5 Worst Things about Living in Atlanta

Worst Things about Living in Atlanta

1. ATL Traffic:

Atlanta is known for its terrible traffic, so let’s get that out of the way first and foremost. If you are comparing the traffic to Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., it’s not that bad. But assuming you are from pretty much anywhere else in the United States, you’re going to think it’s bad. That is, unless you enjoy spending years of your life in your car. (Interiors have come a long way.)

From about 4:30 in the afternoon until 7:30 at night you can expect the traffic to be pretty awful throughout the city. Weekends tend to be very congested, especially weekends when Atlanta is hosting concerts and sporting events. Morning rush hour is usually not as bad as the afternoon, but you’ll still need to account for the traffic during your drive to work.

While traffic is going to be somewhat inevitable for the Atlanta resident, there are parts of town that are significantly more congested and can be avoided if you know this ahead of time. The following intersections are especially atrocious during peak traffic hours: I-285/I-85, I-75/I-285, I-75/I-85, I-20/I-285. One of the main contributing factors to the traffic in Atlanta is the aggressive nature of many of its drivers.

Motorists are traveling fast, sometimes merging without signals, and often traveling well over the speed limit, regularly resulting in collisions. To compound the issue, the lack of public transportation in Atlanta means more people have to be in their cars and on the road. The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

2. Public Transportation in Atlanta:

Many big cities have ample public transportation, but Atlanta is not one of them. The public transportation in this metropolis is painfully lacking. Because this forces more people to drive, this only adds to the traffic as previously mentioned, so the cycle only makes other parts of living in the city worse. The heavy rail has only four lines and they run throughout a very limited part of the city. Atlanta is very spread out, and few of its residents actually live in areas that are serviced by the heavy rail. For most people its usefulness is limited.

The public transportation options in Atlanta don’t have to look so dismal. Portland, for example, is a city that is only slightly bigger than Atlanta. Portland has an excellent public transit system that effectively conveys its residents throughout town (or at least pretty close to where they need to go.) Atlanta’s spread-out nature certainly adds to the difficulty of connecting the entire town via public transit, but there is more at play than just distance.

It’s difficult for the city to get funding for the public transportation options because nearby counties consistently vote down the funding. Money makes the world turn, and it is certainly needed when it comes to creating and operating public transportation.

Learn More: Pros & Cons of Living in Atlanta, Georgia

3. The Weather:

The weather in Atlanta is as much of a pro for some as it is a con for others. This is one of the most subjective facts of life in Atlanta. If you hate long winters full of snow and ice, the mild and temperate climate of Atlanta could be just what you’re looking for. If you despise long, humid summers, you might not be so pleased. Love it, or hate it, the weather in Atlanta is warm and sunny almost always. You can go ahead and sell that heavy winter parka, because you won’t be needing it in Atlanta.

This isn’t to say there is no seasonal change in Atlanta. Unlike Southern California, the sunny weather in Atlanta isn’t evergreen. Summers are long and hot, and though the temperature rarely reaches the triple digits, the high humidity will often make it feels as though it has. Winters are relatively short lived in Atlanta, and though there will be rain, you won’t likely see snow every year.

The changing seasons (fall and spring) are absolutely beautiful in Atlanta. The leaves change in the fall, and flowers bloom in the spring. If you want to live in a place that experiences all four seasons, but not the harshest elements of them, Atlanta is a wonderful place to call home.

4. Atlanta’s Crime Rates:

Much like any big city, at first glance, the crime rates in Atlanta appear a bit dismal. Cities with a higher population just have more people living in them, and more opportunity for crime to take place. Unfortunately, when it comes to crime ratings, cities are also rated as a whole. This means an entire metropolitan area can be considered “unsafe” even though the actual crime occurrences are mostly taking place in only a few high-risk areas. For most parts of the Atlanta Metro Area, the crime is minimal and generally non-violent. Theft and vandalism are the most common crimes to take place in most of the city and the suburbs.

Facts are facts, and there is certainly violent crime happening in Atlanta; you don’t have to look too hard to see the evidence on the news. Shootings are increasing as well as violent crime taking place in parts of town that are known for their nightlife scene.

Generally speaking, being aware of your surroundings and trying to avoid certain parts of town (especially late at night and if you are alone) can go a long way when it comes to keeping yourself safe. Don’t walk to your car alone at 2:00 a.m. when leaving a bar. Don’t leave your purse sitting in the passenger seat of your vehicle. Using common sense can often protect you from being a victim of a crime, violent or not.

Learn More: Discover Alpharetta, Georgia – a top neighborhood of Atlanta

5. Bugs:

There are worse things in life than encountering our little exoskeletal friends we share this earth with, but it’s certainly a fact of life if you live in Atlanta. There are bugs everywhere, and you will see them regularly…even in your home. Bugs residing in your home have nothing to do with cleanliness. One of the most common insects that enjoys being roommates with humans is the Palmetto Bug (the colloquialism for cockroach.)

Don’t be surprised if they also happen to be the size of your hand. For no explained reason, these pesky critters seem to grow to Godzilla-like proportions. The good news is, noticing this shiny little fellow scampering around your floor does not mean your house is dirty. It just means there are a lot of them in the south, and they can and will find a way into your home.

Another insect that plagues Atlanta residents is the mosquito. Perhaps you are one of the few lucky people who seem to be immune to the relentless puncturing from these little winged menaces. If so, go ahead and move to the south and revel in watching your friends be feasted upon. If you are one of the people who has a body chemistry mosquitoes like, you’ll spend a lot of your time swatting.

The humid climate in Atlanta and the standing water that accumulates is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, and all the repellant and citronella candles in the world can’t change this. The best thing you can do is invest in porch screening and many cans of bug spray.

*One more thing…

Call it a bit of extra insight, or a 6th negative to living in Atlanta, but there is one more important con of Atlanta life we need to touch on: allergies. If you are a person who is particularly susceptible to allergies (or even remotely susceptible) you might want to consider this before moving to Atlanta. The area experiences some of the worst pollen count in the entire country during peak allergy season. Grasses, weeds, flowers…just about every allergen lives in Atlanta.

During the springtime, everything you own outdoors will be covered in a thin yellow veil of dust. But it isn’t dust, it’s pollen just waiting to navigate its way up your nostrils. It is nearly impossible to avoid the allergens in Atlanta because they’re everywhere, including the air you breathe even in your home. Over the counter drugs can definitely help alleviate the symptoms of most seasonal allergies, but if you have sensitive skin or respiratory health complications, this factor could make or break this city when it comes to finding the right place to call home.

Still looking to call Atlanta home?

Knowledge is power! Now that you know the nitty gritty, if you are ready to move to Atlanta, reach out to me at Marc Brenner Realty. I would love to help you find your next home in the Atlanta Metro Area!