Traffic. For more than six years, I fought the 9-to-5 rush from my intown Atlanta home to my suburban job every morning (30-45 minutes) and every evening (up to 90 minutes). It was the most mind-boggling, frustrating ritual I’ve ever endured – and every commuter in this town knows what I mean.
Until then, I had smugly suspected people were making excuses when they complained traffic had made them late. But before long, I was mapping alternate routes; checking traffic sites for live updates; and trying anything I could to outsmart the beast of metro Atlanta’s commuting madness.
Now I work intown on North Avenue, the same street where I live less than three miles away. And everything’s different. I didn’t plan it this way, but as far as new-job perks go, it’s right up there with dental insurance and a decent on-site cafeteria. I’m at the office in 10 minutes. I can even scoot home for lunch, which I do sometimes.
It’s so close, I could ride my bike, and I will someday, just as soon as I get comfortable with the new dangers traffic poses to bicycle commuters. It’s so close I could even walk, if it’s not too hot out and I don’t mind arriving a little sweaty.
With work so close to home, I have everything I need nearby – not only my job, but shops, restaurants, a dry cleaner, a gym, bike trails, a Publix and a movie theater. My own Mayberry in the big city, Poncey-Highland is a real walking neighborhood — a rarity here, but something more people are making a priority.
I wish everyone could enjoy this, whether it’s my colleagues who fight the Connector every day or my friends who would like to see more of their kids in the evenings or afternoons. And what would it do for our civic problems? How much better would metro Atlanta be without all that wasted time and energy? How much happier, healthier and, yes, greener. And it’s not a variation on “city good/suburbs bad.” It’s all about proximity, walkability and less time stuck behind the wheel.
Just the daily gift of two hours back into my life is a tremendous blessing. I can’t tell you how good it feels to be without the psychological and, yes, physical stress of being stuck on Ga. 400 or I-85 – knowing there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.
• I can snooze a little later in the mornings
• I can make, and keep, appointments in the evening.
• I can go to the gym or see a friend for dinner or a movie.
• I’m saving money on gas and wear and tear on my car.
• My blood pressure is closer to where it should be.
• And when I see friends complaining about the schlep home from the Perimeter on Facebook or Twitter, I say a little prayer of gratitude.
Traffic in metro Atlanta is crazy, right? But everything’s good in my little world.
Jay Croft, 51, a former AJC reporter and editor, writes about Atlanta and communications on www.storycroft.com.
