<p>Yesterday DD accepted an offer for TFA in Atlanta. We live in the Northeast, D attends college in New England, older D worked in NYC and now DC so I don’t know much about living in Atlanta. DD is the type of person who wants things settled NOW and so she started applying for jobs pretty early this year. I have some misgivings about the job, older D did NYTeaching Fellows so I am TOO aware of the potential challenges of this position. DD had an offer with another organization and I REALLY believe it would have been a better choice - not because of location (it was farther away) but because of the nature of the two organizations. </p>
<p>As D weighed her options, I gave her feedback when she asked, but I was pretty measured in my responses. And she went with Atlanta. </p>
<p>So - help me focus on the positive. Tell me about Atlanta. She won’t know where she is assigned until the summer so I guess I am just interested in hearing about Atlanta in general. What would you want your grad to know before moving to the area.</p>
<p>I had to look up what a TFA was! it really depends, will she be <em>IN</em> Atlanta or someplace else in the metro area? Atlanta public schools just got put on probation, so I’m not sure how that would affect her either.</p>
<p>In general, I think ATL is great. I moved about the same age from a small town in the midwest and still here. But I have never lived or worked <em>IN</em> Atlanta. My BIL’s S is just a bit older and recently moved here, is single and works/lives inside the perimeter and loves it. But again, it really all depends on the area you choose to live in and what your commute is like. Commute really affects your quality of life here.</p>
<p>I live a few hours from Atlanta and get down there at least a half-dozen times a year for business, shopping or to visit museums or attend sporting events or the theater. It is considered to be a ‘hot spot’ for single, young adults. It is an enormous city with lots of suburbs. The closer in to downtown Atlanta, obviously the more expensive and commute times can be horrendous. On the other hand, there’s lots to do. It’s by far one of the most ‘cosmopolitan’ cities in the south (if not #1). My only reluctance in living there would be the commuting but if you can live near your work, it would be a great place to live.</p>
<p>Son spent summer last year in Atlanta for an internship. He was outside of town and the bus system in that area had just shut down so he was basically trapped since he didn’t have a car. That said his internship stands out on his CV and he had a great experience. He had some opportunities to travel to the downtown and see some sights.</p>
<p>My firstborn went to UGA and moved to Atlanta after graduating in '05. We live in the Boston area. Surprisingly, none of her UGA friends moved to Atlanta, so this liberal, northern kid moved there all by herself and started a job, knowing no one. Fast forward, almost 6 years later - she LOVES Atlanta. She has made many friends and is in a relationship with a wonderful young man. She and her group of friends are passionate about living and working in Atlanta. They are involved in many community events and quite active in volunteer organizations. She has an amazing job and is always on the go. Atlanta is a young person’s city and there are so many things to do. My H and I love to visit her because she takes us to some pretty amazing restaurants and always has a list of new places/activities to choose from. I don’t know anything about the Atlanta area schools, but the city itself is a pretty special place to live. The traffic is a nightmare and my understanding is that there are some sketchy neighborhoods (like all big cities), so she needs to be careful when she decides on housing. I would guess that TFA would help with recommendations on locations. Just get used to every street having Peachtree in its name! Congrats to your daughter! To be offered a job with TFA is outstanding. She must be a special young person.</p>
<p>Not sure where to begin. Atlanta is definitely an active town that attracts young people. I don’t think that its schools are believed to be dangerous, just not very effective for many kids. However, the magnet schools and special public schools excel, like their counterparts in public school systems across America.</p>
<p>Commuting is horrendous if you reside in the suburbs as mass transit is essentially non-existent outside of Fulton and DeKalb Countites, with the exception of the bus system in Cobb County (Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna). I wouldn’t worry about a young female newcomer if the typical caution is exercised.</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouraging words. Unfortunately, assignments aren’t generally known before mid-summer so trying to decide on housing when you don’t know where you will be teaching is a little tricky to say the least. </p>
<p>D is accustomed to living in cities. She lived in DC for a semester in high school and she attends college in a city. She is NOT however accustomed to driving. She has her license, but has only driven while at home and as you may notice from my screen info - we don’t live in a metropolitan area. I would be happier if she were assigned to a city with good public transportation. But I am keeping my thoughts to myself (and of course to you, dear friends).</p>
<p>^Word of caution, driving in Atlanta, especially on I-85 is nerving-wracking. I grew up in Washington, DC, so I was very use to driving in a big metropolitan area but even I get frazzled in Atlanta. Hopefully, she will be near public transportation, if not, I would encourage her to live near the school and avoid the highways and downtown during rush hour. During non-rush times it’s fine.</p>
<p>As far as I know, at least as of today, TFA only has a contract with City of Atlanta schools. Metro Atlanta is made of at least a dozen school systems, but like I wrote, she will most likely be in a City of Atlanta school.</p>
<p>I am thinking that if she were to live in midtown or Virginia-highlands that she would be able to commute pretty easily to any job in the City system.</p>
<p>While Atlanta traffic can be horrendous, frankly, most teachers get to school before it is too bad and leave before it is too bad. I know teachers who live in the suburbs and commute in and teachers who live intown and teach in the burbs.</p>
<p>Housing affordability may be less of a problem than you anticipate. The market in metropolitan Atlanta [depending on the neighborhood] has taken a steep nose dive just like many other real estate markets in the U.S. She may be able to rent for fairly cheap.</p>
<p>My sister moved to Atlanta to teach elem. school when she was 23.<br>
She had never been there before. That was back in the seventies. All these years later,she’s still there and loves it. She doesn’t teach anymore though and now lives in Marietta. Her girlfriend that moved down there with her got married and lives in the Virginia-Highlands area in a great old house. Atlanta is a fun place to visit.</p>
<p>Good question. D graduated and took a job at the Westin Peachtree’s finance department in July 2010. She stayed with family friends out in Roswell when she first arrived. The 1 1/2 hour commute was a killer, so she found a roommate on Craig’s List & moved into Buckhead (where most of the young professionals want to live - lots to do there).</p>
<p>The real estate market is depressed, but the apartment market is not. The rents for a 1br in a good, safe area were north of the $800 mark, hence the roommate. </p>
<p>It’s been a mixed bag for her. All the people in her department are either married with kids or 20 years older than her, so she hasn’t really found work friends. The roommate is nice, but is kind of a science nerd (works for the CDC) and is a bit socially awkward. D tried joining Outdoor Atlanta, but the 2 events she attended were mostly guys who were 30+. She is struggling with missing her college friends who are mostly still back there along with the long distance BF (dating for over 3 years). She loves the job, but sad that she has not found her niche socially yet. She is looking to get involved with volunteering, checking out the alumni group, and considering giving the Outdoor Atlanta bunch another try. Your daughter will most likley be working with lots of young people, so she won’t have the same issues.</p>
<p>If you need any specific info (good apt. complexs, etc), please let me know and my D (who recieved tons of help) will be happy to pay it forward.</p>
<p>My daughter is 26 and moved to Atlanta right out of college. She loves, loves, loves it. She did know a few people/relatives when she arrived but has made a nice life for herself outside that circle. She lives in Virginia Highlands - a wonderful part of the city with lots of restaurants, shops, etc. to keep young adults happy and busy. There are a number of similar neighborhoods. Atlanta is a terrific city with lots to offer culturally, athletically, shopping, etc. Yes, the traffic is bad but not as bad as some other places I’ve lived or spent considerable time in (Chicago, LA, NY . . .) I’m sure your daughter will enjoy living there.</p>
<p>My 09 son is there now working…he started in Buckhead because he thought his job was going to be located there but it was rescinded in the recession. So he has a job in midtown and has recently taken up living in a house apt in Virginia Highlands. I highly recommend VA Highlands residency for people in their 20s. You may be surprised at how affordable it can be and the sidewalks and blocks and blocks of places to eat and hang out are very positive for our son who feels more at home after he got out of Buckhead. Buckhead is an important commercial district and if your job is there it does make sense but otherwise, life for the 20 somethings is very fine and less stressful in VA Highlands. Apts go very rapidly so you have to jump on what you see quickly as many apartments are in houses in this area.<br>
I have also lived in Atlanta four times myself, including a stint right out of college. As a military brat with VA parents and some southern roots, I have always felt at home there because there is such a transient population in the city of Atlanta and people from all over the USA call it home.
When you go to work, you can find yourself isolated without the constant company of people in your stage of life, and VA Highlands is full of graduate students and people just out of college.</p>
<p>Another area for your d to check out would be Decatur (just outside of Atlanta…where Emory is). Of course this would depend on where she is eventually placed to teach. </p>
<p>My D’s best friend is currently teaching with TFA in NYC. She did her training in Atlanta, though, and seemed to enjoy it. She and her fellow trainees seemed to form pretty tight bonds during the process. Your d will, I assume, be housed in dorms at Ga Tech as that is where d’s friend stayed, during the training. That will give her an opportunity to explore the City and get a feel for where she might want to live. She might also find someone to be a roommate so rent is more affordable.</p>
<p>I hope she enjoys the experience as much as my d’s friend did!!</p>
<p>agree with churchmusicmom that Decatur has a young vibe, a nice little downtown Small Town America square of its own and good locations for Dekalb County schools should she be assigned in that direction. My son and his friends like to hang out there, too…he is 24.
Decatur is also a “tonic” compared to suburban life for families with children.</p>