Relocating From MI to GA. Advice?

[LoVel]

I think Atlanta definitely IS very ugly. Not because of the Civil War, though. The problem is that over the past 40 years the city has continually sold out to developers who tear down prettier stuff to put up new glass/concrete office complexes. It's also surrounded by suburban (formerly rural) counties that have bee really hostile to the urbanization of Atlanta. It's a weird place. Oftentimes it feels like one giant sprawled suburb. THere are interesting neighborhoods, you just have to look for them.

Funny you should mention that.  I recently finished reading Gone With the Wind and it made me wonder if the destruction of everything old was a kind of hangover from Atlanta being burned.  Almost a, what the hell,  everything old and beautiful was already destroyed anyway.

Was in Huntsville AL a couple of weeks ago and saw a house General Sherman had stayed in during the civil war.  That was kinda cool.

[spinmaster]

We really had trouble setting up an agenda for visitors (you can visit Stone Mountain only so many times)

That's because Atlanta is a great place to live, not a great place to visit.  If you want a great place to visit, move to Orlando, FL.  I for one am glad it's not a tourist destination.  I've visited most every major city in in the North America and Atlanta is the best overall package for living.  Other cities may be better in some category but none have the complete package like the ATL does.

Also, there's great riding just out your back door.  No need to go all the way to North GA.  It's great up there but it eats up a few hours getting there and back.  Visit http://www.georgiasportbike.com if you haven't already.  Yes, its a sportbike site and can be a little childish at times but you'll learn about the local roads quicker there than here.

[scott19]

If your idea of ugly is modern skyscrapers, then yes, you will find Atlanta unattractive. However, Atlanta is routinely voted one of the best (often the best) looking skylines in the south.

One thing Atlanta does lack is vastness, and I'm not talking about the sprawl. Because of a large amount of trees, semi hilly terrain, and the lack of a large body of water nearby, there aren't a lot of really wide open spaces here. a quarter mile line of site is about the best you can hope for. I didn't know what I was missing until I drove cross country to California a couple of years ago.

[greywolf]

I've lived here 17 years , after moving from the Left Coast.  "Mayretta" as the locals call it is a fairly conservative area.

One thing I learned quickly is , slow down and chill.  The one thing Atlanta area natives don't like is people in a rush.  They will move WAY slower if they suspect you are.   Ask them " How about them Braves"  and you might just see a big improvement.

There are tons of great roads, mostly north.  Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway , Hellbender, Blood Mtn, Richard Russel Pkwy, Blue Ridge Parkway , all within a days ride of Marietta.

[evilted]

+1   Nothing more needs to be said.

You will love it...the best riding in the area......northGA, east TN, west NC, west VI, WV, east KY.....Get some maps and enjoy.