Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta was established in the mid-19th century as an end of the Western and Atlantic Railroad Line; it has only expanded its transportation network both locally and worldwide. Today, the city's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is one of the five busiest airports worldwide. Atlanta has also continued to expand its local networks, with the MARTA train lines and transportation routes.

Atlanta is a major capital in the Southeastern United States, and it was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement in the 20th century. The city is commonly referred to as the Confederacy hub of the South, and it is a great example of transitioning between Confederacy life and becoming a more modern city. Throughout the United States, English is the primary language. Because Atlanta is in the south, some residents also speak Spanish. The currency used is the United States Dollar, or USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

Atlanta's FinTech (finance and technology) industry is the largest in the United States; the number of FinTech companies has significantly increased from around 90 in 2016 to nearly 120 in 2019. With large revenue generated by Atlanta FinTech companies, the city has become known as "Transaction Alley" not only because of its abundance of FinTech companies, but also with the automations in transaction methods created. Information Technology (IT) has also thrived in healthcare centers around Atlanta. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Cancer Society are both located in metro Atlanta, with abundant opportunities in both IT and nursing careers. Another abundant industry in Atlanta is manufacturing. Places of interest for manufacturing include the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) and many other gaming and manufacturing companies. One other well-known industry is supply-chain management; this is partially due to the city's busy airport traffic and local attractions. Other supply-chain careers center around Amazon and other technology or delivery companies. From a variety of information technology options to working in nursing, management, or finance, Atlanta is a metropolis full of employment for all interests.

Cost of Living

Living in Atlanta is more costly in the city center compared to the city outskirts. There are many housing options, ranging from apartments to single-family homes to condos. As for apartments, city units start around $1,550 for one-bedroom flats and three-bedroom ones cost around $2,500 to $3,000. For living in the suburbs, costs decrease substantially; one-bedroom apartments average $1,100, while three-bedroom apartments average $2,000.

Basic utilities, including electricity, heating, and water, average $175 per month. Other expenses, including internet and data usage, vary by plan but average around $65 per person per month. Owning a car is also viable, as Atlanta is a large metro area. The average price for small-sized cars is around $20,000 to $21,000 for a small, brand-new vehicle. Gasoline prices certainly fluctuate, however, the average price annually is between $2.50 and $2.75 per gallon. Overall, the Atlanta market is competitively priced, with reasonable apartments and comparable transportation options.

Transportation

Atlanta's public transportation is called MARTA, or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Located in the heart of Atlanta, this line consists of four train lines based out of Five Points station. The Blue and Green Lines run east and west around Atlanta, while the Red and Yellow Lines travel north and south. Many stations offer free parking nearby, so having a car may be necessary if you don't live too close to a station. Getting a Breeze Card is very helpful for Atlanta residents; rides cost $2.50 per trip, or a 30-day Breeze Card pass will cost $95, according to Discover Atlanta.

If you are not as interested in public transportation, shuttles and limo services are also great options. While you may get from one place to another more directly around Atlanta, traffic may cause longer commutes, and the fares are likely to be much more expensive.

Recreation

From sports teams to parks and aquatic centers, Atlanta has plenty of entertainment. Professional sports teams include the Atlanta Braves baseball team, which recently won the World Series in 2021; Falcons football team; and both women's and men's professional basketball. In addition to sports, there are scenic attractions all around the city. One is the Georgia Aquarium, with opportunities to immerse oneself into sea life. Other places of interest include the Delta Flight Museum, experiencing aviation history and where Delta is headquartered; Krog Street Market, a 1920s-style warehouse with a variety of foods; and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. There is also a great variety of artwork throughout the city, including murals along paths and performances around town.

Entertainment and concert opportunities range from performing arts and conert halls to theatres. One theatre is the Alliance theatre, which has broadway plays, musicals, and other classic play productions. For classical music, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra plays music ranging from popular soundtracks to classical masterpieces. There are other concert halls and theatres around town, but these are some of the most popular ones. There are always art performances, ranging from taking the stage theatrically to musically.

For nature lovers, Atlanta has its Botanical Garden near Piedmont Park; there are over 30 acres of pretty landscape and water features. For more recreational activities, the Atlanta BeltLine is a great place to go hiking, biking, or jogging on a gorgeous afternoon. With miles of paved trails, enjoy a variety of scenic stops, restaurants, and unique artwork.

Climate

Atlanta has relatively hot and muggy summers, with its location in the Southeastern United States and location near the Gulf of Mexico. The climate is humid subtropical, with warm Summer temperatures between the low 80s and low 90s (27 to 32 degrees Celsius), bottoming out with lows around the low 70s (20 to 22 degrees Celsius). Winter months are somewhat cooler, with high temperatures averaging between the mid 50s and mid 60s (11 to 18 degrees Celsius) and lows reaching temperatures just above freezing, between the mid 30s and mid 40s (2 to 7 degrees Celsius). Rainfall during Summer can occur sporadically, with long boughts of rain or long droughts.