The Big Peach. The Big A. A-Town. New York of the South. Atlanta has a lot of nicknames.
There are a lot of reasons people move to the Atlanta area each year. After all, a southern city with this amount of deep, rich history conjures images of good ol’ fashioned southern hospitality. But now, this well-known southern charm is paired with a thriving, vibrant city atmosphere that continues to grow at an expedited rate.
Curious about some of the top reasons for this area’s annual growth spurt? Affordable housing, stable economy, and a diverse population all contribute to its steady growth year after year. Between 2010 and 2020, Atlanta was found to be the fourth fastest-growing city in Georgia, adding up to more than 6,087,762 residents to the area.
So what makes Atlanta one of the fastest-growing cities in the south? Let’s find out.
Climate Considerations
If you say it out loud, locals might roll their eyes at you, but the nickname “Hotlanta” describes the city aptly as just that: hot. The city is infamous for its humid temperatures during the hottest months of the year. But during the rest of the year, the temperature remains mild, with an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall bring a little precipitation, but winters very rarely bring snowfall.
That means there are plenty of months of the year to enjoy outdoor festivities, such as concerts, sporting events, and recreational opportunities. Plus, Atlanta’s climate is perfect for anyone with a green thumb!
Location, Location, Location
The city itself sits in an ideal location for travel, with the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport still coming out on top as one of the busiest airports for passenger traffic in the world!
The closest beach is a five-and-a-half-hour drive away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hiking more your style? You’re only 90 miles away from Georgia’s Blue Ridge! Every Atlanta neighborhood is just about 20 minutes from the nearest nature trail nearby, so a good walk in the great outdoors is never too far away.
Job Market & Educational Opportunities
Dogwood City is home to a ton of Fortune 500, 100, and 1000 companies. Big names you might recognize include Delta Airlines, the United Parcel Service (UPS), Home Depot, and the Coca-Cola Company. CNN’s studio headquarters are also located in Atlanta.
ATL made it as one of the top 50 best cities for job hunters, according to a recent WalletHub survey. It’s becoming known as an important tech hub for startups in the south, and the direct pipeline from those top Atlanta public schools, HBICs like Spelman and Morehouse, and Georgia Tech graduates helps keep the new talent pool growing.
Top-rated universities like Georgia Tech and Georgia State are nearby, as well as Emory University, Clark Atlanta University, SCAD Atlanta and Agnes Scott College among many others.
Cost of Living
Cost of living continues to increase (but this is the case for the entire United States as a whole) with the median income around $60k and the cost of living index at 101.8. Atlanta does come in at slightly above the national average for most things, but that’s to be expected in a city as big as ATL. One thing that falls below average in this area? Energy bills.
Housing Market
There’s a place for everyone to call home in Atlanta, regardless of whether you want to live inside the perimeter (ITP) or outside the perimeter (OTP). That perimeter is the loop that Interstate 285 makes around the city, distinctly separating the type of neighborhood you might be looking to put down roots in.
ITP neighborhoods are thought to be more “hip” and urban, allowing families to walk easily through different areas of the city, while OTP neighborhoods are more well known for family-friendly areas. Some of the best public schools are located in the Atlanta suburbs, so families typically opt for those areas as opposed to living right in the heart of the city.
Like the rest of the country, the housing market is a little crazy right now, with home values increasing by 16.6% over the last year. The median listing price of a single-family home in Atlanta is $399,900 as of 2021.
For renters, you can expect to pay an average of $2,300 a month for a 3-bedroom space, but rental pricing does continue to increase over the years.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Atlanta is home to many incredible sports teams, including:
- Atlanta Braves (MLB)
- Atlanta United (FC)
- Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
- Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
- Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Around Town
Looking for something to do on a rainy day with the kids? The Georgia Aquarium is unrivaled in its beauty and awe-inspiring atmosphere, allowing your family to connect with nature in a whole new way.
Other notable museums and national parks to add to your must-see list include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
- High Museum of Art
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Hammonds House Museum
- Atlanta History Museum
- Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
- World of Coca-Cola
- National Center for Civil & Human Rights
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Trap Music Museum
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
Enjoy walking, biking, rollerblading, or scootering? Visit any one of Atlanta’s many parks (see Piedmont Park, Woodruff Park, or Stone Mountain) for an afternoon outdoors!
Need to see the night scene? Bar hop along Buckhead or Edgewood Avenue and enjoy all of the fine food and wine the area has to offer. Looking for something more casual? Head over to Midtown Bowl and enjoy a late-night game complete with drinks and snacks.
Music lovers, listen up: head over to the Old Fourth Ward to enjoy whoever is playing at Venkman’s. There’s also Northside Tavern in West Midtown or Blind Willie’s in Virginia-Highland, as well as Smith’s Olde Bar. There’s always something for everyone in a city this big!
Morningstar Storage Can Help With Your Move to Atlanta
Now that you’ve decided to call the Atlanta area your home, it’s time to begin making plans and preparing. Lucky for you, Morningstar Storage can help to make your transition that much simpler! With 6 locations throughout the Atlanta metro area, our team of dedicated storage experts can help to keep your things safe and secure while you look for a new place to call home.
