In recent years, Atlanta’s popularity has surged as young professionals flock to the city to make the most of one of America’s fastest-growing job markets. The city’s southern charm, abundance of entertainment options, livable structure and welcoming community add to its appeal. But, the allure of Georgia’s capital city doesn’t end there. Check out these 10 reasons why living in Atlanta is awesome:
1. Nice Weather
One of the main reasons why many people love living in Atlanta is the weather. While it does experience a change of seasons, winters here are moderate and lack the long periods of freezing cold or abundant snowfall. And, although summers in Atlanta are hot and humid, scorching temperatures are actually quite rare. The city bathes in plenty of sunshine throughout the entire year, and spring and autumn turn everything into a colorful palette of nature’s beauty.
2. Green Spaces Galore
Atlanta has a myriad of green oases both in and around the city. Its expansive green spaces are one of the urban center’s best features, highly regarded by locals and tourists alike. Specifically, Chastain Park and Freedom Park are some of the largest outdoor areas in the city. And, while Centennial Olympic Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park and Piedmont Park are somewhat smaller, they’re equally charming with access to picnic areas, walking and cycling trails, playgrounds, community gardens, dog runs, and even fishing areas. The oldest park in the city, Grant Park offers numerous attractive facilities, including a farmer’s market, playgrounds, and tennis courts.
3. Strong Job Market
Atlanta has a diverse economy; its metro area is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other U.S. urban center other than New York City and Houston. In fact, it was recently declared the third-best place in the country to start a career. As one of the fastest-growing big cities in the U.S., Atlanta promises an abundance of fantastic job opportunities and offers salaries that have been increasing more rapidly than the national average.
4. Great Starting Point for Entrepreneurs
Along the same lines, Atlanta is a fantastic place not only for large, multinational corporations but also for small businesses, as well. The state of Georgia is one of the best places in the country to become an entrepreneur because local ventures are strongly supported by business-friendly regulations, structures, and taxes – in addition to a community spirit that actively backs start-ups. The costs to start your own company are also lower than in other cities of similar size.
5. Community Feel
The city is known for its wide variety of neighborhoods, each with its own cultural and aesthetic sentiment. If you want to be as close as possible to everything that the heart of the city has to offer, consider choosing a home near the downtown area.
Castleberry Hill is an old warehouse district that was converted into the arts and culture center of the city; it’s currently one of the trendiest neighborhoods to live in.
Midtown boasts a conveniently walkable layout and a central location with access to Piedmont Park, bars, restaurants, and pubs. As such, it’s typically preferred by young professionals.
Eastside is rapidly growing and evolving, turning into one of the hottest places to settle down in. East Atlanta Village has become one of the coolest locations in recent years thanks to a clever revitalization project. Despite once being the most dreaded of neighborhoods, today it is home to tattoo shops, bars, coffeehouses, and inexpensive microbreweries. The Old Fourth Ward District is a historic neighborhood. Its gorgeous housing options and budding restaurant scene are popular among residents of all ages. Virginia Highlands is one of the priciest areas, featuring an abundance of gorgeous, historic homes dotted by chic restaurants, trendy bars, cafés, and boutiques. Inman Park is a similarly fantastic place to settle down in with its diverse food scene, Victorian-style homes, and meticulous, lush gardens.
Another stunning, historic area that has become quite expensive in recent years is Grant Park – home to grandiose mansions, the zoo and the oldest park in the city.
6. Affordability
Because Atlanta is such a large city, many expect it to be outrageously expensive. But, the good news is that it’s actually quite affordable! What’s more, Atlanta offers perks that most large cities will never be able to provide – such as readily available and even free parking spaces – which can contribute to inexpensive living. In fact, the Atlanta real estate market is currently a buyer’s market; the median price of homes currently for sale is $255,000. Granted, prices are sure to go up as the year progresses, so now might be the perfect time to take advantage of the favorable state of the real estate market.
7. Low Property Taxes
When compared to other states in the U.S., Georgia has quite advantageous property tax rates. Specifically, the average effective property tax rate is currently set at 0.93%, which is below the national average. The median real estate tax rate is $1,413 per year, which is about $800 less than the average national value.
8. Busiest Airport in the World
When your city is home to the busiest airport in the world, you can appreciate the plethora of travel opportunities available to you. With non-stop flights to virtually anywhere at every hour of the day, there’s no better place to live in terms of travel accessibility. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has held this title for more than 22 years, and it continues to expand annually.
9. Incredible Restaurants
Atlanta is also known for its impressive and diverse dining scene, offering everything from French fine dining restaurants and high-end sushi places to small taco shops and budget-friendly burger joints. You’ll find a wide variety of international chain restaurants that are continuously challenged by creative Georgia natives opening their own fabulous eateries in all corners of the city. Atlantans are also known to be quite hospitable, which is an additional asset to the overall dining experience.
10. Festivals & Nightlife
Often referred to as “Hotlanta” for its rich and diverse nightlife, Atlanta is the party capital of Georgia. As such, the possibilities are endless for a fun night out in the city. From dance clubs, comedy clubs, karaoke bars, and live music joints to game bars, retro arcade bars and many more, a night out with friends here is always much more than simply going out for drinks. And, let’s not forget about all of the amazing festivals, fairs, large music gatherings and seasonal celebrations held in the city on a regular basis! Chances are you won’t ever get bored when you live in Atlanta!
SO IF YOU’RE THINKING OF RELOCATING TO ATLANTA OR ALREADY ENJOYING IT HERE, BUT WANT TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT PART OF TOWN, PLEASE CONTACT ME. I’M HERE TO HELP YOU FOR ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE! 404-229-8242 OR TONI@TONIITKIN.COM
