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**](https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/) as well as the [**King Center**](https://thekingcenter.org/) and [**Birth Home of MLK Jr.**](https://www.nps.gov/malu/planyourvisit/birth-home.htm). 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.

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.



 It Has It All

LookyLOO Review of Atlanta

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**](https://www.atlantadowntown.com/experience/events). 
 


Lifestyle

[**Atlanta Public Schools**](atlantapublicschools.us) are rated average on the standardized scoring sites, [**getting a "B" grade on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/atlanta-public-schools-ga/). The North and the East sides of the city have the largest clusters of high-scoring schools, and Atlanta is a geo-zoned city, so if you are chasing standardized scores then keep and eye on the map. We found a parent who summarized the area and options pretty well and share it here:


"If you are getting started researching, here's a relatively (though not perfect) starting point https://schoolgrades.georgia.gov/

Not to insult your intelligence, but it may be helpful to look at a map. City of Atlanta is the Middle 1/3 of Fulton County. The City of Atlanta has Atlanta Public Schools (APS). Of those schools, North Atlanta, Midtown, and I would add Maynard Jackson are strong options. But I want to make one clear caveat. North Atlanta and Maynard Jackson are both IB schools (https://www.ibo.org/). I would say those 2 are good assuming your student is in the IB program and taking the more rigorous, internationally recognized curricular courses. Midtown focus more on AP courses and has an option for an AP Capstone research course. Don't let the Georgia School Grades fool you... All three schools can offer a top tier education to students who are in the higher level courses. If, however, your student is not quite to that calibre, then potentially, you'd want them in more of the outlying suburbs in North Fulton County. Avoid all other APS schools and South Fulton County Schools.

Decatur City Schools are also a phenomenal option. It is also an IB school with amazing teachers and brilliant students. Many students are the children of international families and/or CDC personnel and the school gets a lot of support. I would avoid all Dekalb County Schools at this point and opt for Decatur City and the 3 Atlanta Public Schools options if I was passionate about living pretty much 'in the city' (Technically Decatur is a suburb of Atlanta, but it feels more like part of the city than the northern or outlying suburbs.)

Decatur may be out of your budget. The city is only 4 square miles and the property taxes required to fund the schools are astronomical."

Schools

The one thing you won’t see in Atlanta is a shortage of cranes. They may be an eyesore, but they’re an indication that Atlanta is growing and showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With everything the city has to offer, apartments go fast and it won’t be long before we don’t have any more room to grow! 


Move Now Before It’s Too Late

Why You Should Move Here Now?  

**thesouthdotcom**
Living in Atlanta
9mo ago
✭✭✭

I’m a born and raised Atlantan, so I’ll gladly take this opportunity to gush on the city.

First off Atlanta is absolutely gorgeous. It’s incredibly lush and green, and being surrounded by trees that are easily 100+ feet tall is amazing. In many built up parts of town and basically any suburb that is not brand new, it feels like you’re literally living in a park with all the greenery.

Atlanta is a food city. You can get top notch cuisine from literally any culture here, and it’s usually cheap. We just got put in the Michelin guide too, to give you a quick taste.

It’s cheap here. You can still find 1br apartments in the $1k range in good areas. Likewise, there are good starter homes in the $300k-$500k range all over the place too. Gas is cheap. State income taxes are low, and there are no local income taxes.

It’s easy to get around. MARTA is excellent if you are convenient to it. Ubers and Lyfts are never a problem to get.

Lastly, there’s just a unique energy here. Most native and long time residents you’ll meet are very proud of our city. We want it to do well. Most people here are well intentioned, even if they may not always come off that way. People are social, and we don’t close ourselves off to meeting new people. People aren’t afraid to be who they want to be.

For more reviews of what living in Atlanta is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/atlanta/reviews).

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Reviews of Atlanta from Locals

**The Best Thing About Atlanta?**  It Has It All

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. 

**The Worst Thing About Atlanta?**  Traffic

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.

**How You Living?**  The Battle of Charm and Function

Are you looking for charm? Snag a small bungalow in Candler Park or a house-converted-into-apartments south of Piedmont. These spots are full of both charm and sometimes...cockroaches. The payoff is worth it to most and just make sure you have your exterminator on speed dial. 
If you’re looking for amenities and function, there are more than enough luxury apartments to go around. If not, just look for cranes, a telltale sign that your favorite neighborhood is about to get a bit more busy. These buildings often include gyms, pools, and, if you’re lucky, a rooftop shared space! 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  Move Now Before It’s Too Late

The one thing you won’t see a shortage of in Atlanta is cranes. They may be an eyesore, but they’re an indication that Atlanta is growing and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. With everything the city has to offer, apartments go fast and it won’t be long before we don’t have any more room to grow! 


Atlanta is a big big city. And when we say big we mean it is spread out. Knowing that it’ll take you a minimum of 30 minutes to get anywhere in Atlanta due to the traffic is the first obstacle for recent transplants. But if you’re like us and know that traffic is a staple in most big cities, then you’ll be rewarded with Atlanta’s many attractions and activities. During the week, that traffic is due to so many people commuting into the city for work. Atlanta is home to a ton of headquarters, including Coke, Home Depot, and more! But on the weekend, you’ll have your pick of activities from breweries, walking on the famous Beltline, enjoying one of the many parks, and not to mention the amazing restaurants! 

ITP(Inside The Perimeter), you’ll find everything from high-rise apartments, beautiful historic neighborhoods, mini-town centers surrounded by both luxury apartments and cozy condos, and plenty of green space for kids or your furry friends. OTP (Outside The Perimeter) you'll find your typical suburb. Whether you’re a recent college grad, a first-time empty nester or anything in between, you’ll find a place to call home in ATL. 


Area

Atlanta has “areas” and it has “neighborhoods.” You can say you live on the Northside and people will know exactly what you mean, but also ask you “where on the Northside?” You can live in amore established area like Buckhead or Inman Park, or you can live in the new “it” neighborhood (forever changing). Each Atlanta neighborhood has distinct housing options, so be sure to know if you want to rent or buy, live in a high-rise or a bungalow, and how close you need to be to work to not be miserable every morning.

Neighborhoods

Atlanta is the city for young professionals. The job industry is booming: everything from the film industry to tech and healthcare. Because of the amazing weather in Atlanta, there’s a ton to do when you’re not on the clock. Check out Old Fourth Ward if you want a great location, awesome restaurants shopping, as well as a ton of housing options. At the center of this awesome neighborhood is Old Fourth Ward Park, the perfect place to take your pup, picnics with friends, and mid-day WFH walks. 
- Old Fourth Ward
- Cabbagetown
- Buckhead


Young Professionals

Old Fourth Ward

No kids in Atlanta? No problem! Check out West Midtown if you want an area that has an industrial, art gallery-going kind of feel. You can have your pick of trendy lofts, townhomes, and more all within walking distance to the west side’s large collection of amazing restaurants and shops, in addition to boasting some of the most enviable views of downtown.
- West Midtown
- Grant Park
- Inman Park


DINKs/SINKs

West Midtown

Certain elected officials may have you feeling like Atlanta isn’t accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, but when you visit you’ll see how welcoming the people of Atlanta are. In fact, Atlanta has one of the highest populations of LGBTQ+ people in the US. If you ask us (and anyone in ATL), they’re going to tell you to check out Midtown. It’s the epicenter of the queer nightlife scene and is, overall, a very diverse and accepting community. You’ll be right in between Piedmont Park and the business district of Midtown which just means that you can have both an easy commute to work and an easy commute to your weekend plans!
- Midtown
- Cabbagetown
- Decatur


LGBTQ+

Midtown

Families should start your search in Decatur. This neighborhood is beloved because it has its own little downtown area (The Square) full of amazing restaurants, locally-owned boutiques, and there are even family-friendly events thrown on the square in the summer. Situated just a couple MARTA stops from Downtown, it’s perfect for people who want to take advantage of Decatur’s amazing schools, while not roughing through a commute from the burbs.
- Decatur
- Candler Park
- Kirkwood


Families

Decatur

Retirees & Empty-Nesters can find plenty of space to call their home 2.0 in Atlanta. Inman Park, in particular, features stellar restaurants and upscale bars, walkability, and homes or condos that can leave enough room for those weekends your kids/grandkids need to do laundry. It’s also a popular place for summer festival events!
- Inman Park
- Vinings
- Grant Park


Retirees/Empty-Nesters

Inman Park 

Atlanta

**thesouthdotcom**
Living in Atlanta
9mo ago
✭✭✭

I’m a born and raised Atlantan, so I’ll gladly take this opportunity to gush on the city.

First off Atlanta is absolutely gorgeous. It’s incredibly lush and green, and being surrounded by trees that are easily 100+ feet tall is amazing. In many built up parts of town and basically any suburb that is not brand new, it feels like you’re literally living in a park with all the greenery.

Atlanta is a food city. You can get top notch cuisine from literally any culture here, and it’s usually cheap. We just got put in the Michelin guide too, to give you a quick taste.

It’s cheap here. You can still find 1br apartments in the $1k range in good areas. Likewise, there are good starter homes in the $300k-$500k range all over the place too. Gas is cheap. State income taxes are low, and there are no local income taxes.

It’s easy to get around. MARTA is excellent if you are convenient to it. Ubers and Lyfts are never a problem to get.

Lastly, there’s just a unique energy here. Most native and long time residents you’ll meet are very proud of our city. We want it to do well. Most people here are well intentioned, even if they may not always come off that way. People are social, and we don’t close ourselves off to meeting new people. People aren’t afraid to be who they want to be.

**Puzzled_Vermicelli99**
Lived in Atlanta
9mo ago
✭✭✭

I lived in Atlanta for many years and really enjoyed it. Although the traffic was infuriating at times, it has so much to offer as a city. There’s really something for everyone - arts, sports, great food, wonderful parks, easy access to the mountains and the coast, a huge airport with direct flights to just about anywhere. The weather in all seasons was moderate and even though years back the Snowmaggedon was a disaster, that’s rare and so short lived that if you can, you just stay home when it’s going to snow/ice in ATL. So many great memories there. I was lucky enough to live in Midtown so most things I wanted to do/ go to were walkable.

**Plane-Style-3242**
Living in Atlanta
9mo ago
✭✭✭

I moved from Seattle to Atlanta almost two years ago and really like it here! The two biggest positives for me have been weather and economy. I like having four seasons. The summer is actually not as bad as I expected. July and August are really hot and humid, but the rest of the year is fantastic. Financially, it has been very rewarding. Not only is the cost of living lower here than the west coast, but salaries are pretty high, and there are a lot of job opportunities. Both my husband and I took a step up to managerial roles, and our salaries are pretty comparable to what we expected to make when we lived in Seattle. I know people say traffic here is atrocious, but it depends on where you live and work. We live in a suburb just north of Atlanta, and both of our jobs are also outside the city, so the commute is a breeze. There are some great neighborhoods here that I feel will be a good place for us to raise a family, while also not being too far from urban amenities.

**mrfrosti**
Living in Atlanta
1y ago
✭✭✭

Two things I like:

Great cost of living (housing, gas, food, utilities) compared with other metro areas. Yes it can still be expensive in parts of the city but nothing like West Coast.

Great weather overall . It gets hot in the summer but you don't have to fight with clearing your driveway of snow or worrying about ice too often. I can wear a t-shirt some weeks in January!

Two things I hate:

Politics outside of metro areas are too conservative for my liking. For political areas there is Atlanta/Athens/Savannah and then there is Georgia. If you live in the metro area you live in a blue bubble in a very red state. I do wish our representatives were less interested in Twitter/soundbites and more interested in actually helping their constituents.

The metro Atlanta area is really spread out. My friends and family all live here but everyone is 30 minutes away. The suburban sprawl is a real problem, and we stopped expanding MARTA heavy rail in the 1970s and seem determined to keep it that way.

**Living in Atlanta Georgia: Pros & Cons (2022) | Atlanta Georgia Living**

So you're thinking about moving to Atlanta Georgia in 2022? Wondering what the pros and cons are to living in Atlanta Georgia in 2022? Well in this video I am going to break it all down for you. From the good, bad, and the ugly. As an Atlanta native I can tell you Atlanta isn't perfect, but the good certainly outway the bad.

Atlanta, Georgia

(At-lan-nuh)

Looklyloo Score: 92