Atlanta, the United States

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Sep 05, 2022

Summary: Expats, digital nomads and retirees discuss what it is like to live in Atlanta, United States: Cost of living, Finding a home, Meeting People and more.

What do I need to know before moving to Atlanta?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Atlanta, they said:

"Do not try to find the same thing in Atlanta that you had in France. They don't share the french taste for the old things, and you must pick an house that will be easy to resell if you have to move back. Rely on a professional to help you to find a house. I am one of them, I have been living in Atlanta for 6 years, I have a perfect knowledge of the city. You can contact me at it will be my pleasure to help you, with housing, and advice about daycare system, school system. Good luck," remarked another expat in Atlanta.

"Internet is fabulous and there are excellent sites available now, expecially expat sites. Expats are usually in the know or they know someone who is???," explained one expat living in Atlanta.

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How do I find a place to live in Atlanta?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"I moved 5 times in 5 years because I could not understand how it works here. You have everything to learn if you are coming from an europeen country; It is a completely different life style. That is why I established myself as a real estate agent, to be helpful to the others, and avoid them to spend hours in traffic jam," said another person in Atlanta.

"Came to visit first and looked at several with a real estate broker, always rent in neighborhood before buying, which I did," remarked another expat in Atlanta.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Atlanta?

"I live in an house. Yes, it is typical. You first live in a condo, which is a furnished rental place, very nice most of the time, while you wait for you stuff to cross the ocean. Then, you can, if you have a good credit history, borrow money to buy an house. It happens most of the time after 6 month. What is less usual is to rent an house, because they are few houses for rent on the market, and because real estate agent drive you to buy a house. But more houses are available, with the subprime crisis, owner cannot let their house empty until it sells," said another person in Atlanta.

"Town home, typical for most expats is apartment/flat/townhome. Note, a townhome in the states is about the size of a normal street street house in Europe, mine is 2,500sq ft, which is 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms kitchen dining and living rooms," remarked another expat in Atlanta.

What is the average cost of housing in Atlanta?

If you are thinking about moving to Atlanta, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"I would say lower. It is very interesting now with the current rate between euro and dollars," said another expat in Atlanta.

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What should I bring when moving to Atlanta?

People living in Atlanta were asked what three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They wrote:

"The only thing you can miss in Atlanta (except family and friends) is French food. You don't need to bring your formal wardrobe; You don't need your bad manners; People here are so nice! You don't need your umbrella neither," explained one expat living in Atlanta.

"Wish I had Irish tea, Irish butter, my father maybe. I wish I had left at home all electrical items," said another expat in Atlanta.

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What do expats in Atlanta appreciate most about the local culture?

"Atlanta is a small city with big green suburbs. People are friendly, more relaxed than in NYC. I enjoyed having a big house in a small private community, it is very green. I enjoyed the parks, lakes and mountains. The weather was great, I love the heat so was happy in "Hotlanta". A lot of outdoor activities and summer camps for kids. Very active support groups for small business owners and women's group," said another expat in Atlanta.

What are the schools in Atlanta like?

"THEY DO NOT HAVE A BULLYING POLICY so if this is important for your child's well-being, look elsewhere. The school does not address these types of problems between students and turns their heads to all sorts of issues related to adjustment and personal well-being for the child," said another expat in Atlanta with children at Atlanta International School.

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