Is Atlanta a Good Place to Live? – Pros and Cons of Living in Atlanta

If you’re wondering if living in Atlanta is a good idea, the pros and cons of living in Atlanta will answer all your questions.

In this article, I discussed the top 10 advantages and disadvantages of moving to Atlanta, GA. I also answered some questions people like you have been asking.

So here’s all you need to know about living in Atlanta.

Living in the A-Town

What is it like to live in Atlanta, Georgia? It’s all fun, music, and food.

Atlanta is the capital of the United States of Georgia. The city is popular for peaches. You’ll find this all over the city — street names, contests, and logos.

Its lush scenery gave it the nickname City in the Forest. With the number of parks and gardens in Atlanta, your family is in for a good time.

A Phoenix is Atlanta’s symbol for its rebirth story. The city takes pride in rising from the ashes after the war in 1864. This war cost Atlanta greatly. But contrary to expectations, Atlanta rose from the rubble.

Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola— the most famous fizzy beverage. The Coca-Cola Museum has also become a major attraction for tourists. Tourists are left in awe when they taste the different flavors of Coca-Cola. Did you know there were many other flavors?

Atlanta is also home to The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Beyond being the largest, The Varsity is a true depiction of Atlanta’s culture and living. It’s an experience!

Atlanta has great sporting events all year. Nightlife is also thrilling in Atlanta. If anything, Atlanta promises to give everyone the time of their lives. And it always delivers.

Did You Know?

Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. The Martin Luther King National Historic Site has become one of the top attractions in Atlanta.

Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Atlanta, Georgia

Pros of Living in Atlanta	Cons Of Living in Atlanta
Atlanta has a Booming Economy	Overpopulation
Great Job Opportunities	Crime Rate is High
Tons of Restaurants	Bad Transportation System
Weather is Friendly	Traffic is Frustrating
It’s a Diverse City	Summer Gets too Hot

Pros of Living in Atlanta, GA

1.   Atlanta has a Booming Economy

In a 2019 Forbes report, Atlanta ranked 13th best city to do business and build a career in the country.

With top organizations like Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Atlanta has become a hub for investors.

Atlanta’s economic boom can also be traced to the city’s stance on diversity as a tool for building up. Rather than using it to tear down the system, the government uses it to attract diverse businesses for investment.

2.   Great Job Opportunities

Possibilities are endless in Atlanta. And that’s because a booming economy makes job opportunities multiply. Atlanta has experienced a 2.2% job growth since 2019.

If you’re in search of career development, Atlanta, GA, is the best place for you. Jobs are never scarce in Atlanta. Industries dole out job opportunities every time.

In 2018 alone, Atlanta created 77,000 job opportunities. And that was the 3rd highest number in the whole of Georgia.

3.   Tons of Restaurants

Metro Atlanta is the food hub of Georgia. With over 12,000 restaurants, residents are confident that their appetites will be satisfied.

Having a lot of options helps you try out new dishes without limitations. If this is something you’d love, then Atlanta is a great fit for you.

Here’s a comprehensive article that can help you explore these restaurants in detail.

4.   Weather is Friendly

According to the U.S. climate data, rain falls for about 113 days while it snows for about 48 days annually in Atlanta.

With the nickname “hotland”, it’s normal to think it’s always hot in Atlanta. But Atlanta has a moderate climate with 4 seasons.

Summer gets humid and hot. Winter comes with occasional snow. Fall is always cool, and spring comes with its blooming flowers.

July is Atlanta’s hottest month with 88°F. January is the coldest month with 35°F. March has the most rainfalls in Atlanta. This should help you plan for these months if you live in Atlanta.

5.   It’s a Diverse City

Atlanta is nicknamed “Black Mecca” for the abundance of blacks living there. Atlanta is also home to the largest LGBT community population.

The diversity yardstick used by the U.S. government is “the probability of two persons being of different races when chosen at random”.

According to ACS demographics, Atlanta is comprised of these races:

• Blacks/African Americans – 50.95%
• Whites – 40.90%
• Asians – 4.44%
• Native Americans – 0.29%
• Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian – 0.04%

Diversity inspires and drives innovation. It also guarantees that residents are exposed to adapt to different backgrounds.

Cons of Living in Atlanta, GA

1.   Overpopulation

Atlanta currently has a population of 6,013,000 with a growth rate of 1.73%. This means more than 75,000 people are added to Atlanta yearly.

Overpopulation is also a major reason for road congestion in Atlanta. And this is nothing to compare with the 50 – 60 million people that visit Atlanta yearly.

According to some residents, they don’t need more residents. “Too many people, worst traffic ever”, they say.

2.   Crime Rate is High

Atlanta has one of the highest crime rates in Georgia. According to Neighborhood Scout, Atlanta has a crime rate of 45 per 1000 residents.

Atlanta’s violent crime rate is at 55.3 which is way above the 22.7 U.S average. The property crime rate in Atlanta is 75.4 (the U.S. average is 35.4).

Since the pandemic in 2020, Atlanta has recorded the highest number of homicide cases. This has become a major concern for residents, especially because of its population.

If you’ll live there, note the most dangerous neighborhoods in Atlanta to live in.

3.   Bad Transportation System

According to Geotab, Atlanta ranks 2nd worst city for public transportation. Using a metro Atlanta bus takes an average of 53 minutes.

This means that only 10% of Atlanta residents can get to work within half an hour. This makes it difficult to get to work early, especially for residents without cars.

This adds to the congestion in Atlanta. Since residents have lost confidence in taking mass transit, they strive to get private cars.

More cars = more traffic congestion. Better transportation system = less reliance on cars + less traffic.

4.   Traffic is Frustrating

Traffic in Atlanta is world-class. According to INRIX, Atlanta ranks 10th most congested city in Georgia. In the world, it ranks 47th.

Some historians say Atlanta is inefficiently laid out. Some others blame the unreliable public transport system in Atlanta. Another group blames overpopulation.

Whatever is the case, the government needs to find better ways to handle Atlanta traffic.

5.   Summer Gets too Hot

Heat in the summer is not for the faint-hearted. But it depends on your tolerance. While some residents think it’s not so bad, others think it’s intolerable.

With air conditioning, you could maintain a balance with the weather. And summer only lasts about 3.8 months (May 24th – September 17th).

Out of these months, July is often the hottest with 88°F as the highest temperature. You can prepare specially for it.

Finally …

No doubt, there are a lot of people in Atlanta. But if you don’t mind being caught in that daily bustle, then living in Atlanta won’t be a bad idea.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Atlanta, Georgia

What is the cost of living in Atlanta?

The cost of living in Atlanta is greatly influenced by where you live. According to Apartment List, rent in Atlanta increases by 16.2% every year. Here’s a breakdown according to Numbeo:

• A single person can live on $1,055 monthly (without rent)
• A family of four can live on $3,715 monthly (without rent)

Rent in Atlanta is much more affordable than in New York City or other metropolises. According to Apartment List, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta costs about $1,394. That of a two-bedroom apartment is $1,403.

Is Atlanta a good place to live for young adults?

Yes. This is especially because of its rich opportunities, art, and activities. Here are the top neighborhoods for young adults (in terms of safety and opportunities):

• Cabbagetown
• Midtown
• Inmark Park
• Virginia-Highland
• Old Fourth Ward

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Atlanta?

Here are some neighborhoods that have stood out for affordability:

• Buckhead
• Peachtree Heights
• Midtown
• Piedmont Park
• Old Fourth Ward
• Beltline
• Inman Park
• Poncey-Highlands
• Virginia Highlands
• Cabbagetown

Where are the safest neighborhoods to live in Atlanta?

According to Neighborhood Scout, the safest Atlanta neighborhoods are:

• Pleasant Hill
• Druid Hills Northeast
• West Paces Ferry Northside
• Randall Mill
• Brandon / Castlewood
• Marietta Street Artery / Georgia Institute of Technology
• Woods Of Henderson
• Vinings
• Emory University
• Arden Habersham / Wyngate

What are the fun things to do in Atlanta?

Atlanta is known for its abundance of tour places and fun activities. Here are some places and activities to engage in:

Top Attractions

• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Georgia Aquarium
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Piedmont Park
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center
• Atlanta Historic Center
• World of Coca Cola

You can read reviews and vary their ticket costs on TripAdvisor.

Top Festivals to Enjoy in Atlanta:

• Shaky Knees Music Festival
• SweetWater 420 Festival
• Atlanta Jazz Festival
• Atlanta Dogwood Festival
• Piedmont Park Arts Festival
• Atlanta Film Festival
• Children’s Christmas Parade