Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is perfectly situated to offer the best of the best from all cities in the US. You want a New York feel? Perfect, move to Midtown where you have gorgeous Central Park-esque Piedmont Park situated right next to the bustling city skyscrapers. If you want the charm of a college town, we have Tech and GSU all inside the Perimeter.

The Tech Village in Buckhead is a close rival to San Francisco's Silicon Valley. The craft brewery scene is lively enough to make Portland jealous! And you can’t forget about the history; Atlanta is home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights as well as the King Center and Birth Home of MLK Jr.. Nightlife, walkable neighborhoods with local coffee shops, Instagram-worthy murals, and all four seasons make this the best of every city you’ve ever been to.

One local note's: I have lived here for just over two years and I still love the city! There is never a dull weekend, in my experience. We have an excellent food scene in all parts of Atlanta and the surrounding areas, microbreweries such as SweetWater, Red Brick, Five Seasons, etc. The nightlife is very dynamic in each area, allowing you to find your niche of bars.

For more reviews of what living in Atlanta is like from locals check out: The Reviews.

Atlanta traffic is no joke. We redefine long-distance relationships. “Oh, you live in Decatur? I’m sorry but this isn’t going to work. I just moved to the westside.” It’s not uncommon to see commutes around an hour one-way. If you can live close enough to a MARTA stop, that will be your saving grace. But remember, there are only two lines - the north/south and the east/west.

In the words of one local: Man the I-20 connecter on 75/85 headed south has to be one of the worst sets of on/off ramps in the country. 2 on-ramps feed traffic into the same two lanes that split into single lanes going east and west on 20.

For more reviews of what living in Atlanta is like from locals check out: The Reviews.

Atlanta is a sprawling metropolis so a summary of the lifestyle there is a bit foolhardy. There are however small pockets of diversity, culture and experiences that are truly unique to this amazing city and can be identified as right for you. Things that are universally true: the city is stunningly green, with forests and beautiful parks throughout the neighborhoods. Combine that green space with a mild climate and you have a recipe for a great outdoor lifestyle.

There are also consistently fun nightlife opportunities, in small neighborhood pubs, Downtown clubs, and in chic Midtown high-end restaurants. The city is known for fabulous shopping, again, via eclectic boutiques in Little Five Points, or the fanciest upscale stores in Buckhead.

Finally, expect amazing southern food of course, but also know that Atlanta is a global city and the foodie options reflect that diversity with world-class Mexican, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Moroccan restaurants are just a few of the options. Surrounding these daily/nightly options are hugely popular food and beverage festivals the whole city embraces: including Taste of Atlanta and Atlanta Summer Beer Fest.

For a list of big Downtown Events throughout the year check out the city calendar.