Did you know that Georgia, in the south of the USA, is one of the North American states that receive the most Brazilian exchange students? So we have listed here some of the main reasons for you to consider living in Atlanta, the state capital, which was for years one of the most underrated cities in the country, but which currently attracts more and more people. Check out!
1. The low cost of living
Despite being the ninth largest city in the United States, with a population of 5.45 million people, Atlanta is still a very accessible city. In fact, when we compare it with New York, for example, Atlanta is 22.41% cheaper, with the cost of living for a family of four being around 4 thousand dollars a month, including rent.
Considering that the average salary there is US $ 59,000 a year, whoever lives in Atlanta and gets a job there can still save a good part of the money!
2. The excellent climate
As much as Atlanta has a reputation for being very hot, the average temperature there is 16.3ºC, with a minimum average of 11.2º and a maximum of 31.6º. In addition, the city is fortunate to have more than 200 days of sunshine a year. However, there is also enough rain to keep the city lush with grass, trees and flowers.
The long summers and mild winters also make Atlanta a haven for plant lovers. You can easily grow most types of flowers or even plant your own vegetables.
3. The busy cultural scene
Like most major cities, Atlanta offers many cultural attractions. It is home to the High Museum of Art, the main art museum in the Southeast. There you can also find some great festivals and conferences almost every month, in addition to cinemas, music and popular culture. Looking for good movies ? Check out the Atlanta Film Festival. Do you want to meet other people interested in anime and comic books? Go to Dragon Con.
There is also a great music scene, which is not surprising considering that Atlanta gave rise to many artists like Lil Jon, Outkast, Toni Braxton and more.
Atlanta is also home to some of the best street art in the United States. In fact, it is called the “city of murals” due to the impressive street art that adorns the sides of buildings and virtually all vertical surfaces. That is, if you are a fan of art, you will not be bored (a) if you live there.
4. Three different “centers”
Each city has several neighborhoods, but Atlanta is one of the few that has three downtown areas, full of skyscrapers. The official center is more of a business center, where you can find several Fortune 500 companies.
If you like to enjoy the nightlife a little, then you will want to go to Midtown, where you can try great food and cocktails. This is also one of the friendliest neighborhoods in the USA for LGBT + people.
Finally, if you want a more modern and sophisticated experience, go to Buckhead, which is often called “Southern Beverly Hills”.
5. Public transport
If you don’t want to deal with congested roads and highways when you live in Atlanta, just board a MARTA train. The five lines will take you almost anywhere in the city, including Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
Tickets cost just $ 2.50, and are entitled to up to four free connections (in the same direction) over a 3-hour period. Just be sure to keep an eye on the hour, as trains do not run 24 hours.
6. Great culinary options
Atlanta offers incredible food options , from exquisite places to food trucks. Whatever you look for, you will find there. Take a stroll through Farmer’s Market for some fresh vegetables and sandwiches, or check out The Varsity – Atlanta’s most famous restaurant and the largest drive-in in the world.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be Georgia without some great BBQ places. There are so many to choose from that you will have to explore them all to find your favorite.
7. Various educational institutions
Atlanta is home to some of the best colleges in the southeastern USA. The abundance of students there is what helped shape the Atlanta we know today: companies realized that they could find qualified candidates as soon as they graduated. If you are going to live in Atlanta, you can choose from prestigious institutions such as Emory University, Spelman College, Georgia State University and the Georgia Tech Institute (Georgia Tech).
