leave my hometown, but I don’t think I can take much more.

By Virginia Girl

August 27, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

I came for the Olympics. I moved here in 1995 (18months after college) with stars in my eyes to work for the Organizing Committee. I watched my newly adopted city host the world and in the afterglow, I decided I was going to stick around a while.

Well its 13 years later, I live ITP, Im active in many organizations in town including the Junior League of Atlanta and contribute back to the community I love, my husband (who relocated here from NY after seeing ATL shine during the Olympics)& I own a business and we love being a part of the Atlanta community. I love all that it has to offer. I only wish I were closer miles to the beach (any) & to my family in VA, and I really wish you could get real salt cured ham AKA Country Ham sliced thin in the deli at the grocery store. But otherwise, Ive adapted!

By Good Question

August 27, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

I came for the traffic, air quality, public transportation, public schools, crime rate, city and county government competence, property taxes, heat and humidity, population, general quality of life, and most of all for rap and thugs….

By salmon

August 27, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I was born in 1969 while my dad was still finishing up at Georgia Tech and spent my 1st year of life in married housing on 10th street. we moved right after he graduated so I grew up away from Atlanta until I started at Tech in fall 1987 and have lived here (metro area anyway) ever since - 21 yrs in a few weeks. God willing my son will be a freshman there in 2021 though he will have a much shorter drive home (east Cobb at this point). I can’t imagine living anywhere else but who knows what the future holds?

By DH

August 27, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

We moved here because of a job transfer from Austin, Texas. It was hard at first, very hard. Austin was such an outdoors city, city parks all over town. Atlanta doesn’t come close to other cities in regards to how much green space the city allocated for parks and walking trails. Atlanta seems more fixated naming streets after people I have no idea as to who they are and seems slanted in the favor of blacks in the political arena and it can be embarrassing when the SAT scores come out and we’re once again at the bottom of the heap. I have been here for 5 years and both my husband and I retire next year and we’ll move away. If you’ve never livwed anywhere else, I suppose I can somewhat understand you being impressed with Atlanta. Having moved a lot due to our jobs, Atlana ranks medium at best. When my family comes to visit and we watch the local news, they seem a bit concerned with the crime rates we have here. We’ve had family members express concerns for out safety.

By Atlanta1

August 27, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

I moved down from Ohio because it is a lot less conservative here ( In the city) and the weather was much better and for the most part this is the most beautiful american city i’ve ever been to. And before the sarcastic comments pour in, I do travel often. =)

By Reality Check

August 27, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

I told my wife that I was tired of having the dumbest kids on the block so we moved to be near Clayton County. Now my kids look like class valedictorians compared to the kids in Clayton County. We no longer have to wear paper bags over our heads in public for having the dumbest kids in town.

By Tricia S

August 27, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

DH, I live in Gwinnett county now where there is an extremely high number of parks per capita. I grew up in the city and enjoyed playing in Piedmont and Candler Park. To compare the greenery found in Atlanta with almost any other major city is absurd. Atlanta, even with its over-development, is still abundant with trees. You can find good schools here if you just do a bit of research. As far as crime goes, it’s a big city and isn’t even in the top crime rating for US major urban area. Sounds to me like you’ve done a lot of judging without a lot of anything to support your negative opinions.

By Sweat Tea

August 27, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

I moved here in 2003 from Cleveland, following the move South like many young, educated African Americans from all over the country. I was searching for a place I could be me and not apologize for being well-educated (Ohio State) and wanting to be a part of the “Black Social Network”. I love the city but not the crime and ignorance is ridiculous. I lived in L.A. during my roaring twenties. There you stayed clear of certain areas, in Atl- the “elements” come to you at your home, workplace, mall and church. Crimes of both the rich and poor. I have to be just as cautious of the person in the Brooks Brother suit driving a Bentley as the kid in the white tee shirt with dreads. The traffic scares me (when I lived in Buckhead I had no clue) 285 is murder, death , kill highway. I worked in Sales at BellSouth for two years until I was fired for under performing (I really believe it was because I ditched all the after work drink parties of my counterparts who’s numbers were much lower than mine).I filed for bankruptcy and today I am unemployable based on my credit background. I can’t get a job at Wal-Mart, Delta, Nordstrom, State Farm, etc. all denied. Now I suffer with depression and paranoia in Southwest Atlanta where my boyfriends $500k+ home has been broken into twice, tires stole off car in the driveway and the local mall has had five murders and ten break-ins in two years- By the way, what the heck is Shirley Franklin doing about hiring police to patrol the city. I never see the police until I see the yellow tape. My boyfiend is from Brooklyn and he has been robbed of his jewerly and car (short story- met a girl at the club….) Help us Tom Cruise!!!!

By scrappy

August 27, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Came for a job and like the weather better than snow. Will I stay? I hope not. Hate to say that I agree with Filbert, but am here for awhile. I hope that once we start having kids we will be able to move ‘back home’ so they can get a decent education in public schools and won’t be subjected to the moronic media, government, and the locals (some, not all) that have never been outside of GA except to visit FL.

By KathrynIrene

August 27, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Tricia, like DH said, if you’ve never lived anywhere else (as in, outside of Georgia,) you are likely to be very impressed with your world. DH did not do a “lot of judging” without support; his support is comparative, as he has lived in metropolitan areas that are not within Georgia.

Your tone actually captures perfectly what I was describing earlier.

And you shouldn’t have to go a-huntin’ for good schools; as others besides DH have rightly pointed out, Georgia doesn’t consider education to be all that important and is willing to accept abysmal results in that arena, repeatedly. Perhaps the presence of trees makes up for the lack of educational base in your estimation, at which case your yardstick may be short a few feet of the full yard.

By anonymous coward

August 27, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

My parents moved here from California back in the late 60’s. I went to high school and college here and left as soon as I could, back to the west coast, this time Oregon. There I would have remained except that I started a relationship with someone here in Atlanta and to make it more permanent made a huge sacrifice and moved back to Atlanta 12 years ago. We stayed here because of her parents, but recently they’ve both passed away so we’re focused on major house renovations to be in a better position if the housing market rebounds. When we sell the house we’ll leave as soon as we can.

Tricia, I had to laugh when I read your response. Obviously you’ve never spent time in many western US cities. Yes, Atlanta has lots of trees, at least those that haven’t been bulldozed by the developers. What the original poster was trying to convey is that Atlanta is not focused on outdoor activities, and in fact most people are very hostile towards them. I’m talking about things like running, biking, hiking, etc. I’ve never seen people fight for a parking spot like they do here in front of the gym. Instead we have the Alpharetta Greenway and the Silver Comet Trail. Good things, yes, but it doesn’t even begin to compare with the ability to hop on your bike and go anywhere you like from your front door.

In general people I’ve met in my travels are nice everywhere on the planet, regardless of language barriers. However, I’ve never been anywhere quite like Atlanta when it comes to small mindedness. From conservatism to how people here simply respond to articles on the AJC blogs, it’s extremely apparent. As an earlier poster noted, if you’re from here you don’t notice it and think it’s all great. There’s no vision here beyond the “business is king, to hell with the people that live here” mentality. And that’s ok for some but it’s not for me.

Atlanta has a good cost of living index despite serious quality of life issues. The schools in the county in which I live are among the best in the nation. There’s a lot going for it, there’s no doubt. The climate is really great except for summer, and to be honest this summer has actually been kind of nice (maybe I’m finally getting used to the awful humidity). I suppose I could stay, get involved and help drive things to be better, but that’s not where it’s at for me a this time in my life, and there are other places I’d rather be, and life is too short.

So yeah, it’s time to move on. In a way it’s sad because no matter where you are you make friends and that’s what makes family. As we move on we leave them behind. But there are other, brighter places in this country and world and we haven’t seen them all.

By BPJ

August 27, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I was delivered to Atlanta at St. Joseph’s hospital (the old location Downtown). I’ve lived in larger cities in the US and Europe, and I love it here, perhaps because I live intown and stay actively involved in several nonprofit organizations. My wife, a native of Paris, also likes living here.

I’m sorry DH and family get their impressions of our crime rates from the local news; the TV stations here long ago abandoned any responsibility for balanced news coverage - if it bleeds, it leads. These broadcasts bear little relationship to crime rates.

Those who enjoy Atlanta the most are those who are most actively involved.

By R1070

August 27, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

to those who complain about Atlanta’s crime, traffic, overdevelopment, govt corruption: Are you moving to a big city for the first time? If so I could see where that would be overwhelming to you. As for those of us who move here from another big city. I cant think of another big city that doesnt have the same issues we do if not worse than we do. So I guess it truly is in the eyes of the beholder.

By Homegrown

August 27, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

My pregnant mother.

By Kemmet from Philly

August 27, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

By BPJ August 27, 2008 2:06 PM

@ BPJ No actually the news doesnt report all the crimes, Im a native of North Philly and I thougt I had seen it all before I moved here, boy was I wrong. I own a condo in the NW Atlanta area right across the bridge from Vinnings and down the street from Atlanta’s horrible NW side. Let me tell that there are shootings and murders down the street on Atlantas NW side on almost a daily basis and I have not seen one of those incidents on the news. Just last week a 15 year old shot a 43 year old man in the face with an AK-47, at the intersection of Jackson Pkwy and Browntown Rd, and it was in neither the AJC or any of the local news networks broadcasts. Now the fact that a 15 year old has no business with an automatic assault weapon, let alone the fact that he feels bad enough to shoot someone in the face is wrong on so many levels, but thats beside the point, were talking about the local news. So I would have to disagree with that statement about the local news. If anything they overreport in certain areas, but areas such as NW and SW Atlanta and Decatur they underreport on a daily basis. This is a rime ridden city and its sad that you have to move here to find out, only as of late has Atlanta gotten a reputation for being a crime infested hell hole ( I think you can thank local rap/ crap and the nationally covered Buckhead shootings a few years back for that)

By Rusty

August 27, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Apparently Dominicans don’t know how to use a computer either.

By Filbert

August 27, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Critic@12:18. I’d love to do you the favor and leave, but like I said I have a family to think about. But, reading the vents posted after mine, I think I’m not th eonly one who feels a certain way about Atlanta. Guess the truth hurts, huh? Outof curiousity, you ever lived outside the South?

By Sweat Tea

August 27, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

The great things about this city are the free entertainment fun for the family. Every highway exit has it’s own retail. Kroger, Walmart and Target’s within 2 miles radius in both directions. Great nightlife and concerts. The city is a mecca. My friends say it’s the gays that make Atlanta hip. It’s a place where everyone from anywhere can find a piece of happiness

By DH

August 27, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Tricia, Gwinnett County? Are you kidding? Have you ever traveled outside the eastern time zone? You made me laugh with the Gwinnett County comment. To Sweet Tea, you actually think a cheap retail store at each exit makes for a good place to live. I live in a confederacy of dunces here! Please…..someone save me!

By CA in GA

August 27, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I have lived in Florida, Texas, Georgia and West Virgina. I pick Atlanta as my favorite.

We moved here from Florida in August 2000 because my husband got a job transfer…that job/company has long since gone away. We stayed and we are glad we did.

Back in 2000 our kids were in grade school and middle school. We moved in our home on Thursday and the kids started school the following Monday. Both had attended private school in Florida. We chose Gwinnett Co and have loved it. The schools here are much better than our old hometown in FL. 8 years later and our oldest is a senior at UWG on HOPE Scholarship. And our youngest is a junior at Brookwood HS.

Will we stay? I’m sure we will. We have made some lifelong friendships and my parents even moved up from Fl 3 years ago thanks to hurricane Charlie. We love the weather and the change of seasons. Florida is hot or hotter…one season. It did take my husband a couple of years to get over his allergies.

Funny but true…when we first moved here from Florida our kids wanted to know where all the old people were!? We have found this area to be very family friendly, we didn’t see that in Florida.

By Good Question

August 27, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

R1070 regarding your question - Are you moving to a big city for the first time?

I’ve lived in Denver, LA, Indianapolis, and DC. Overall, in all of the family quality of life factors Atlanta is the WORST !!!

By Honolulu Bound

August 27, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Well, I was born here and have loved this city until after the 1996 Olympic games. After that happened, the city began going downhill fast!

Atlanta has become the new Detroit! Interstate 75 is the Atlanta - Detroit highway, bringing in all the thugs and undesirables from up north, not to mention those that came here from New Orleans and stayed. Once beautiful parts of Atlanta are havens for drugs dealers, rappers, and prostitutes!

It is a sad thing to watch a once vibrant city turn into this. Good bye and good riddance.

By BRONXCHIC

August 27, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

I moved down to ATL because a family member said ATL is a good place to raise your family, with good schools, low crime and beautiful weather. What a bunch of CRAP. Now, I’m not saying my entire experience down here has been all bad, but a good 90% of the time it’s been lousy. People here are very narrow minded, most have NEVER left Atlanta ( not even for a vacation), can’t drive to save their ass, very few schools are worth bragging about ( my child is in the Cobb school district) and the crime IS GETTING out of hand and every where you look the Mexicans are like ants. I thought Atlanta was going to be a good fit for me, but everything closes down early and mass transit SUCKS. Yes, I came from NYC and tried to give ATL a chance. I can’t wait to pack up ans leave. But remember this local folks people are going to be flocking to your city for years to come so you might as well get used to the idea of CHANGE. You can’t keep your head in the sand anymore. Travel to another state, try different food, learn a new language, get a passport, drive with common sense, lose weight, don’t eat fried foods cooked with lard. WALK, WALK, WALk, get some teeth, shave your under arms and legs, get rid of all the weaves in your head, teach your children some manners, don’t marry your first cousin, learn to swim. But last but not least ” Always remember that you lost the war”. 4 more months left and I can kiss Atlanta good riddance. You people suck.

By NYC Baby

August 27, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

I moved here recently from the NYC because of a job. I thought it was going to be a good move because I wanted a change after having lived in the north all of my life. BIG MISTAKE!

Most of the people in the south are racist, phony and the workplace culture is unprofessional and gossipy. I have never in my life dealt with so much stupidity in the workplace since I’ve moved here. Living up north all of my life, I never have been a victim of a crime. In Atlanta, my car was stolen by some thugs.

Granted I bought a nice house and make a decent salary here, but the south is still slower and further behind than the north. Plus, I’m sick of the Waffle House, Golden Corral and chain restaurant pizza. No wonder most of the women down south are fat, lazy slobs!

My kids absolutely hate it here and the educational system sucks. My kids are so much smarter than the rest of their classmates. They’ve already covered their grades work 2 years ago. My oldest went back home (up north) for the summer and said he wasn’t going to come back - he wanted to stay with my family so he could continue to receive a great education. I am now making plans to move back up north. There is no way I’m staying any longer than I have to.

By Becky

August 27, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Born in GA & have lived here all of my 46 years. I agree with some of the things that everyone says about Atlanta..The only time that I go to Atl. is to the Fox..It’s a nasty, scary, very unfriendly place..

By XLAX

August 27, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Bronxchic, with a rosy personality like yours the whole city of Atlanta awaits your departure. Maybe 4 months is too long? I’m sure many of your co-workers and acquaintances would take up a fund for your early departure. As for me, I would give in heartbeat to see you leave. These last 4 months are going to seem like forever. Just go already.

By bronxchic

August 27, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

With a name like XLAX I rest my case.

By XLAX

August 27, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Bronxchic, my username is not to misconstrued with the product EX-LAX. A product that seem to be in dire need at present.

By southernbelle

August 27, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

I am from here. And my local yokel family has always looked at Atlanta as the enemy to the rest of the state. It harbored color, Yankees, and traffic. All crime and evil began in the nexus of the ATL. After traveling all over the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, there are many traits about Atlanta that I like and now see as completely inferior. 1) We do a have a great large airport, unfortunately it is employed by some of the rudest people ever who treat you like cattle. I came home from a trip overseas, glad to be back in GA, and was dismayed by the Hartsfield staff. Whatever. 2) We do have delicious Coca Cola. Nothing makes me more angry than when I want a coke and everyone serves Pepsi only. 3) We are too conservative and closed minded when it comes to race, alcohol, and orientation. Its that self righteousness that really comes across as ignorant and inexoerienced. But I do love Atlanta because it is the South. I also love it because I have to- it’s like a family member, an annoying overbearing and sometimes embarrassing family member. And Bronx Chic, I think its cute that you think Southerners are unkempt and uneducated, when you know that your nasal crass accent could make paint peel off a wall. I love ya’ll. And if you don’t love us- then don’t come back now ya hear?!

By Fact Checker

August 27, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Ahhh, Bronxchic, back to spread more joy.

“[M]ost have NEVER left Atlanta (not even for a vacation)…” From what scientific poll did you glean that little factual gem?

From where? Ohhh, you made it up. Just as I thought.

By sage954

August 27, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

The problem I see, being a native Atlantan and Southerner is that metro Atlanta has grown to 5 million + people. 4.5 million of those people are all of you that have moved here from one of those fabulous places like the Northeast, NYC, LA, Philly, Detroit, New Orleans, DC etc… The truth is when you complain about the bad school system, poor driving, rudness, ignorance, intolerance that is prevalent here now, the people that are causing this are all the transplants like yourself. Who do you think the rapid over development of the Metro area was for. It was to make room for you!

Ya’ll are driving the native Atlantan and Southerners out because we cannot stand what you have turned our city into. When someone cuts you off in traffic, makes an ignorant remark, or someone’s dumb kid slows down the learning of the rest of the class; statistically it is probably one of your fellow transplants not an actual Atlantan.

We built it, ya’ll came, and TRASHED IT.

By KJ

August 27, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

the Mexicans are like ants

get rid of all the weaves in your head

What were you people saying about racism?

Yeah, people who complain about the racism here need to spend some time in NYC, Boston, Detroit and LA.

As for the SAT argument, our scores are skewed by the fact that every high school student is required to take the SAT, regardless of their post-secondary education plans. In other states, the Wal-Mart lifers don’t bother.

I know several people who are the product of the public schools here, and they are getting along just fine. If your kid can’t get by here, he likely wasn’t that bright to begin with. What you get out of education mostly depends on what you put into it.

LOL @ someone from Philly complaining about the crime here. Camden anyone?

The traffic is a concern, but, again, try driving in DC, Chicago, or LA, then get back to me.

By yearight

August 27, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

I read the article about the New Yorkers moving south and all the bashing. Oh please, everything up there is rust and rails. After working in NY and Jersey I would never want to live up there!

By Mark

August 27, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I wonder if other cities generate the passionate feelings that Atlanta always seems to inspire. I was born and raised in Atlanta. I moved to NYC in 1989 for a flying career at a charter airline that took me all over the world until the doors closed this past April. I am now contemplating a move back home. I have loved living in NYC and there is no place like it but i’m growing weary of the constant intensity that exist here. Its starting to take its toll. I’ve had 19 years to form an opinion from the outside world and really don’t get some of these posts. When i visit the vibe i get is relaxed and easygoing but not dull. Its nice to slow down a little. Enjoy the trees, hills and curvey roads. Midtown and Piedmont park are my favorite areas. No place can compare to NYC. It is the city of cities. No need to go on about that but Atlanta is different and sometimes different is refreshing.

Sure no place is for everyone but these blogs always seem to be so toxic with hate. I try to avoid blogs but sometimes you just have to respond.

By jgumbrecht_0808aa

August 27, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark, the anger in the comments is exhausting, but thanks for responding. I think you’re right: Atlanta is different from New York, different from every place I’ve ever been. I love it, even when it drives me crazy.

By DYJ

August 27, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

I moved for a guy. The man I was dating in D.C. wanted to move down here. I came for a visit and liked what I saw so I packed my bags. 1 year later he moved back to D.C. and I stayed. I met my husband (a native) here and our daughter was born here but I’m ready to move away. Atlanta has gotten to be ghetto and the school system is awful. Go west!

By Michael

August 27, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I moved here when I was a boy in 1962 because my family moved here from Florida to get away from the then-discredited Florida school system. I grew up in Dekalb County, near Avondale. Except for stints at school in Athens and at two schools in Germany, I’ve lived my life here since 1962.

The region in which Atlanta is situated is, in my opinion, unusually beautiful and rich with variety. As a native Southerner, I crave the summer heat and humidity, and I find a bit of comfort in the fact that so many people who move here—chasing a quick buck, usually—react to our really rather mild climate with such horror. I remember when we moved here in August 1962 from Florida—I was astonished at how cold it got at night—all the way down into the 70s! When outlanders whine about our heat, I snicker.

Between the pig farmers, the real estate developers and the road-building lobby, the region I remember and love from my childhood has been turned into a pretty sad place. Most of the new buildings are mind-numbingly ugly, the sprawl is heartbreaking, and the state of the infrastructure is a scandal. We could have been something like Portland, Oregon, but our leaders wanted us to be the New York of the South, and what we’ve ended up being is the capital of the People’s Republic of Vulgaria.Trashy, cheaply built glitz, overbuilding, everywhere you look, roads that compare unfavorably with the surface of the moon: the movers and shakers have taken the region and turned it into a mess.

Of course the city can reconstitute itself, but I wonder if it ever will. This is a city defined by postmodern architecture, which is resolutely closed, resolutely committed to denying the creative possibilities of public space, of community. The few places in Atlanta—like Piedmont Park—where public space is celebrated show how toxic that denial is, even as they show how beautiful a place that nurtures community can be. If the city can allow more spaces to open up—in buildings and in spaces like parks—where community is possible, is encouraged, then it may have a future. If it becomes even more packed with mirrored silos jammed right to the edge of the narrow, pothole-laden streets they’ve been shoe-horned into, then the city will settle into its current identity, a mostly sad, mostly cold place where people come to make money before escaping to someplace else.

I’m looking for my escape every chance I get. I love cities that work. I don’t think Atlanta is that kind of city, and I don’t think it knows how to try and be one.

By Bronxchic

August 27, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Okay, let me say this in a way most of you slow poke slackers can understand. I work at a law firm. A good 15 - 20 people at this firm HAVE never left Atlanta. Ever!!!! Have never seen the ocean, have never been on a plane, have never taken a cruise, NOTHING!!!!!! Pathetic.

My children attend one of the finest schools in Cobb county and they are so far ahead of most of the other students that they are starting to slack off. That is not fair for my children. I’m not saying that all Atlanta schools are not up to par but the truth is the truth Atlanta schools are not making the grade

Now are far as the comments go - bring it on. You southerns say one thing to someones face and another thing behind their backs. At least us New Yorkers will say something right up in your face and mean it.

Whether some of you people don’t like the fact that many Yankees are coming down here, get over it. But one thing is for sure, when I do go back home I will have nothing nice to say about you people or the so called southern hospitality. But what do you expect. You’re southerners………Small time thinkers big time losers

One more thing - please close you mouth when you eat. I know you’re related to cows but enough is enough.

By Nickie

August 27, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

We came here on a corporate move with my husband’s job nearly 18 years ago - from New Orleans. The only thing I miss from the Big Easy is the food and sometimes Mardi Gras. We live in the ‘burbs (Cobb). The weather, schools, government and cost of living are all better. Not perfect but better. I have spent a lot of time in Seattle and other West Coast cities. I love some things about them and visit often but the cost of living makes even the thought of moving there impossible. The Atlanta area is a good compromise - not the best in all areas but much better than so many other places. We’re staying.

By Jason

August 27, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

“As for the SAT argument, our scores are skewed by the fact that every high school student is required to take the SAT, regardless of their post-secondary education plans.”

I’ve heard this a lot, but I don’t believe it. What would be the point? Does anyone have proof that such a rule exists?

By Mr. Anderson

August 27, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I moved here when I was a kid with my parents. We moved a lot within the South a lot as a kid. Finally, we settled here. I’ve stayed here mostly because I really dislike moving. Atlanta is okay, I’m not that proud of it nor that ashamed of it. It has good and bad. After much experience of my dad looking for a city that had greener pastures, I discovered there are no idyllic places on earth. Therefore, I stay.

By KJ

August 27, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

My children … are so far ahead of most of the other students

Ah, the old “my kids are sooo much smarter than everyone else” argument.

At least us New Yorkers will say something right up in your face and mean it.

Ah, the irony. Yeah, I’m sure you tell your coworkers how “pathetic” they are every day.

close you (sic) mouth when you eat

Close your mouth when you talk.

when I do go back home I will have nothing nice to say about you people

I think I speak for all Southerners when I say “nobody gives a flying fck what you say about us”.

Now go pack.

By michael

August 27, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

life long atlanta resident.. there are things that i hate- traffic, heat, our governor, government employees who think they are god, thug culture that permeates Atlanta’s African American youth, our pro sports team’s GM’s, etc.. but i still love this city.. such a damn nice place to live you cant deny that! I love traveling but I will never move

By Atlantan

August 27, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

new york might be hip but who cares if the weather sucks and its nasty and trashy. I always think of grey skies and rust when i think of the NE. and I grew up in the north!

By Grace

August 27, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

I moved here shortly after I graduated college in 2000. Coming from Wisc, I was turned on my the weather, job opportunities and the abundance of single black men. I found a great job, I love the 4 seasons but my friends who went to college here failed to tell me that the men were into each other.

By KathrynIrene

August 27, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

I think I speak for all Southerners when I say “nobody gives a flying fck what you say about us”.

If you truly didn’t care, you wouldn’t have bothered responding.

The SAT question is answered here:

http://www.gcic.peachnet.edu/CRN/gradfromhsTEXT.htm

And the answer is - NO! Georgia high school students are NOT required to take the SAT. So that little comforting myth to explain the dismal SAT scores is total horseapples. The SAT scores are low because the students taking them are unprepared to take them and lack the educational background and ability to succeed in taking them. Welcome to being 47th out of 50, Georgia; you earned it, you enjoy it.

Look, Atlanta is a limited place; and it’s done it to itself. For what it is, it isn’t bad. But as an institution, it’s short-sighted and narrow, and it seems as though (from the postings here) that Atlantans are jes happy as anything to be limited. When you live in the desert, live in the desert.

By red adair

August 27, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

My parents brought me in 1968 and I try not to visit Atlanta unless for a funeral or a wedding. Too much crime and Hate.

By Atlantarama

August 27, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

Reading a few select negative comments here reminds me of the fact that some people just don’t see anything positive in their lives. I feel that they’ll be just as miserable no matter where they live.

By shaggy

August 27, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Why are you here? Easy Poontang. Why do you stay? Easy poontang.

By racer

August 27, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

“shaggy” Yours is the most honest comment here, and I must agree. Babes abound…all for a date out to somewhere.

By jg

August 27, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

I grew up in Boston (the only thing cool there is the Red Sox and the food!) - hated winter moved to Orlando in 1987 for a few years and wound up in Hartford - but after the first snowfall I made plans and by 1991 was here in ATL without ever even coming here……

The absolute most beautiful spring I have ever seen in my life…had the opportunity to work with the Olympics and have been very happy here - other than ATL would live in the Caribbean - but proud to call Atlanta home!

By DJ

August 27, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

I travel every single week for my job to other states and fly into many major cities. Being a native Atlantan and graduating from an Atlanta Public School (Therrell High), I am proud of where I’m from. From traveling in the north, we don’t have to deal with tolls, major pollution, or smelly, dirty areas. We don’t have the cold like the mid-west, the heat like out west. We do have crime, like all other major cities, so that’s a norm. As someone said, many of you are transplants. If you don’t like it, go back home. You leaving will cut down on everything you complain about. Stop blaming school systems and look at youself as a parent. Stop expecting someone else to raise your children (I’m also an ex-teacher) :-)

By shaggy

August 27, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Thanks racer. I especially like the easy yankee variety. Away from home. Lonely. I just turn on the drawl and the flies come to sugaaah. Most of em are a little furry down there, but who cares?

By leaving soon

August 27, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Atlanta-No place for a single black person, don’t belive the hype too much traffic, old age thinking, racism, corrupt city/county government, transit is a joke and will always be (Transit Consultuants you can make a mint here years and years of studies and consulting ie: Grady no change)To all you posters don’t worry I am packing now. Moved here with a husband his job transfered, we are no longer together no regretts. Progressive city ha… great place to visit and shop too many gays, lesibans, Atlanta - The San Francisco of the South.

By KJ

August 27, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

If you truly didn’t care, you wouldn’t have bothered responding.

Might want to retake Logic 101, honey.

And the SAT rule was in effect when I was in high school, it apparently changed at some point.

Reading a few select negative comments here reminds me of the fact that some people just don’t see anything positive in their lives. I feel that they’ll be just as miserable no matter where they live.

B-I-N-G-O

Atlanta-No place for a single black person

too many gays, lesibans (sic)

Ah, so the racism is deplorable, but you have no problem bashing the gays.

Keep it up people, it’s highly entertaining.

By Thomas

August 27, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Born and raised in the Atlanta area just like every generation of my family. I am however looking forward to getting out soon because of all you northern move ins who think we natives should adapt to YOUR way of life.

By BoneDog

August 27, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

I am from the 9th ward, new orleans. I find this place still too spread out for me, and nobody likes atlanta even though you all live here.

I don’t understand or like this place.

By LI

August 27, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

We moved to ATL in 1990. My husband’s job brought us here, and when the possiblity of a transfer came about, our son was months away from starting high school. So, my husband changed his job so that we could stay. We enjoy a nice quality of life, no financial strains, but then again, we don’t live above our means. And, in the wintertime, don’t miss the white stuff one bit.

We liked our home, our neighborhood, we have great friends, and I’m not talking just about good neighbors, we have friends who live outside our subdivision. We have a handful of friends who grew up in the ATL metro area, but most are from other parts of the country. We are civic-minded and involved in our community. We have roots here and wanted to stay. If only Atlanta had the ocean, it would be perfect.

I read both the NYT article and the Creative Loafing article. The NYT article was about life in the Big Apple, assimilation and growth, not retreat.

I don’t know why people find it necessary to compare ATL to NYC. There is no comparison. They are not similar. Sometimes, it seems that when people compare ATL to NYC, they appear to have, well, sort of an inferiority complex. It’s as if they have to make points that ATL is better than NY in some respect. There’s no reason to put down NYC…it’s an awesome place, as is ATL, imo. It’s just different.

By Pamela

August 28, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this

I moved here from los angeles in 1994. In LA, I had a great job where I traveled to Asia quite often, lived at the beach, had lots of friends. but i gave it up ENTIRELY - the friends, the job, the house at the beach - to move to Atlanta. I had NO job, no home, did not know ONE person here…and certainly didn’t have the option to live at the beach…when I moved here.

But my LA life was mis-leading - it looked good on paper and to many of you blogging on here about a ‘better” life in other, more hip cities like NYC or LA. But in reality, I grew out of that lifestyle- you might say that i grew up and became an adult when I realized I wanted more out of life than RENTING at the beach with 2 roommates (at 35 years old and making a good salary, there was no way I’d ever be able to afford to buy a condo, much less a house)like some college kid. I actually wanted to be able to put down roots in a community that valued more important things than being obsessed about being seen as hot and hip , and what car you drove, who you knew in “the industry” (if you don’t know what “industry” I’m referring to, then you don’t belong!), and in general, following the overall political and social “group think” mentality that IS LA.

You transplants think Atlanta is intolerant, narrow-minded and racist??!!! Well, obviously, you’re blinded by your OWN bigotry in that you don’t recognize it for what it is…because, my friend, open-mindedness is not defined merely by being “tolerant” of gays and other races…but by accepting people for who they are even if they are - yes, as evil as they are - WHITE and CONSERVATIVE, and by God, even SOUTHERN. The poster who cannot wait to get back to Oregon exemplified the typical hypocrisy of the so-called “tolerance” of the west coast. They are tolerant of you ONLY if you position yourself as an outcast of society by your clothing and behavior, which strangely, all begins to blend into one acceptable look and attitude. Californians pride themselves on being of independent, pioneering spirit…but ONLY if you align with their very narrow view of what “independent” and “pioneering” really means, which ALWAYS means voting democrat, ALWAYS means agreeing with left-wing politics, which ALWAYS means valuing diversity above results and accomplishment, and which ALWAYS means sterotyping the ONE safe haven that’s politically “safe” - and even encouraged - to stereotype and trash in both the public and private arena, that being the south in general, and white southerners, in particular. Oh, yes, indeed. There was NO topic or comment about the south and/or southerners that was considered off-base or too offensive to make to me - believe me, I was blown away by the ignorant, rude, offensive - and BIGOTED comments made by Angelenos that would have never made about blacks, Jews, gays, muslims, etc. in a public venue.

Yet, when I was moving to Atlanta, nearly ALL of my enlightened colleagues and acquaintances would pull me to the side, and say “Why are you moving to Atlanta? Aren’t there so many blacks there??? And rednecks living in trailer houses?”

“Enlightened” indeed.

By Diana

August 28, 2008 6:27 AM | Link to this

I am reading this with tears in my eyes. I SOOO miss the ATL area and my family back there. I was born a yankee from the midwest but lived most of my life in the south. Northern VA, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami. There is no place as nice as ATL to live and I have traveled alot both here and abroad. I am now living in Pasadena due to my husband’s current job. I HATE it here. The crime, the dirt, the horrible harsh terrain, the ridiculous costs of living. No rain, no ligthening, no seasons. If one more person tells me it is all worth it for the nice weather I will scream. There is nothing compared to Atlanta in April. I visited there a few months ago and was taken aback when a nice young man held the door open for me at a convenience store. Ahh, yes, I remember now. I was home. I hope to return soon - not soon enough.

By baddog

August 28, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

I grew up in Detroit and came down here for my Senior trip 30 years ago wen to a couple of clubs and the LADIES OH MAN well long story short I came back after getting out of High School and never went back to Detroit. I only go to the D to visit

By Esther

August 28, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

We lived in Chicago for over 30 years. we moved here about 3 years ago. We moved here because my husband’s mom and sisters live here. We love the weather. The only thing that we didn’t like is that every year, we have to pay the valorem taxes. We don’t understand why Georgia have this kind of tax. We didn’t have to pay in Illinois or Florida. This kind of prevent people to buy expensive cars (of course except for the rich people ).

By MP

August 28, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Native Atlantan here. The place is 180 degrees from where it was in the 80’s. We wouldn’t have a prayer of getting the Olympics again and I am amazed we got them to begin with. Of course we got them because Billy Payne and others knew how to play the political game. Atlanta was actually voted 3rd or 4th on the first ballot by the IOC.

Those of you who use the term “ATL” are ridiculous. It makes native Atlantans sick to see that moniker.

Otherwise, Atlanta is a store bought city. There are always a bunch of cranes in the sky pouring more concrete, orange cones everywhere, cars everywhere, everybody too busy rushing around in their car while talking on the phone to be friendly. Atlanta has a very different (and not so good) personality than it used to.

Ya’ll keep on coming though. We will keep building condo’s and parking garage’s till it looks something like New York City, Tokyo and Hong Kong combined.

By Now I See

August 29, 2008 3:24 AM | Link to this

So, Bronxchic, what you should have said is “Fifteen to 20 people at the law firm at which I work have never left Atlanta. (I still find that nearly impossible to believe. Are they some gang of agoraphobics or what?) In either case, you - surpassing us so much in intelligence and all - know very well that 15 or 20 people at your workplace is not in any way a representative sample of a population of roughly 5 million. You can pretend that I misunderstood your wildly exaggerated generalization because I’m stupid if you like.

So, your New York straightforwardness must demand that you tell your coworkers outright how pathetic they are and what small-thinking losers they are. How’d they take that? Could it be that the quality of your experience here has something, anything at all, to do with the way you think about, talk to and treat other people?

I’m sorry that your stay here has been so horrible that it’s turned you into someone so full of nasty insults that she can barely spit them out fast enough.For your sake, I’m glad you’ll be able to leave soon. I’m sure you’re full of sunshine and delight back in New York.

By XLAX

August 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Bronxchic, I’m bored. Can you come out to play today with your bag full of venom for the people of Atlanta. Let’s hurl some verbal arrows at each other. I know you’re up to it. Being a complete B** is a given for you. BRONXCHIC…where are you?

By bronxchic

August 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

To all you HATERS of New York - Sk Dk!!! I email what I want… You never know where I’ll be. But guess what I drive a white Ford mini van NY plates. If you got balls( AND OF COURSE NONE OF YOU HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY IT TO MY FACE)stop me in my car and you’ll get a NY style beat down…..And its Miss B*ch-bumkins111111

By XLAX

August 29, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

You’re holding out on me Bronxchcic. Shorting me with just mild name calling. Let’s have some of you’re over the top unfounded delusional rhetoric. Pluuezze…once more explain to us all once more about you’re vast superiority. Alas, I guess you’re winded. It’s all verbal excrement from you anyway. It’s gonna be a long four months.