Debating on moving to Atlanta, GA from Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (insurance, home)

[R1070]

What you're looking for will be found somewhere else than Atlanta which is also a major metro area with lots of transplants.

Also, the weather in Atlanta will not be warmer and less rainy. It will be more humid though. Probably less hail though, although hail is more of an issue in the outer burbs of DFW rather than in the city.

A smaller to mid-size city in an area of the country with less storm activity sounds like a better fit for you. As for looking into OKC, it's a good size for you, but the extreme weather is probably among the worst in the country and most likely has it's own set of allergens being on the edge of the Great Plains.

[Cupastrany]

I also feel like Atlanta may have a lot of horn honking, but I could be wrong. I don't think I'm gonna consider it because I worry I'll have very bad allergies. Air quality, does Atlanta have clean air?

[bethereds82]

Air quality here has improved since 2012, and from my brief research we fall in the 30-50 range nationally amongst cities.

You mentioned southern hospitality. I think people here are nice, but my experience has been that everyone here is from somewhere else. This is just my own experience, but in Johns Creek I rarely meet anyone who was born and raised here. Most are from other parts of the South, East or North. Just sharing in case you're expecting sweet ice tea and lemonade from your neighbors.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but Chicago is also a great choice if you're looking for somewhat affordable, urban, walkable and safe area with nice folks. Again-- my personal experience is that Chicago is filled with a lot of people from Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, etc. Very nice, clean and has great public transport.

Good luck!

[M3Guy]

Originally Posted by bethereds82

Air quality here has improved since 2012, and from my brief research we fall in the 30-50 range nationally amongst cities.

You mentioned southern hospitality. I think people here are nice, but my experience has been that everyone here is from somewhere else. This is just my own experience, but in Johns Creek I rarely meet anyone who was born and raised here. Most are from other parts of the South, East or North. Just sharing in case you're expecting sweet ice tea and lemonade from your neighbors.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but Chicago is also a great choice if you're looking for somewhat affordable, urban, walkable and safe area with nice folks. Again-- my personal experience is that Chicago is filled with a lot of people from Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, etc. Very nice, clean and has great public transport.

Good luck!

Agreed. For what the OP is looking for, Chicago may be a better option.

[MichiganderTexan]

I've experienced living in both Dallas and Atlanta, and while there are aspects of each city that I appreciate, there are also things that I find frustrating. Both cities have their unique characteristics, and while there are subtle differences between them that can make the difference between whether a particular individual may love one or hate it, there are far more similarities. I concur with others who believe that the differences between the two cities are not significant enough differences to make a difference for you personally IMO.. Atlanta, in my opinion, is less pretentious than Dallas, but it does have its own brand of pretensions, particularly in the realms of black culture and entertainment.

[jetgraphics]

If you want some more info on Hot 'Lanta, this links to an earlier post:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/60433223-post70.html

By the way, "Farch" is ending, and we're about to hit "summer" (70+ F)
Though true that there is dearth of public transit, Atlanta may yet transform itself. It was once the "Terminus" of many rail lines. There are multiple rights of way radiating outward. It wouldn't take much to institute commuter service 50-70 miles in any compass direction.

[Cupastrany]

Originally Posted by MichiganderTexan

I've experienced living in both Dallas and Atlanta, and while there are aspects of each city that I appreciate, there are also things that I find frustrating. Both cities have their unique characteristics, and while there are subtle differences between them that can make the difference between whether a particular individual may love one or hate it, there are far more similarities. I concur with others who believe that the differences between the two cities are not significant enough differences to make a difference for you personally IMO.. Atlanta, in my opinion, is less pretentious than Dallas, but it does have its own brand of pretensions, particularly in the realms of black culture and entertainment.

So then Atlanta has a different kind of pretentious culture. What makes me reconsider are mainly allergy problems and maybe much more traffic and less highways.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by Cupastrany

So then Atlanta has a different kind of pretentious culture. What makes me reconsider are mainly allergy problems and maybe much more traffic and less highways.

Atlanta and North Georgia may not have as extensive of a metropolitan network of freeways and multi-lane surface arterial roads as DFW and North Texas have. But Atlanta and North Georgia do generally have at least a noticeably scenic regional road network overall with the heavily wooded rolling, hilly and mountainous terrain of the region.

[MichiganderTexan]

Originally Posted by Cupastrany

So then Atlanta has a different kind of pretentious culture. What makes me reconsider are mainly allergy problems and maybe much more traffic and less highways.

Allergies are terrible this is the worst place I've ever lived for allergies worst than Texas. Traffic is a decent amount worse than Dallas but Dallas has gotten a lot worse in the past few years with all the rapid growth it has experienced despite it seemingly building unlimited highways.

[jas75]

Large metropolitan areas generally have traffic issues and at least some drivers who are aggressive and reckless, and Atlanta is no exception. It truly baffles me how you can visit Shreveport and assume that Atlanta has similar positive surface level characteristics. The South is not a monolithic region and its various sub-sections and large vs. small metropolitan areas tend to be fundamentally very different.

Regarding weather, Atlanta is going to be slightly cooler than Dallas/Fort Worth the vast majority of the time, especially in summer. There are plenty of thunderstorms which can sometimes be loud and disruptive but hail is a rare event. Many days in spring and fall, such as today, are absolutely beautiful with plenty of sun, gentle breezes, and pleasant temperature and humidity levels.