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Moving to Atlanta in 2024? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Atlanta.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Atlanta.

Planning to move to Atlanta?

Moving is considered one of the major decisions of anyone’s life. If you are planning to move to Atlanta, then you should know everything about the city. This is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich culture and diverse population. The cost of living in Atlanta is relatively high as everything thing is expensive including groceries, housing, transportation, etc. Traffic congestion is a major issue in the city and there is availability of public transportation for commuting. The climate in Atlanta is humid and hot. You can find a perfect neighborhood for you as there is diversity in the neighborhood in terms of budget and culture. There are plenty of opportunities to spend a day in Atlanta.

Quick Facts of Atlanta

There are some quick facts about Atlanta that you should know before moving there-

Atlanta is home to the World’s Busiest Airport- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. who was a Civil Rights icon.

Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola beverage

The city is known as “The City of Peachtrees” which reflects the rich history of the city with peach cultivation

Atlanta has beautiful architectural landscapes including Mercedes-Benz Museum, Atlanta Falcon and more.

The city has emerged as the hub for entertainment and earned the nickname “Hollywood of the South”

Atlanta is home to several prestigious colleges and universities.

Atlanta hosts hundreds of festivals throughout the year from different cultures

Top reasons to move to Atlanta

If you are not sure about your decision about moving to Atlanta, you can check out these reasons-

Cost of living- The cost of living in Atlanta is affordable as compared to the other cities in the US. The median home price is lower than the national average

Job Market- The city is a major center for commerce and innovation. There are many Fortune 500 companies in the city. The unemployment rate in Atlanta is consistently lower than the national average.

Culture- The celebrates various festivals and events of different cultures.

Education system- The city is home to several prestigious colleges and universities like Morehouse College, Georgia Tech, and more

Outdoor activities- There is abundant open green space in Atlanta and there are more than 1,200 parks within the city limits. You can enjoy by the side of lakes and rivers, go hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking.

Food- Atlanta is a foodie’s paradise and has a wide range of restaurants serving dishes from around the world.

Sports- Residents of Atlanta love sports and the city is home to several sports teams. Some major sports teams in Atlanta are the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta United (MLS) and more.

Southern Hospitality- The people of Atlanta are friendly and welcoming, they are famous for their Southern hospitality.

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Pros & Cons of Living in Atlanta

Each city offers some benefits to its residents and makes their living difficult with some negative points. Atlanta has a lot to offer and also has some negative points. Let us check out the pros and cons of living in Atlanta-

Pros of living in Atlanta	Cons of Living in Atlanta
Strong economy with many Fortune 500 companies in the city.	Traffic congestion is a major concern for the residents
Population diversity reflected through culture, food and music	Housing costs are relatively high
Several museums and theaters to experience vibrant art and culture scene	Summers can be very hot and long and can be difficult for some people
Various open spaces for hiking, biking, fishing and more	Crime rates are higher than the national average

Source: Atlanta Magazine

Tip: When you've got a home to move in Atlanta, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Best Neighborhoods in the Atlanta

Once you decide to relocate to a new city, you have to find a new home in a great neighborhood. As we know, people in Atlanta are welcoming so it will be easy for you to adjust to the new neighborhood.

Let us explore the best neighborhoods of Atlanta where you can find your new home-

Buckhead- A prestigious neighborhood which is famous for its upscale shopping, nightlife and dining. The neighborhood has some beautiful homes and apartments.

Virginia-Highland- This is a historic neighborhood and has pedestrian-friendly roads. The locality is known for its eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants. If you move here, you can be a part of Virginia-Highland SummerFest.

Inman Park- If you are looking for a Victorian-era vibe, then you should move here. This is a historic neighborhood with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants.

East Atlanta Village- This is a trendy neighborhood with a happening vibe. You can explore a variety of bars, live music venues, and restaurants. There is a monthly street festival in East Atlanta Village called East Atlanta Strut.

Little Five Points- If you love Bohemian culture, then this is the right place for you. This neighborhood has a vibrant art and culture scene. There are many record stores, vintage shops, vegetarian restaurants and music venues that you can explore.

Old Fourth Ward- A revitalized neighborhood which is a mix of modern development with historic charm. The neighborhood is home to the Ponce City Market.

Candler Park- If you are looking for a family-friendly neighborhood, move here. This neighborhood has a relaxed atmosphere, various green parks, and a popular farmers market- Candler Park Market.

Cabbagetown- This is a historic neighborhood which is famous for its annual Cabbagetown Tour of Homes and Victorian-era homes. There are many parks and green spaces in this neighborhood.

Source: Livability.com

Cost of living in Atlanta

The cost of living in any place is decided by several expenses that you have to pay for a simple living. This includes the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, utilities and more.

The cost of living in Atlanta is higher than the national average but still, it is relatively affordable for living. The cost of major expenses in Atlanta are listed in the coming section and it will help you set your moving budget as well.

Expense	Average Cost
Housing	$1,475
Transportation	$348
Groceries	$359
Utilities	$152
Healthcare	$248
Other expenses	$536

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research

Housing Market in Atlanta

The housing market in Atlanta is currently showing an increase in demand but has lower supply which is the main reason for increasing prices of homes. Currently, the median home price in Atlanta is $400,000. The average home price in Atlanta is higher in 2023 and is expected to increase by 3.5% in the coming year. Since the house prices are high it is difficult for first-time homebuyers to buy a house.

Source: Zillow, Atlanta Regional Commission

Average rental cost in Atlanta

The average rental cost in Atlanta is $1,921 per month and the median rent in Atlanta is $1,800 per month. The average rental cost depends on the neighborhood, type of house and several other factors.

Source: Zumper, RentCafe

Atlanta job market

If you move to a new city for better career opportunities, then you should learn about the job market and economy of the city before moving there.

The current job market in Atlanta is very strong as there are several Fortune 500 companies in the city and there is a high demand for skilled professionals in different industries.

The unemployment rate in the city is 3.5% which is lower than the national average. The job market is good for new job seekers.

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Top Career Options in Atlanta

The city offers high-end jobs for newcomers as well as skilled professionals. If you are moving here for a better career option then check out the data provided in the table below-

Job title	Average salary	Entry-Level Salary	No. of Employees
Software Engineer	$119680	$55000	884200
Information Security Analyst	$99790	$52000	129300
Web Developer	$74760	$45000	809900
Data Scientist	$120040	$60000	114700
Registered Nurse	$75350	$52000	3200000
Accountant	$71550	$48000	1700000
Marketing Manager	$114220	$58000	726800
Human Resources Manager	$107050	$55000	211500
Sales Manager	$113750	$50000	256900
Physician	$208000	$140000	880000
Dentist	$158000	$100000	150000
Lawyer	$126930	$65000	856400

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary in Atlanta

The median salary in Atlanta is $69,164, which is higher than the national average. The median household income has been steadily increasing in Atlanta for over a decade. The median household income in Atlanta depends on the neighborhood.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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Major industries in Atlanta

Many industries in Atlanta offer employment opportunities to experienced as well as to new job seekers. So, Van Lines Move compiled the list of major industries in the city-

Information technology services

Healthcare

Education and health services

Professional and business services

Retail trade

Leisure and hospitality

Finance

Insurance

Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation

Warehousing

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Best things to do in Atlanta

Learn all about the best ways to spend your days exploring the city before moving. Check out the best ways to have fun in Atlanta-

Visit Georgia Aquarium which is the largest aquarium in the United States as it is home to over 10,000 animals from different countries in the world.

Spent a day in Centennial Olympic Park which is a popular spot for several attractions, like the Fountain of Rings, the World of Coca-Cola, etc.

Explore the life history of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Take your family to an outing to the World of Coca-Cola. Explore the history, process and more about Coca-Cola.

Visit Atlanta Botanical Garden and enjoy nature as there are a variety of plants and flowers and several attractions including the Japanese Garden and the Fuqua Conservatory.

Explore artwork at the High Museum of Art as there is a collection of more than 17,000 artworks like paintings, decorative arts and sculptures.

Source: Tripadvisor

Education System in Atlanta

Education is a prime requirement and it should be affected by the relocation process. We understand finding the right school or college is challenging even before moving to a new city.

Thus, we have listed the best elementary, middle, and high schools as colleges and universities in the city-

Elementary schools in Atlanta
Fernbank Elementary School
Fickett Elementary School
Mary Lin Elementary School
Burgess Elementary School
Morningside Elementary School

Middle Schools in Atlanta
The Westminster Schools
The Lovett School
The Galloway School
Pace Academy
Holy Spirit Preparatory School

High Schools in Atlanta
The Westminster Schools
The Lovett School
The Galloway School
Pace Academy
North Springs Charter High School

Universities and Colleges in Atlanta
Georgia Institute of Technology
Emory University
Spelman College
Morehouse School of Medicine
Georgia State University

Source: Niche

Transportation & Navigation in Atlanta

The transportation system in Atlanta is comprehensive with the presence of rail lines, buses, shuttles, etc. The MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) operates all the public transport.

Rail System- The rail system in Atlanta has four lines- the Red Line, the Gold, the Green and the Blue Line. The rail system in the city is fast and efficient.

Bus System- There are about 100 routes for bus service in the city. The system is extensive and reliable.

Shuttle service- Shuttle services are available for the assigned routes like an airport. Other than this the city has well connected network of ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber.

Navigation- The city is easy to navigate due to the street grid system and plenty of walkable space. There are several ways to navigate the city like Google Maps, Signage and more. these navigation systems help the residents to easily get around the city.

Source: MARTA: https://www.itsmarta.com/

Type of insurance required in Atlanta

There are various insurances that you might require in Atlanta, including-

Homeowners Insurance- This type of insurance protects the house and household belongings from different types of damages and losses that occur due to fire, theft, natural disaster and vandalism.

Renters Insurance- This type of insurance protects your personal belongings from different types of damages that occur due to fire, theft or vandalism. This will provide liability coverage if anyone gets injured on your property.

Auto Insurance- This type of insurance is required by law in North Carolina and all divers must have it. This will provide liability coverage in case of accident for your vehicle and other motorist.

Health Insurance- This type of insurance provides financial support for paying medical expenses and prescription medicines.

Life Insurance- This type of insurance provides financial support to your loved ones in the event of your death.

Business Insurance- This type of insurance protects your business from any loss or damage like property damage, business interruption or more.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance, "Types of Insurance"

Taxes in Atlanta

Taxes are considered as one of the major expenses that are included in the cost of living. Each state has its regulations regarding the taxes. In Atlanta, there are several types of taxes that you have to pay-

Income Tax- In Georgia, there is a flat income tax rate of 6% which implies that all the residents and businesses have to pay the same percentage of their taxes and there is no impact on income level.

Sales Tax- The sales tax rate in Georgia is 4% and there is additional local sales tax in some cities and counties. This results in a total sales tax rate of 8%.

Property Tax- The property tax in Atlanta is assessed by the value of the property and the property tax rate in Atlanta is 1.46%.

Motor vehicle ad valorem tax- Motor vehicle ad valorem tax in Atlanta is based on the fair market value. The tax rate in the city is 1% of the fair market value.

Business License Tax- All the businesses in Atlanta are required to obtain a business license from the city and the cost of the license depends on the type of business.

Employer withholding tax All employers in Atlanta are required to withhold the federal and state income tax from their employees’ paychecks.

Hotel Tax- This tax is applicable on hotel rooms and the rate of hotel tax in Atlanta is 8%.

Source: Georgia Department of Revenue: https://dor.georgia.gov/taxes/withholding-tax-employers

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.

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