Atlanta is the economic and cultural hub of Georgia, as well as its most populous city. With almost 500,000 residents, it’s no surprise that ATL has captured the hearts of many. Living in Atlanta is a great option is you love live music, great food, and southern charm. If you’re contemplating a move to the ATL, there are some things you should know first. We’ll break down a few of the top things to know and keep in mind as you look to become a local of Atlanta.
Be prepared for the traff-ICK
It’s no secret that traffic in Atlanta is among the worst in the nation. With over half a million people in the metropolitan area trying to get where they need to go, traffic can be a nightmare. Over a lifetime, locals will spend 484 days commuting. Our recommendation is to find a job before a place so you can aim to live as close as possible to work, or work from home if you can! Explore each Atlanta neighborhood to determine the best area for you to call home. If you have to drive, find some good podcasts to listen to while you’re sitting bumper-to-bumper during rush hour. Another option, is to take advantage of Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA.
Get to know Atlanta public transportation
You may be thinking, if traffic is so bad, why don’t more people use public transportation? Because Atlanta is so spread out that the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta’s subway/train/bus system, while a fairly safe, clean, and affordable option, simply doesn’t go enough places. However, if you live in the Downtown Atlanta area, MARTA is more accessible, and is a great way to get to know the city.
Atlanta neighborhoods: OTP vs. ITP
One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want to live in the city or “OTP”. The sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area spans 14 counties and 50 miles in all directions. Interstate 285 encircles the urban part of Atlanta and serves as the boundary between the city and its many ‘burbs. Inside I-285 is “in town” or “ITP” (Inside the Perimeter), and outside of I-285 is known as “OTP,” Outside the Perimeter. The further OTP you go, the bigger the McMansions get.
OTP Atlanta neighborhoods
- Roswell
- Marietta
- East Cobb
- Sandy Springs
- Smyrna
- Suwanee
- Johns Creek
- Dunwoody
ITP Atlanta neighborhoods
- Midtown
- Buckhead
- Decatur
- Brookhaven
- Doraville
- Candler Park
Know your Peachtree
Although you may never see an actual peach tree in the city, you will see every variant of Peachtree used on a street sign: Road, Lane, Avenue, Circle, Drive, Plaza, Way, etc. When you consider that the state fruit is a peach, it makes sense. Just make sure you’re using the correct variation when plugging directions into your GPS.
Atlanta is a southern hip hop haven
We don’t have to tell you Atlanta’s rap game is strong. Multi-platinum artists like OutKast, Ludacris, T.I., Usher, Ciara, and Young Jeezy all came out of the ATL. You may even run into the Rubber Band Man at the mall. If you’re not a fan of the Dirty South yet, constant exposure to Southern hip hop will have you rapping along in no time. There are many options to experience the live music of Atlanta. Here are a few of our top spots:
Get ready for the comfort of southern cooking
Georgia has more to offer than peaches, Vidalia onions, and boiled peanuts in Coke. Living in Atlanta means having the best food at your fingertips, including access to farmers’ markets, authentic ethnic eateries, food trucks, and James Beard awarded restaurants, not to mention the beloved burger spot, The Varsity. Of course there are plenty of chains, too. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a Waffle House or Chick-fil-A.
Our picks for the best eats in Atlanta
You won’t be the only transplant in Atlanta
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who was born and raised in Atlanta. Everyone is from somewhere else–so instead of the southern drawl one might expect from Georgia peaches, you’ll find most people don’t have an accent at all. Ethnically, Atlanta is one of the largest majority African American metro areas. Atlanta also has one of the highest LGBT populations per capita, behind San Francisco and Seattle.
Get ready for the hot and humid Atlanta weather
It’s not the heat that will get you in the summer (although temps will reach the 90s), it’s the cut-the-air-with-a-knife, start-sweating-when-you-get-out-of-the-shower humidity that will make you thankful for A/C. A place with a pool or access to a pool is a huge plus. The winter is pretty mild, although you’ll want to hang on to your coat. On the rare occasion that it does snow, Atlantans forget how to drive and the city effectively shuts down.
Average temperatures in Atlanta
- January: high 53 degrees, low 33 degrees
- February: high 58 degrees, low 36 degrees
- March: high 66 degrees, low 42 degrees
- April: high 73 degrees, low 49 degrees
- May: high 80 degrees, low 57 degrees
- June: high 87 degrees, low 65 degrees
- July: high 89 degrees, low 69 degrees
- August: high 88 degrees, low 68 degrees
- September: high 83 degrees, low 62 degrees
- October: high 74 degrees, low 50 degrees
- November: high 64 degrees, low 41 degrees
- December: high 55 degrees, low 35 degrees
With its southern hospitality and spread out suburbs, Atlanta has a small town vibe, despite being the ninth largest metropolitan area in the US. Think it’s the place for you? Find your new job and snag a great apartment before you move there and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a local.
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