Originally Posted by
15fan
Been here since 1995, we live within a few miles of Emory, and our daughter is over there regularly for sports camps, swim meets, etc.
If that's where you're working, then long-term, you want to live Emory/Decatur/Druid Hills/Lake Claire/Candler Park/Inman Park/Morningside.
Let me know if you have kids, or if K-12 schools are going to be on the horizon. We have a 9 year old, so we're pretty familiar with the various school options. I can also speak to a variety of the kiddo sports & activities in the area.
I'll go ahead and throw out some of the restaurants and watering holes that you should put on your To Do list: Antico Pizza, Fox Brothers BBQ, The Brickstore, Community BBQ, Rathbun's, Kevin Rathbun Steak, Restaurant Eugene, Canoe, The Optimist, & JCT Kitchen.
Other institutions that you should check out include the Vortex, the Varsity (eat, have massive digestive distress, and never do it again, but say you've been), Fatt Matt's Rib Shack, & Fellini's Pizza.
If you're here for the 4th of July, the Peachtree Road Race 10K is quite a spectacle. 60,000 runners (world's largest 10k), and the entire course is lined with spectators. Even if you're not a runner, you should plan on doing it. Join the Atlanta Track Club for preferential entry (the lottery always happens in mid-March and it fills up literally within 24-48 hours), and try to get yourself a qualifying time so that you can get out in one of the earlier groups.
The Beltline is a work in progress, but it's going to be a decent step towards addressing the dearth of biking/running/walking spaces in the city. Piedmont Park is great. Plenty of people in this part of town also head out to Stone Mountain for biking, running, etc.
Also, understand that most of the people who live here are not originally from here. College football is hands down king in this part of the world. I grew up in Ohio, so I'm biased towards the Big 10/11/whatever, but having been to a couple of SEC games, I can say that SEC football is an unparalleled experience.
When you're ready to get away, the north GA mountains are 2-ish hours away, Asheville NC is a little further. Reynolds Plantation & Lake Oconee is a good option if you need a quick boating / golfing fix. Skip Lake Lanier. It's a freaking zoo.
Most importantly, know that the Reds make their only trip of the year here July 11-14. In the summer, you want to sit along the 3rd base side, as that's the side of the stadium that falls into the shade as the sun sinks. First base / RF gets the brunt of the late afternoon sun, and that's not at all pleasant. Afternoon games can be particularly brutal.
Good luck with the move, and let me know if you need any other recommendations.