Atlanta vs Seattle (Raising a Family, Economy, Education, Culture, Diversity, etc.) (best, cost)

[wqh595]

So my wife and I eliminated Chicago, Detroit, Miami, NY, San Fran and DC. And now we are stuck on Atlanta or Seattle.
What are the differences of these two cities with the categories I posted in my title? Where would be a better fit for us?

[wqh595]

Making sure people can see. Sorry to post again.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

They are different places entirely. Both are very nice cities.

For raising a family, you would be fine either place. However Atlanta will be much cheaper.
Economy: Its a tie.
Education: Both Atlanta and Seattle are very educated cities, however, I think Seattle may be slightly more so.
Culture: In my opinion, Seattle. But Im sure someone could make a great case for Atlanta.
Diversity: Overall, Atlanta. However Seattle has a larger and more diverse selection of Asians. Atlanta has many more African Americans.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by justme02

They are different places entirely. Both are very nice cities.

For raising a family, you would be fine either place. However Atlanta will be much cheaper.
Economy: Its a tie.
Education: Both Atlanta and Seattle are very educated cities, however, I think Seattle may be slightly more so.
Culture: In my opinion, Seattle. But Im sure someone could make a great case for Atlanta.
Diversity: Overall, Atlanta. However Seattle has a larger and more diverse selection of Asians. Atlanta has many more African Americans.

Knowing both cities (I am an Atlanta native, my DH a native of Seattle), I would call this a fair assessment.
I know that I am inviting controversy on this point, but one impression that I get when considering both cities is that they are overtly different but covertly similar. The obvious differences are climate, topography and racial configuration. That being said, I am surprised at how often I feel reminded of Atlanta when walking Seattle neighborhoods; my best guess is because both cities have intown neighborhoods that are hilly, more forested than most cities, and were probably developed at about the same time. Seattle's Capitol Hill, for example, reminds me often of Atlanta's Midtown and Virginia-Highland. Madison Park resembles Ansley Park, and Bellevue seems to fulfill the same role as the CBD of Buckhead...that is, to act as a second 'downtown' for their respective cities.
Alas, none of the cities in the eastern US have anything to compare to the views that you can enjoy in Seattle...

[testa50]

For education, don't forget about the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia. Free tuition to UGA/Georgia Tech/any in-state public university as long as you keep a 3.0 GPA. Probably worth $20k per kid.

The amount of culture and diversity you get is totally dependent upon where you choose to live in the cities.

Also, are you going to be saving up for a first home? Already have a down payment? etc.

[wqh595]

Originally Posted by justme02

They are different places entirely. Both are very nice cities.

For raising a family, you would be fine either place. However Atlanta will be much cheaper.
Economy: Its a tie.
Education: Both Atlanta and Seattle are very educated cities, however, I think Seattle may be slightly more so.
Culture: In my opinion, Seattle. But Im sure someone could make a great case for Atlanta.
Diversity: Overall, Atlanta. However Seattle has a larger and more diverse selection of Asians. Atlanta has many more African Americans.

What are some of the cheaper parts of Atlanta that are good to raise a family? And some of the suburbs as well? What about the Seattle area?
Seattle's education seems really good. Heard a lot of their schools in both the cities and the suburbs get high marks.
I think I'll like both cultures in both cities yet on the diversity part, my wife who is Japanese will probably be more comfortable in Seattle, but knowing her, she will like Atlanta too.

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Knowing both cities (I am an Atlanta native, my DH a native of Seattle), I would call this a fair assessment.
I know that I am inviting controversy on this point, but one impression that I get when considering both cities is that they are overtly different but covertly similar. The obvious differences are climate, topography and racial configuration. That being said, I am surprised at how often I feel reminded of Atlanta when walking Seattle neighborhoods; my best guess is because both cities have intown neighborhoods that are hilly, more forested than most cities, and were probably developed at about the same time. Seattle's Capitol Hill, for example, reminds me often of Atlanta's Midtown and Virginia-Highland. Madison Park resembles Ansley Park, and Bellevue seems to fulfill the same role as the CBD of Buckhead...that is, to act as a second 'downtown' for their respective cities.
Alas, none of the cities in the eastern US have anything to compare to the views that you can enjoy in Seattle...

Tell me a little more about why they are similar, meaning which neighborhoods contain this and that?

Originally Posted by testa50

For education, don't forget about the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia. Free tuition to UGA/Georgia Tech/any in-state public university as long as you keep a 3.0 GPA. Probably worth $20k per kid.

The amount of culture and diversity you get is totally dependent upon where you choose to live in the cities.

Also, are you going to be saving up for a first home? Already have a down payment? etc.

Were probably gonna start out in the city and then find a suburban home after a few years of a new job my respective city I choose.

[ironcouger]

Seattle if you go about 30 miles out of seattle to south King County Auburn , Convington area the rents are much more affordable. Also the metro unemployment rate for Seattle is around 5.1 %. Metro Atlanta is about 9.8 %. Seattle is ranked one of the smartest cities in the nation and its schools are ranked in the top ten . When raising a family outdoor activites are important and Seattle has an abundance. The city is close to the ocean beaches and close to mountain resorts. The city is also close to three national parks and one national monument in the state. Seattle has wonderfull beach and wooded parks in city. There is always somthing to do in Seattle . Seattle has many thriving companys Microsoft,Starbucks,Costco,Nintendo of America, Boeing,R.E.I,and Amazon.com. It keeps the economy pumping. The city has excellent transportation light rail,trolleys,commuter rail,buses and ferry . The museums in city are world class the Museum of Flight and Space is the largest private flight museum in the world. The worlds largest automobile museum opens next year in Tacoma's Museum distric. Seattle Metro has three Zoo's and two aquariums. Downtown Seattle is alive with several Flagship stores over four million square ft of retail and close to a 1000 restaurants and bars all downtown. Seattle is a wonderfull place to raise a family.

[wqh595]

Originally Posted by ironcouger

Seattle if you go about 30 miles out of seattle to south King County Auburn , Convington area the rents are much more affordable. Also the metro unemployment rate for Seattle is around 5.1 %. Metro Atlanta is about 9.8 %. Seattle is ranked one of the smartest cities in the nation and its schools are ranked in the top ten . When raising a family outdoor activites are important and Seattle has an abundance. The city is close to the ocean beaches and close to mountain resorts. The city is also close to three national parks and one national monument in the state. Seattle has wonderfull beach and wooded parks in city. There is always somthing to do in Seattle . Seattle has many thriving companys Microsoft,Starbucks,Costco,Nintendo of America, Boeing,R.E.I,and Amazon.com. It keeps the economy pumping. The city has excellent transportation light rail,trolleys,commuter rail,buses and ferry . The museums in city are world class the Museum of Flight and Space is the largest private flight museum in the world. The worlds largest automobile museum opens next year in Tacoma's Museum distric. Seattle Metro has three Zoo's and two aquariums. Downtown Seattle is alive with several Flagship stores over four million square ft of retail and close to a 1000 restaurants and bars all downtown. Seattle is a wonderfull place to raise a family.

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely keep this all in mind.

[wqh595]

Still could use some guidance. Anyone here from these areas that can help?

[atlboi]

Yes Atlanta has a higher unemployment rate but we are also a much bigger city than Seattle.