DON'T MOVE TO ATLANTA (Unless you can handle these 4 things)
4 Reasons You Should Not Move to Atlanta – From Someone Who Did
Thinking about moving to Atlanta? While the metro area has plenty to offer, it’s not for everyone. Brian with the Atlas Real Estate Team breaks down the four major reasons you might not want to move to Atlanta—especially if any of these are dealbreakers for you.
Let’s dive in.
1. Traffic – Yes, It’s Really That Bad
If you've read anything about Atlanta, you’ve probably seen complaints about traffic—and unfortunately, the hype is real. The congestion is especially brutal if you live outside the city and commute in, with gridlock common during rush hours (7–9 AM and 4–6 PM) and during big events downtown.
However, if you live and work outside the city core—or your schedule avoids peak traffic—you might not experience the worst of it. But if your daily route includes I-75, I-85, or GA 400 into the city, prepare to become best friends with audiobooks and podcasts.
2. Weak Public Transportation Outside the Core
Inside Atlanta, MARTA (the city’s rail and bus system) works surprisingly well. The light rail connects key areas like downtown, Midtown, and the airport. If you live along a MARTA line, it's a convenient and stress-free way to avoid traffic.
But here’s the issue: public transportation doesn’t extend into the suburbs. That’s a big deal in a metro area with 6+ million people, most of whom live outside the city proper. If you’re planning to live in suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, or Peachtree City, you’ll need a car—or two. Don't expect a reliable way to get into the city without one.
3. The Weather – Hot and Humid
Before moving here, I alway heard about how unbearable the heat was going to be in the summer. But to my surprise, my family and I enjoy the heat—especially coming from a colder climate. That said, Atlanta's heat and humidity can be intense, particularly if you’re not used to it.
It’s not as extreme as places like Phoenix or Miami, and the humidity isn’t as bad as Florida’s. But if muggy, sticky weather is a hard no for you, Atlanta summers might be a struggle.
4. Critters – Nature Comes Inside
Atlanta’s warm climate brings out all the Southern critters—possums, rats, palmetto bugs, lizards, and more. If you’re coming from a colder part of the country, the increase in creepy-crawlies might catch you off guard.
If bugs and pests make your skin crawl, and you don’t have a designated bug-handler in your house, this could be a serious issue. It's not just an Atlanta problem—it’s common across the South, but worth considering if you’re making a move here.
No Fifth Reason—And That Says Something
Originally I wanted to include a fifth reason so I searched high and low to find one, but couldn’t. Common concerns I've seen like crime and the airport often get overblown. In fact, the airport is one of the best in the world if you ask me.
Final Thoughts
If you can handle these four things—traffic, limited public transit, the weather, and critters—Atlanta might be the perfect fit. The city and its surrounding communities have a lot to offer, and if these aren’t dealbreakers, you're in for a great experience.
If you’re seriously considering a move, the Atlas Real Estate Team is ready to help you find your ideal home and neighborhood in metro Atlanta. Reach out to us here on our website or with any of our contact info below.
(404) 690-1686
info@atlassellsatl.com
