Moving from New York City to Atlanta can be quite an easy switch, as Atlanta has often been dubbed as the “New York of the South”.
Just like NYC, Atlanta has a booming economy, plenty of charming neighborhoods, and endless things to see and do.
These similarities may help you adjust faster and can really help to accelerate how fast you adapt to your new city.
The plus side is you can experience all the great amenities and vibrant culture of Atlanta but without the hefty price tag that one would be accustomed to in New York City.
So if you plan on trading in NYC for Atlanta this guide will explain the whole moving process and share some helpful tips to assist you with your relocation.
The Moving Process From New York City to Atlanta
How Far is Atlanta from New York City?
The distance between New York City and Atlanta is 866 miles. The driving time of this journey is approximately 13.5 hours by car depending on traffic.
So whether you’re planning on doing a DIY move and driving the journey yourself in a rented moving van or you’re planning to drive your car and hire a professional mover, it’s definitely worth noting that it’s a lengthy drive.
The flight time is roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes long, so if the idea of sitting in a car for 13+ hours doesn’t sound like fun to you, you should definitely consider flying.
What is the Average Cost to Move From New York City to Atlanta?
The average cost to move from New York City to Atlanta is between $3,600-$5,900. That means on average it costs roughly $4,764.
There are many variables that determine the exact cost of a move from New York City to Atlanta such as the number of items being moved, whether you’ll want additional packing and unpacking services, and whether you plan to hire professional moving services or do it yourself.
Should I Move From New York City to Atlanta?
If you’re tired of the cold winters and immense rental rates then you should move from New York City to Atlanta. There are many “pull” factors of Atlanta, as well as “push” factors of NYC that makes this a common decision.
How New York City Compares to Atlanta
Living Costs Compared
The first thing a New Yorker will notice when they arrive in Atlanta is how affordable it is when comparing it to New York City. The cost of living in Atlanta is below the national average and is a staggering 42.6% lower than the Big Apple.
The rental and real estate prices in Atlanta will be a pleasant surprise, Atlanta housing costs are 61.9% less expensive than New York housing costs. The median rent in New York City is around $2,850, while it’s only $1,602 in Atlanta.
If you’re planning to buy a house in Atlanta you will be happy to hear that the median sale price is only $259,000. Compared to the median sale price of a house in NYC, which is $705,407.
You can expect groceries, utilities, and miscellaneous costs to be much more affordable. In addition, health related expenses are 18.5% less in Atlanta than in NYC.
Public Transportation
The MARTA- Rail is Atlanta’s equivalent to the subway system. In Atlanta, it’s the quickest way to get around. There are also MARTA buses that operate downtown and throughout the suburbs, and a Streetcar that offers stops at the most popular sights of the city.
Most residents in Atlanta also own their own vehicles, which is unlike NYC where most residents usually only rely on public transportation.
In NYC an unlimited subway card costs $127 per month and $2.75 per ride. In Atlanta, a monthly pass costs $95 and one ride costs $2.50.
Weather
Another draw to Atlanta is the city’s climate. While Atlanta does experience a southern climate with hot and humid summers, the winters are much shorter and milder than New York City.
On average, NYC gets an annual snowfall of about 25 inches, whereas Atlanta only gets 1 inch of snowfall each winter. The coldest average monthly temperature in New York is around 27℉, and Atlanta’s average lows in the winter months are only 33℉.
Moving From New York City to Atlanta DMV
When moving from New York City to Atlanta, it must be noted that you will have to get a new driver’s license. You must apply for a Georgia Driver’s License within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident. You must visit a DDS Customer Service Center to do this.
More information about what you will need to bring with you can be found here
Buying a home in Atlanta
As we mentioned earlier, buying a home in Atlanta is significantly cheaper than buying a home in NYC. These are the neighborhoods to consider if looking to buy a home.
West End
West End is a historic neighborhood located just southwest of Downtown Atlanta. It’s becoming a favorite for young professionals and families. West End has attracted a lot of attention over the last few years due to its upcoming development projects, diverse occupants, and stately architecture.
There is also a MARTA Station located in the neighborhood so there’s ease of access to downtown, and it’s also bike-friendly with plenty of bike lanes and sidewalks.
East Atlanta
East Atlanta is an Atlanta neighborhood located to the south of Edgewood and a few miles southeast from Downtown Atlanta. The neighborhood is primarily known for being a culture and street art hub which tends to draw a millennial crowd.
Its proximity to other hot neighborhoods like Kirkwood and Edgewood makes it a worthwhile option for many prospective homeowners.
The neighborhood has a popular commercial district named “East Atlanta Village” which is home to an assortment of restaurants and bars. You can expect East Atlanta to preserve its charm and culture in the decades to come. Simultaneously while expecting an increase in property values in the area.
Those looking for an up-and-coming, culture-rich neighborhood should consider East Atlanta.
Lake Claire
Lake Claire is a neighborhood in Atlanta that offers residents a scattered suburban feel. It’s nestled between Candler Park and Decatur. You’d be surprised to hear that Lake Claire has no actual lake.
Most residents own their homes and many families and young professionals live here.
The neighborhood boasts plenty of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Lake Claire are above average.
At the weekend, neighbors flock to the central green space, Lake Claire Park to mingle. If you have an expanding family and you long for a neighborhood with a community-feel, Lake Claire might be the neighborhood for you.
Selling Your Property in New York City
The first step when planning to sell your property in New York City is finding the right realtor. You also have to consider when to sell your home. Housing prices can fluctuate by thousands of dollars depending on what time of year you sell your home.
June is the best month to sell in New York for speed. While July is the best month to sell for a better price in New York.
Figuring out what your house is worth is a vital task to ensure a financially favorable and speedy sale.
Gauging your home’s value compared to the area’s market value is the best way to confidently price your home. An experienced real estate agent can provide a market analysis.
A good, reliable realtor will guide you through the whole process and can really help you alleviate the stresses that come with selling your home.
Finding a Job in Atlanta Before You Move There
Before you move to Atlanta, it’s advised to try and find a job before your move, so that you’ll have one less stressor to worry about. Atlanta has maintained its spot as one of the country’s most thriving economies.
It is home to 16 Fortune 500 companies including Delta, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and UPS. These large companies employ thousands of workers and contribute to the city’s stable job market. Some ideas of where to start the job search would be
City of Atlanta Career Site
This is a great resource in Atlanta that helps residents in their pursuit of finding a job. The page contains information on where residents can find job opportunities in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Indeed
Indeed is always a great place to find job listings no matter where you are based. You can use the tools to filter your search to certain areas in Atlanta and there are always new job listings posted daily.
Word of Mouth
Do you know anyone living in the area? Ask them if they know anyone looking to hire! It’s such a simple concept but yet we forget to use it.
Moving From New York City to Atlanta Checklist
The following checklist will allow you to assess what needs to be done before trading the Big Apple 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, dissassemble 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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