Congratulations on biting the bullet! I am originally from Dayton (although it was long ago) and like it here. While you may not stay forever, I don't think you'll be miserable. I still say "pop" instead of Coke and nobody gets upset.

There ARE some Buckeyes lurking down this way so don't feel like you'll be cut off completely. True, UGA and Georgia are often the talk of the town but consider where you are. But because Atlanta truly is attracting people from all over, I don't think you'll feel too alienated.

You asked about the West side. Douglasville is the first place I think of and it is starting to grow. They just got a new mall two years ago, a true mark of having "arrived" around here. But the housing costs aren't too bad from what I understand. You might also consider Powder Springs or Lithia Springs, which are slightly Northwest. I've glanced at the housing prices recently for my own curiosity and they aren't half bad.

One area I might mention to you that is considered transitional is East Point, which is slightly Southwest of the city. It is starting to turn into the next "big thing" and people are fixing up houses in that area. If you want to ride that wave...just a thought.

Someone mentioned Smyrna and it is indeed ideal for getting downtown quickly. There are plenty of back roads you can take to get around.

Good luck and I wish you much success.

We moved to Atlanta from Dayton, Ohio about 7 years ago. Although we hate the traffic, we enjoy being here. We doubt that we'll ever move back to Ohio. We don't miss those Ohio winters at all. Three years ago we lived in a 2BR apartment in Duluth (which is northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County) and it cost us about $1000. That's when we decided to buy a house so we'd have something to show for the money we were putting out. Atlanta does have its problems as the other posters have mentioned, but what city doesn't? The other thing to consider is if you have kids to look in areas that have good schools. There are some really incredible schools, and there are some schools that are worthless so you need to include that in your research of a particular area of Atlanta. Your best bet is to visit the city for yourself. Not sure where you live in Ohio, but from Dayton it's about an 8 hour drive straight down 75 or 1 1/2 hour flight. There are many things to do here. You can catch a show at the Fox Theatre or a sports event. You can visit Callaway Gardens or Stone Mountain. I personally think Atlanta is a good area, especially if you like taking weekend trips. There are tons of places to go within a 6 hour drive--the beach, the mountains, Charleston, Chattanooga.... Good luck with your job situation. Hope this helps!

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently published "The Ultimate Metro Atlanta Guide Book", which was inserted in the paper. It has answers to many of your questions; the center section was published in different versions to apply specifically to different metro areas, with info on schools, government, shopping, etc.
Copies are $7.50, plus shipping; check it out at ajc.com/infostore.

Okay,
I have to help you. I have heard some towns listed in people's replies and it is my duty to tell you about them. First, I hope you will like Atlanta. It is a nice place. But, if you want to live in a rural area and work downtown, I don't even know where to start. This is almost impossible, unless you LOVE being in your car. That being said, The least clogged Interstate system would be the west, because I really wouldn't live in Dacula, for example and drive on 85South everyday. (but a lot of people do) Okay, I grew up in Douglasville/Lithis Springs and I was put here to tell people to never live there. It is the trashpit of the south, and I really am not kidding. Lithia Springs is so ugly, and Douglasville is not much better. If you want to see the true southern redneck, go to Arbor Place mall. The parking lot will be full of people from Douglas and Paulding counties, and of course Alabama. Just step inside the mall and you will see why you wouldnt want to live there. No one can prounounce correctly anything on Starbucks menu. Ugghhh I get depressed just thinking about that place. Okay, you could consider Paulding county. It has grown a lot, but I don't particularly care for it. Oh, and do NOT live in Mableton, as someone said. He was playing a very, very cruel joke on you. The town is so depressing. The only thing is has going for it is that it is in Cobb County and is the home of the Governor (is that a good thing?) Whereever you live, they will be glad to have you. (not because they are an international city, they just love your money!)

Hmmm...that last reply got me thinking. We are also considering a temporary move to the metro Atlanta area. We are young professional marrieds without kids, so school systems are not the big issue. He would be employed in Buckhead ...not sure about me yet. A few nice restaurants, places to enjoy the outdoors (we run & golf...will put the skiing on hold until we get back north), a good bookstore & coffee shop, and a few interesting social hangouts would do it. Love to explore & travel, so the proximity to so many weekend destinations sounds great. We've dealt with NY and Boston traffic so at least we are good defensive drivers! Atlanta natives and transplants...can you please give me your two cents about towns or areas that sound like a good match for us? Meeting with a realtor next week down there. Unlike RP, we don't need rural. Thanks!

My wife and I just returned from Atlanta where she was interviewing for a job. Here are my observations:

The bad:

Traffic is incredible. We live in Northern Virginia where it is pretty bad but Atlanta is even worse.

Lack of diversity. Here in Northern Virginia it is a United Nations. In Atlanta it is basically black and white. Without sounding like a racist, there are lots of blacks in Atlanta and many look like they are members of a tough steeet gang. I felt threatened even at the fancy mall in Buckhead. I am sure many of the blacks in Atlanta are just fine, but I sure saw lots of rough looking people. I hear crime is terrible and the schools----

Rednecks: While there was a share of good looking people in Atlanta, a trip out to Stone Mountain GA west of town really reminded me we were in the south. I never seen so many ugly rednecks with hats that said Shoul, etc.

Sprawl: One million people have moved into the Atlanta area since 1990, lots and alot of people for an area to house in a short period of time. The result: an incredible amount of new housing where once was forest and taco bell strips. Poor City planning and ugly strip centers.

The Good:

Lots of great places to eat, shop, visit and work. It is a booming City.

My two cents.

RP, you're heading in the right direction. I'm originally from Ohio, too, and adore living in the South. You might want to apply for jobs in smaller Southern cities, such as Charlotte, Raleigh or Memphis.

Just wanted to respond to BC & Bruce:
BC: As far as what area to suggest, it really depends on your price range, what your needs/wants are as far as size, amenities, etc. and balance that with what it costs you to get that. For example, if you want at least 1/2 acre or more size lot, usually you will have to live farther out, costing you a longer commute.

Bruce: I have disagree about your diversity assessment. I believe that Atlanta is (and is becoming) very diverse. I can't quote you statistics, but from observation there are large populations of Hispanic, Oriental, Indian, Arab people.

Hi Rp, we lived in the Phila suburbs for 7 years and the NYC suburbs for 3 years, Atlanta wins for quality of life (my version) HANDS DOWN. Great people, great weather, good food and ethnic diversity. IMO, the people from North Jersey were some of the coldest, most provincial people ever. I was so happy when we moved from North Jersey to Atlanta, it was as differant as night and day to me. Differant strokes and all, yes? Judy

After several discussions with Atlanta natives our age, we are now considering Alpharetta or Decatur. It seems like the big decision is "inside or outside" the perimeter. After some time on realtor.com, it seems like there is affordable housing all over the place down there! (We are used to NYC area sticker shock) Another friend suggested Crabapple (near Roswell?) or East Cobb, but these seem to be areas and not specific towns. Any opinions out there?

Does anyone know anything about Emory University? Is it's location in relation to dowtown? Housing around the school, and the general area around the school? Any help would be greatly apreciated.

I haven't checked on this thread in a while and had to laugh at some of the responses.

First, Emory is located very near Decatur, a very hot place to live right now. The real estate, as a result, is also starting to rise in price. Emory is surrounded by some beautiful older neighborhoods and Decatur is a center of restaurants, cafes and cool shops.

For the person who didn't think Atlanta was diverse, that's truly funny. We have more nationalities living here than most Southern towns. Just head over to Chamblee or Clarkston. Oh, I forgot... You don't want to rub shoulders with the undesirables. Sorry.

And the comments on rednecks are even funnier. Rednecks are not a distinctly Southern phenomenon, contrary to popular belief. There are plenty roaming around the Midwest, too. And yes, some of them are downright ugly.

Then again, I've been to Northern Virginia and there were some pretty ugly people there as well. I think that's something no city can avoid except perhaps Beverly Hills due to its easy access to plastic surgeons.

By the way, that's "Scoal" not "Shoul". ;-)

BC: if schools aren't your issue, I'd suggesting living "in town." You might try Buckhead (more like Northside drive area), but given your interests, you are made for Virginia-Highlands or Little Five Points. Think of VA-Highlands as the Greenwich Village of Atlanta -- coffee bars, restaurants, interesting shops. Think of Little Five Points as the East Village of Atlanta -- alternative music venues, crystal shops, restaurants & bars.

HTH!

I lived in Atlanta for a year in 1997 and I must say that it is the worst place that I have ever lived. The public transportation system is almost nonexistant (there are only two or three lines), no taxis, very few cultural opportunities (one mediocre art museum), horrible traffic (it took me over an hour to travel 13 miles to work), lots of racist and antisemitic people, religious zealots, and tons of strip malls and huge parking lots, very little international diversity (you could not find a tapas place or high quality Middle Eastern restaurant to save your life). High culture is a UGA versus Georgia Tech game. And anyone who says that VA Highlands is similar to the Village has obviously never been to NY. The best part of the city is the airport; lots of international direct flights.

Dawn, just curious -- where do you live now?

Just wondering...

When did "international diversity" equal "great international restuarants"?

Hmmmm....

For the record, Dawn, I'm the one who said VA-Highlands is Atlanta's Greenwich Village and I have not only been to New York, I *LIVE* in New York.

Carrie -

I live in DC now.

This is only anecdotal, but one of my closest friends moved to Atlanta 2 years ago and she HATES IT. Not a week goes by that I get a call or an email about how she would move if she weren't in debt. I live in Philadelphia, and I have visited 3 times, once for 9 days. I could never live in Atlanta. I don't think it has a soul. It just seems like a giant mall to me. There are very lovely people there--people actually say hi to you when they get on an elevator--but not much culture. I went to the Atlanta Ballet to see a production of Carmina Burana and I was horrified at how amateurish it was. I don't know if it is just me, but Atlanta kind of reminds me of The Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. It just seems very fake.

Wow, it's awful because people say hi when you get on an elevator. I can't think of a better reason to hate a city. Sounds like hell.