Atlanta Local Guide

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Atlanta Overview

Atlanta, Georgia is one of the most exciting cities to call home in the United States. The Georgian capital is known for its culture, thriving economy and historical setting.

Even with a population over 6 million people, Atlanta still maintains its Southern charm and hospitality. You will never feel swallowed in the hustle of city life, and the locals are known to be welcoming and warm.

What is the history of Atlanta?

Atlanta was founded in 1847 and named after the Atlantic Ocean. The original name of the city was going to be Atlantica-Pacifica but was changed as that name was too long.

The original settlers of the area were the Cherokee and Creek Native American tribes. These tribes had settlements that date back hundreds of years. It was not until the 1820s that American settlers claimed the land. Atlanta played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. The large quantity of railroads helped the Confederate Army move military equipment and men. It was taken over by General Sherman in 1864 and was burned to the ground not long after as a sign of conquest.

In the post-war and Civil Rights Era Atlanta was known for its African American universities and leaders, a first in the developing nation. Atlanta has since been a leading city in the push for equal rights and treatment of all.

In 1996 Atlanta was host to the Olympic Games. This monumentous event led to the construction of more sports complexes in the area and helped grow the local economy to new heights, a gain that has only gone upwards in the decade to follow.

How is the weather in Atlanta?

Atlanta is in a humid subtropical climate. You can expect the summers to feel warmer and the winters to feel cooler. Winter is cool to cold with average temperatures floating around the low 40s °F. Freezing weather does happen but not as much as cities farther north. Snow does fall but it is usually light.

Spring and Summer seasons see a large amount of rainfall and hot temperatures that average around 80-90 °F during the peak of the summer. Fall is pleasant and will still have rain, but the average temperatures are in the 60s and 70s °F.

Hurricanes do occasionally affect Atlanta, as do tornadoes and ice storms, but the risk of disaster from these natural events are low.

How do I get around town?

Getting around in Atlanta requires a car in most situations unless you live downtown or near public transportation. The highways are busy and quite large. The beltway, or the Perimeter, circles around the city and separates the suburbian area from the inner city.

Public transportation options include a streetcar line and a heavy rail as well as a trusted and popular bus system.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is considered to be the world's busiest airport. It is a modern facility with the latest in airport technologies. Flights connect to just about any location you might want to explore.

If you enjoy riding your bicycle you will fit right in. Atlanta has been seeing a cycling renaissance, and the city is working to develop safer and more efficient biking paths for those who choose to cycle as their main mode of getting around.

What is the Atlanta commute like?

There are three main highways that go in and around Atlanta. The first is the east to west I-20. I-75 runs northwest to southeast and I-85 runs northeast to southwest.

I-75 and I-85 meld into the Downtown Connector. This portion of the road sees over 350,000 drivers per day and can be very busy. If you are commuting from a suburb expect to sit in traffic during peak periods, namely early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Atlanta is infamous for its heavy traffic and commuting times. It does rank rather low on the national scale in those categories. Keep that in mind if th extra commute time is something that is a deal breaker for you!

What are the local media outlets?

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only official newspaper of the city. It has a wide readership and presents you with all that you might need to know about the city and the world. Atlanta magazine is a popular local magazine that features the latest in local culture and events.

Popular radio stations include:

• WZGC 92.9 - sports radio

• WRAS 88.5 - college radio and NPR

• WNNX 100.5 - classic rock and mainstream

• WVEE 103.3 - urban music

Why live in Atlanta, GA?

If you are having questions about why you should choose Atlanta consider what you find important in a city. Atlanta is known for its unique feel that captures Southern hospitality with big city life. The culture is rich and diverse. It dates back hundreds of years and is a beautiful blend of many points in time and ethnic groups.

For the sports fan you will find many major national teams such as the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Hawks. No matter your interests you will find something to appreciate in this wonderful city. It offers enough to keep any and every type of person satisfied. Calling Atlanta home means becoming a part of a family.

What Atlanta landmarks should I see?

A major landmark in Atlanta is Turner Field. Turner Field is home to the Atlanta Braves and serves as an icon of the 1996 Summer Olympics that were held in the city.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site can be visited and is one of the most important parts of this great city. Here you will see Dr. King's childhood home as well as the church where he was baptized as a child.

The Centennial Olympic Park was built in 1996 for the Olympic Games. It has since been made into a public park. You can explore over 21 acres of gardens, fountains and large open spaces. Surrounding the park are many other great places to visit making this park an integral aspect to Atlanta life.

What is there to do around Atlanta?

The World Of Coca-Cola museum is where you can learn about the history of Coke as well as sample a variety of different international sodas all produced by this famous brand. Atlanta is where this brand has found its home, and you will love checking out what makes it such a fun part of Atlanta culture.

The CNN Center is home of the major news outlet CNN. It is an amazing place to tour. You can learn about the workings of one of the world's largest news networks and see where the shows are filmed.

The Georgia Aquarium is another major attraction that can provides hours of entertainment. It hosts over 120,000 different animals and has 10+ million gallons of tanks. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and is worth visiting many times.

Any annual festivals or Atlanta events to know?

Atlanta has plenty of diverse festivals year-round. Each one brings you a new angle on the city and highlights something special about the culture surrounding it.

The Atlanta Street Food Festival takes place during July and gathers all of the best food trucks and street vendors to one spot where you can sample many different foods and drinks.

In August there is the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival. This festival spans two days and is host to many talented musicians. You can also peruse the local artistic talent and try new foods while enjoying the scenery of Grant Park.

For the beer lover the Atlanta Winter Beer Festival is a great time. You can try over 150 beers, many of which are from local brewhouses. No matter the time of year you will find a wonderful festival.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Atlanta is close to the Atlantic Ocean making it a great spot to base your travels. The ocean is close enough to reach in about 5.5 hours by car and gives you access to some amazing beaches.

Nashville, Tennessee is only four hours away and is an excellent place to head to for a long weekend. If you enjoy the outdoors you can drive up north to Amicalola Falls State Park. This is a great place to hike, raft and camp.

Where is the best place to move in Atlanta?

Atlanta is a large city. You will have plenty of choices of great neighborhoods, but it is easy to get overwhelmed. One of the best overall neighborhoods is the suburb of Roswell. This little city is right outside of Atlanta and has a thriving community. Sandy Springs is another suburb that is within a reasonable commuting distance.

For neighborhoods inside of Atlanta Candler Park is a popular location. This neighborhood is just east of downtown and features festivals, restaurants and apartments for all tastes.

Grant Park is a neighborhood in the city with the oldest park in the city. The neighborhood itself is considered to be one of the best and safest in the city. Grant Park is a beautiful area with a nice Victorian style to the old homes.

US Population Rank for Atlanta, GA - ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Top 3 Local Schools in Atlanta, GA - ApartmentHomeLiving.comBrandon Elementary SchoolMidtown High SchoolSutton Middle School

Frequently Asked Questions about Atlanta

How much are Studio apartments in Atlanta?

The pricing for 325 Studio Apartments in Atlanta currently ranges from $376 to $10,000 with an average price of $1,907.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Atlanta Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Atlanta ranges from $200 to $10,000 with an average monthly rent of $1,984.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Atlanta cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Atlanta range from $500 to $10,000. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,332.

How expensive are Atlanta Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 1157 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Atlanta on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $450 to $10,000 - averaging $2,606 for the location.