And now for something new, rental and moving advice! I’ve done quite a few moves of late so this is the first chapter in a new topic we’ll explore on this blog. Starting with the one area I’ve lived in the longest, Atlanta, Georgia also known as The A-T-L.
Atlanta is an incredible place to live. With the resurgence that has happened downtown over the past 5 years or so, there are more places to live directly in-town than ever before. And it seems like more are on the way every year. It’s a moderately priced town that offers everything from cheap studios all the way up to outrageous multi-floor condos. As someone who lived in Atlanta for almost 30 years and both owned and rented in town, here are a few considerations and a ‘hidden jewel’ area for those of you coming to Atlanta.
TRAFFIC
Every discussion about living in Atlanta has to start with traffic because in general, Atlanta competes with Los Angeles for the worst traffic in the United States. No lie, our GPS once displayed a 90-minute route to go 4.2 miles from Buckhead to 14th street. And that was the fastest route available!
So the first thing to consider is not just how far are you going to live from work, but how are you going to get there? If you plan to drive your own car, check the commute from your desired rental in the morning and afternoon during the days and hours you would be in the car. If you plan to use MARTA transit, make sure you know where the bus stops and train stations are. Atlanta is not as mass transit-friendly as most major US cities.
EVENTS
The Peachtree Road Race run every Fourth of July. The race starts in Buckhead and ends in Piedmont Park.
Atlanta is an event capital with everything from the Super Bowl and sports championships to major music festivals drawing tens of thousands of people. Piedmont Park and the surrounding area are home to many events and festivals. If you live in Midtown in that Piedmont Park area, be aware that your weekends could be very congested with people and vehicles. On the other hand, you might be able to walk to a lot of events.
FOOD
D92 Korean BBQ. ©Atlanta Magazine.
Atlanta is one of the most culinary diverse cities in the United States. The catalyst for the culinary explosion was the 1996 Summer Olympics and the food scene has not looked back since. I could spend another 10,000 words describing the food, but fortunately, Atlanta Magazine has this covered with the 75 Best Restaurants in Atlanta. As with any city, you’ll find many amazing hole-in-the-wall local joints, just ask your colleagues and neighbors when you get here.
Atlanta’s “Hidden Jewel:” The Beltline
Old Fourth Ward Park with Ponce City Market in the distance.
According to the rental site Zumper, the average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Atlanta is $1,489 with a two-bedroom averaging $1,942. Buckhead and Midtown are among the most expensive areas to rent with Buckhead featuring very high-end shopping and dining while Midtown is in the center of pretty much everything.
One of the most exciting things to happen to downtown Atlanta is the Beltline Project which has spurred a lot of renovation and new construction of apartments and other rental properties along its planned route. When completed, this will be a trail that completely encircles the city with walking and biking trails, parks, and small, urban shops and restaurants.
The southern portion of the Beltline has been well underway creating some hidden jewels for renting including the Old Fourth Ward and Cabbagetown areas. The Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn are seeing a real rebirth and the rental rates are on the “lower high end.” This gives you midtown-style living without the full Midtown rates. Plus you get the benefit of the Beltline.
In the immediate area is Ponce City Market, a mix of dining, shops, and an entertainment area; Krog Street Market, incredible farmers and food market and Sweet Auburn Curb Market, another awesome farmer and food market. You are also convenient to the Fox Theater which houses traveling Broadway shows and both Mercedes Benz Stadium, one of the most beautiful stadiums in the United States, and State Farm Arena for professional sports and larger concerts.
Per Zumper, a 1 bedroom average monthly rent, as of 4/3/21, is:
Click the links to get the most up-to-date rental information, or to search other areas of Atlanta.
If you’re moving to Atlanta from points outside Georgia, you may have never heard of Old Fourth Ward, Cabbagetown, Sweet Auburn, Virginia Highland, or The Beltline. You owe it to yourself to do some research on these affordable areas before you make the move. Good luck and happy moving!