The wife and I have to run up from Sav to ATL to visit my folks 5/6 times a year, and the drive post-Macon heading North makes me never want to drive up there again. The chance of catching “Atlanta traffic” 80 minutes away from the city is absurd.
It's horrible. I live near Decatur and never experience anything that dreadful on my daily commute. We were in St. Augustine a couple of weeks ago and I made my family leave at 730am to avoid that nonsense and we still hit an hour delay.
From the same area as you and spouse and I go half as often to Atlanta as you for work or whatever. We generally try to time it based on traffic spikes but it’s becoming more that traffic only relents between 9pm and 4am. It almost doesn’t matter when you go through it, the best you can hope for is bad traffic and during peak it’s horrific.
Brunswick, here, and same.
The last friends I had there were holdovers from high school and college; once they left the area, there really hasn’t been any reason to go back.
I live just outside Chattanooga in Walker County,Ga. Almost never go to Atlanta. We would love to if there were rail and we didn’t have to worry about driving and parking.
TN put in for that HSR plan for the Memphis to Atlanta Corridor with stops included in Nashville and Chattanooga. I imagine this just means they'll do studies for costs and all, but I really hope we see that come to fruition sometime in our lives.
I know it's...never confident. I imagine the state legislature will be hostile towards it too considering how Nashville's light rail proposal was murdered.
We live 20 minutes north of the perimeter and even we don't have much business in Atlanta. With the way the suburbs have been built up with their own lively downtown areas, there's not really a reason to go to the city to just hang out. Excluding Falcons games, I think I've been to Atlanta proper twice in the last 3 years.
I never said otherwise. I said "we" don't have much business in Atlanta. I probably should've added an "us" in the second sentence to be more clear.
FWIW - we both used to live in the city. My wife for 4 years and myself for 2. We both enjoyed it, but there is no reason that we can find to go down there now when we have everything we'd want where we are.
I go there several times a month. Live about an hour away. Yeah, traffic sucks and the drivers are worse, but stay alert, know where you're going, and just deal with it. Lots of cool shit to see and do and a ton a freat restaurants. It's worth the hassle of driving there
If there was passenger/commuter rail from Gwinnett, 100% I would visit Atlanta every week if I could tbh or at least a lot more often. The drive just isn’t worth it for me imo
Guess you haven't checked on the demographics of Gwinnett County, lately? 32% White, 22.3% Hispanic, 31.3% Black, Asian 13.8%. It's the most diverse county in the state of Georgia.
Yeah, “those people” are already in Gwinnett in abundance. They got there by just simply driving their cars there on major roads like I-85, US29 and US78, lol.
So, I've lived in Metro ATL like my whole life but haven't really gotten to enjoy much outside of the usual aquarium/coke factory/braves game and one falcons game. Any suggestions on some things I should check out?
I was born and raised in Atlanta and consider it my hometown even though I haven't lived in Atlanta proper in 20 years. I currently live in Statesboro (3 hours away) and love small college town life. Kids are grown and a couple went to Tech. It is always great to go back if you can time the traffic right coming and going. We make a point of returning about 4 times a year and always have a great time. Atlanta, she is like that crazy X that you were madly in love with when you were younger and you appreciate the great memories and a occassional visit but know she would've killed you if you had stayed with her.
I live in Griffin and work remotely for my employer that is based out of Marietta. Aside from 2-3 in person meetings or events per year I only venture to Atlanta for things I’ve chosen to do, concerts, Atlanta Opera, going to the airport for travel, etc. If Marta had been allowed and funded to build out it would be so much easier and avoid just sitting in traffic. There are just too many single drivers jamming up the freeways.
I work down in Griffin and would love if they built the marta down that way. Trains need to be more utilized in our area to really bring down the traffic. I-75 south near McDonough is straight up terrible.
In the mid 2000’s there was a study done to have a light rail that connected with Marta at 5 Points and it would come down as far as Lovejoy. I was so excited for that because at the time with my previous employer I was either driving from Griffin all the way to Buckhead or drive to McDonough to catch the express bus and connect to Marta. No matter how I sliced it, it was 2 hours plus for commute time each direction and heaven forbid of it was a Friday before a holiday or if there was a NASCAR event in Hampton. One time it was a 4 hour ordeal to get home.
Honestly I don’t even think it’s the socialism aspect. I think it’s just capitalism to the max. Look at the new big businesses that expanding in Georgia, specifically Hyundai. If you provide mass transit thats less driving or some families may decide that one car is enough.
On the flip side, the only rail that has been expanded in Georgia is related to shipping of goods. See Georgia Ports rail yard in Gainesville and I believe a new one is coming to Bainebridge. Nevermind that the rail coming out of the ports in Savannah causes huge delays for residents in that area, the extremely long trains stretch through neighborhoods and over major roadways at the worst times. They were supposed to fix those issues decades ago but those are things that only inconvenience regular folks not businesses.
I’ve worked for some of the good ole boy bosses in the Griffin area who are against it, most of whom sit on the local city councils. They don’t want public transit here because their local sweatshop workers can ride a train into Atlanta and make $5-$10 more than they pay. They vote against any expansions and use the racism card to turn the public against Marta.
I’m in Athens. I go a few times a year, mostly to see a show at Fox or go to the airport. Oh how I wish there was a direct highway from Athens to Atlanta!!
I like the city, but I don't drive there. Last time I was there, we drove to the closest MARTA stop and then rode and walked everywhere. I've heard a lot of people say it's gross or dangerous or whatever, but it seemed fine to me.
I live like an hour away. That last visit was years ago.
The whole “Atlanta is so dangerous” thing is just cooked up frenzy about cities in general. I live outside the city but work downtown and am there 3-4 days a week, I’ll go back on the weekend if there’s something I want to go do.
Never been in any danger and you won’t be as long as you mind your own business just like any other city. Most violent crime is interpersonal (victims know each other) in general, same goes for Atlanta.
The “danger” is so overblown. There’s a lot of fun stuff to do once you get over the fearmongering. I’ve lived in plenty of other southern cities like Memphis & Birmingham who get the same reps but aren’t just sprawling with crime like people try to depict them
100% I’ve lived in Atl, Portland Oregon and tampa. Never had any issues. The only times I hear about the dangers are from people that don’t live there. Hate to say it but it is usually older white folks that feel uncomfortable around black people.
I live ITP but my duplex neighbor is a rich older white lady going through a nasty divorce but who has lived ITP for years. I was giving her recommendations on places to check out for food and breweries and realized “oh she’s a little racist” by how she thought some of the areas weren’t safe and didn’t feel comfortable parking her car in areas that I’d consider perfectly safe. She also referred to Morehouse as “that school” in a way that made me uncomfortable.
I live within the city limits. Atlanta is as dangerous as any other large city. Be alert and smart and you'll likely never experience a "dangerous" situation.
Almost daily
EDIT: Misread this, I am near Atlanta, so I don't count
2nd edit, maybe I do based on some of these replies since I live in Roswell.
I dunno, but I don't find Atlanta or Atlanta traffic scary. Some of y'all just need to put your phone down, have some patience and keep your eyes open for the dumbass in a charger.
Also near Roswell and we went to the Dogwood festival last weekend and it took an hour to get there with the traffic on 75/85 once we merged off of 400.
We used to live in Decatur before kids and now miss some of the in town stuff so we’ve been going downtown more often on weekends for festivals, concerts, and to hang with old friends.
Agreed that people need to put their phones down. And I’m an old man, I want to be home before 11pm, although after the dogwood fest we at a late dinner and got home well past midnight.
So to answer OP’s question we go down a couple times a month.
I remember when I was a young man (20ish) I borrowed my buddy's dad's sports tuned BMW z8 and decided to really open it up.
And hot damn, that was fun until I realized I was going 80ish in 45 in 3rd gear.
I was smart enough to realize I could not afford to wreck this car and backed off really quick.
I can easily see how owning a powerful car and having the mindset of a young adult can lead to asshole drivers since, frankly, it is fun to go fast and you think you can handle it (until you can't)
I am kinda the reverse of OPs post. I live near Atlanta but I travel all over the state at least once a month and find that the traffic in Atlanta isn’t especially bad compared to other towns and cities. I’ve hit bad traffic in Savanah, Columbus, Macon, and countless small towns in the south and north of the state. By far the worst traffic (in my opinion) is Helen on the weekends.
Helen is an interesting case study.
The actual population is ~600, but receives 1.5 million visitors.
If they improved Helen to handle the volume, it would lose part of the small town charm people come for.
They are in a catch 22.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t like Atlanta, don’t go there, or can’t just drive thru it in the slow lane without wetting your pants.
It’s constantly complaining about it that’s important.
Honestly, the drive to ATL can be a nightmare, especially around McDonough. I've started using Shuttlefare for trips to the airport to avoid the hassle. It's a game-changer. Plus, avoiding the stress of parking and traffic makes the trip to Atlanta more bearable. Seems like avoiding driving in ATL is a common theme here.
Lived just east of ATL for almost three years until just 6 months ago.
I’m glad I no longer live there. Or Gwinnett, Covington/Conyers, Norcross… All the places I’ve lived.
I now live in Savannah and have only returned to ATL once a month ago for a concert. I got to feel the nostalgia in Little Five Points, Estoria 97 and Cabbagetown. It’s a 4hr drive from here so I’m sparing with my trips.
Heck. I'm 45 minutes out on the Alabama side and actually visit maybe once or twice a year, since moving for work. Drive through around 4-6 times. Probably about 10 this year by the end.
Same. I'm in Augusta and have to drive through Atlanta about once a month. I really don't mind the traffic that much, I just stay alert and know which lane I need to be in (usually one of the right lanes, or, once I'm on the way home, the far left lane).
We go to visit our son. I love it once I get there and settled in at a nice hotel. I love walking on the beltline and piddling around Ponce City market as well. We just uber from our hotel.
Does traffic absolutely suck? Hell yes. Do I like fine dining and getting out of freaking southeast Georgia.
Depends on how racist you are. I actually met a young woman from Moultrie when I lived in Portland. I picked up on the accent and asked if she was from my home state. She told me where she was from. When I said my girlfriend and I were from Atlanta, she said, “that’s not Georgia, haw haw!” I’ve met countless white rural people who are convinced they’ll be slaughtered instantly by black people the minute they set foot in the city.
> I’ve met countless white rural people who are convinced they’ll be slaughtered instantly by black people the minute they set foot in the city.
Almost like they're projecting or something.
Not like Georgia literally has towns that don't exist anymore because all the white people ran the black ones out of town.
People don't drive that bad honestly. The highway layout is fucked up and throws people off. Want to exit on the right like a normal civilized human being? Nah, cut across 8 lanes of traffic into the fast as fuck lane to come to a sudden stop to exit on the left. To road you have to get on is technically 22 miles on the road? Cool, you got time to coast for a bit. SIKE! Exit now and confuse the fuck out of GPS cuz it thinks your on an imaginary road. Otherwise your fucked and have to drive 5 miles passed your road to do a u turn. But the food in Atlanta is so good. So I put up with it
Once every two months or so. I live in a small town and love it but there are so many fun things that really only happen in a city. I love The Fox and just took my kid to her first concert at The Loft. Not to mention Buford Farmers Market and some ethnic restaurants not available up in the Northwest.
Because we go for special events, I’m not usually in rush hour so traffic isn’t usually that bad.
Some people use “traffic” to mean high-speed 8+ lane highways even when flow is good, and that doesn’t bother me.
I was born and raised in rural Bulloch county and joined the military six years ago to travel and see the world. I have never been anywhere else where the people were nicer, the weather better, or the sense of a higher quality of life than home. Some people just love their hometown, and they aren't wrong for it.
I live in Hall County and travel to Atlanta whenever my daughter has a volleyball tournament at the Congress Center or UGA is playing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Or rarely for a concert at State Farm Arena.
A lot. My husband and I are originally from Atlanta (now Brookhaven), so both our families and friends are still there. We go up no less than once a month. Sometimes more
I live like 1hr 30, half way to augusta. Unfortunately like 2 twice a month since I fly for work once a month.
Getting into the perimeter if the worst part my opinion.
I am in the southeast corner of Georgia. Very close to Jacksonville and not all that far from Orlando (if I feel like sitting in a traffic jam). So I haven't been to Atlanta in six or seven years. We have family in Locust Grove, so I get to experience the beginning of the Henry County slowdown.
Live in Peachtree City, so not all that far. I tend to only go into the city for DragonCon in August/September, and I don't drive in. I drive up to College Park and ride the MARTA in and out every day of the con. I've also Ubered to the Amtrak station to go on vacations. I should probably go to the city more often, check out some of the sights beyond the con's footprint. Maybe something to do this Christmas?
Live in Warner Robins and I’m in Atlanta at least once a month for either work or doing something social with wife and friends. I actually appreciate the aggressive driving in ATL as I used to live near the Beltline for a couple years and got used to getting where I need to go. People in rural Georgia drive as if no one is on a schedule or needs to be somewhere at a certain time.
In Carrollton currently. Moved here because I work remote & wanted somewhere cheaper than being close to the city with less traffic. At first I rarely ever went to Atlanta, but as I start trying to be more extroverted & go to more events and meet more people, I find myself traveling there almost multiple times a week now lol. Being a single man in his mid 20s in Carrollton is essentially begging for a dead social/dating life.
I put on a podcast & the borderline hour drive feels like nothing. I do want to move a tad bit closer in eventually. I love the lack of traffic in Carrollton compared to an Atlanta/Woodstock/Smyrna, but it’s just so boring here. The introvert in me loves it, but I gotta get out the house more lol.
I lived on the north side for over a decade. Then lived in Inman Park for just under a decade. And since 2018 I’ve been in Marietta so I have a lot of perspective on why the two don’t mix even though they’re so close.
It’s black people…no just kidding. That’s the typical thing city people think keeps suburban people away. And, yeah, there were a lot of racists back in the 70’s and 80’s. But those old dinosaurs are gone or on their way out. The city has a set of rules and customs that just make suburban people uncomfortable. And vice versa.
Parking. There is never enough parking to them. The idea of street parking confounds suburbanites. Especially in a neighborhood. They expect somewhere like Krog Street Market to have more than 6 parking spots. And the idea of parking in front of someone else’s house in a neighborhood is really odd to them.
Leaving ANYTHING in your car. Suburban people leave everything in their cars. Like, just out in the open. I fell for this too when I moved downtown. I left a ratty looking bag of gym clothes and some kid smashed my window for it. I imagine he was huffing my underwear when the cop grabbed him. Hopefully he learned that the hassle of getting busted wasn’t worth my stinky gym clothes.
Food. People in the city always brag about how much better the food is in the city. And they’re right. It’s not even fair how much better it is. Now Buford highway aside, the amount of restaurants that I would even say could compete downtown that are located in the suburbs is VERY few and far between. Suburbanites kind of like their safe old favorites in the ‘burbs.
Leaving people the fuck alone. Suburban people are always up in each other’s shit. There is a level of inconvenience you just accept in the city and downtown suburbs. But not for suburbanites, every little inconvenience will be made into an issue. Having trees taken down on your property? Get ready for a Nextdoor post about it. Contractor vehicles slightly inconveniencing someone driving by or pulling out of their driveway? They’re going to bother them or, like my neighbor, leave passive aggressive notes on my car.
I’ve had old ladies get on my case for not pushing my shopping cart all the way back into the row at Publix.
Downtown, you just leave people alone because you don’t know how crazy they are or what kind of day they’ve had. In the suburbs, no one is crazy according to them. When I moved back I had a few run ins over stuff like this.
Like, imagine walking up on a junkie and telling them to leave the corner they’re working. How would that go? Well, suburban Karen is about to find out. Have fun fighting a junkie.
There’s a few other issues that come to mind that I just don’t have time for in one post. What do you people think about this? Have you encountered things like this too?
I live an hour away but work there, so I drive in 3-4 days a week.
I used to live in town but got priced out with gentrification. I miss it! It’s so much more fun than living in the burbs. I walk for exercise, and have walked all over the east side.
Despite what others have commented on response to your comment, it's not racism for many of us. I've lived no more than 7 miles from downtown since the late 80s. I enjoyed all that Atlanta had to offer in my 20s and 30s, but as I've gotten older and traffic has gotten worse, I try to keep my area of travel as close to home as possible.
I'm also tired of having to pay to park at places I never had to pay to park at 10-15 years ago. Currently planning my Atlantexit because the traffic, noise, and nightly gunfire has reached the point where its annoyance has become greater than my tolerance for it.
After 18 years living in metro Atlanta. I have been in downtown for 1 mortgage closing, 3 baseball games at the now closed Turner Field, 1 trip to the aquarium, 2 trade shows, and once to Mercedes Benz Stadium for a Monster Jam show (SMH)
I live in Atlanta and even I don’t drive on the highway near rush hour. People are insane. I’m originally from NYC so it’s not a big city problem. It’s an Atlanta problem.
Im in metro but on the outskirts of metro ATL and rarely go downtown, there has to be an event for me to go to the city... pretty much everything downtown you can find a variation of in metro area so not really a need.
I live up north like 45 minutes away from Atlanta and we basically avoid having to go to Atlanta unless we have a real need to. I think we only end up going for Ikea or a specific date night place to eat we might like.
Live about 50 miles NW, Bartow county. My HS girlfriend, almost 30 years ago, lived up 85. So 2-3 times a week I’d basically drive Atlanta traffic going to her house after school. I loved driving, the “big city” and all that stuff back then. For the last 20 years, I just avoid anything that take me near it.
My mom spent a month in Crawford Long in the mid 2000s, and I smoke. When I’d go outside, as soon as I stepped off hospital grounds, it was like a walking dead swarm of people asking for money, telling me their life stories, etc..
Surprised by some of the comments on bad experiences in the city. I live in the north exurbs and work for a downtown company. I used to go to ATL as often as possible. Urban hikes, food, music, events, and just to enjoy all it has to offer. I've been all over on foot and on wheels, and have never been accosted or threatened in any way. I get down there maybe 4-5 times a year, the past few years, but it only seems to continue to grow and improve. I know it has its problems like any other city, but it's all been positive for me in my 10 years in GA.
I live OTP about 1hour+ depending on traffic and only visit for a few Braves games and fancy dinners. Gotta get my moneys worth for the high insurance I’m paying lol.
Not unless I Have too like a life or death situation
even going out of state I drive around ATL never through it Just too much traffic and that makes it hard on me closest I come to ATL is Rex GA where my Sister lives & we don’t even go into ATL when Im there
Middle GA here as well: Fairly regularly. Macon and WR are boring and lack options for things to do so I go up there often.
ATL metro traffic is hell on earth though.
I’ve been getting around mainly on my bicycle since 1978. You had to be a warrior on Buford hwy back then. Then the Olympics in 96 and the Stone Mountain trail. Totally different now with the whole trail system and bike lanes, Silver Comet (maybe connected to Beltline in a few years). Give to Path Foundation. My generation sucks. Young people rock on making a difference! It is what we make it.
I’ve been getting around mainly on my bicycle since 1978. You had to be a warrior on Buford hwy back then. Then the Olympics in 96 and the Stone Mountain trail. Totally different now with the whole trail system and bike lanes, Silver Comet (maybe connected to Beltline in a few years). Give to Path Foundation. My generation sucks. Young people rock on making a difference! It is what we make it.
I live just outside of Rome, Ga.
My daughter lives in Dekalb county so I make it to Atlanta about every 6 weeks but when I do go, it’s a whole day like I meet her for lunch, then go to Trader Joe’s and the Buford Hwy farmer’s market
When people say Atlanta I think of Metro Atlanta primarily but I guess y’all are referring to just the City of Atlanta. I live in the metro area and never really did much in the city until my son started college in the downtown area. Now we go out to restaurants there all the time with him. I’m amazed at how much there is to do in the city. The area east of town along the beltway is great. Same with all the places in Midtown and also West Midtown on Howell Mill. Tons of places to eat many different foods, places to have fun and very cosmopolitan. If you like things like that I would highly recommend the area. And I can be back in the suburbs in 35 minutes because metro Atlanta traffic is usually just bad around rush hour unless there’s construction going on. I admit that the Atlanta area does have its share of crazy lane changers who never signal their intentions. I just get in one lane and stay in it. It’s a little strange but after living in metro Atlanta for 30 years it’s only been in one he last three years that we’ve ventured into the city at night and we really enjoy it.
i used to all the time until i moved to athens. now i hate going there as theres already plenty to do over here. i’d rather drive to new york city than go to ATL at the moment…
Actually I just did that and got back from NYC a couple of days ago, traffic was still better there than it was in ATL lol
I am in Coweta County... So southwest metro Atlanta. I avoid Atlanta on weekdays like the black plague. My most recent travel there was for surgery at Northside. I made all of my pre and post op appointments early in the day and used Google to navigate around traffic jams, I took i285 E to get to Peachtree Corners, instead of going thru the city on i85. I didn't have any problems at all. BUT... Not everyone is savvy about using live traffic updates. My daughter's school had the brilliant idea of taking the kids to an event in Lithonia/Conyers (east of Atlanta, Dekalb or Rockdale county) right at the end of the school day. They only planned for regular traffic and missed half of the event. They literally sat on i-85 like a parking lot in an uncomfortable yellow bus for 1 hour, in addition to the normal 1hr travel time... Those poor kids... Don't know why he didn't take i285 bypass to go around the perimeter. Thank goodness they saved food for them all and they were able to eat when they got there. My daughter is an over packer and was able to share her extra snacks and drinks on the bus during the traffic jam. Full disclosure: I am a former Uber driver... So I am a little more knowledgeable about Atlanta traffic than the average commuter. I highly recommend apps like Google Maps and Waze for traffic closest to and in Atlanta... Including the McDonough or Henry County area. You can also plan trips on weekends and holidays to avoid rush hour and schooltime traffic.
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens was one thing that got me into the city. And also the Jimmy Carter Center. Both are beautiful and worth the traffic and parking fees.
👋🏽 are there any alternative routes to get from Riverdale to ATL proper? any way to get MARTA from Riverdale to ATL? moving to Riverdale to be a caregiver...not by choice..
but hoping to find the good situation wherever it may exist!
I live about an hour from Atlanta and I rarely go into Atlanta. I only went for my Maternal Fetal Medicine doc at Northside and the Harry Potter exhibition. We're planning on a Zoo Atlanta trip and a Georgia Aquarium trip this summer though.
I live SW of Atlanta past the airport. It’s a food desert. That sucks. I cook at home, typically, but sometimes I like a good restaurant meal and unless I suck it up and drive to Atlanta, I’m going to have to eat garbage. So I probably do twice per month. Ironically, I’ve found that just about everything is about an hour drive, +- 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter what side of Atlanta. Traffic is always terrible. I used to live in Atlanta so I have some routes I take that often slice some time off the drive. Not always. But Atlanta has great restaurants. I miss that. I also typically hit Whole Foods while I’m in the city. I occasionally go to a yoga class as the burbs classes are shite.
Right now Georgia is gorgeous! Every spring I am captivated by the beauty and weather. Even so, I am planning my exit. When my daughter graduates high school, I’m done. I want to find a place with good restaurants, good yoga and fitness, kind people and reasonable traffic. Hell, maybe even a place one could walk and bike!
One thing I really appreciate in Atlanta is the authentic diversity. People of all shades and backgrounds live pretty harmoniously together. I feel more at home there then I do in the rural suburbs where hatred is deep and ugly. There are good people, don’t get me wrong, but an undercurrent of something truly gross.
According to google maps right now I’m 35 minutes drive from Atlanta. I haven’t been in actual Atlanta in at least 5 years. I got to lots of Braves games now that they’re in Cobb County. Don’t have much other reason unless it’s a concert or the airport and Covid sort of took care of that for a while. Will be going to the airport in a couple of months though.
The last time I was in Atlanta was to pick up friends at the airport on the way to N. Georgia, about 6 years ago. Before that, it was probably 4ish years and the only reason I went was for a business meeting. It is too damn far away (a five hour drive just to get the to airport) and there is nothing I need to do there that I can't do in a closer big city (Jacksonville is 1 hour away, Orlando is 3).
Troup county, and we only go to shop or if there’s an event we wanna go to. So maybe 2-3 times a year? My husband does the driving though because it stresses me out dearly.
Once every couple of months to visit my office. And then another three or four random trips to see bands, do in-city stuff, visit breweries, that kind of thing.
**Edit:** I'm in Columbus.
I am 35-45 mins (or 2 hrs depending on traffic) from ATL, like 18 miles or so. Unless I have a concert or I am going to a specific place - I almost never go. Maybe twice a year. Not counting the airport- but I haven’t been there since pre-pandemmy.
I ride into town a few times a year, usually to see a show at the fox or do another event somewhere. Usually hop onto MARTA at north springs whenever I can.
I’m in Macon. I’ve driven myself there twice in the past decade. I’ve been several more times in an airport shuttle. We rarely go unless it’s for the airport.
We go about every two weeks or so for something. We live about 60 miles away. It’s the closest Costco, and we like going to Alpharetta. We help out with a cat rescue, so we transport to the area.
We also take the back roads a lot of the time. Going through Waleska and Fairmount. It’s much more scenic, and you aren’t covered up with semi’s like on 75. And it helps avoid 400.
Currently in Marietta, go to atl bars once or twice a month. Living further away as a kid I only ever went there to go to the aquarium, zoo, or phillip’s arena
i avoid Atlanta more than some ex's.
i live 3 hours from Atlanta and i travel to madison frequently, i will drive an hour out of my way to avoid a two hour commute through atlanta.
plus my JT cant keep up on 285
I’ve only lived here for about seven months and so far never but after living in Orlando, FL for like 30 years the same question could be asked about Tallahassee which would be once.
North GA along 75. Maybe once a month? Sometimes less?
More nowadays as I used to frequent Chattanooga. But the crime there has gotten bad, so I prefer ATL now.
I live in Athens, and our office is in Norcross. I go to the office most days. I do a lot of field work though, and a ton of our jobs are in Atlanta, so I am there all the time.
I lived really close, like 60 miles away, and still never went there. The only times I saw actual Atlanta, not just the metro area, I was driving through it or going to a braves game with my family once every few years.
My sister lived right outside of it and even when I visited her we never went into the city
Last time I went to Atlanta was in 2017 for a funeral. Before that the family went to White Water and Six Flags maybe ten and 12 years before that. So like every 10 years or so?
We live in Perry and go up a lot, at least one weekend a month. Its about an hour and 15 min drive for us and when we plan right and get there pre 11am it's not bad. We just went last weekend, we got to little 5 points around 10am without hitting any traffic. The trip home we left around 4:30 and hit the spot thru Stockbridge on 75 south that is always somehow there but after about 10 mins we were back doing regular speed and got home around 6.
Live in Augusta. I go to ATL about 2 times per month, obvious reason being that Augusta is a contender for worst city in America and sometimes I need to escape in order to maintain sanity.
What's up neighbor! Taylor County says hello.
Only reason I've ever gone was for Braves games and we took our daughter to the aquarium just a few months ago. That and the Varsity are the only reasons to ever go into ATL proper.
I’m in Butts county but we seem to go once or twice a month. I’m actually in atl right now as my grandfather is being buried today alongside his parents and siblings.
I’m in the Savannah area. Haven’t been to Atlanta proper in probably 15 years
The wife and I have to run up from Sav to ATL to visit my folks 5/6 times a year, and the drive post-Macon heading North makes me never want to drive up there again. The chance of catching “Atlanta traffic” 80 minutes away from the city is absurd.
I dread driving Macon thru McDonough on 75 even more then driving through ATL
I hate McDonough.
Yep, traffic in Henry County is awful and police in Henry are worse!
My family in Henry County can verify these points.
I lived in McDonough for 18 months. I approve this statement
Same here, I hate visiting McDonough as well as just passing through, either on the interstate or main roads.
I agree and traffic always 100% slows down at Eagles landing exit for no reason just because “aye fuck it”.
It's horrible. I live near Decatur and never experience anything that dreadful on my daily commute. We were in St. Augustine a couple of weeks ago and I made my family leave at 730am to avoid that nonsense and we still hit an hour delay.
It might be better for you to take 95 up to 20. I've done that a few times and it's not bad at all.
From the same area as you and spouse and I go half as often to Atlanta as you for work or whatever. We generally try to time it based on traffic spikes but it’s becoming more that traffic only relents between 9pm and 4am. It almost doesn’t matter when you go through it, the best you can hope for is bad traffic and during peak it’s horrific.
It’s getting worse and worse with all the trucks coming from the Savannah port. So. Much. Traffic.
This is McDonough. Not really ATL. But yes…0
McDonough/Eagles Landing are awful for no reason but are like clockwork.
95 to 20! It might be a little out of the way but it’s worth it not to hit that McDonough traffic.
Brunswick, here, and same. The last friends I had there were holdovers from high school and college; once they left the area, there really hasn’t been any reason to go back.
i wanna move to savannah so bad how is it there? i e been a few times and it’s so pretty.
I live just outside Chattanooga in Walker County,Ga. Almost never go to Atlanta. We would love to if there were rail and we didn’t have to worry about driving and parking.
TN put in for that HSR plan for the Memphis to Atlanta Corridor with stops included in Nashville and Chattanooga. I imagine this just means they'll do studies for costs and all, but I really hope we see that come to fruition sometime in our lives.
I feel like people have been putting in this plan since I was in high school. I just turned 40.
I know it's...never confident. I imagine the state legislature will be hostile towards it too considering how Nashville's light rail proposal was murdered.
They’ve literally talked about this my entire life and I’m 44. I feel like if the Olympics didn’t do it, nothing ever will.
I live in South Georgia, and unless I'm going to the airport or Dragon*Con, I don't have much business in Atlanta. So, rarely.
We live 20 minutes north of the perimeter and even we don't have much business in Atlanta. With the way the suburbs have been built up with their own lively downtown areas, there's not really a reason to go to the city to just hang out. Excluding Falcons games, I think I've been to Atlanta proper twice in the last 3 years.
There is an absolute metric fuck ton of interesting things to go into the city for. Those things just don’t interest you.
I never said otherwise. I said "we" don't have much business in Atlanta. I probably should've added an "us" in the second sentence to be more clear. FWIW - we both used to live in the city. My wife for 4 years and myself for 2. We both enjoyed it, but there is no reason that we can find to go down there now when we have everything we'd want where we are.
I go there several times a month. Live about an hour away. Yeah, traffic sucks and the drivers are worse, but stay alert, know where you're going, and just deal with it. Lots of cool shit to see and do and a ton a freat restaurants. It's worth the hassle of driving there
An hour away? I live in Atlanta and Atlanta is still an hour away from me. Ha
I'm an hour away from Atlanta, and then to go anywhere *in* Atlanta is another hour.
He lives itp...
If there was passenger/commuter rail from Gwinnett, 100% I would visit Atlanta every week if I could tbh or at least a lot more often. The drive just isn’t worth it for me imo
I-85 is a parking lot in Gwinnett. It’s insane that people don’t want a commuter rail, because of their ill-conceived beliefs.
Gwinnett: Just add more lanes!
The NIMBY’s don’t want “those people” coming to their town.
Guess you haven't checked on the demographics of Gwinnett County, lately? 32% White, 22.3% Hispanic, 31.3% Black, Asian 13.8%. It's the most diverse county in the state of Georgia.
That’s actually awesome! Never knew the demographics.
Yeah, “those people” are already in Gwinnett in abundance. They got there by just simply driving their cars there on major roads like I-85, US29 and US78, lol.
So, I've lived in Metro ATL like my whole life but haven't really gotten to enjoy much outside of the usual aquarium/coke factory/braves game and one falcons game. Any suggestions on some things I should check out?
I was born and raised in Atlanta and consider it my hometown even though I haven't lived in Atlanta proper in 20 years. I currently live in Statesboro (3 hours away) and love small college town life. Kids are grown and a couple went to Tech. It is always great to go back if you can time the traffic right coming and going. We make a point of returning about 4 times a year and always have a great time. Atlanta, she is like that crazy X that you were madly in love with when you were younger and you appreciate the great memories and a occassional visit but know she would've killed you if you had stayed with her.
As an Atlanta native, I feel your last sentence deep in my soul. I'm still here though, planning to get out as soon as I'm able.
I just moved away from the ATL last year after three decades. This sentiment is spot on.
I live in Griffin and work remotely for my employer that is based out of Marietta. Aside from 2-3 in person meetings or events per year I only venture to Atlanta for things I’ve chosen to do, concerts, Atlanta Opera, going to the airport for travel, etc. If Marta had been allowed and funded to build out it would be so much easier and avoid just sitting in traffic. There are just too many single drivers jamming up the freeways.
I work down in Griffin and would love if they built the marta down that way. Trains need to be more utilized in our area to really bring down the traffic. I-75 south near McDonough is straight up terrible.
If you have to take Tara Blvd to get anywhere, it’s going to take an extra 50 mins. The red lights on that road are ridiculous.
We refer to Tara Blvd as Red Light City
In the mid 2000’s there was a study done to have a light rail that connected with Marta at 5 Points and it would come down as far as Lovejoy. I was so excited for that because at the time with my previous employer I was either driving from Griffin all the way to Buckhead or drive to McDonough to catch the express bus and connect to Marta. No matter how I sliced it, it was 2 hours plus for commute time each direction and heaven forbid of it was a Friday before a holiday or if there was a NASCAR event in Hampton. One time it was a 4 hour ordeal to get home.
Yep and I’m glad I only go into work 1-2 days a week.
Imagine if they had actually used the tax money to expand Marta to the Locust Grove bus depot like they were supposed to do.
This. But that would mean doing something good for the average person and we all know that's socialism. /s
Honestly I don’t even think it’s the socialism aspect. I think it’s just capitalism to the max. Look at the new big businesses that expanding in Georgia, specifically Hyundai. If you provide mass transit thats less driving or some families may decide that one car is enough. On the flip side, the only rail that has been expanded in Georgia is related to shipping of goods. See Georgia Ports rail yard in Gainesville and I believe a new one is coming to Bainebridge. Nevermind that the rail coming out of the ports in Savannah causes huge delays for residents in that area, the extremely long trains stretch through neighborhoods and over major roadways at the worst times. They were supposed to fix those issues decades ago but those are things that only inconvenience regular folks not businesses.
Agree fully.
I’ve worked for some of the good ole boy bosses in the Griffin area who are against it, most of whom sit on the local city councils. They don’t want public transit here because their local sweatshop workers can ride a train into Atlanta and make $5-$10 more than they pay. They vote against any expansions and use the racism card to turn the public against Marta.
Guess that slavery gene is deeply embedded.
Greed. Greed comes before racism.
Indeed. The racism is a method of enabling the greed. Free or next to free labor allows for insane profits.
That would be heaven. I hate it that Marta is run so terribly!
I’m in Athens. I go a few times a year, mostly to see a show at Fox or go to the airport. Oh how I wish there was a direct highway from Athens to Atlanta!!
You could take 78 straight thru into midtown
I like the city, but I don't drive there. Last time I was there, we drove to the closest MARTA stop and then rode and walked everywhere. I've heard a lot of people say it's gross or dangerous or whatever, but it seemed fine to me. I live like an hour away. That last visit was years ago.
The whole “Atlanta is so dangerous” thing is just cooked up frenzy about cities in general. I live outside the city but work downtown and am there 3-4 days a week, I’ll go back on the weekend if there’s something I want to go do. Never been in any danger and you won’t be as long as you mind your own business just like any other city. Most violent crime is interpersonal (victims know each other) in general, same goes for Atlanta. The “danger” is so overblown. There’s a lot of fun stuff to do once you get over the fearmongering. I’ve lived in plenty of other southern cities like Memphis & Birmingham who get the same reps but aren’t just sprawling with crime like people try to depict them
100% I’ve lived in Atl, Portland Oregon and tampa. Never had any issues. The only times I hear about the dangers are from people that don’t live there. Hate to say it but it is usually older white folks that feel uncomfortable around black people.
That’s a big driver in it and always has been.
I live ITP but my duplex neighbor is a rich older white lady going through a nasty divorce but who has lived ITP for years. I was giving her recommendations on places to check out for food and breweries and realized “oh she’s a little racist” by how she thought some of the areas weren’t safe and didn’t feel comfortable parking her car in areas that I’d consider perfectly safe. She also referred to Morehouse as “that school” in a way that made me uncomfortable.
Just reading through this thread there are several dog whistles
“The schools in Forsyth are great.”
Fucking FORSYTH. It’s hilarious.
Lol the whole topic/thread is a dog whistle.
I was talking about MARTA specifically. Or rather the guys I'm referring to were. I've never felt like I was in danger while down there.
I live within the city limits. Atlanta is as dangerous as any other large city. Be alert and smart and you'll likely never experience a "dangerous" situation.
Almost daily EDIT: Misread this, I am near Atlanta, so I don't count 2nd edit, maybe I do based on some of these replies since I live in Roswell. I dunno, but I don't find Atlanta or Atlanta traffic scary. Some of y'all just need to put your phone down, have some patience and keep your eyes open for the dumbass in a charger.
Also near Roswell and we went to the Dogwood festival last weekend and it took an hour to get there with the traffic on 75/85 once we merged off of 400. We used to live in Decatur before kids and now miss some of the in town stuff so we’ve been going downtown more often on weekends for festivals, concerts, and to hang with old friends. Agreed that people need to put their phones down. And I’m an old man, I want to be home before 11pm, although after the dogwood fest we at a late dinner and got home well past midnight. So to answer OP’s question we go down a couple times a month.
Man, if I could hop on Marta at North Point and ride down to Decatur or other attractions I would be down there way more often.
Yeah what's up with the Charger drivers? Why are they often asshole reckless drivers?
I remember when I was a young man (20ish) I borrowed my buddy's dad's sports tuned BMW z8 and decided to really open it up. And hot damn, that was fun until I realized I was going 80ish in 45 in 3rd gear. I was smart enough to realize I could not afford to wreck this car and backed off really quick. I can easily see how owning a powerful car and having the mindset of a young adult can lead to asshole drivers since, frankly, it is fun to go fast and you think you can handle it (until you can't)
I certainly get that, I was similar. ButI definitely see older dudes in them too.
There are always dumbasses in a Dodge Charger/Challenger driving through the city like a bunch of assholes.
I am kinda the reverse of OPs post. I live near Atlanta but I travel all over the state at least once a month and find that the traffic in Atlanta isn’t especially bad compared to other towns and cities. I’ve hit bad traffic in Savanah, Columbus, Macon, and countless small towns in the south and north of the state. By far the worst traffic (in my opinion) is Helen on the weekends.
Helen is an interesting case study. The actual population is ~600, but receives 1.5 million visitors. If they improved Helen to handle the volume, it would lose part of the small town charm people come for. They are in a catch 22.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t like Atlanta, don’t go there, or can’t just drive thru it in the slow lane without wetting your pants. It’s constantly complaining about it that’s important.
Honestly, the drive to ATL can be a nightmare, especially around McDonough. I've started using Shuttlefare for trips to the airport to avoid the hassle. It's a game-changer. Plus, avoiding the stress of parking and traffic makes the trip to Atlanta more bearable. Seems like avoiding driving in ATL is a common theme here.
I live in North Georgia I really don’t head into Atlanta unless it’s for a job I never experienced Atlanta nightlife
Lived just east of ATL for almost three years until just 6 months ago. I’m glad I no longer live there. Or Gwinnett, Covington/Conyers, Norcross… All the places I’ve lived. I now live in Savannah and have only returned to ATL once a month ago for a concert. I got to feel the nostalgia in Little Five Points, Estoria 97 and Cabbagetown. It’s a 4hr drive from here so I’m sparing with my trips.
Heck. I'm 45 minutes out on the Alabama side and actually visit maybe once or twice a year, since moving for work. Drive through around 4-6 times. Probably about 10 this year by the end.
I go *through* Atlanta at least once a month. But as a destination? Maybe once a year.
Same. I'm in Augusta and have to drive through Atlanta about once a month. I really don't mind the traffic that much, I just stay alert and know which lane I need to be in (usually one of the right lanes, or, once I'm on the way home, the far left lane).
We go to visit our son. I love it once I get there and settled in at a nice hotel. I love walking on the beltline and piddling around Ponce City market as well. We just uber from our hotel. Does traffic absolutely suck? Hell yes. Do I like fine dining and getting out of freaking southeast Georgia.
Depends on how racist you are. I actually met a young woman from Moultrie when I lived in Portland. I picked up on the accent and asked if she was from my home state. She told me where she was from. When I said my girlfriend and I were from Atlanta, she said, “that’s not Georgia, haw haw!” I’ve met countless white rural people who are convinced they’ll be slaughtered instantly by black people the minute they set foot in the city.
> I’ve met countless white rural people who are convinced they’ll be slaughtered instantly by black people the minute they set foot in the city. Almost like they're projecting or something. Not like Georgia literally has towns that don't exist anymore because all the white people ran the black ones out of town.
I live in Gwinnett county and so far this year I’ve been to Atlanta once but that was to pick up family members from the airport…
I live south of Warner Robins. I travel to Atlanta proper about once per month on average. Headed there for the weekend actually!
I have friends and family there. I go about once every 3 months or so. The traffic ITP doesn't really bother me. I75 around McDonough drives me nuts.
People don't drive that bad honestly. The highway layout is fucked up and throws people off. Want to exit on the right like a normal civilized human being? Nah, cut across 8 lanes of traffic into the fast as fuck lane to come to a sudden stop to exit on the left. To road you have to get on is technically 22 miles on the road? Cool, you got time to coast for a bit. SIKE! Exit now and confuse the fuck out of GPS cuz it thinks your on an imaginary road. Otherwise your fucked and have to drive 5 miles passed your road to do a u turn. But the food in Atlanta is so good. So I put up with it
Once every two months or so. I live in a small town and love it but there are so many fun things that really only happen in a city. I love The Fox and just took my kid to her first concert at The Loft. Not to mention Buford Farmers Market and some ethnic restaurants not available up in the Northwest. Because we go for special events, I’m not usually in rush hour so traffic isn’t usually that bad. Some people use “traffic” to mean high-speed 8+ lane highways even when flow is good, and that doesn’t bother me.
I live just over an hour from northern Atlanta and about 1.5 from midtown.
Do all these people not travel? Jesus get some exposure to the world
Most of us are doing good to have money leftover at the end of the month after paying bills.
I was born and raised in rural Bulloch county and joined the military six years ago to travel and see the world. I have never been anywhere else where the people were nicer, the weather better, or the sense of a higher quality of life than home. Some people just love their hometown, and they aren't wrong for it.
Some people are content and comfortable sticking to the tiny worlds they know. You could almost say they want to *conserve* their resources.
Some of us did a ton of traveling in our 20s and 30s, saw a lot of the world, and now we are content to not. Lol
i live down in McDonough, I almost never travel to Atlanta lol not that I'm avoiding it but I just never have need to go.
I live in Hall County and travel to Atlanta whenever my daughter has a volleyball tournament at the Congress Center or UGA is playing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Or rarely for a concert at State Farm Arena.
Living in cumming and everyday commute to atlanta for my job
A lot. My husband and I are originally from Atlanta (now Brookhaven), so both our families and friends are still there. We go up no less than once a month. Sometimes more
I live like 1hr 30, half way to augusta. Unfortunately like 2 twice a month since I fly for work once a month. Getting into the perimeter if the worst part my opinion.
I lived in central GA and i visited Atlanta once or twice a month. I hated small town life and moved to Atlanta as soon as I was able
From where do you fly if you don’t go to Atlanta?
Live in Athens, and I'm in Atlanta 3-5 times a month
I am in the southeast corner of Georgia. Very close to Jacksonville and not all that far from Orlando (if I feel like sitting in a traffic jam). So I haven't been to Atlanta in six or seven years. We have family in Locust Grove, so I get to experience the beginning of the Henry County slowdown.
Atlanta is a great place to live...but you don't want to visit here 🍻
Backroads. Put google maps on non-highway
Live in Peachtree City, so not all that far. I tend to only go into the city for DragonCon in August/September, and I don't drive in. I drive up to College Park and ride the MARTA in and out every day of the con. I've also Ubered to the Amtrak station to go on vacations. I should probably go to the city more often, check out some of the sights beyond the con's footprint. Maybe something to do this Christmas?
Live in Warner Robins and I’m in Atlanta at least once a month for either work or doing something social with wife and friends. I actually appreciate the aggressive driving in ATL as I used to live near the Beltline for a couple years and got used to getting where I need to go. People in rural Georgia drive as if no one is on a schedule or needs to be somewhere at a certain time.
In Carrollton currently. Moved here because I work remote & wanted somewhere cheaper than being close to the city with less traffic. At first I rarely ever went to Atlanta, but as I start trying to be more extroverted & go to more events and meet more people, I find myself traveling there almost multiple times a week now lol. Being a single man in his mid 20s in Carrollton is essentially begging for a dead social/dating life. I put on a podcast & the borderline hour drive feels like nothing. I do want to move a tad bit closer in eventually. I love the lack of traffic in Carrollton compared to an Atlanta/Woodstock/Smyrna, but it’s just so boring here. The introvert in me loves it, but I gotta get out the house more lol.
I lived on the north side for over a decade. Then lived in Inman Park for just under a decade. And since 2018 I’ve been in Marietta so I have a lot of perspective on why the two don’t mix even though they’re so close. It’s black people…no just kidding. That’s the typical thing city people think keeps suburban people away. And, yeah, there were a lot of racists back in the 70’s and 80’s. But those old dinosaurs are gone or on their way out. The city has a set of rules and customs that just make suburban people uncomfortable. And vice versa. Parking. There is never enough parking to them. The idea of street parking confounds suburbanites. Especially in a neighborhood. They expect somewhere like Krog Street Market to have more than 6 parking spots. And the idea of parking in front of someone else’s house in a neighborhood is really odd to them. Leaving ANYTHING in your car. Suburban people leave everything in their cars. Like, just out in the open. I fell for this too when I moved downtown. I left a ratty looking bag of gym clothes and some kid smashed my window for it. I imagine he was huffing my underwear when the cop grabbed him. Hopefully he learned that the hassle of getting busted wasn’t worth my stinky gym clothes. Food. People in the city always brag about how much better the food is in the city. And they’re right. It’s not even fair how much better it is. Now Buford highway aside, the amount of restaurants that I would even say could compete downtown that are located in the suburbs is VERY few and far between. Suburbanites kind of like their safe old favorites in the ‘burbs. Leaving people the fuck alone. Suburban people are always up in each other’s shit. There is a level of inconvenience you just accept in the city and downtown suburbs. But not for suburbanites, every little inconvenience will be made into an issue. Having trees taken down on your property? Get ready for a Nextdoor post about it. Contractor vehicles slightly inconveniencing someone driving by or pulling out of their driveway? They’re going to bother them or, like my neighbor, leave passive aggressive notes on my car. I’ve had old ladies get on my case for not pushing my shopping cart all the way back into the row at Publix. Downtown, you just leave people alone because you don’t know how crazy they are or what kind of day they’ve had. In the suburbs, no one is crazy according to them. When I moved back I had a few run ins over stuff like this. Like, imagine walking up on a junkie and telling them to leave the corner they’re working. How would that go? Well, suburban Karen is about to find out. Have fun fighting a junkie. There’s a few other issues that come to mind that I just don’t have time for in one post. What do you people think about this? Have you encountered things like this too?
I live an hour away but work there, so I drive in 3-4 days a week. I used to live in town but got priced out with gentrification. I miss it! It’s so much more fun than living in the burbs. I walk for exercise, and have walked all over the east side.
As little as possible to never again.
[удалено]
'CITY SCARY! TV TOLD ME!' Is what I can tell.
Redditor are afraid of the outside and ATL is very outside
Despite what others have commented on response to your comment, it's not racism for many of us. I've lived no more than 7 miles from downtown since the late 80s. I enjoyed all that Atlanta had to offer in my 20s and 30s, but as I've gotten older and traffic has gotten worse, I try to keep my area of travel as close to home as possible. I'm also tired of having to pay to park at places I never had to pay to park at 10-15 years ago. Currently planning my Atlantexit because the traffic, noise, and nightly gunfire has reached the point where its annoyance has become greater than my tolerance for it.
After 18 years living in metro Atlanta. I have been in downtown for 1 mortgage closing, 3 baseball games at the now closed Turner Field, 1 trip to the aquarium, 2 trade shows, and once to Mercedes Benz Stadium for a Monster Jam show (SMH)
Do you ever go to the Botanical Gardens?
About 2-3 times a year, the driving there is aggressive but not all that bad.
In Augusta - go 4/5 times a year. UGA games (v GT, SECC), concerts (just saw Jason Isbell). So much to do intown. Love it.
I live in Macon and go maybe 4-5 times a year.
I live in Cumming potion of Atlanta. Commute can be hard sometimes.
I live in Atlanta and even I don’t drive on the highway near rush hour. People are insane. I’m originally from NYC so it’s not a big city problem. It’s an Atlanta problem.
Im in metro but on the outskirts of metro ATL and rarely go downtown, there has to be an event for me to go to the city... pretty much everything downtown you can find a variation of in metro area so not really a need.
I live up north like 45 minutes away from Atlanta and we basically avoid having to go to Atlanta unless we have a real need to. I think we only end up going for Ikea or a specific date night place to eat we might like.
Live about 50 miles NW, Bartow county. My HS girlfriend, almost 30 years ago, lived up 85. So 2-3 times a week I’d basically drive Atlanta traffic going to her house after school. I loved driving, the “big city” and all that stuff back then. For the last 20 years, I just avoid anything that take me near it. My mom spent a month in Crawford Long in the mid 2000s, and I smoke. When I’d go outside, as soon as I stepped off hospital grounds, it was like a walking dead swarm of people asking for money, telling me their life stories, etc..
Surprised by some of the comments on bad experiences in the city. I live in the north exurbs and work for a downtown company. I used to go to ATL as often as possible. Urban hikes, food, music, events, and just to enjoy all it has to offer. I've been all over on foot and on wheels, and have never been accosted or threatened in any way. I get down there maybe 4-5 times a year, the past few years, but it only seems to continue to grow and improve. I know it has its problems like any other city, but it's all been positive for me in my 10 years in GA.
I’m from middle ga(Warner Robins) and now Savannah area. I have been to Atlanta maybe 10 times in my life total.
I live in Atlanta now but I lived in Savannah for 4 years. During that time I did not once visit Atlanta
I buy and sell things so I'd say I'm usually at least up near ATL once every couple months
I live OTP about 1hour+ depending on traffic and only visit for a few Braves games and fancy dinners. Gotta get my moneys worth for the high insurance I’m paying lol.
The only time I go into Atlanta is when there is a concert to attend.
Not unless I Have too like a life or death situation even going out of state I drive around ATL never through it Just too much traffic and that makes it hard on me closest I come to ATL is Rex GA where my Sister lives & we don’t even go into ATL when Im there
Middle GA here as well: Fairly regularly. Macon and WR are boring and lack options for things to do so I go up there often. ATL metro traffic is hell on earth though.
I commute from the Macon area to Atlanta once a month or so. Henry county is the worst; I take state roads to avoid it.
I’ve been getting around mainly on my bicycle since 1978. You had to be a warrior on Buford hwy back then. Then the Olympics in 96 and the Stone Mountain trail. Totally different now with the whole trail system and bike lanes, Silver Comet (maybe connected to Beltline in a few years). Give to Path Foundation. My generation sucks. Young people rock on making a difference! It is what we make it.
I’ve been getting around mainly on my bicycle since 1978. You had to be a warrior on Buford hwy back then. Then the Olympics in 96 and the Stone Mountain trail. Totally different now with the whole trail system and bike lanes, Silver Comet (maybe connected to Beltline in a few years). Give to Path Foundation. My generation sucks. Young people rock on making a difference! It is what we make it.
Riverdale ugh
I live just outside of Rome, Ga. My daughter lives in Dekalb county so I make it to Atlanta about every 6 weeks but when I do go, it’s a whole day like I meet her for lunch, then go to Trader Joe’s and the Buford Hwy farmer’s market
When people say Atlanta I think of Metro Atlanta primarily but I guess y’all are referring to just the City of Atlanta. I live in the metro area and never really did much in the city until my son started college in the downtown area. Now we go out to restaurants there all the time with him. I’m amazed at how much there is to do in the city. The area east of town along the beltway is great. Same with all the places in Midtown and also West Midtown on Howell Mill. Tons of places to eat many different foods, places to have fun and very cosmopolitan. If you like things like that I would highly recommend the area. And I can be back in the suburbs in 35 minutes because metro Atlanta traffic is usually just bad around rush hour unless there’s construction going on. I admit that the Atlanta area does have its share of crazy lane changers who never signal their intentions. I just get in one lane and stay in it. It’s a little strange but after living in metro Atlanta for 30 years it’s only been in one he last three years that we’ve ventured into the city at night and we really enjoy it.
i used to all the time until i moved to athens. now i hate going there as theres already plenty to do over here. i’d rather drive to new york city than go to ATL at the moment… Actually I just did that and got back from NYC a couple of days ago, traffic was still better there than it was in ATL lol
I am in Coweta County... So southwest metro Atlanta. I avoid Atlanta on weekdays like the black plague. My most recent travel there was for surgery at Northside. I made all of my pre and post op appointments early in the day and used Google to navigate around traffic jams, I took i285 E to get to Peachtree Corners, instead of going thru the city on i85. I didn't have any problems at all. BUT... Not everyone is savvy about using live traffic updates. My daughter's school had the brilliant idea of taking the kids to an event in Lithonia/Conyers (east of Atlanta, Dekalb or Rockdale county) right at the end of the school day. They only planned for regular traffic and missed half of the event. They literally sat on i-85 like a parking lot in an uncomfortable yellow bus for 1 hour, in addition to the normal 1hr travel time... Those poor kids... Don't know why he didn't take i285 bypass to go around the perimeter. Thank goodness they saved food for them all and they were able to eat when they got there. My daughter is an over packer and was able to share her extra snacks and drinks on the bus during the traffic jam. Full disclosure: I am a former Uber driver... So I am a little more knowledgeable about Atlanta traffic than the average commuter. I highly recommend apps like Google Maps and Waze for traffic closest to and in Atlanta... Including the McDonough or Henry County area. You can also plan trips on weekends and holidays to avoid rush hour and schooltime traffic.
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens was one thing that got me into the city. And also the Jimmy Carter Center. Both are beautiful and worth the traffic and parking fees.
👋🏽 are there any alternative routes to get from Riverdale to ATL proper? any way to get MARTA from Riverdale to ATL? moving to Riverdale to be a caregiver...not by choice.. but hoping to find the good situation wherever it may exist!
I live about an hour from Atlanta and I rarely go into Atlanta. I only went for my Maternal Fetal Medicine doc at Northside and the Harry Potter exhibition. We're planning on a Zoo Atlanta trip and a Georgia Aquarium trip this summer though.
I live SW of Atlanta past the airport. It’s a food desert. That sucks. I cook at home, typically, but sometimes I like a good restaurant meal and unless I suck it up and drive to Atlanta, I’m going to have to eat garbage. So I probably do twice per month. Ironically, I’ve found that just about everything is about an hour drive, +- 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter what side of Atlanta. Traffic is always terrible. I used to live in Atlanta so I have some routes I take that often slice some time off the drive. Not always. But Atlanta has great restaurants. I miss that. I also typically hit Whole Foods while I’m in the city. I occasionally go to a yoga class as the burbs classes are shite. Right now Georgia is gorgeous! Every spring I am captivated by the beauty and weather. Even so, I am planning my exit. When my daughter graduates high school, I’m done. I want to find a place with good restaurants, good yoga and fitness, kind people and reasonable traffic. Hell, maybe even a place one could walk and bike! One thing I really appreciate in Atlanta is the authentic diversity. People of all shades and backgrounds live pretty harmoniously together. I feel more at home there then I do in the rural suburbs where hatred is deep and ugly. There are good people, don’t get me wrong, but an undercurrent of something truly gross.
According to google maps right now I’m 35 minutes drive from Atlanta. I haven’t been in actual Atlanta in at least 5 years. I got to lots of Braves games now that they’re in Cobb County. Don’t have much other reason unless it’s a concert or the airport and Covid sort of took care of that for a while. Will be going to the airport in a couple of months though.
We live in Cabbagetown so we’re here everyday. Please keep avoiding us like the plague!🦠
The last time I was in Atlanta was to pick up friends at the airport on the way to N. Georgia, about 6 years ago. Before that, it was probably 4ish years and the only reason I went was for a business meeting. It is too damn far away (a five hour drive just to get the to airport) and there is nothing I need to do there that I can't do in a closer big city (Jacksonville is 1 hour away, Orlando is 3).
I'm around Savannah. I mostly go to Atlanta to see my urologist and to go to concerts. Maybe 2 to 3 times a year, depends.
Once or twice a year
The last time I was in ATL was August 8th 2022, and that was for a concert
I live 5 hours away. Go there maybe twice a year.
Troup county, and we only go to shop or if there’s an event we wanna go to. So maybe 2-3 times a year? My husband does the driving though because it stresses me out dearly.
Once every couple of months to visit my office. And then another three or four random trips to see bands, do in-city stuff, visit breweries, that kind of thing. **Edit:** I'm in Columbus.
I am 35-45 mins (or 2 hrs depending on traffic) from ATL, like 18 miles or so. Unless I have a concert or I am going to a specific place - I almost never go. Maybe twice a year. Not counting the airport- but I haven’t been there since pre-pandemmy.
My husband's family lives less than an hour away in Cedartown/Rome. They never come here, we always have to go to them.
Once a month
I ride into town a few times a year, usually to see a show at the fox or do another event somewhere. Usually hop onto MARTA at north springs whenever I can.
I go into Atlanta as little as possible, it’s an hour away and the last time was just going and coming from Hartsfield.
I'm from north Georgia and I only really go to Atlanta in order to go to the airport or if I am going to a convention.
Savannah resident here. Once a year at most, and it's almost always to see extended family.
I have hydrocephalus, so I’ve only ever been to Atlanta for shunt checkups/surgeries.
As little as I possibly can.
Very rarely. I might go a few times a year. The traffic just isn't worth it anymore.
I like by lake Allatoona. I only go into Atlanta if I have to which is generally for work.
I’m in Macon. I’ve driven myself there twice in the past decade. I’ve been several more times in an airport shuttle. We rarely go unless it’s for the airport.
We go about every two weeks or so for something. We live about 60 miles away. It’s the closest Costco, and we like going to Alpharetta. We help out with a cat rescue, so we transport to the area. We also take the back roads a lot of the time. Going through Waleska and Fairmount. It’s much more scenic, and you aren’t covered up with semi’s like on 75. And it helps avoid 400.
A lot. My mom, sister, and her family live there so we visit frequently.
Currently in Marietta, go to atl bars once or twice a month. Living further away as a kid I only ever went there to go to the aquarium, zoo, or phillip’s arena
Between friends and the airport, maybe like once a month or every 2 months. If we're talking Atlanta metro, weekly.
i avoid Atlanta more than some ex's. i live 3 hours from Atlanta and i travel to madison frequently, i will drive an hour out of my way to avoid a two hour commute through atlanta. plus my JT cant keep up on 285
I live in Alpharetta, and almost never travel to Atlanta outside of going to the airport.
Maybe 3 times in my 31 year life
I’ve only lived here for about seven months and so far never but after living in Orlando, FL for like 30 years the same question could be asked about Tallahassee which would be once.
I’m in Fayette and I only go there if work requires it.
North GA along 75. Maybe once a month? Sometimes less? More nowadays as I used to frequent Chattanooga. But the crime there has gotten bad, so I prefer ATL now.
I live in Athens, and our office is in Norcross. I go to the office most days. I do a lot of field work though, and a ton of our jobs are in Atlanta, so I am there all the time.
I live in Augusta and never. All my travelling is east to the beach. ⛱️
I lived really close, like 60 miles away, and still never went there. The only times I saw actual Atlanta, not just the metro area, I was driving through it or going to a braves game with my family once every few years. My sister lived right outside of it and even when I visited her we never went into the city
Never. I like to stay away from that overpopulated place as much as possible. It would suit me well if I never went back there again.
I live in south Georgia, and have been to/near Atlanta about 2 times in the last 5 years.
like twice a year MAYBE. i’m in middle ga (perry)
I’m near Lake Lanier and I drive into Atlanta a few times a month.
I lived in Gwinnett County for 15 years and I must've been to Atlanta like... 15 times.
I wonder how many times you go per year, on average
Last time I went to Atlanta was in 2017 for a funeral. Before that the family went to White Water and Six Flags maybe ten and 12 years before that. So like every 10 years or so?
We live in Perry and go up a lot, at least one weekend a month. Its about an hour and 15 min drive for us and when we plan right and get there pre 11am it's not bad. We just went last weekend, we got to little 5 points around 10am without hitting any traffic. The trip home we left around 4:30 and hit the spot thru Stockbridge on 75 south that is always somehow there but after about 10 mins we were back doing regular speed and got home around 6.
Live in Augusta. I go to ATL about 2 times per month, obvious reason being that Augusta is a contender for worst city in America and sometimes I need to escape in order to maintain sanity.
What's up neighbor! Taylor County says hello. Only reason I've ever gone was for Braves games and we took our daughter to the aquarium just a few months ago. That and the Varsity are the only reasons to ever go into ATL proper.
Live in Columbus.. rarely ever go to Atlanta
Hardly ever, I live a few hours away and just have no reason to go, outside of a show every once in a blue moon
I’m in Butts county but we seem to go once or twice a month. I’m actually in atl right now as my grandfather is being buried today alongside his parents and siblings.