How's Atlanta?

From anyone in Atlanta, what has your experience been like getting a IT job there? Do you think it's worth moving there?

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NetworkVeteran

They have jobs there, as in any big city. It's worth moving there if you have an opportunity and like the area.

(I am not in Atlanta, but I know several people in IT doing well over there.)

Concerned Water

The reason I mention Atlanta is because it's not to far (5 hours). One guy told me I should try there.

demonfurbie

its hot and the traffic will make your eyes want to bleed

but for jobs its not bad

networker050184

Traffic is rediculous. Plenty jobs though.

Network_Engineer

Tons of high paying IT jobs. I received a 30% pay increase moving from Tampa to Atlanta.

9nine9

I too am interested in moving here with hopes of a better paying job.

Hypntick

Aside from the traffic, it's a pretty fun place to visit. As long as you're willing to take a chance on a move, you probably won't be making the wrong choice. I did something similar in moving to Charlotte, 58% increase in base pay, so if you're in one of those horribly underpaid cities, it would certainly help.

goldenlight

I would only move there if I had a job offer. Then leave after I get my experience.
Once I get my CCNA I will expand my search to the continental United States. Except for places where the cost of Living is just outrages.

California, New Jersey, New YOrk, you get the idea.

Traffic is Gridlock. A 15 minute drive takes 45 minutes during rush Hour.

bobloblaw

Plop me living somewhere around Piedmont Park, and I'll be happy to drive a little extra during the week to be able to walk to a ton of places on the weekend.

broli720

If you think Atlanta traffic is bad then don't ever move to the DC area hahaha.

Hypntick

@bobloblaw Anything is better than Memphis, and I say that having lived there for 8 years before finally getting out.

nestech

The ATL is great. I love it here and there are a ton of IT jobs out here. And the women... WOW... Life is good....

bobloblaw

Hypntick wrote: »

@bobloblaw Anything is better than Memphis, and I say that having lived there for 8 years before finally getting out.

I wouldn't necessarily say anything. Jonesboro, Jackson, Little Rock, Montgomery, etc. There's a laundry list of crap cities in the south, but..... yeeeeeeeeeah... I gotta go. It's IT death and the pay is garbage. Only thing I'll regret about leaving is my place downtown. View is silly. Anywhere I go I'll have to pay 3-5x the amount. Oh well. Worth it. I've done everything there is to do here. Regardless, GO GRIZZ!

@nestech - secondededed on the females. It's silly in Atlanta. Silly, I tell you. Another thing about big markets (Atlanta, Chicago, NY, Boise) is the concerts that roll through. Basically everything comes through.

Also, if you're just checking out markets to live for IT. Check out Austin, TX.

datgirl

Having lived many places in the world and U.S., I have often-times said "I have at least one more geographic move in me". Hotlanta had been on my list of possible re-locations, however I wouldn't make that move unless I had a firm job offer, with a decent amount of money on the table.

networker050184

broli720 wrote: »

If you think Atlanta traffic is bad then don't ever move to the DC area hahaha.

DC is pretty damn bad, but ATL is top ten too. I don't like driving in either.

Xcluziv

Wow,didn't know it was a few people from Atlanta on the board...should have known...lol. ATL is cool luckily , my commute isn't bad at all (20-25 mins)....this is only good if you stay away from Alpharetta and the heart of downtown, then you are golden...traffic can be a bear in those areas although countless opportunities in those areas from my job search. Nice city coming from a native

HOTLANATA!

Network_Engineer

Would you deal with a bad commute for an extra $25-50,000 a year?

Xcluziv

Network_Engineer wrote: »

Would you deal with a bad commute for an extra $25-50,000 a year?

Depends, I know that 25K would be more like 17K or so after taxes and the time and gas is also a factor since I would have to leave earlier. I could see making the commute for 40K though.....and then I'd try to eventually get a day or two from home...lol

What area are you in?

Network_Engineer

Woodstock --> Buckhead commute. I start early in the morning and beat the rush hour. Commute is double on the way home.

networker050184

Network_Engineer wrote: »

Would you deal with a bad commute for an extra $25-50,000 a year?

For $50k I'd just move closer.

About7Narwhal

@bobloblaw
@Hypntick

Check out Knoxville / Oak Ridge if you want to get the shaft in terms of pay and opportunity. Helpdesk is about the only thing around and the average pay is 28 - 35K. It is a joke.

Hypntick

@about7narwhal I was doing full on sysadmin type work, server build and deploy, network and firewall management, virtualization projects etc. Was pulling in an amazing 42k in Memphis. In Charlotte, i'm doing similar work, mid 70's, with a minimal jump in cost of living. I'm thinking TN just sucks overall.

wrwarwick

The traffic does suck in general, but just like anywhere, you can get lucky and have a short commute. I just started a new gig in the heart of downtown (right on Peachtree Street) and luckily I live about a 7 minute drive up the street, in midtown.

Xcluziv

wrwarwick wrote: »

The traffic does suck in general, but just like anywhere, you can get lucky and have a short commute. I just started a new gig in the heart of downtown (right on Peachtree Street) and luckily I live about a 7 minute drive up the street, in midtown.

Thats quite nice. I'd be good when I can find a remote gig, then it would be even sweeter!

I think we need to get a meetup for TE peeps in Atlanta....didn't know it was quite a few ATLiens on here

aaron0011

My company has an office there. It's a decent city IMO. The traffic sucks...and I'm a big fan of public transit but I don't care for MARTA.

trilom

Hypntick wrote: »

@about7narwhal I was doing full on sysadmin type work, server build and deploy, network and firewall management, virtualization projects etc. Was pulling in an amazing 42k in Memphis. In Charlotte, i'm doing similar work, mid 70's, with a minimal jump in cost of living. I'm thinking TN just sucks overall.

What company if you don't mind me asking? I live in Asheville, and would make the jump to Charlotte for mid 70's