Reslient and often under-estimated by my rather calm and reserved disposition, youthful, enjoys ment...
Reslient and often under-estimated by my rather calm and reserved disposition, youthful, enjoys mentally engaging activities, games and programs/films, very articulate and thoroughly research things that are of interest (sometimes, to a fault).
Member since:06.04.2006
Reviews:16
For some of you looking to settle down in a city that is metropolitan and yet affordable, then this is one option you shouldn't overlook. Normally, we think of cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and the rest as real metro cities and true they are. But Atlanta, not having perhaps half of the skyscrapers these other cities have is a big contender for the person that wants to have a bit of both urban and sub-urban worlds in one city.
My first surprise was when we were approaching touch down. there being so much haze in the air I could not see the city skyline from a distance, but what was the real surprise was the amount of forest scattered across the city. Yes forest, not just trees. Atlanta is a heavily wooded city. It's a bit hard to describe cos I've not encountered a city with so much greenery.
The airport is said to be the busiest in the world.
Not sure why or how though. Would have thought Heathrow or JFK would hold that position, but it is very large (need a train to take you from one terminal to another) and very well kept I must say. Staff are pleasant and the place is clean.
The highways, i-85, i-75, i-400, etc are integral in navigating the 5 - 7 laned roads that link the city. What you have is development and long highways with tress lining the way till you get to another developed area. I know New Jersey has a lot of trees and all that but this seems more concentrated.
Another thing that touched me was that the city is what i could say clean. Unlike some busy metropolis, the city appeared devoid of the filth that is usually associated with large cities. However, if you don't have a car, you won't really get far and spend a bum so be prepared to hire or something cos the distances between areas can really be something and even though the highways are wide and all that, there is still congestion during peak periods as people make their way out or into the urban area for business.
Talking about driving, I found myself driving at speeds of 70 to 90 miles/hr as everyone is speeding and one is supposed to keep with the flow of traffic. Another thing you'd need to be careful of is that in America, right of way is taken very seriously. Many times, I wondered if for some reason I quickly changed my mind about making a turn, it would most likely lead to an accident cos there appeared to be quite a bit of tail gaiting so a sudden stop could spell trouble. The best thing you can do is know where you're going as there doesn't seem to be much tolerance for unsure driving.
To cap the driving aspect, a guide to understanding the road network is to understand that the perimeter is the city that is bordered by the i-285, which circles the city. It has about 253 exits named exit 1 to 253 thereabouts. This part of the city referred to as within the perimeter is divided into north and south by the i-400 and east and west by the i-75 and i-85 respectively. It's just a rough guide to understanding the road network cos at the high speeds people drive, it makes it hard for new comers to slow down or even stop to consider which way to go and you can't reverse. You'll also need to bear in mind that on a wide road, three lanes can become one lane so the demarcations on the road are important too. There is a train service and a bus service - MARTA but it's very limited and didn't appear to be very accessible.
In terms of sights and places to go to, Atlanta is not short of its sights and sounds. It has the centennial park and a great big aquarium. CNN headquarters is located down town and one can enter and eat in the many eateries there all at reasonable price i must say. Close by is the Coca-cola centre which is head quartered there as well. They have a lovely experience of telling the story of coca-cola in a 3 floored building with lots to see and drink. Entry was $10 but well worth it.
I didn't have much time to scout out the city and that was just down town but the Westin was particularly picturesque. It is cylindrical in shape and glass all around and must be at least 40 to 50 storeys high.
Housing it Atlanta is nice and compared to the UK, really good. Fancy a two bed/two bath apartment with a balcony, electric cooker, washing machine and dryer, central air conditioning for hot or cold air all within a gated community with a small swimming pool and gym with lots of trees around all for just about $1000/month in a posh part of town!!! I stayed in Buckhead where the governors mansion is located and where a lot of high profile companies are located and it was fantastic.
What's more the people are pleasant, the weather is pleasant, food is pleasantly cheap and life is generally void of all the stresses of city life except you stay outside the perimeter and depending on what route you have to commute if working. Here, you can live and enjoy your income instead of it all going into high costs of parking, transportation, accommodation and the like.
I'd recommend it highly for anyone looking for this kind of lifestyle and if you're the academic type, 2 of the best business schools in the states are resident there.
I'd also like to add that Atlanta is place where music lovers especially jazz would have a treat. At the Centennial Park every Wednesday, there is an event called the Wind-down where different groups come to play under the evening sun in a little amphitheater. On a day where the weather is good (which it usually is) it's a great way to relax: good food, good music and plenty of security so no need to fret. I've been here a couple of months now and am really loving it. It really is a great place!!!
Pictures of Atlanta
Centennial Park
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Very good oversight. Enjoyed your Lagos one too but pity no pictures with that! Please let me know if you ever update.
jo145 23.04.2007 09:50
Don't think I could cope with the driving in Atlanta! A clean and green city sounds lovely though. Jo x
Shoka 13.07.2006 11:17
I'd like to visit Atlanta, always wanted to after reading Gone with the Wind, although having recently met an american from Atlanta they said its totally different than the book portrayal after the happenings of the civil war.
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Advantages: Great climate, well laid out city, stuff to see and do all year round Disadvantages: Not the busiest city in terms of museums to see and places to visit
zoe_page 27.08.2004 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Atlanta
Advantages: Great frequent flier scheme, reliable airline that knows what it is doing Disadvantages: Domestic flights rather basic and penny-pinching, no bimbo stewardesses (some might see that as an advantage!)
Jul 13th, 2006
(Jun 10th, 2007)
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