Moving from Miami to Atlanta can be a great relocation choice that requires a minimal amount of change in lifestyle.

Similar to Miami, Atlanta has a thriving economy, plenty of job opportunities, and endless things to see and do. These similarities may assist you in assimilating and can really help to make the relocation feel as stress-free as possible.

So if you plan on trading in the Magic City for Hotlanta the following guide will detail the entire moving process and hopefully will assist you with your relocation queries.

The Moving Process From Miami to Atlanta

How Far is Atlanta from Miami?

The distance between Miami and Atlanta is 664 miles. The driving time of this journey is approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes depending on traffic.

So if you’re planning on doing a DIY move and driving the journey in a rental truck or you’re planning to drive your car there and hire a professional moving company to transport your belongings, it’s worth noting that it’s a lengthy drive.

The flight time is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes long, so if the idea of driving a car for 9+ hours doesn’t excite you, you should try to fly instead.

What is the Average Cost to Move From Miami to Atlanta?

The average cost to move from Miami to Atlanta is between $2,200-$4,600. That means on average it costs roughly $3,400.

Something that must be considered is the fact that many variables determine the exact cost of a move from Miami to Atlanta. These include the number of items being moved, whether you’ll need additional packing and unpacking services from a professional moving service, or whether you plan to orchestrate the whole move yourself.

Should I Move From Miami to Atlanta?

If you’re tired of the frenzy of life in Miami and are looking for a city with more of a “southern charm”, but still want a “city” lifestyle, then you should move from Miami to Atlanta.

How Miami Compares to Atlanta

Living Costs Compared

When moving from Miami to Atlanta, one of the first things that you will notice when you arrive is how affordable it is comparatively. The cost of living in Atlanta is below the national average and is around 12.7% cheaper than in Miami.

Additionally, the rental and real estate prices in Atlanta will be a nice surprise. Atlanta housing costs are 21.5% less expensive than housing costs in Miami. The median rent in Miami is around $2,053, while in Atlanta it’s only $1,602.

Downtown Atlanta

If you’re planning to buy property in Atlanta you will be delighted to hear that the median sale price for a home is only $259,000. Compared to the median sale price of a house in Miami, which is roughly $329,900.

You can expect to have cheaper groceries, health care, and miscellaneous costs in Atlanta also.

Public Transportation

The MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is Atlanta’s public transport system. It’s made up of MARTA- Rail, MARTA buses, and a streetcar that offers stops at the most popular sights of the city.

If you are used to the walkable nature of Miami, you will find that Atlanta is not as walkable. Residents tend to rely on public transportation and their own vehicles to get around.

In Miami, a monthly pass for the Metrorail costs $112.50 and one ride costs $2.25. In Atlanta, a monthly pass costs $95 and one ride costs $2.50.

Weather

The weather in Atlanta is very similar to the weather in Miami, so there won’t be too much readjustment on that front. If you’re not a fan of wet rainy days (who is?), you’ll be happy to hear that it rains less in Atlanta than it does in Miami.

The winters may differ slightly in Atlanta. On average, Atlanta gets 1 inch of snowfall each winter, while Miami gets none. The coldest average monthly temperature in Miami is around 60℉, and Atlanta’s average lows in the winter months are 33℉.

Moving From Miami to Atlanta DMV

When moving from Miami to Atlanta, please note that you’ll need to get a new driver’s license.

Within 30 days of becoming a resident in Georgia, you must apply for a Georgia Driver’s License. To do so, you must visit a DDS Customer Service Center in person.

More information about what you will need to complete the process can be found here

Buying a home in Atlanta

As mentioned previously, buying a home in Atlanta is a cheaper process than buying a home in Miami. The following neighborhoods are great options to consider if looking to purchase a home in Atlanta.


East Atlanta

Are you a millennial looking for a culture-rich, up-and-coming neighborhood to purchase property in? Well, East Atlanta is a great option for you! Additionally, its proximity to other similar neighborhoods like Edgewood and Kirkwood makes it an excellent choice for many prospective homeowners.

This neighborhood is located a few miles from Downtown Atlanta and has a popular commercial district called East Atlanta Village. This district is home to plenty of trendy restaurants and bars. Are you afraid that the trendiness of the area will fade? Fear not! You can expect East Atlanta to preserve its culture and charm in the decades to come.

Lake Claire

Are you looking for a neighborhood with a community feel? Lake Claire might be the neighborhood for you! It’s an area that’s situated between Candler Park and Decatur. One thing to note is that Lake Claire has no actual lake.

The area has a high percentage of homeownership, and its residents are mostly families and young professionals. The neighborhood boasts plenty of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Lake Claire are above average.

West End

West End is a historic neighborhood that can be found just southwest of Downtown Atlanta. In the past few years, it’s been attracting attention from young professionals and families due to its upcoming development projects and stately architecture. 

There’s great access to public transportation as there’s a MARTA Station located in the neighborhood. And if you’re a fan of cycling, you’ll be happy to hear that the neighborhood is bike-friendly with plenty of bike lanes and sidewalks.

Selling Your Property in Miami

If you are planning to sell your property in Miami, the first step you must do is to find the right realtor for you. Another important factor is deciding on when to sell your home.

In certain cities, housing prices can fluctuate by thousands of dollars depending on what month of the year you decide to sell.

The best month of the year to list your home in is March and on average, it takes 3 months to close on your home. If you’re thinking of moving from Miami to Atlanta, you’ll want to get on selling your home as soon as possible!

Another vital step in the selling process is gauging your home’s value compared to the area’s market value. An experienced real estate agent can provide you with a market analysis.

To have a stress-free time, it is essential that you find a good, reliable realtor that will guide you through the whole process.

Finding a Job in Atlanta Before You Move There

Atlanta is a great city to move to for job opportunities, the city is home to 16 Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, and UPS. These companies contribute to the city’s stable job market and help the economy thrive.

The following places are a few fantastic options to start your new job search.

City of Atlanta Career Site

This is a great resource in Atlanta that assists residents in finding jobs within the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in Atlanta.

Indeed

Indeed is a great place to begin a job hunt, no matter where you are. Try to use the tools to filter your search and narrow down your listings to the area in Atlanta that you plan to move to. Can’t find a job that suits your experience? The good news is that there are always new job listings posted daily.

Word of Mouth

Do you know anyone living in Atlanta? Try to reach out to them and ask them if they know of anyone looking to hire.

Moving From Miami to Atlanta Checklist

The following checklist will allow you to assess what needs to be done before trading the Magic City for Atlanta.

At Least 4 to 6 Weeks Before the Move

– Organize a professional moving company.

– Let your health care physician, dentist, and other service providers know that you are moving.

– Order moving supplies or ask your moving company to provide them as an additional service

– It is a great idea to sell or donate your unwanted items. You can sell on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Or you can donate them to the Salvation Army and they will pick items up at no charge.

– Begin packing; clearly mark boxes with a marker indicating which room they will be going into at delivery.

– You will need to make your change of address known to several different places, such as wherever you do your banking, the DMV, your workplace, any other financial institutions (such as credit card providers), the post office, your utility provider, and, saving the most important for last, your friends and family.

– Sort plane tickets if you’re planning to fly.

2 Weeks Prior to the Move

– It is imperative to clean and/or make needed repairs on your old home before moving out, since leaving your place an absolute mess may leave your security deposit in jeopardy.

– Because of the abundance of fragile items in your kitchen, you’ll want to pack these items away long in advance, with protective bubble wrap to ensure nothing gets broken in transit.

– You will also want to begin packing your things from bedrooms and bathrooms, except for your essential items that you will be using until you move.

– If necessary, you will want to arrange a babysitter for your kids and/or pets for parts of the move that you need to be able to focus and get things done.

A Couple of Days Before Your Move

– Clean up your home completely, double-checking any cracks and crevices that may have your stuff hidden away.

– Unless your movers will do it for you, disassemble your furniture to make your move a smoother process, and ensure to keep any screws, brackets, or other small items that are needed for reassembly. Pro tip: tape these smaller items in a bag to the bottom of the furniture.

– Print out the floor plan of your new home and have enough for the movers as well.

– You may want to hit the ATM before moving day, as you’ll need to have enough cash to tip your movers. Generally speaking, you’ll want to tip $20-$30 per mover.

– Make sure that you confirm with your movers the details of your move. The last thing that you want is to have moving day come around, and you and your movers aren’t on the same page.

– Get in touch with the landlord or current homeowner of your new place, and ensure that you’ll be able to get the keys to your new place when you arrive.

– Document the condition of your old place through pictures and videos, to ensure that you have proof of its state. This will come in handy if your landlord tries to keep your deposit, based on incorrect facts.

Moving Day

– Hand over your old home’s keys to the necessary people, such as landlord or building management.

– Do a quick run-through of your home to ensure that nothing gets left behind, whether it’s just a smaller item, or an entire box of stuff.

– Ensure that everything you packed up is in your new home before unpacking everything.

– If the moving company you are working with is going to assemble your furniture, make sure that they reassemble it in the correct room to avoid unnecessary work.

– Be sure to thank everyone helping you move, and leave them a tip!

You did it! Congrats and enjoy your new home!

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