The recent announcement that Mercedes Benz US Headquarters is moving to Atlanta is just the most recent feather added to Atlanta’s already brimming corporate headquarters cap. It also means the next wave of new arrivals to the continually growing Atlanta metropolitan area. As a native to Atlanta, I am very proud of my city and love to welcome new residents with expected Southern hospitality. Aside from the hospitality, sweet tea, and more than 50 streets with “Peachtree” in the name, what else should you expect when relocating to Atlanta? I have outlined a few of the major concerns most people have when relocating to Atlanta and I direct you to the best sites online that address each issue.

Neighborhoods

Atlanta’s metro area is hard to define as there are no real natural boundaries such as the sea or mountain ranges to help define it. Therefore, the surrounding neighborhoods that consider themselves suburbs of Atlanta are much larger and expansive than most people realize. In fact, there are 29 counties that are considered part of Atlanta’s metropolitan area. Within those 29 counties, in all directions from the center of Atlanta, you will find a multitude of neighborhoods with distinct personality and vibes. You should seek a real estate agent who understands the complexities and lifestyles of each neighborhood to help you find your best match. To read about many of the neighborhoods in Atlanta, go to Curbed U Real Estate blog for “A Guide to Atlanta’s Neighborhoods” parts I and II.

Schools

Even if you don’t have children, understanding the schools and the reputation of the elementary, middle and high schools where you plan to live is very important. The desirability of a school is a very important factor in determining the desirability of your property. There are a few good ways to review the standing of a school. You should review the school’s county website to understand recent news. You can also check the following sites for school rankings/standings:

Niche– Niche is a site that collects student, parent, and teacher surveys and combines the feedback with test scores and other school statistics to give every school a grade and ranking.

US News and World Report– This site ranks high schools across the nation.

Great Schools– This site collects public reviews on every school.

Traffic

Atlanta boasts a great cost of living and many other fantastic perks for residents but minimal traffic isn’t one of them. When you consider the number of people living in those 29 metropolitan area counties all commuting in and out of Atlanta on a daily basis, traffic is inevitable. Accepting that traffic will be a part of your life when you live in Atlanta is important. Deciding where to live in relation to where you will work and other commutes you will face will help greatly reduce the amount of daily traffic you have to endure. This again is where an experienced agent familiar with the traffic flows of the city will be very important to have in your relocation search. You can view daily traffic maps right on your smart phone or at websites such as Local Conditions to view traffic maps and get an idea of the most congested areas.

Taxes

The property tax rates in and around Atlanta vary widely by city and county. A good real estate agent will be able to research where you are interested in living and compare the tax rates you can expect to pay. Sometimes adjusting your search a few streets over may make several thousand dollars of difference in annual property taxes.