Atlanta, Georgia.
There are so many reasons why you can't help but love the city I've come to call home. Who wouldn't?!
We house some of the country's best restaurants and food, especially when it's festival season (all the food trucks come out to play). You can probably count the number of artists who haven't performed in the city on one hand (everyone who is trying to make it in the music industry has to stop in the A). Additionally, many of the world's most influential leaders in business, entertainment and athletics either call Atlanta home, or can attribute much of their success to the city. Not to mention, there is great history tied to the city regarding civil rights, social justice and the advancement of black people as a whole.
Despite how easy it is to be lured to move to Atlanta, I've gathered some input from a handful of ATLiens willing to share some things you might want to keep in mind before you make the big move to the mecca of the south.
1. Traffic is for the birds.
Photo: The Odyssey Online
Somehow, someway, you can typically meet a decent amount of traffic on the highways and streets regardless of the time of day. You want to take I-85? Traffic. I-20? Traffic. I-285? Traffic. Maybe you should be clever and take the street way like hundreds of others have already thought of? You guessed it—traffic.
My friend, Naeshia, a fellow alum of Georgia State University, stated, "I sit in traffic for an hour and 30 minutes every day. The Bible says that when Jesus saw the crowds (traffic) he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Be like Jesus, have some compassion, and don't move here."
Photo: Giphy
2. MARTA is not smarta'.
You know those cities that have highly efficient transit systems like New York or Washington DC? Well, Atlanta still needs to get with the program. Due to the never-ending rise in population, MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is in desperate need of an expansion. Although the title "Atlanta" has become inclusive of towns and neighborhoods within a 30 minute radius of downtown, several of these areas can't be reached easily via train or bus. Although many people take advantage of our public transportation, locals continue to hop in their whips for all of our needs due to an inconsistent schedule, stations in need of repair and limitations surrounding how far the routes extend. With two new sports stadiums (SunTrust Park and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium), and the booming business of the Atlanta BeltLine, MARTA needs to step its game up in order to meet an increased demand for efficiency in the heart of the city and on the outskirts.
Also, we might need to look into establishing increased measures for safety. It's not like a fire or shooting took place recently. (Oops)
3. The infrastructure was not built to keep up with all of this!
Let's keep it real—we are so FULL. According to the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau, Metro-Atlanta had an estimated population of 5.7 million people. With such a dense community, you would think that the city would place great focus on improving the groundwork and support systems that allow us to commute accordingly. Well, the month of April in itself proved to us that we have a long way to go.
First, one of the most vital sections of the I-85 bridge caught fire and collapsed. Since we lost that portion of the highway, thousands of commuters, including myself, have been forced into taking extensively long alternate routes, or resorting to other methods of transportation like the previously mentioned (and highly favored) MARTA. If that wasn't enough, two lanes on I-20 decided to join in on the fun by splitting apart.
Photo: Henry P. Taylor/Henry Taylor/AJC
On top of that, we had an overturned truck spill chemicals, several small tornadoes, major flash flooding and various other little hiccups in mother nature and infrastructure.
Photo: @wsbtv (Twitter)
Although the rebuilding of the I-85 bridge was miraculously finished on May 12th, the truth still remains that our city is simply not built to withstand all y'all!
Photo: Giphy
4. ATL sports are nothing to play with.
You will never find fans who ride or die with their teams like Atlanta sports fans. The Falcons, Braves and Hawks have the most loyal fanbase you can find. Although we narrowly missed completing our mission, the Falcons returned to the NFL Super Bowl for the first time since 1999 after an amazing season, largely due to a high-powered offense led by superstars Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. The spirit throughout the city during this past playoff run was electric!
In addition, the Braves are one of our most historic teams due to the acclaim of players like Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones, to name a few. Since the team's arrival in 1966, the team has sent several players to the Baseball Hall of Fame, won over 14 division championships and earned the World Series title in 1995.
The Hawks have flown through several eras spearheaded by the likes of Dominique Wilkins, Steve Smith and Dikembe Mutumbo, Jason Terry, Joe Johnson, and now, Paul Millsap. Over the past few years, the team has jelled to the point of becoming a playoff contender every April. Recently, we just welcomed a major league soccer (MLS) team, Atlanta United, which has already broken the league record for most attendance through the first three home games of a season (147, 230 people). With all this athletic achievement, if you decide to move here, you better forget whatever allegiance you had to your previous teams.
Hop on the bandwagon, or get rolled over.
Photo: Giphy
5. The dating scene might not play to your advantage.
Atlanta is home to many colleges (Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse, Georgia State, Emory, Georgia Tech) that serve as the starting point for young adults entering the dating scene. We all know how "talking" in college goes, as well as the drama or bliss that can ensue from it. However, if you're looking to find your soulmate in the A, be mindful that it might not be as easy as you think.
Millennials and young professionals who are serious about having a relationship, often complain that the people they give their time to "play too much" and are not on their level. It's true that everyone doesn't have time to dedicate themselves to a fully committed relationship, but it's also notable that the male to female ratio in Atlanta is heavily in favor of the ladies. Thus, slim pickings from the perspective of a woman are already evident from the get-go.
On the flip side, guys do tend to mature slower than girls, so having such an abundant amount of women around us may tend to cause us to simply entertain everything. For both guys and girls, don't forget that you have to accept that every person of the opposite or same sex that you're interested in, is not going to be into you. That's life. However, don't lose hope! Many people find love in college or through other activities in the city, but don't be surprised if you have to wait for God's time instead of yours.
Photo: Giphy
6. If you don't know Oomp Camp, you've got to go.
Photo: Soundclick
It's that serious! Yes, we're home to OutKast, Usher, Ludacris, T.I., the snap n' roll phenomenon and so much more, but you have to do your research on Oomp Camp if you want to get down with the ATLiens for real. The Oomp Camp crew consisting of local Atlanta rap legends like Big Oomp and Baby D, serving as one of the most authentic examples of the gritty, no-nonsense, bass-booming music that comes straight out of the A. If you thought Lil' Scrappy, Lil' Jon, Gucci Mane and others were the originators, then you need to sit down and learn your Atlanta history.
7. Stick to the plan…or have one in the first place.
Photo: Giphy
So many people come to Atlanta thinking it will be the answer to all of their problems. Whether it's the place to find a job, go to school, get rich or simply live the life, Atlanta is where it's at. However, too many people move to ATL without a set plan, or something to fall back on.
Photo: Giphy
If you're going to move here, please provide yourself with some options so you can be prepared if things don't go your way from the beginning. Adulting isn't easy, but neither is adulting without a plan while in one of the nation's most buzzing cities.
8. Beware of the scammers, flexers and promoters.
Credit cards and the scammers
Hittin' off licks in the bando
— Desiigner, "Panda"
Photo: Giphy
This rule can apply anywhere, but we can't front like it doesn't apply significantly to Atlanta. In this city, many are trying to figure out how to hit it big or how to finesse their way into a higher standard of living. This is how you are introduced to the credit card scammers trying to buy the new pair of Jordans (or even Lonzo Ball's $495 debut shoe) from Lenox Mall. Be mindful of where you use your card and who is watching—don't get got!
Second, you have your flexers. These are the people in Atlanta who try to prove to the world that they got it. Whatever that "it" is, they have it and you want it. The crib, the car, the girls, the sauce, the ideal life on Instagram—it's theirs. Now, don't get me wrong, some people really do have it, but those are the ones who don't try to show it. On the other hand, the flexers make it their purpose to portray this image to others. Don't get roasted for becoming the next member of the #BowWowChallenge.
Photo: Giphy
Last but not least, the promoters. Kanye said "No More Parties in LA," but he definitely could have remixed it to say "No More Parties in the A." One of the most fun things about Atlanta is the nightlife scene. There are an assortment of places to go to whether they be bars, restaurant/lounges and clubs. When it comes to this scene, you have a good number of promoters who are at the top of their game and deliver great quality. However, be mindful that promoting is a business and not every promoter is a good one—and neither is every venue. Think twice and do a little research before you entertain someone's pitch to party.
Overall, these are just a few comedic and serious things to think about when you ponder all the positives and negatives of living in Atlanta. Although no place is perfect, ATL continues to be one of the hottest spots for people to move to because of its cost of living, economic progress and attractions.
These eight reasons for why you may want to stay put are only a fraction of what others may think.
What are some of the best reasons why you would not, or would, want people to come to the A?
