Maybe you’re moving to the Atlanta area because of a job transfer, or maybe you’re moving to be closer to family. Or maybe you’re hunting for a job in the Atlanta area. Whatever your reason for relocating to the ATL, you might be wondering what to expect when you settle down in the capital city of the Peach State. Whether you’ve visited the city frequently or only once or twice, we’ve put together a list of 15 things you need to know before moving to Atlanta.
15 things to know if you’re moving to Atlanta.
1. There are a lot of streets called Peachtree.
So, one of the first things you should know about moving to Atlanta: there are a ton of streets called some version of Peachtree. It’s borderline annoying. Anyway, if you’re trying to get around Midtown or Downtown, be careful of what you enter into your GPS. Peachtree Street NW is not the same as Peachtree Street, not is Peachtree Avenue the same as Peachtree Boulevard. It’s kind of a running joke that literally (not really) every street is called Peach-something. Such is living in the Peach State.
Anyway, best of luck with navigating! Truly.
2. Cars are a survival mechanism.
So, Atlanta is not exactly a walking city. There is public transit, but many people choose to drive. Having a car to get around would be super helpful. However, the abundance of vehicles also leads to a major issue – traffic. At rush hour, the roads and highways aren’t a terribly fun place to be. It is possible to avoid it if you’re able to drive at non-rush hour time, but if you’re moving to Atlanta, be prepared to share the roads and to be patient with the traffic situation.
3. Summers are hot and humid.
Atlanta can experience some very brutal summers. It gets hot and humid. The upside to the climate is that winters generally aren’t too bad…although the city does shut down if there’s a tiny bit of snow or any ice on the roads. (Seriously – you’ll laugh to see it if you’re from a northern city.)
Winter aside, summers in Atlanta are very green. The trees are lovely and there’s a lot of plant life for an urban area.
4. That green vine that eats everything is called kudzu.
So, you might be driving along and notice a wide area that’s been taken over by a leafy vine thing – possibly a monster of some sort that appears to be eating everything in sight. That’s called kudzu. It’s a thing.
5. The North Georgia mountains aren’t far away.
About an hour or so north of the city are mountains that provide some really beautiful scenery and nice hiking areas. It’s a picturesque way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and/or suburbs. Georgia boasts some very beautiful wildlife, forests, and waterfalls. If you’re the outdoorsy sort, not to worry – you can escape the urban-ness of the city or the suburb-ness of the suburbs.
6. Tennis is a big thing.
If you’re a sports person, good news – tennis is pretty big in the metro-Atlanta area. Many neighborhoods have tennis courts, and ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) has lots of different teams at different levels. So, whether you’re a newbie to tennis and want to give it a try or you’ve been playing for a while, you can probably find a team – or at least a place to hit the tennis ball around.
7. There’s plenty of stuff to do.
Atlanta has plenty of museums and other fun things to see. There are a lot of interesting things to see – and there’s plenty for kids, too. Here are just a few highlights:
- Georgia Aquarium
- Zoo Atlanta
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- The World of Coca-Cola
- High Museum of Art
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Center of Puppetry Arts
So, as you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy!
Pro tip – Check out the City Pass for Atlanta. This could help you get reduced rates for popular attractions around the city.
8. Atlanta is home to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Why is the airport worth mentioning, you as? Because this is no ordinary airport. It’s actually the world’s busiest airport. It’s quite impressive, and there’s a fairly new international terminal that’s pretty posh. So, as far as air travel is concerned, Atlanta has got you covered.
9. Understand OTP vs. ITP.
You also have to understand a little bit of Atlanta terminology: OTP vs. ITP.
OTP means outside the perimeter, meaning outside of I-285, which encompasses the city.
ITP means inside the perimeter, meaning inside I-285 and within the “bounds” of the city.
We’re not entirely sure why this distinction is so important, but it matters to Atlanta-folk.
10. There’s a lot of great food.
There’s also plenty of great food to be found in the Atlanta area. Whatever kind of food you’re looking for, a quick Google search will probably turn up some options. Try some different places and you’ll probably find a favorite haunt.
11. Atlanta United is pretty cool.
Atlanta recently got a major league soccer team, Atlanta United. It’s pretty fun to go to the games and get swept up in the excitement. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta’s fancy new sports stadium. It even has a very cool, high-tech roof.
12. The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System rocks.
The libraries in Fulton County (which is the county Atlanta’s in) are pretty great. Looking for a novel? A biography? Some books for the kids? The newest YA releases for your teenagers? The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has got you covered. They have an easy-to-use online catalog so you can hunt down your next read. It allows you to see what branches of the library system have the book you want, and you can also place holds and request for books to be transferred to the library branch closest to you. (All AFPLS branches are connected, so you can return the books to any of the branches.)
Anyways – bookworms have a great library system to discover.
13. There are many different neighborhoods to explore.
Atlanta also has lots of neighborhoods that have different vibes. There’s Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, Little Five Points, Old Fourth Ward, West End, Inman Park, and more.
Don’t forget that you don’t necessarily have to live Downtown. You can live in the suburbs if you’re moving to Atlanta and still stay close to the city – for example, Decatur and Sandy Springs.
14. Lots of TV shows and movies have been filmed here.
A lot of shows and movies have filmed in and around Atlanta. It’s really cool to recognize the Atlanta skyline or other Atlanta landmarks when you take a trip to the movie theater!
Here’s just a few of the shows and movies that have filmed in the ATL:
- The Walking Dead
- Black Panther
- Stranger Things
- Avengers: Endgame
Truth be told, we could go on and on. There has been A LOT of filming going on in the city lately.
15. We can help you with your home insurance.
And when you’re moving to Atlanta, you probably want some great home insurance at a great rate. We can help with that! Just fill out our online quote form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.