The Newcomer

By Jack

September 16, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

I really like the panhandlers. They are good for making Mr. & Mrs. Suburbanite want to visit Atlanta more often. The meters were a great idea.

By Becky

September 16, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

I like the color of downtown Atlanta…

By itpdude

September 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Best thing is the weather. Worst thing is the traffic.

By Angela

September 16, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I absolutely love this city! I’ve been here my whole life, mind you; I am one of the few natives, but I’ve spent a lot of time in tons of other amazing cities, such as San Francisco, New York, and many international cities. And in my opinion, there isn’t a city that ranks “the Best”. They’re all wonderful and there is something unique about each one. There are pros and cons to each city and some cities’ strengths are another city’s weakness. Atlanta has a rich history and I love how some places in the city are so old, historic and eclectic, and other parts are posh, trendy and luxurious. We have a great Symphony and museum and while it may not all have the grandeur of New York or Chicago, it’s great for its size and age. I wish people would quit comparing Atlanta to New York—this isn’t New York—just appreciate it for what it is.

By ATLien

September 16, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Most ghetto? Yep, Atlanta is first.

By AeroNautica0909

September 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

I love the City of Atlanta! I’ve lived in New York all my life before moving down here to begin college three years ago. Sure Atlanta is not New York… and Atlanta shouldn’t try so hard to be like other cities. Atlanta is unique and can cultivate its uniqueness without having to duplicate any other city. I agree with Angela… people need to stop comparing Atlanta to New York. New York is much larger and it only makes sense for New York to have its amenities. Two things that Atlanta has New York on any day- quality of life and room for growth.

New York doesn’t have room to grow- it’s too built up and its environment is not really conducive to business. Atlanta has been attracting business because of its pro-business environment. Furthermore, living is not outrageous and the quality of life is MUCH better… take it from me- I’ve lived in NY for the first 18 years of my life.

Now…Why I LOVE Atlanta… its room for growth and development. Downtown and Midtown are my favorite parts of the city. Midtown is growing very nicely and Downtown has ample room for growth and development. I want to see this city grow and become more recognizable internationally. To do that, we don’t need to copy the cities in the big leagues like NYC and L.A… we can think of creative things on our own and do it.

And as for the skyline rankings…How the hell did places like Minneapolis and Portland get on the list? Atlanta’s skyline contains the tallest skyscraper outside of NYC and Chicago (BoA Plaza) and its ranked higher than any of those cities on this ‘magazine list’ in the official international skyline rankings.

Oh and by the way… Washington D.C. doesn’t have any skyscrapers… how did they get on the list higher than Atlanta? There must be something WRONG with that list….

By SAR

September 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is just another Houston or Philly with trees. The mentality of the city is the same. If you want a cool city try Austin, Texas or Portland Oregon or even Boulder, CO. I suppose Atlanta is okay if you moved here from Podunk, Alabama. It’s too not safe and getting more so by the day and it’s totally ran by leftovers of the civil rights movement most people don’t remember. All the streets are named after black people most people have never heard of except for Jimmy Carter Blvd., and that street is like a Third World bordertown. Too many fat women live here that smell like bacon. I think more fat women live here than anywhere I have ever been to.

By West Cobb Dad

September 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Hmmm…. Things to do before 10pm….9 Things to do after 10pm…..3 Transportation…………..5 (If you want to live on the train line) Car transportaion………..4 (Quicker to drive to the airport from Cobb than take CCT/Marta) Sports………………….9 (They may not win, but they are ours) Singles…………………8 Married…………………8 Families………………..8 Government………………3 (Too much old school tax and spend) Roads…………………..4 (GDOT likes to build them. We need more rail, not highways)

Overall, this city and the surronding counties has whatever anyone is looking for. Heck, does New York have a drive-in? I doubt it. Our main issue is getting around. When it takes someone 3 buses and 2+ hours to go 17 miles, that is not a good thing. Rather sit in traffic for 45 minutes.

By #2

September 16, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

We are #1 when it comes to barely passable streets in our city center! Hooray for big potholes created by developers building high rise condos in midtown! We’re #1! We’re #1!

By Been here 21 years

September 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

The best thing about Atlanta is that we get the 4 seasons and have tree lined neighborhoods so close to the city. Great shopping too. We also have a good job market, as corps sometimes see us as “land of cheap southern labor”. Sorry folks, but this is why major corps relocate and foreign corps are interested. Loose labor laws also in Georgia, but on flip side, we are fortunate to have job chances and somewhat low cost of living & taxes. It would cost more than double to have our East Cobb lifestyle in Calif. or the Northeast. We also within a short drive the beach or mountains. Worst thing Atlanta has is its crime rate and crime ridden image to the rest of the country. Every major city has crime, but you won’t believe the comments I get from outsiders on what they think of Atlanta. Our traffic is awful, but live close to town, and you can get to work. Why put up fort so far in the burbs when you know you have to do the daily drive? Our airport is also a hassle for locals. We need another airport, like Midway or Burbank. Some people say the people are friendly, but don’t agree. Get outside of Atlanta and you will experience hospitality, but it is hard to find true genuine friendliness in Atlanta. I have lived here for 21 years and moved here single and just out of college and loved it from day one. I have roots here now, but would I move here again if I could roll back the clock? Not so quick. I would look at other cities as Atlanta is not as attractive to me know, as it was in 1986.

By bronxchic

September 16, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I love looking and laughing at all the fat/overweight/potbellies men and women walk by when I visit Midtown,Downtown, All over town. Nothing beats that when you are trying to enjoy whatever ATL has to offer. Which is NOTHING.Go to Turner field to enjoy a ballgame-fat people. Go to the Aquarium to enjoy sealife-fat people sweating profusely.Go to Stone Mountain to enjoy nature-fat people who can’t walk or hike no more than a few steps. Atlanta is good for laughing at and staring at FAT people. Priceless

By Atlanta Native

September 16, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Atlanta has become a nightmarish hell hole full of arrogant, self-centered people. It started happening around late 1991, and then exploded in 1996 after the Olympics.

By Corey

September 16, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Sar,you are a liar. Name ten streets in Atlanta named after black people. Since the late 70’s a few streets have been renamed after blacks. Since 1835 most of the streets have and still are named after whites. Stop lying.

By Xlax

September 16, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I never knew belittling, mocking, and laughing at other fellow human beings was deemed appropriate behavior. It must be something that you learn in NYC. AS always, a certain female poster here proves that she is indeed incapable being a nice person.

By ATLWorldwide

September 16, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

How did this turn into a racist fat-basher thread? These comment threads do nothing lately but dampen my mood. Atlanta is apparently a place full of negativity and hate.

Can’t beat the cost of living, nature, and diversity (although sadly, not unified).

By Magenta

September 16, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

I lived here for 20 years before moving to another town. For me, the negatives outweigh the positives except in one area: Jobs and salaries.

Otherwise, thumbs down on traffic, bad government, chaotic media, sprawl, and pathetic attempts to duplicate other cities’ unique selling points rather than finding its own.

Well okay, the online paper is much better than the one where I live now.

By AeroNautica0909

September 16, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with Xlax…for me being born and raised in NYC, I find it crude and inappropriate for anyone to belittle any other human being like a particular person on here is doing.

May I offer some advice for this particular person?

GROW THE HELL UP!

By jakesdad

September 16, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Atlanta (metro) may not be #1 at any one thing but it’s hear the top/well above average in a number of things:

1. weather - San Diego’s got us beat but cost of living’s insane
2. cost of living - we aren’t the cheapest but still good bang for buck
3. schools - I know, overall this is a big liability but there are pockets that are as good as anywhere in CA (I doubt anyone’s college app gets tossed because they graduated from Walton). at the college level having Emory and GT doesn’t hurt either - heck, even UGA’s academically respectable these days and just an hour up the road…
4. job opportunities - we aren’t Santa Clara but there’s TONS of tech jobs here

I could go on and on but my take is we’re like an A-/B+ student rather than a savant in one subject which is fine w/me.

By dunwoody in denver

September 16, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

I moved to Denver 5 years ago, and I must say, Denver is better than Atlanta in nearly every way possible (except for the restaurant scene, but that’s changing quickly).

The weather is far superior; it’s in the 90’s and no humidity in summer and sunny and in the 40’s and 50’s in winter (it does snow, but not NEARLY as much as people think, and it melts the next day). It’s also cleaner, the rail system is light-years ahead of MARTA, the populace is very fit and outdoors-oriented, the views are breathtaking, and crime is very low for a city its size (2.5 million).

The only drawback is that we’re overrun with Texans and Californians (they’re the CO equivalent of Yankees).

By Kenny

September 16, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

If Dana doesn’t win the Sexy Legs contest, I’ll buy her tickets to see Tina Turner

By Mike D

September 16, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I think were #1 or #2 on the homeless peoples best place to move to. We also have the largest numbers of elevators and stairwells that smell like urine. Also, number one in stranger on stanger murders.

We also are number one in attractions that only need to be seen once every decade or so.

By marcus

September 16, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

i really do like atlanta, i hate the criminal minded police, the drug dealers at 5 pts, the nastiness, grime and filth of 5 pts and the sordid looks of the people who frequent 5 pts. i love the diversity of the people, but not their shallowness. i like going to hawk games, the fox. i enjoy the train system and the food (high end and low). i hate the infactuation with new york (been there and its not all that). try emulating some place else, if you have to have an inferiority complex. i like the ajc, the sunday paper, but the black papers are really lame (old fashioned if you ask me; like a throwback to “jet” with their journalism. i like being able to go home to buford after a week in “the city.” i like the affordable housing that the suburbs have to offer. i can’t quite understand why a city which portrays itself as “the black mecca,” can’t educate black children. i don’t like the women who wear size 40, squeezing their stomachs into size 5’s. i think the city/state grossly underpays the unskilled workers here. i don’t like the gays who openly display their affections on the city streets, the feces that lines the streets and the vandalism associated with car break-ins. i’m encouraged by the administrations need to display a show of force by having more police on the streets. even though at times it seems that they are practicing a form of gestapoism. how come white people don’t shop in the 5 pts quad? well if you clean it up they will. get an exterminator, stop grown as men and women from frequenting the area. how much money can you really make selling “dollar shot” and single cigarettes. what is up with the blue, green and orange hair, was not this done in the 90’s? it did not look well than and does not go over well now. one day i would love to see the men who frequent woodruff park, NOT THERE! hispanic, granted are hard working, playing, family oriented families, but in god’s name, dont; we owe something to the minorities already here, who can speak the language! black men are walking around atlanta, clueless, jobless, homeless, but we blame “them” for not getting and keeping jobs. atlanta should do something about this problem, and the drugs! my god! you can’t walk to the king ctr without here; “you straight”……. but, i love atlanta.

By joe

September 16, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

Worst: ITP snobs who think ATL is the best in every category (and especially better than the ‘burbs).

Best: the weather (btw, it’s the same in the ‘burbs as intown).

By Tommy

September 16, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Too much crime and violence, what is the atraction for a person to move to Atlanta. I would rather live outside of the city. I have never felt safe inside of 285. The culture of the inner city is much different than any where out side 30-40 miles. I like the country … people are calmer no matter what race, life is better in the country.

By Corncob

September 16, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Lotta big a** women in the ATL ! Too many buffets & AYCE specials.

Every issue or decision has a racial component to it. Whats that all about?

By Mike D

September 16, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

When the BET awards show gets here, I bet we will have the most criminals of any other city as well.

By CALI Dreaming

September 16, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Wow Atlanta is for sure number one in terms of ghetto thugs and crime. The only people who want to move here now are 9 times out of ten black or hispanic and usually bring criminal records with them. When my job moved me here all my friends and family were asking me is why I was moving here. Atlanta will never be number one on any list as long as nationally the city is looked at as a ghetto haven for crime and thugs. Since the 1990’s Atlanta has been known as a ghetto city and will continue to be known as such as long as local ATL bred (c)rap artists dominate national radio airwaves, and every other month there is a some gang/organization that is under indictment by the FBI/DEA for running drugs from Atlanta to other cities. Wake up people this city is looked upon nationally as the new Detroit of the south or the Miami Vice of the 2000’s. I hate Atlanta, if it wasnt for my job being here I would have left this ghetto hole in the wall years ago

By CB

September 16, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

I have lived here all of my 30+ years, and I used to love Atlanta. I’m well-traveled and I always looked forward to coming home. Unfortunately that has changed within the past 4 years. The traffic has become horrible and the DOT and City of Atlanta don’t have a plan to make it better. Their solution to any “troubled” intersection is to put up a traffic light. But they don’t sync the light with others in the area. I used to be able to drive south on Juniper from 10th Street, and if I got the green light at 5th, I got every green light to Ellis. That doesn’t happen anymore because none of the lights are sync-ed up. No major thoroughfare is. I live 6.5 miles from my office, but it takes me 25 minutes… and I don’t take the interstate. It’s because of the traffic lights. Plus, there are more dumb-ass drivers now. No one uses a turn signal, and everyone expects you to let them over because they don’t read the street sign that their lane is ending. Then there’s the ongoing “utility work” that never seems to end.

This city has also become very dirty. Go to downtown Chicago or Portland, Oregon, and you’ll see an amazingly clean city. Could be because the residents in those cities care about where they live. They don’t throw their trash on the ground. They hold it until they see a trash can. I used to work downtown, and I saw so many people litter. Still happens all over this city. It’s like no one cares.

Atlanta still has many great qualities, such as an amazing selection of restaurants and fantastic weather (in spring and fall). That could be what keeps me here.

By Jason

September 16, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Best parts: weather and climate, open space, asians, historic neighborhoods/architecture Worst parts: Traffic, government, poor downtown architecture, downtown crime

Jamie, I like what you have to say. Do you have an e-mail we can contact you by?

By uwishunew

September 16, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

The difference….I am @ the library, all peeps are expected to be quiet and respectful, no cells ringing either!

I will explain the “Micheal Richards” theory once…..

Whites…quietly working on the computers.

Blacks…Babies loudly on-board, cellies gettin booty-calls (loudest rap-song ring tone too), bros and sistas talking loudly to each other and singing outloud to whatever music is pumpin in there ears! And their kids on the next ‘puter doin’ the same…..Need I say more?

THIS is WHY almost every comment is about race or orgin…there is a difference…..NOW, which one would YOU like MORE of in your community? XO

By Loveit

September 16, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

I love the heat, humidity, ozone, traffic, public school system, local government, property taxes, thugs, rap, trees, water supply, crime rate, population, public transportation system, bike friendly environment, AJC non-bias, entitlement driven government dependent segment of the population, living history over and over and over and….

By Jim

September 16, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

To all the people who have a problem with Blacks in Atlanta. Wake up. Atlanta is the Black Mecca. It has been for a long time and always will be and the population of Blacks here is growing fast. If you live in the ‘Burbs, chances are you will have a Black neighbor soon. If you can’t live with that, you need to move somewhere else.

By M. R. Biggins

September 16, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

A lot of smart, young people have come out of Atlanta. The smarter they were, the younger they came out.

By Mike D

September 16, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Can’t we do something to attract more Asians. Sure some of their food smells weird and some put “unique” features on their lawns, but in 50 years we might actually have a flying car. I would also love to see our beloved BET award show replaced with a quality manufacturing and engineering show.

By Jay

September 16, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Jim, the only place you have to worry about a black person moving next to you is in a prison cell. Go back to New York chump!!

By Jeff in Roswell

September 16, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

I’ve lived here for about ten years. I really liked it for a while. Not so much now. I’ve seen some changes in just the ten years that I’ve been here and not for the better. Myself and my family will soon be leaving for greener pastures… a slower pace of life would be nice. For those that love it - more power to ya!

By Ron

September 16, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Jim, I’d be carefull what you wish for. Take a ride through Union City, Camp Creek, Riverdale road, Tara BLVD, any exit off of I-20, Candler or Evans Mill would be a good start and you’ll get a taste of what life would be like if blacks took over Atlanta. Your options for breakfast would be McDonalds and Burger King, lunch you get Wendys and Dinner you’re back to McDonalds and Burger King. How’s this sounding?

By JJ

September 16, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

My family left Atlanta in 2006. Atlanta WAS a nice place to live. It is now too big and way too many NON-WHITES

I would say by about 2030 Atlanta will look more like Lagos Nigeria and less like a typical American city.

The best thing that ever happened to me and my family was seeing Atlanta in my rear view mirror.

By Mike D

September 16, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

After seeing that Clayton County only had a 6% voter turn out for a school board counsel man replacement, I have to agree with JJ and Ron. As Atlanta gets blacker and blacker, it will look more like Port’O Prince Haiti or Lagos Nigeria.

Maybe I should move to China if I ever want to see a flying car in my life time.

In the mean time viva-la-BET Awards Show. We’ll be first in murders.

By Thirdwheel

September 16, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Atlanta should not be number 1 on anyone’s list. I am counting down the years (2) until I can get the heck out of this ghetto town and state. Atlanta is just plain dirty. I only like it for the entertainment acts that come to town. Other than that Atlanta sucks. For the person that made the comment about getting black neighbors in the surburbs… It’s true… Our neighbors are ghetto as all out… No I am not white I am black…..

By Mike In Woodstock

September 16, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

How about the lame AJC which will run a blog about crap like this but won’t dare mention that gas is still over $4/gallon a week after Ike “almost” hit the oil refineries in Houston and despite the fact that oil is now under $93 per barrel.

By Steve

September 16, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

.

I Blame the Homeless …

.

By Mike D

September 16, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

Mike in woodstock

This thing won’t put anything thats not PC on its blog list. Basically it usually attacts McCain and Palin.

By John McCain

September 17, 2008 2:30 AM | Link to this

…Atlanta has great Sweet Tea… ps- …..did I tell you I was a P.O.W.???

By Allie F.

September 17, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Having lived in other major cities, Atlanta is absolutely the worst place in America to live. No culture, bad restaurants, no mass transportation, horrible traffic, pollution, and a faux society. Atlanta’s airport must be the most difficult in the nation to fly out of, and it is possibly the US mecca for crime, drugs and racism. On top of that, the city and neighboring communities have some of the most corrupt governments ever. We are stuck here, due to jobs and it was not by choice. Atlanta is a joke!