I moved to Atlanta from Brooklyn, New York in 2006 and realized early on that there was no place in America prefer it. From the meals to the price of residing to the leisure choices to the music scene to, nicely all the things. Atlanta is a singular slice of Americana that has been the scene of each main sports activities and leisure milestone for the reason that Summer season Olympic Video games came about downtown in 1996. 

Atlanta has by no means been the identical, and for many individuals, together with myself, that could be a great point. For a lot of others nonetheless, the modifications which have taken place -increase in visitors, the rise in rents and property taxes, an uptick in violence- are usually not so good. Metro Atlanta, which is made up of 11 counties north and south of the capital metropolis, noticed slightly below 65,000 new residents final 12 months, in accordance with knowledge from the Atlanta Regional Fee (ARC). The inhabitants of the 11-county space has ballooned to five.1 million or greater than both Arkansas or Iowa. 

The Atlanta Voice workers is answering its personal query -Is Atlanta value it?- by exploring most of the matters talked about above. Is it value it to maneuver to Atlanta to begin your profession? Is it value it to purchase a house in Atlanta? Is it value it to exit in Atlanta in comparison with how a lot it as soon as was? Is it value it to return to Atlanta for school? 

Is Atlanta value it? For me, 16 years in the past, it was. For a lot of others it has been as nicely. The query may be will it ever be value it once more?

Donnell Suggs

Editor-in-Chief

The Atlanta Voice

Public Security:

Do you’re feeling secure in Atlanta?

By Isaiah Singleton

With rising inflation, a lingering pandemic, the price of residing in Atlanta and throughout the nation have elevated tremendously.

Latest occasions and rising costs on all the things convey the query, “Resides within the metropolis of Atlanta value it?” [Editor’s note: We are using the city limits of Atlanta in this case. Not the 11-county metro Atlanta area]

Whereas taking a look at elements resembling price of residing, transportation, schooling, leisure, and profession alternatives, one other issue to contemplate is security.

In response to U.S. Information, the Metropolis of Atlanta is ranked #95 as one of the best locations to reside within the U.S. and #90 in one of the best locations to retire.

Despite the fact that crime charges are dropping, Atlanta remains to be thought-about a harmful metropolis, nonetheless crime charges range dramatically by neighborhood, in accordance with LifeStorageBlog.

In 2022, in accordance with the Atlanta Police Division (APD) crime data, there was 86 murders, 1,921 aggravated assaults, 88 rapes, and 379 robberies up to now.

Moreover, there have been 918 burglaries/breaking and getting into, 1,582 motorized vehicle thefts, and seven,167 thefts. Theft is damaged down into shoplifting, theft from motor automobiles, and all different larceny, in accordance with the APD.

2021 v. 2020 Crime Charges Statistics:

In 2021, there have been 158 murders reported in comparison with 2020’s 157 reported, a 1% lower, in accordance with the APD.

166 rape circumstances have been reported, in comparison with 119 in 2020, a 39% improve. Nevertheless, that very same 12 months, 803 theft circumstances have been reported, versus 872 circumstances in 2020, an 8% lower.

2,529 Aggravated Assault expenses have been reported versus 2,320 in 2020, a 9% improve. 1,628 Housebreaking expenses have been reported in 2021, in comparison with 2,120 in 2021, a 23% lower. Larceny/Auto expenses in 2021 had a 3% lower (8,096) in comparison with 2020 with 8,375. Auto Theft in 2021 was reported at 3,057 in comparison with 3,081 in 2020, a 1% lower.

In 2017, Atlanta had a 367.6 violent crime price over time, in comparison with a 382.9 violent crime price over time nationally that very same 12 months. The crime price is the variety of crimes dedicated per 100,000 individuals.

HOUSING: 

Is $1,000 per 30 days reasonably priced? Just a few personal builders are saying that it’s

By Donnell Suggs

With music taking part in, individuals mingling about and a meals truck providing free tacos, a ribbon-cutting came about in entrance of what was as soon as one of the dilapidated residential properties on the Westside. The residences on the nook of Cellular and Troy streets within the Hunter Hills neighborhood had been deserted and undeveloped for many years. On a sunny morning in October individuals mingled about as if the entrance yard of 1200 Cellular Avenue wasn’t as soon as the final place you’ll see males in fits and ladies in attire and heels having time. The place there was as soon as no housing in any respect to talk of is now being hailed as “reasonably priced” housing: 12Hundred Studios.

“I’m often standing up right here as a result of I gave away some cash,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joked as he referenced the mixed efforts of a trio of builders, lenders and capital companions to convey the undertaking to life. The 40-unit, garden-style house advanced is a mixed effort from Tenth Avenue Ventures, an Atlanta-based actual property firm, Alexander Goshen, a Florida-based actual property  improvement firm and ARRC Capital Companions, a multifamily property administration and renovation firm based mostly in Atlanta. 

The senior mortgage for the undertaking was supplied by The Atlanta Inexpensive Housing Fund, a social influence fund that was launched in January 2020, with fairness supplied by American South Actual Property Fund, an Atlanta-based investor that has financed comparable initiatives “in rising low and moderate-income neighborhoods in ten southern states,” in accordance with the ‘About’ web page on its web site. 

The “move-in prepared” residences are absolutely furnished with rents at 60% Space Median Earnings (a measure of resident’s common revenue in a particular space), in accordance with Tenth Avenue Ventures CEO Mind MacCarthy. “Simply stroll in along with your garments and your suitcase and all the things is prepared for you,” he mentioned previous to the ribbon being reduce. 

The models are being branded as reasonably priced with the studio residences renting for slightly below $1,000-per-month. A walk-through of one of many models out there to the media for pictures took mere seconds. The models have been clear and certainly absolutely furnished, since you solely want 3-4 items of furnishings to perform that purpose.

Financing caring for with no burden to town of Atlanta. Models absolutely furnished with no burden to the renters transferring in. Recent paint within the residences and murals within the courtyard from native artists Kendall Deon and Eric 9. “We wished to have one thing that the neighborhood might be part of,” mentioned Deon, who wore a paint-splattered t-shirt that learn ‘Artist at work.’ “One thing they might take delight in.” 

A mixed effort to offer housing that even contains native artists, what might be incorrect? The worth. The residences are round $1,000 per 30 days. The affordability tag is being positioned on residential initiatives like these throughout Atlanta with the median family revenue 

That is a part of Dickens’ plan for creating or preserving 20,000 reasonably priced housing models in Atlanta over the following 5 years. “Twenty thousand is a stake within the sand, the demand for reasonably priced housing far outstrips that,” mentioned Atlanta Housing Board Chair Larry Stewart throughout a Grove Park Speaks assembly Monday night time. Grove Park, considered one of Atlanta’s traditionally Black neighborhoods that’s going through gentrification. Right here’s one man’s story of getting a chunk of the homeownership pie earlier than it was too late and of a locally-focused group that’s attempting to assist.

Housing: 

‘We wished to really feel a way of possession:’ A Grove Park resident finds a house for his household

By Donnell Suggs

As tears streamed down his face, Swift instructed the story of the day he and his spouse Stacey came upon that they had been pre-approved for the house mortgage they wanted to buy their home in Grove Park. The couple and their three daughters, Jasmine, Summer season and Shayla, had been renting within the historic Black neighborhood for a couple of years and wished to purchase a house and put down roots. “That feeling is extra than simply,” he paused, “we wished to really feel a way of possession,” he mentioned of that second. 

Swift and Stacey have been a part of the Neighborhood Alternatives for Wealth (N.O.W.) Monetary Functionality Program, which has 6-month and one-year applications that intention to coach, coach and put together contributors for dwelling possession by addressing their particular monetary wants and challenges. 80% of Grove Park residents are renters, in accordance with Grove Park Renewal, an area group positioned on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway which buys deserted or condemned properties within the neighborhood as a way to make them livable once more. The purpose being to not enable exterior builders, or attempt to at the very least sluggish the inflow of outdoor builders from coming into the neighborhood, shopping for property and finally pricing the locals like Swift and his household out. 

“All we have to know is that it’s doable,” mentioned Swift, who is a well-liked native rapper, about homeownership. As a child rising up in Lengthy Island, New York and in Philadelphia, he had moved yearly of his younger life. He by no means had an opportunity to make too many associates or to name one neighborhood dwelling. “I’m 41 years outdated and I’ve no childhood associates,” he mentioned. “I wished completely different for my youngsters.” 

Fifth Third Financial institution not too long ago invested $20 million in 9 neighborhoods in 9 cities, Grove Park being the Atlanta metropolis of the bunch. Representatives from the Cincinnati-based financial institution have been on the town Monday speaking to residents through the Grove Park Speaks assembly hosted by the Grove Park Basis in a gathering house contained in the newly renovated YMCA. Decrease and reasonable revenue (LMI) neighborhoods in Chicago, Tampa, Columbus, Ohio, Louisville and Cleveland are additionally on the record. “That was intentional,” mentioned Kala Gibson, Government Vice President and Chief Enterprise Company Duty Officer. “We mentioned we have to have some kind of neighborhood program as a result of all the things begins within the neighborhood.” 

Gibson mentioned the corporate picked 9 predominantly historic Black neighborhoods due to the divestment in these neighborhoods. “The entire premise of that is that we’re going to convey these communities again to their glory and ensure that all the wealth-building that’s going to happen in these communities are taking place with the legacy residents that really reside there.” 

In April tech large Microsoft introduced that it will be constructing a 90-acre campus in Grove Park.  With that announcement has come an increase in curiosity from builders, dwelling consumers and residential builders. Right this moment you possibly can’t drive 100 toes in Grove park with out seeing development happen. Two years in the past the phrase ‘disinvestment’ may have simply described the neighborhood. 

Curiosity and investments from the Fifth Third Banks and Microsofts of the world has been good for a lot of neighborhood residents like Swift and his household. It additionally has led to an increase in property worth and thus property taxes. Is it value it to remain in Grove Park? Swift says sure, “I need to go away one thing behind for my youngsters,” he mentioned. “My mom handed away and he or she couldn’t go away something for us. I don’t need that for my youngsters.”

The Price of Schooling/Scholastic

By: Ann Hill Bond 

How a lot does it price for schooling within the Metropolis of Atlanta? Households with babies attending early schooling face an uphill battle resulting in a statewide conversion amongst Black voters relating to entry to reasonably priced childcare. 

An Atlanta father or mother will spend about $20,000 yearly on toddler care, about 34% of town’s common family median revenue. As soon as the kid approaches faculty age, households expertise a big price lower with Georgia Pre-Ok. Nevertheless, the price of schooling for a four-year-old nonetheless averages almost $7,300.

Atlanta residents expertise a mean inflation price of two.4% annually. Within the metropolis of Atlanta 17% of all Ok-12 college students are educated in personal colleges in comparison with the GA state common of 8%. The typical tuition price for a personal distant schooling in Atlanta is $16,152, about 25% increased than the common Georgia personal faculty tuition price of $11,311. If a father or mother decides on personal schooling for his or her little one inside Atlanta metropolis limits, there’s a 49% chance that the personal faculty has a non secular affiliation predominantly Christian or Catholic. 

In Atlanta there are 132 personal colleges serving 28,182 college students. Atlanta Public Faculties (APS), the general public faculty system for town of Atlanta, accommodates 87 colleges public colleges serving 51,012 public college students, in accordance with its web site. Fifty-one % of every greenback paid in property taxes goes towards public schooling within the metropolis of Atlanta. APS common annual income is $1,144,904,000; it spends $17,570 per pupil annually. The nationwide common is about $12,200 per pupil annually. 

A family with two working adults with as much as three youngsters in Atlanta has yearly bills of $75,000-$100,000. The price of schooling within the Atlanta is increased than the state common. Within the state of Georgia, in accordance with Schooling Week, Georgia ranks 1st within the U.S. in connecting the Ok-12 schooling system with early studying, increased schooling, and the world of labor and seventeenth within the nation for Ok-12 achievement. 

Nevertheless, APS has a mean math proficiency rating of 35% and a studying proficiency rating of 39%, putting it within the backside 50% of the state. With the present price of schooling and the present high quality of public schooling, households are pressured to determine whether or not Atlanta value it in regard to schooling?   

Schooling/School: 

HBCU college students give completely different views of residing in Atlanta

By Menra Mapfumo

Atlanta is dwelling to 6 Historic Black Faculties/Universities (HBCUs), Clark Atlanta College (CAU), Interdenominational Theological Heart (ITC), Morehouse School, Morris Brown School, Spelman School and the Morehouse College of Drugs.

These colleges are a number of the most prestigious HBCUs and the price of attending is a hefty value. [Editor’s Note: The prices listed do not include financial aid, grants, and scholarships.]

The price of attendance for undergraduate on-campus college students this 12 months at Clark Atlanta College is $36,876 a 12 months. For undergraduate off-campus college students the price is $25,876 a 12 months. Graduate pupil prices range. ITC graduate college students are paying a flat price of $14,000 a 12 months if they’re taking 9 or extra credit score hours.

The price of attendance at Morehouse School is $49,799 a 12 months when residing on-campus, $48,939 a 12 months when residing off campus and $39,948 a 12 months when residing with mother and father. 

The fee to be a full time pupil at Morris Brown School is $8,500. The college not too long ago regained accreditation and has been again to its full capabilities this tutorial 12 months.

The price of attendance at Spelman School, one of many nation’s most prestigious tutorial establishments, is $44,551.00 per 12 months when residing on campus and $28,885.00 when residing off campus.

College students from Clark Atlanta College shared their experiences residing in Atlanta.  Ivyanna Franklin, a  junior, mentioned, “Life as a school pupil in Atlanta is dearer than the common faculty pupil…I can afford to reside in Atlanta with the assistance of my mom in addition to working a component time job as a result of I’m a full time pupil. Balancing a job and faculty work isn’t straightforward just because you’ve gotten some days you get off work and a few assignments are due sooner than regular. Atlanta might be reasonably priced for somebody who’s nicely established however not a lot for school college students. I pay $1149 a month for my house and parking.”

Graduate pupil Cedric Holt mentioned, “Being a school pupil in Atlanta is enjoyable. Atlanta is a giant metropolis with loads of alternatives for internships…I’m residing off-campus and fortunately my monetary assist has coated housing for the 12 months.”

Junior Myia Davis mentioned, “Residing off campus in Atlanta is dear and irritating. I’ve needed to discover a job to assist match the invoice. Whereas being a full time pupil and a full time worker I’ve to seek out time to check. Attending such an costly faculty is already lots for my mother and father because of the lack of

scholarships the varsity affords I’ve hire and utilities due month-to-month which is $1,300 {dollars}. The hire in Atlanta is getting increased and better resulting from [the city’s] recognition.”

Khalil Manuel, a senior, mentioned, “School life as a pupil in Atlanta could be powerful financially should you don’t have the best monetary plan. One factor that I needed to do was work part-time to have cash for meals, gasoline and requirements for college. I register for lessons and construct my work schedule round my class schedule. It additionally helps that I keep at dwelling with my mother so I save bit of cash not having to pay hire. I’ve checked out completely different residences within the space however most of the locations are unaffordable, particularly working solely half time and being a pupil.”

Senior Ameera Smith mentioned, “The steadiness between being a pupil and “adulting” is a really difficult one. The hire is excessive. I do know college students who’re paying $1,600 in hire only for one bed room. My hire is $1,450 and I reside 20 minutes away. Balancing faculty and work could be very laborious as I’ve 9 lessons this semester. I stand up at 4 a.m., 5 out of seven days every week I am going to work and I go away work to go straight to class. It’s draining to say the least. It’s actually necessary to just remember to’re managing your time nicely and placing faculty earlier than anything.”

I don’t reside off-campus like these college students, however my expertise with the price of residing in Atlanta is analogous. I’m from the Bronx, New York and determined to return to CAU due to the mass media arts program. I used to be additionally introduced with a chance to play baseball for the Panthers.  

My automobile, tuition, payments, meals and groceries are the biggest investments I’ve made since being in Atlanta. At first, it was solely my father making these funds, however I’ve been in a position to assist him with these funds since I began working. 

It isn’t straightforward being a school pupil irrespective of the place you’re, however when somebody is a school pupil in a serious metropolis the affordability of life brings challenges. Has it been value it? Effectively, transferring to Atlanta for school has been value it and I’ve all the things I want right here as a way to achieve my future profession.

Leisure:

Wish to have some enjoyable? Effectively, it’s going to price you. 

By Noah Washington

Thousands and thousands of individuals flock to Atlanta yearly for the enjoyable that town affords. All the pieces from nightlife to sports activities, Atlanta has all of it. However since Atlanta has all of it, does that imply town can set the charges in your leisure?

The reply is how badly do you need to have enjoyable?

“The most important distinction in Atlanta is {that a} decade in the past, there have been extra locations and a distinct crowd, now it seems like Atlanta is about social standing,” mentioned Carlton Adams, also called “Directed by Financial institution”. “Again within the day, it was extra about having time, not exhibiting off for Instagram. What’s at the moment cool about Atlanta nightlife is that you possibly can be in the identical room with a politician, CMO of Coca-Cola, and a avenue entrepreneur and have a good time,” he mentioned. Adams, a D.J and director, now’s a conductor of Atlanta nightlife and leisure.

Atlanta’s nightlife has lots to supply. Town is thought for its outrageous membership scene. You’ve gotten Atlanta establishments starting from Revel to hidden gems like Pink Cellphone Sales space, however a piece in an Atlanta membership like Revel will price you about $600, which isn’t unusual for golf equipment in main cities.

In case you are trying to do one thing rather less excessive priced, Atlanta’s nightlife has different choices. Why not go to the flicks? On Saturday, an Atlanta Voice reporter went to a ten:40 PM screening of “Black Adam,” on the Starlight Theatre, which was filled with individuals who stuffed the driveway of the theater all the way in which to the road. After paying $20 for 3 tickets, we sat and loved the film with no unwelcome interruption. On the AMC theater at Atlantic Station, for instance, there was a exhibiting of the identical movie with tickets being $19.06 an individual. So should you go on a date by the point you’re finished with popcorn and possibly a drink to share, you’ll have spent roughly $50. 

It’s secure to say that the present Atlanta leisure has modified for the reason that Freaknik days of the 90s and early 2000’s, however there’s nonetheless lots to do.

Guarantees made, guarantees stored:

Andre Dickens met HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to debate federal assist for reasonably priced housing objectives

By King Williams 

Final week Dickens met with the U.S. Housing and City Growth (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge who was visiting Atlanta. Dickens, alongside U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA), was at a public spherical desk to speak about reasonably priced housing in Atlanta. The spherical desk was held at Atlanta First United Methodist Church downtown surrounded by a who’s who of Atlanta housing consultants to debate their views on reasonably priced housing. 

The assembly additionally touted a number of new proposed developments that have been additionally in hopes of receiving federal funds. These websites included the long-gestating Atlanta Civic Heart redevelopment undertaking, the Sew, a freeway cap undertaking that will create a land bridge connecting downtown over I-75 and I-85, and Atlanta First UMC’s proposed new improvement 360 Peachtree, a two-tower reasonably priced housing improvement positioned on the 1.8 acres of floor parking heaps immediately throughout the road. 

Dickens has made reasonably priced housing a purpose of his administration together with setting a purpose of constructing 1,000 houses with faith-based companions inside the subsequent 5 years. These faith-based companions resembling Atlanta UMC are holders of important swaths of land in Atlanta, land that’s positioned in a number of the best-aligned areas of future improvement inside the metropolis. Renderings on the assembly additionally highlighted the brand new district of downtown Atlanta that might be achieved with the linkage of the aforementioned improvement initiatives. 

These 1,000 models of reasonably priced housing with faith-based companions are part of the Mayor’s extra formidable purpose of making or preserving 20,000 reasonably priced housing models in Atlanta over the following 5 years as nicely. The Dickens administration has additionally cited a number of different websites of land downtown at 181 Forsyth Avenue, and 143 Alabama Avenue as potential locations for his reasonably priced housing objectives. 

The Dickens administration was additionally given constructive remarks by Sec. Fudge for his or her work in relocating the residents of the blighted Forest Cove residences in southeast Atlanta. When requested about the way forward for the undertaking in addition to whether or not or not there could be any inquiries into the administration of property proprietor Millennia, each Dickens and Fudge didn’t give a remark.