Atlanta is the shining star of the south, a progressive, modern city that’s a model for racial harmony. The weather here is fantastic, and there are more amenities and perks than you might imagine. The cost of living is reasonable, also, and there’s a vibrant hi-tech job market. Indeed, the economic power and job opportunities in Atlanta are hard to match. Still, some people regret moving to Atlanta.
It might be the pollen, which grips the city like a steel trap in springtime. It might be the crime, which is surprisingly high in some parts of the city. The cost of living here, which used to be very inviting, is soaring right now also. Then there’s the fact that Atlanta is entirely landlocked and 5 hours from the nearest beach. For some, that’s the worst part of all and the biggest regret about moving to what the natives call Hotlanta.
If you’re feeling some regret about your recent (or not so recent) move to Atlanta, take heart! We’ve got some tips, ideas, and advice about what to do if you regret moving to Atlanta coming right up! So sit back, sip some sweet tea and read on!
Move Out of the City to Some of Atlanta’s Best Suburbs
If you live in the city of Atlanta, you might be tired of the traffic, noise, and crime. (Frankly, that’s something you’ll find in every American city, but we digress.) The good news is that many excellent suburbs surrounding Atlanta are far more inviting. Indeed, Atlanta is one of the country’s biggest metropolises, stretching out for miles in every direction. (Having no coast helps.) Below are five of the best Atlanta suburbs in no particular order:
1- Roswell
Historic, charming and fun, Roswell is also known as a foodie’s paradise. With top-rated shopping, excellent galleries, and dozens of excellent restaurants, Roswell is a great choice for families, too. (Frommers named it one of the best in the country for families!) Our recommendation; don’t miss Roswell’s phenomenal historic district, one of the best in the country!
2- Sandy Springs
The 6th largest city in Georgia, Sandy Springs, is growing fast. Still, they haven’t forgotten to leave plenty of green spaces, which you’ll find everywhere you look. Only about 15 miles from downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs feels like it’s in another universe altogether. If crime is getting under your skin and making you regret moving to Atlanta, you’ll be glad to know that Sandy Springs’ crime rate is 19% lower than the national average.
3- Peachtree City
South of Atlanta, you’ll find Peachtree City, one of its true gems. For example, the city boasts over 100 miles of multi-use paths. You can park your car and get around on foot, by bicycle, or even with a golf cart! Peachtree City is also one of the safest cities in the entire state. Plus, being 30 miles south of downtown, the housing prices are much better here. A 3-bedroom, 2-bath home starts at around $250K, which is surprisingly affordable.
4- Johns Creek
Voted as one of the best cities in America by 24/7 Wall Street, Johns Creek is delightfully charming and very safe. The crime rate here is one of the lowest in the state, if not the entire country. There’s also very little poverty here, with Johns Creek landing in the bottom 10% nationwide. With a National Park, the Chattahoochee River, and affordable housing, it’s an excellent choice for those who want to leave the city because they regret moving to Atlanta.
5- Marietta
About 20 miles north of Atlanta sits Marietta, a city that’s growing fast but still has a hometown feel. They just got a new baseball stadium a few years back (home of the fantastic Atlanta Braves), and Marietta Square is a true southern delight. Marietta is also central to many other areas and close to Lake Allatoona when you need to cool off and de-stress.
Regret Moving to Atlanta? Get Into Nature
If you regret moving to Atlanta, you might just need to change your head-space. Luckily, there are so many outdoor activities here that boredom is never an option! That’s not hyperbole, either, as Atlanta boasts a wide variety of places to see, experience, and enjoy nature. Some of the best include:
- The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. One of the best rail-line conversions in the country, “The Beltline,” connects over 45 neighborhoods on 33 miles of connected trails.
- Tubing on the Chattahoochee River. Spend a day leisurely tubing through one of the densest metropolises in America while feeling you’re in the deep forest.
- The Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the best in America and maybe the world.
- White Water Rafting. About 50 miles north of the city, near the Tennessee border, you’ll find some of the best white water rafting in the country.
- Stone Mountain Park. This giant rock in the middle of Atlanta provides a spectacular view of the entire megalopolis. Ride the gondola to the top or get some exercise and hike up; it’s a blast!
- Fourth Ward Park. One of the best in the city, Fourth Ward Park, offers 17 acres of green space for relaxing and enjoying life. It connects to the Beltline also and offers a top-rated skate park!
- Amicalola Falls State Park. One hour north of Atlanta, you’ll find this fantastic park in the Chattahoochee National Forest. You can hike to see the waterfall, a 729-foot beauty that’s as inspiring as it is powerful.
It’s Hard to Regret Moving to Atlanta
We hate to hear that someone regrets moving to Atlanta because, frankly, we love it here! We’re SecurCare, the self storage experts in Hotlanta. We love everything about the city and her surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs (so, yeah, we’re a little biased).
If you need a safe, clean, and affordable storage unit in Atlanta, we’ve got you covered. We have facilities north, south, east, and west of the city! With 24 video recording of the property and onsite managers, they’re very secure, too.
If you have questions about self storage, you can chat with an online supervisor any time you like. Even better, stop by one of our many facilities and say hello to the onsite manager. They can show you around, answer your questions and help you get the rental process started. Until then, we hope your regret moving to Atlanta turns into “I love living in Atlanta!”
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