Will be moving to Atlanta area....advice please? (North Druid Hills, Decatur: apartment complex, how much)

[sunshine89]

Hi everyone!
I'm a college student who's planning on moving from Maryland to the Atlanta metro area in about two years...probably the summer of 2011. I know it's a long time away but I like planning early on. I'll be graduating with a degree in public and community health and plan on going to grad school in GA (hopefully emory!). However,I'll get a job before coming...there's no way I'll move unless I have a job. I really want to work at the CDC.
so my question for you all is (feel free to add any additional info.)....

Would you recommend Atlanta for someone who's gonna be on their own for the first time?
What area(s) are good for grad students to live in?
Is it really hard to get a job at the CDC?
Are there opportunity for people in the public health field?
If you're single and living on your own in a studio or one bedroom apt, how much would be the monthly expense on stuff like rent, utilities, etc....just a ball park figure?
Any other states/cities you can think of for public health majors?

thanks for your help!

[Phantessa]

Hello. I'm a grad student in the mental health field in the area. We actually chose to live 20-30 minutes outside the city to save money. From what I remember of downtown apartments I'd estimate 700-1200/month. We got a one bedroom apt in Cobb Co. a little north of Atlanta and we pay $607 and this is the cheapest I have heard of in this area and in our apartment complex.

Health care field - it's a tough time right now. Almost all the people from my program, myself included, have not been able to find jobs. However, this is not the norm and I would hope by the time you're down here that things will be better. I don't know any specifics on the CDC.

Hope this helps!

[Iconographer]

Would you recommend Atlanta for someone who's gonna be on their own for the first time?
Absolutely...IMO it's a great place for singletons, and there are plenty of them.
What area(s) are good for grad students to live in?
If you're single (and targeting Emory and CDC, which reside next to each other in the Druid Hills area), I would recommend:
Virginia-Highland
Midtown
North Druid Hills
Candler Park
Inman Park
Decatur
Is it really hard to get a job at the CDC?
I couldn't say definitively, but I do know that they are a major employer in this area and that they have expanded tremendously since 2001.
Are there opportunity for people in the public health field?
Right now, the prospects of employment in Atlanta for anything are tight...ask again in 2011.
If you're single and living on your own in a studio or one bedroom apt, how much would be the monthly expense on stuff like rent, utilities, etc....just a ball park figure?
In the neighborhoods I cited, I would say $700.00 to sky's the limit.
Any other states/cities you can think of for public health majors?
I'll leave to those who are more informed on the subject.

[sunshine89]

thanks for the great info! I'll have a car when I come and don't really mind a 20-30 min communte....atl traffic is similar to DC traffic. It's really great to have a couple neighborhoods down like lovindecatur suggested