NSA Storage Blog

NSA Storage Blog

Atlanta Moving Guide

NSA Storage 16 mins0
An aerial view of Atlanta right after sunset.

Table of Contents:

If a young, vibrant city with a comfortable climate, strong job market, and outstanding entertainment options sounds like your happy place, moving to Atlanta, GA, would be a great choice! Affectionately known as Hotlanta, this fast-growing, tree-covered metropolis offers culture, cuisine, tops sports teams, and true diversity. If Atlanta is on your radar and you’re searching for helpful, real-world info about the city, we’ve got that for you, below, brought to you by NSA Storage.

Why Atlanta Stands Out Among America’s Best Cities

The United States has many great cities, it’s true. Few of them, however, stand out nearly as much as Atlanta. The ATL has a genuinely rare combination of culture, history, representation, livability, community pride, and economic weight. 

Consider these facts:

  • Atlanta is a major player in the TV and film industry, rivaling Hollywood.
  • The world’s busiest airport is in Atlanta, welcoming direct international flights from South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
  • Atlanta is home to several Fortune 500 Companies, including Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, UPS, and others.
  • In 2024, Atlanta was named the best U.S. city to start a business. That’s backed by Atlanta having the 2nd-highest number of new business applications in the U.S. for 5 years running.
  • Atlanta has a rare combination of bustling urban cores (Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead) coupled with fast access to tranquil suburbia, including beautiful lakes, rivers, and miles of trails.
  • Amazingly, almost 50% of Atlanta is covered by trees, nearly double the U.S. average of 27%. (National Geographic called the city “a unique urban forest environment…”)
  • The city is the home of the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves and the always-exciting Atlanta Falcons, two of the country’s most celebrated sports franchises.

The Weather in Atlanta is a Big Plus

One reason many folks are moving south to Atlanta is the city’s attractive weather and climate. Atlanta has short and relatively mild winters with little snow. Springtime in the city is beautiful, and summer, while hot, isn’t oppressive thanks to the tree cover.

Here are a few tidbits about Atlanta’s seasons and the weather they bring:

  • You’ll enjoy four true seasons, unlike many nearby Southeastern cities, including a beautiful change of foliage during autumn.
  • It rarely snows, but, when it does, be warned; chaos often ensues. Atlanta has very little snow removal equipment. (Our advice: if it snows, stay home!)
  • The highs in summer typically don’t go higher than 92°F, and the city’s tree cover helps keep things cooler.
  • The city averages 215 days of sunshine per year.
  • Autumn is considered by many to be the best time of year, with lower humidity, gorgeous foliage, cooler nights, and no pollen.
  • Atlanta sits at 1,050 feet above sea level, which helps moderate temperatures.
  • You’ll want to be prepared for pollen! Springtime in Atlanta comes with very high pollen counts for several weeks.

Atlanta is the Hollywood of the South

Atlanta in Spring at sunrise.

Forget going to Hollywood to chase your TV and movie dreams, because Atlanta offers everything they have and more! Affectionately known around the city as Y’allywood, the city has earned a place in the pantheon of movie and TV cities.

Consider these facts about Hotlanta’s movie industry:

  • Major studios reside here, including Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Atlanta) and Tyler Perry Studios.
  • The city has several large soundstage campuses.
  • Atlanta offers a wide range of diverse locations, including urban skylines, forests, suburbs, and rural backdrops, and all are within easy reach for film crews and filming.
  • Georgia offers one of the most generous film tax incentives in the U.S., which makes filming in and around Atlanta significantly less expensive for filmmakers.

One last, important plus is that Atlanta, like Hollywood, has a massive, experienced local work force ready to go. This helps reduce production costs even further, which is one of the reasons why Georgia consistently ranks among the top U.S. states for film and TV production.

Pro Sports and Sporting Events in Atlanta

If sports are your passion you’ll find a lot of them to love in Atlanta. Not only does the city have pro teams in all the most popular sports, it also hosts some of the biggest sporting events and championships in the country. From the NFL and NBA to Bowl and National Championship games, you’ll be able to enjoy them all in the ATL!

Take a look at this stellar lineup of sports teams and sporting events:

If that’s not enough sports for you, the city will also soon host these major events:

Atlanta is a Genuinely Livable, Enjoyable City

When it comes to livability, Atlanta has quietly punched above its weight for years. Flying under the proverbial radar, the city has become a major influencer in finance, media, transportation and logistics. Even better, the city does all of this while keeping the cost of living down in the metro area. 

Here are a few tidbits about the city:

  • Atlanta is home to over 15 Fortune 500 Company HQs. 
  • Atlanta’s extraordinary tree canopy makes even dense, suburban neighborhoods feel like a forest bungalow.
  • Atlanta is a leader in culture, including film, food, music, and social movements.
  • Spacious neighborhoods with plenty of green spaces are minutes from Atlanta’s powerhouse urban cores.

More than this, Atlanta has relatively affordable housing, an abundance of flexible workspaces, and lower business overhead than many similar cities. It’s the perfect city for an entrepreneur, artist, or anyone with a dream and a plan.

Atlanta is Comparatively Affordable

Atlanta’s cost of living is usually right on the line for average, sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Indeed, depending on your lifestyle, Atlanta can be a bit higher than some comparable cities. 

Atlanta, Georgia in Autumn.

Here are a few real-world stats about Atlanta’s affordability:

  • The median home price is close to $400,000.
  • Healthcare costs are about average, although the city does offer a wide range of options and quality.
  • Utility costs are also around average (but do surge in summer).
  • Transportation costs can be higher, especially if you commute, as the city has a car-centric layout and, occasionally, maddening traffic.
  • The cost for groceries and daily necessities are right around the national average. 
  • Rental prices range from around $1500 – $1800+ per month for a 1-bedroom apartment. (Tip: Outside the Perimeter they get lower.) 

Here’s a list of similar cities and their estimated cost of living compared to Atlanta:

  • New York City / 25% more expensive
  • San Francisco / Bay Area / 13% more 
  • Miami / 14% more 
  • Seattle / 7% more 
  • Boston / 3% more 
  • Washington, D.C. / 3% more 

Atlanta Entertainment, Culture, and Events

One major plus to living in Atlanta is the sheer abundance of entertainment and cultural choices available. It might sound cliche, but there truly is something for everyone when it comes to having good times here!

Below is a list of some of the most interesting, fun, exciting, and breathtaking experiences Atlanta has to offer:

Icons and Attractions

Events and Festivals

Major Concert Venues

Atlanta also offers a wide variety of smaller, more intimate entertainment venues scattered around the city. From Eddie’s Attic to Blind Willie’s, and Smith’s Olde Bar, there’s always a live event somewhere!

Moving to Atlanta or Just Arrived? Let NSA Storage Help You Get Settled

If you’re moving soon, or just arrived, and need help storing your belongings in Atlanta, count on NSA Storage. Our clean, secure, and affordable Atlanta self-storage units can be found all over the city.

You can reserve an Atlanta storage unit online in less than 5 minutes, and it will be ready when you arrive. You can also visit an NSA Storage facility nearest your new Atlanta home and get quick answers from our helpful, experienced reps! 

Until then, we hope this Atlanta Moving Guide has given you a deeper look into Atlanta, the United States’ southern star. And hey, y’all, if you’ve just arrived, welcome home!

NSA Storage

Related Articles