Hello,
We have lived in the Chicago 'burbs for 5 years now. Love Chicago, kids have a great school, have made friends. BUT we HATE the winter. It is essentially up to 5 months of really cold, snowy weather. Some parts are fun, skiing, kids playing in the snow etc. But it has really worn thin and this year it has been extra snowy and cold and we have just had it! I cannot see myself still here in my 50's or older shoveling my driveway!

One option we 'may' have is to relocate to Atlanta. I am interested in any info. from anyone living there now.Do you like it? What negatives? I know I have heard the school system in general is not as good in GA as IL. Also I have heard it is quite difficult to make friends and become integrated and you will always be considered an outsider. But all this is hearsay of course and all depends on where you go to live. My brother lived in Alpharetta some years ago and sent his kidsto private school. He returned to the UK 3 years ago, he got a great job offer.

Thanks in advance,
Susie.

I can't really help as the little I've found out wasn't that great, but this was for a very limited area and for a small industry hub, so I shan't bother.

There are a few people in and around that area though and there have been a few threads you could probably search out to get you started

we will be in 2 weeks. My wife is from there. I love it, nice weather, nice folks and genuine mexican food from genuine mexicans.

BUckhead is the money but marietta, sandy springs and roswell are all nice, the latter two near the MARTA transport system for town.

I located to Peachtree City which is southish Atlanta from Manchester UK, and its great, the people are friendly, the weather is warm and having spent a lot of time in Chicago, though never lived there, Atlanta I am sure you would find is great.

I also live in Peachtree City from London (although the wife is a manc!)! And think you will like Atlanta, it is a little rough around the edges but is generally a cool place with plenty to do. Crime rates are high but thats why we opted to live outside the city and travel in to do whatever we need to do...

Danny whereabouts in Peachtree City are you?

One thing I've gotta ask...does everyone down there speak so slow and in a round about sort of way?

It'd drive me barmy having to put up with that, but I'm charging the bloke by the time rather than the project, so it's not bothering me to much, other wise it would

Moved to Marietta classed as NW Atlanta from Dubai 2 1/2 years ago with my Iowan wife. We like it a lot, luckily we live close enough to my work that I dont have to mess with an interstate commute.
Lots of Brits here but they live all over the metro area, there are a couple of get-together British groups who take over half a pub once a month or so and its nice to meet others who are not work related. Atlanta is a mixing pot with people from all over so its not too difficult to get on with neighbours.
There are a couple of british shops where you can get the 'essentials' like bangers and Branston pickle but we are finding more and more British food in the 'international' sections of supermarkets like Kroger and Publix too.
Summers are warm as are the winters, cannot comment about schools as we have no kids.
I was able to pick up a ticket from Atlanta to Manchester recently for less that $700 return.
Let me know if you need more info

We live in Acworth, which is a half-hour NW of Atlanta.... and I love it!!
The people are friendly, everything is nearby.
We have wonderful wildlife in our backyard (deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and hundreds of birds!)
The crime rate is very low....and life is very peaceful here.
The climate is mild in winter, and hot in summer. I love it!

We were investigating it for a job. Some of the general negative things we noted:

a) lack of decent public transit (like everywhere)
b) poor schools
c) inner city crime
d) sprawl sprawl sprawl.
e) hot

On the plus side several of the suburbs were very nice little communities, it was just when you had to interact (commute) into the city it got a bit harder.

We're not actively considering it now for some other more specific reasons but there did seem to be quite a few jobs in the area.

I've been in Norcross just NE of Atlanta for around 6 years.

It has it's good and bad areas just like any city.

It's very suburban. The traffic can be terrible for commuting in and out of the city. Main problem is it's just grown faster than the road system has been built to deal with. The suburbs are going further and further out, especially in the North. The MARTA rail system is safe and clean contrary to what some people may tell you but just doesn't go to many places. Car is definitely mandatory.

The weather is great, mild winters an inch or so of snow if your lucky. Can be hot and humid in the summer. A lot of transplants from other US cities and fairly international.

The people are generally friendly. Never had any problems with mixing in with the locals. Quite a few Brits scattered about and lot of British style pubs if you get homesick. Housing you will find cheaper than Chicago.

Baseball, Basketball, Hockey and Football professional teams available to watch. Sorry the 'soccer' team folded!

Some of the inner city areas can be a bit rough, south of I-20 has got a bit of a reputation as well. Never seen any major issues with crime or safety in the years I have been here. The suburbs a lot quieter

School quality varies but some school systems have better reputation than others. Gwinnett and some Cobb County schools some of the best.

The airport is good in terms of flight availability and choice of destination. Delta/Northwest the biggest carrier as it's their home hub.

You will have to get use to saying Y'all though!

Hey Caber,

Where about in Norcross are you? I've been in Norcross for almost 2 years now - living south of 85, just off Jimmy Carter area...

Where about in Norcross are you? I've been in Norcross for almost 2 years now - living south of 85, just off Jimmy Carter area

I'm just off Peachtree Industrial, Reps Miller Road area, a mile or so from Old Norcross.

Oh yeah - I know where you are. I work up at the forum and pass by close to where you are pretty much every day on my way there.