Moving to Atlanta – Your Guide to Living in Atlanta, GA

If you’ve considered moving to Atlanta, you’ve made the right choice since this city has a ton to offer. Aside from a rich culture, delicious food, and beautiful scenery, there are plenty of places to keep you busy and an affordable, yet high-quality life. While it is the capital city of Georgia, it’s often best described as a “big city with a small-town feel.” If you’re unsure of where to start, it’s a good thing that we’ve done all the research for you and created a guide to everything in Atlanta, GA. Read on to learn more about one of the hottest cities in the country right now. 

Cost of Living and Population Growth

Since Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia, it only makes sense that it is the most populous city in the state. As of 2019, it had a population of 506,811, making it the 37th most populous city in the country. Furthermore, Atlanta serves as the economic and cultural center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and houses more than six million people, making it the 9th largest metropolitan area in the United States. 

Those relocating to Atlanta may be surprised at its relatively affordable prices and living costs, which aren’t that much higher compared to the national average. Below is a table that indicates the affordability of various costs compared to Georgia and the United States in general. These estimates are based on a US average of 100 — an amount below that means the commodity is cheaper than the country’s average. A score above that indicates that Atlanta is more expensive in comparison.

Overall, Atlanta’s cost of living is 107.5, making it slightly higher than the national average. 

Job Market

You’ll be happy to know that Atlanta has a median household income of $65,345, which is higher than the $61,937 recorded across the entire United States. Compared to 2017’s median income of $57,597, this figure represents a 13.5% annual growth. Furthermore, employment in Atlanta grew from 254k employees to 257k employees between 2017 to 2018. The largest industries in the city are Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Health Care and Social Assistance, and Educational Services. Here are a few key employment statistics you should consider if you plan to work in Atlanta.

Most Common

According to the number of employees in Atlanta, some of their most common jobs are the following: 

• Management Occupations with 33,318 employees
• Sales and Related Occupations with 29,326 employees 
• Business and Financial Operations Occupations with 26,955 employees

Most Specialized

Compared to other areas in the state, Atlanta has an unusually high number of residents working in the following jobs: 

• Legal Occupations
• Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
• Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Highest Paid

Some of the highest paid jobs in Atlanta, according to median earnings are: 

• Legal Occupations with an annual earning of $102,318
• Management Occupations with an annual earning of $95,741
• Management, Business, and Financial Occupations with an annual earning of $83,761

Things To Do in Atlanta

Atlanta is anything but boring — with plenty of sights to see, things to do, and delicious food to eat, you’ll never find yourself stuck at home wondering how to spend your Friday nights and weekends. 

Atlanta BeltLine

Believe it or not, this great railroad actually started as an idea for a graduate thesis and is now one of the city’s most-loved attractions. This project was used to repurpose the historic 22-mile railway loop in the downtown area and was transformed into a paved path filled with art installations and native plants. While it’s incomplete, (estimates say it will be finished by 2030) it will be the gateway to 33 miles of trails, 45 neighborhoods in the city, and 2,000 acres of land, making it one of the biggest urban redevelopment programs in the country. 

Buford Highway

Buford Highway serves as the multicultural heart of Atlanta, where you’ll find a melting pot of international cuisine that includes Peruvian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Chinese, Mexican, and Cuban flavors. If these aren’t enough for your adventurous taste buds, you can always drive around to places within striking distance such as Sushi Hayakawa where you’ll find the best sushi in Atlanta, Panahar for authentic Bangladeshi food, and Sokongdong Tofu House for fantastic Korean dishes. 

Tongue and Groove 

Having been opened for close to two decades, this is the place to be when looking to break it down on the dance floor. The Tongue and Groove is made up of an 8,600 sq. ft. space inside Buckhead’s Lindbergh Center, where there’s always parking space. Here, you’ll find two big rooms, where one offers a balcony that allows you to look into the large dance floor below. There’s also a reason why there are two separate rooms; one plays the Top 40 hit songs, while the other plays hip hop. It’s also easy to get drinks here since there are plenty of bars in the club.  

Laughing Skull Lounge 

As one of the highest-acclaimed comedy clubs in the city, the Laughing Skull Lounge also claims to be the smallest stand-up venue in the world. However, the outstanding talent that regularly comes through its doors is anything but. Inside its 74-seater location, the biggest names — both locally and internationally — in comedy will keep you laughing all night long. What’s more is that it’s placed adjacent to a great burger spot, so you can get your fill of food and beer from both venues. 

Climate

The weather in Atlanta can get a bit wet since the city gets an average of 52 inches of rain every year compared to the U.S. average of 38 inches. Even so, it doesn’t snow much in Atlanta, and the city only experiences one inch of snow every year in comparison to the country’s 28 inches every year. Furthermore, the city gets an average of 217 days of sun — much more than the national average of 205 sunny days. Here are some important weather statistics to keep in mind should you choose to make the move to Atlanta:

• Summer temperatures during July can get as high as 88 degrees.
• Winter temperatures in January can be as low as 33 degrees.
• The city gets an average of 52 inches of rain every year.
• The city gets an average of one inch of snow every year.

If you’re planning to visit Atlanta first, be sure to do so during May, September, or October to experience the more pleasant weather conditions. On the other hand, be sure to avoid going there during January and July, as these are the least comfortable months. 

Traffic

A report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was able to confirm that Atlanta suffers from some of the world’s worst traffic. Furthermore, the INRIX 2017 Global Traffic Scorecard recorded that commuters from Atlanta spent an average of 70 hours stuck in traffic in 2017 alone. As a result, Atlanta came in at #8 as one of the cities with the worst traffic congestion in INRIX’s international list. Here’s how Atlanta compares to the other top 10 cities in this list: 

Public Transportation

Atlanta has plenty of choices to choose from when it comes to public transportation: a light rail streetcar loop, a heavy rail rapid transit system, an Amtrak service, a multi-county bus system, an Interstate Highway System, various freight train lines, several airports, and 45 miles of bike paths. Some of the major transportation systems available in the city include: 

• The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
• The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• The Athens-Ben Epps Airport
• Athens Transit
• UGA Campus Transit
• Southeastern Stages
• Megabus
• Amtrak

Moreover, cycling has become an increasingly popular mode of transportation in the city and has more than doubled since 2009. Lastly, Atlanta has also become one of the “scooter capitals” in the country, where companies like Bird and Lime have placed plenty of electric scooters on street byways and corners. 

Golf

As the capital city of Georgia, you can expect Georgia to have some of the state’s best golf courses. Check out these places if you’re in the mood to swing by.

Bear’s Best Atlanta 

As its name suggests, this replica-style course features many of Jack Nicklaus’s best hits. At Bear’s Best, you’ll find his most loved holes from his collection of over 290 courses from all over the world. If you miss playing at Shoal Creek, hole No. 7 at Bear’s Best is much like the No. 3 holes found there. Furthermore, you’ll be able to experience playing in Ireland when you play at the No. 10 holes, transporting you to Mount Juliet. 

Stone Mountain Golf Club 

The Stone Mountain Golf Club is located close to downtown and offers golfers two courses that wind through the picturesque pines of Georgia. It also offers great views of the natural rock formations which make up the park’s name. The first course, Stonemont, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and uses a combination of various challenges such as pesky bunkers, uneven lies, and doglegs. The second course, Lakemont, is hilly and tight but isn’t as hard as the first course. 

Water Sports

If golf isn’t your thing, and you’re looking for adventures by the water, then it’s a good thing that you’re moving to Atlanta. The city is close to many bodies of water where you can enjoy days of fun in the sun. Here are some of the best places to visit near Atlanta during summer.

Chestatee River

Chestatee River offers one of the most enjoyable and relaxing ways to beat the heat — floating down the river offers some of the best river tubings near the city. The best place to go to is Appalachian Outfitters, where you can take a ride along this tranquil and gorgeous waterway for just $6.00 a person for 30 to 45 minutes. This river isn’t as crowded as the others around the area, and it’s also known as a mild river, making it suitable for groups with younger children. However, remember that they will need to be at least four years old to enjoy a ride. 

Lake Rabun

There’s no better way to spend a hot summer day than by being out on a boat by the lake, and where should you go to find the perfect scenery? Lake Rabun is nestled away in the mountains of North Georgia, which leads to the Tallulah River. Because of its natural beauty, plenty have chosen this area to build their dream homes along its shores. Its 835 acres of land and 25 miles of shoreline is the ideal location for all kinds of water sports such as skiing, boating, and more. If you’re looking to celebrate any kind of occasion, you can even rent out a boat, where half-day rentals cost $250, while a full-day rental costs $350.

Dog Friendly

Atlanta also provides residents with dog-friendly areas such as restaurants and various things to do if you’re looking for adventures with your pup. Here are just a few places that you can visit for you and your dog to enjoy. 

Joe’s on Juniper

Joe’s on Juniper is a midtown tavern that’s open seven days a week. They serve guests with a selection of American food, all of which will go nicely with their huge cocktail and beer list, while also offering the city’s go-to outdoor dining spaces for dogs. Their menu consists of tasty meals such as Angus beef burgers, Buffalo chicken salad, Thai nachos, jumbo fried shrimp, wraps, and sandwiches, along with a white chocolate mousse for dessert.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Ballpark Galleria

If you’re looking for a place to stay with your pets, then head over to La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Ballpark Galleria, where they accept two pets of any size just for an additional fee of $20 per night. Because cats and dogs are welcome, you can have more fun with your whole family there. The inn also offers free internet access in all rooms, and pets can be left unattended inside the rooms. There are also designated pet relief areas around the property, along with waste bags for your pets to use. 

Attractions

The exploration in this city never ends, with more attractions for you to see. So if you’re unable to sit still and need to go out for an adventure on a weekend, these places won’t leave you disappointed. 

The Center for Civil and Human Rights

This relatively new attraction (opened in 2014) is found downtown and celebrates the Human Rights Movement and the American Civil Rights Movement. Designed to inspire positive action, this modern building has airy and architectural elements such as its clear glass front along with two bold, curved walls. Taking inspiration from great buildings such as Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, and Cairo’s Tahrir Square, design firms HOK and Perkins+Will created this museum, which boasts event halls and three galleries. 

Georgia Aquarium

Opening in 2005, this living museum is host to the largest indoor aquarium found in the Western Hemisphere and carries more than 10 million gallons of both fresh and saltwater. It serves as a home to over 100,000 creatures in over 100 distinct habitats, where you’ll find bottlenose dolphins, whale sharks, belugas, sea lions, penguins, manta rays, and much more. Its newest gallery has sharks! Predators of the Deep holds 1.2 million gallons of water and is home to various species of shark such as silvertip, silky, tiger, sand tiger, and great hammerhead sharks.

Shopping

There’s no doubt that Atlanta offers some of the best shopping experiences in Georgia, so make sure to take advantage of these places to ensure that you can shop ‘til you drop! 

Ponce City Market

This market is the Southeast’s largest brick structure, coming in at 2.1 million square feet, and houses local boutiques, big retailers, various restaurants, and even gyms. Ponce City Market is the place to be when looking for the best in food, clothing, and entertainment. Furthermore, management always hosts great events such as cooking classes, art workshops, wine tastings, and more. So if you’re looking for a good time, head straight here. 

Phipps Plaza

This posh shopping mall is host to the city’s most expensive stores such as Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Hugo Boss, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Tory Burch, and more. There are also beautiful courts and promenades to be found, while the Simon Mall provides the stage for events and fashion shows attended by the city’s wealthiest. There are also plenty of places to eat here, where you can choose from Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, The Tavern at Phipps, and Yebo, apart from the other restaurants nearby. 

Art and Culture

While we’ve already mentioned one of the city’s fantastic museums, here’s another that you will surely appreciate. 

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum

While it opened in 1986, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum it’s a modern structure that is still relevant today. It offers 24,000 sq. ft. of space that celebrates the Georgia native and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in all his glory. This museum isn’t strictly academic, and provides an intimate look into Carter’s life through his years before, during, and after his time as president. You’ll also find his Nobel Peace Prize medal on display here, along with 4,000sq.ft. dedicated to temporary exhibits. 

Sports and Sports Teams

Sports are an incredibly important part of Atlanta’s culture, and is home to five professional sports teams:

• The Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association
• The Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association
• The Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball
• The Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League
• The Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer

Furthermore, Atlanta also has plenty of universities that participate in collegiate sports. It also has top-level teams such as:

• The Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League
• The Atlanta Blaze of Major League Lacrosse
• The Rugby ATL of Major League Rugby
• The Atlanta Rhinos in the North American Rugby League

Education — Schools and Colleges

Education is strong in Atlanta, with a total of 28,015 degrees in 2019 alone. Atlanta has a healthy number of students, with 63,137 female to 58,867 male students. According to the number of degrees awarded, here are the largest universities in the city: 

• Georgia State University with 7,857 degrees awarded 
• Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus with 7,481 degrees awarded 
• Emory University with 5,032 degrees awarded

Furthermore, the most popular majors taken in Atlanta according to the number of students are: 

• Liberal Arts & Sciences with 2,304 students
• General Computer and Information Sciences with 2,151 students 
• General Business Administration and Management with 1,919 students 

If you’re thinking about enrolling for a course in Atlanta, bear in mind that the median tuition costs are $23,415 for a private, four-year college. Moreover, public four-year colleges will cost $7,158 for in-state and $22,389 for out-of-state students. 

Real Estate

Unfortunately, the median property value in Atlanta has increased over the years, and as of 2018, this was recorded at $302,200, making it 1.32 times higher compared to the $229,700 national average. At the same time, the homeownership rate in Atlanta is 45.3% which is understandably lower than the national average of 63.9%. Furthermore, the largest share of households in Atlanta, GA have a property value between $500K to $750K. However, you can find comfort in knowing that the median household income has grown from 2017’s value of $57,597 to $65,345. 

Welcome to Atlanta!

Despite the higher costs compared to the national average, there are still plenty of reasons why you need to pack your bags and make your way to this city. From the excellent attractions, great outdoor areas, and the beautiful museums that represent this city’s history, there’s so much that you can do here. Furthermore, it also has some of the best schools that families will surely appreciate, while young professionals can also find joy in the various activities to do and places to see while working in their respective fields. So don’t miss your chance to get your own piece of Atlanta while there’s still land up for grabs!