Newcomer's guide to Atlanta?

What line of work do you do if you dont mind me asking ?

lindachancy in Westbury, New York said: What line of work do you do if you dont mind me asking ?

When i was in New York i worked for city government the NYC transit. When i was there money was good but as you already know the big apple is kind of expensive so i visited Atlanta many times and i was sold on how affordable it was and the price of homes in comparison to the cost of apartments and homes in New York. So i applied to Marta which is their Transportation system. Things were well for 2 years then stupid office politics happened and i was axed , i felt which in my mind was unjustifiable but hey thats the south they can fire you for any reason at all they do not believe in having unions everyone on my job was very uptight afraid and cutthroat doing every attempt to save their job. While i worked for NYC transit you could not be fired for small trivial matters without arbitration and documentation here in Georgia they can ax you for anyreason they want. I don't want to scare you but if you are a government worker customed to union rights and protection Atlanta may not be a good location. Georgia is affordable and homes are cheaper than in New York but whats the point when employers have their employees on pins and needles knowing they have legal power to fire you for any reason at all. If you want to open a bussiness or you are in the medical field Atlanta may work for you but if you are government employed trying to work for the county government down here in Atlanta good luck don't do it. I am currentley on my way back north.

I am so sorry to hear that. I bought my home in Alpharetta a year ago and my family lives in Duluth. I have been getting some call backs but cant leave at this moment. I am an EA so finding a job is not a problem, but I know ATL is not NYC. Thanks for the reply.

M Fairly in Atlanta, Georgia said: Kisha,

Paraprofessionals do not make that much money in Atlanta ($8.00 - $11.00 an hour), unless you have additional income in your household, it would be hard to make ends meet.

Hi Kisha I had read your post and were I live in Fla were the cost of living is high and they don't pay alot for a paraprofessionals the starting pay is ranging from 7.65 hr and up.

Give me a break! Tom's River is crap! There is nothing there, so I don't imagine your making any real money. I was born and raised in South Jersey, and there are plenty of other noteworthy areas in S. Jersey to brag about. Atlanta is not a terrible place. Just because you had a difficult experience, who are you to suggest someone not relocate? Your fate may have to simply be in NJ. I hate NJ, and would never move back. The salaries in S. Jersey aren't always great and when you couple that with high living expenditures, it is not a tempting place to what to back to.

Linda Chancy in Westbury, New York said: I cant speak for the entire ATL, but my family moved to Duluth,GA 2 years ago from long island,NY and wont come back to even visit NY they love ATL ! Everyone found employment very fast. My parents are both professional they had no problem at all. My 21 year old sister is working in a hospital full time it took her a couple of weeks to find (Unit secretary)and going to school my 27yr old brother is working in IT (full time) while also going to school took him a little longer(1 month) and my younger brother (19) works at lowes while he goes to school (3 weeks to find)maybe they were lucky ! I guess it depends on your experience and how determined you are to find a job. My husband and I are convinced we bought our home in Alpharetta, GA and will be moving to ATL in a couple of months and have been getting job offers there is no stopping us. For anyone looking to move please DO NOT, and I mean DO NOT use other people experiences to determine your future, Everyones qualification's are different. if you find a method is not working try another one. maybe your resume maybe missing something have a professional look it over and last but not lease don't give up otherwise ALL would haver no working people. Good Luck !

Finally, something positive! Thanks! I live here and am so tired of disgrutled people--especially from my native state, NJ and NY. Get over the comparasion. If the NE was so great, there would not have been such a mass exodus over the years!

Well I've been in Atlanta since October. I read this forum before I moved here and was leery because I had no job and nowhere to live. My husband and I moved in with my uncle and found a job within a couple weeks. He found a job within a bout a month. I was recently let go from a mediocre job back in April and I was so fortunate enough to find the job of my dreams that next month. My husband has a steady job and I am so glad I didn't listen to others' experiences and just did what I needed to do. I love Atlanta and all that it has to offer. Cost of living is great and there is so much to do here. Even though the weather is hot as ever, it's much better here during the winters compared to the Chicago/Northern Indiana weather I was use to.

Good Luck and remember, in a city big as Atlanta, there is always work somewhere.

I read your post and I am happy that you did not listen to others and that you and your husband had found a job. Me and my family is moving to ATL this year and in some of the posting alot of people said you should have a job lined up before you move, but that isnt always true I know that it is good to have one lined up are have enough money to get you by until you find a job.

Atlanta is a very hot spot for working and living, that’s why so many NY's are moving here. The negative feedback comes from the southerners that feels like we are taking the jobs that they should have.

Thanks Very Much I hoping to talk to you more when me and my family make the transition to ATL. I'm trying to find a job in teaching can you give me some places that I can check out

play in West Palm Beach, Florida said: Thanks Very Much I hoping to talk to you more when me and my family make the transition to ATL. I'm trying to find a job in teaching can you give me some places that I can check out

For starters you can look up www.AJC.com, not only for Jobs but for placement companies that can help you in your job search.

Hi, I'm currently living in Americus, Ga. I wanted to do better for myself and thought moving to Atlanta would be a good choice. I't doesn't have to be Atlanta as long as it's a better place than Americus, Ga. I heard there are better opportunities in Atlanta. Could I get some schooling and some advice about the first steps to take if I wants to make a change to settle in a new city and accomplish a job surviving while living there?

I read your post and as I heard it is better to be close to the city like around the subarb of Atlanta are in Atlanta, so moving from America Ga is the start

I'm currently social worker interested in relocating to Atlanta. I'd like to know what type of salary would a person need to make in order to live in Atlanta. In Oklahoma 30,000 a year is an entry level salary, which is ok. So, can anyone out there help me?

When are you thinking about making the big move go to CNN money calculator and it will give you and ideal.

Hello I have read a lot of the post and it is kind of scary because I am getting ready to move to atlanta and I am a nurse I will try and try hard to find a job , and I hope that it is not as hard as everyone is saying.

You have nothing to worry about. Nurses are highly demanded in Atlanta.

I'm happy that I found this site.. Im 25 looking to move to the Atlanta area (outskirts) and find a job in Administration. My family moved there about 5 years ago and have begging me to come. After a recent visit i'm dead set on giving it a shot... Problem is outside of internet submission I'm not sure how to intensify my job search...

Ive been hearing mixed advice about relocating, but the way I see it any where is better than California as far as job market and price of living go...

One tip i've been given is to use a GA address on your resume and applications especially for entry and mid level positions..

You know what one of the happiest days for those in the south is when you see a uhaul and a yankee heading north on I-95! If unions are so great why do so many union businesses move out of the country, duh the cost of making profits with unions is very difficult which in the end everyone will be outta work instead of just a selct few. Wise Up.

NYCtoATL in Douglasville, Georgia said: When i was in New York i worked for city government the NYC transit. When i was there money was good but as you already know the big apple is kind of expensive so i visited Atlanta many times and i was sold on how affordable it was and the price of homes in comparison to the cost of apartments and homes in New York. So i applied to Marta which is their Transportation system. Things were well for 2 years then stupid office politics happened and i was axed , i felt which in my mind was unjustifiable but hey thats the south they can fire you for any reason at all they do not believe in having unions everyone on my job was very uptight afraid and cutthroat doing every attempt to save their job. While i worked for NYC transit you could not be fired for small trivial matters without arbitration and documentation here in Georgia they can ax you for anyreason they want. I don't want to scare you but if you are a government worker customed to union rights and protection Atlanta may not be a good location. Georgia is affordable and homes are cheaper than in New York but whats the point when employers have their employees on pins and needles knowing they have legal power to fire you for any reason at all. If you want to open a bussiness or you are in the medical field Atlanta may work for you but if you are government employed trying to work for the county government down here in Atlanta good luck don't do it. I am currentley on my way back north.

Amen!!! NY/NJ mass exodus of people to the south and west cause NY/NJ is run by very liberal beauricrats driving businesses and people outta their states, n other words they suck to make a comfortable living in.

ladytann said: Finally, something positive! Thanks! I live here and am so tired of disgrutled people--especially from my native state, NJ and NY. Get over the comparasion. If the NE was so great, there would not have been such a mass exodus over the years!

Another Yankee spinner on this board if yankeeville is so great why would one leave in the first place, guess what the south is differant than the north shocker! do your due diligence before making such a critical life change.

QUOTE who="Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania"]HI:
Thanks for you input. You sound like me in PA. I hate it here so much. Traffic here is also bad. Best wishes to you. I lived in Chicago 10 years ago and it is a really great place!!
I just can't deal with the cold weather at this time of my life. Good luck!!

Don't Worry use your midwestern style with manners and be articulate and you'll be fine ATL metro is well over 5 million there's plenty of jobs to go around, and don't fall for the northeast elitist attitude you may here!

QUOTE who="Linda in Green Bay, Wisconsin"]Hello I have read a lot of the post and it is kind of scary because I am getting ready to move to atlanta and I am a nurse I will try and try hard to find a job , and I hope that it is not as hard as everyone is saying.

As part of the good ol' boy network, I highly suggest you leave your attitudes up north. If you come down here with a good attitude, and embrace our culture you will be fine. If you decide you know everything, and your way is always better than ours, we will chew you up and spit you out. You will never really know why you didn't get the job or invited to the country club. I'm just telling you how it is. Make sure to bring your manners. And you might want to look into Hershal Walker. Good luck and GO DAWGS!

I have read all of the comments posted about people wanting to move to ATL. So now, its 2010....unemployment rate is 10% here. Did any of you move? Found any jobs? If so, please post as to where they are! If you have an MBA, you might be lucky enough to get a job at McDonalds these days!

My husband and I moved down to GA almost a year now we both found jobs in the Health Care field within the first month. Some call it luck! I guess. For anyone who is looking to move to GA I will advise speaking to a headhunter or an employment agency. Please do not take advice from an average person because they will not know the job market like a recruiter. I live in Alpharetta (Johns Creek) and work in Dunwoody. If you look hard enough you will find something never get discourage.

Host said: What do newcomers need to know to settle in and enjoy Atlanta? Car registration, pet laws, city services, more...

DOn't move here, it sucks.

Here is a tip for all newcomers and oldcomers: look within yourself and find the most passionate skill that possess and turn it into a job. You will be amaze at what you come up with. I run into all types of people in different fields and tons of info that I am always able to help people with. So, please feel free to contact me at cjvbhomes@yahoo.com
On that note see job posting below and God Bless you....
Monster HomeHome My Profile Jobs Career Tools Advice Communities
Report this job
GET SIMILAR JOBS BY EMAIL. Sign Up
Report this jobSend this job to a friendSee all Aflac opportunities

Company: Aflac

Location: Kennisaw, GA 30144

Job Status/Type: Full Time

Job Category: Sales/Retail/Business Development

Occupations: Field Sales
Insurance Agent/Broker
General/Other: Sales/Business Development

Industry: Insurance

Company: Aflac

Reference Code: 164

Insurance Sales Associate
GROW YOUR SELF-WORTH AND YOUR NET WORTH.

We are looking for enthusiastic, career-minded, self-motivated individuals for the position of insurance sales associate to work in a professional business-to-business sales environment. Extensive management opportunities are available. Prior sales experience is welcome, but not necessary.

At Aflac, we’ll give you the opportunity to manage your own time and schedule, in a position with unlimited earning potential. We also provide incentives, a stock bonus, and an excellent support structure for our sales associates.

Here’s How We Support Our Associates:

National Brand awareness and ongoing advertising campaign

Associate customer service toll-free numbers

Professional orientation, training, and certifications

Professional field-marketing materials

The latest in sales automation technology

Fed up with your morning commute?

You can live the American dream! This is your opportunity to enjoy the freedom of setting your own schedule and being

Host said: What do newcomers need to know to settle in and enjoy Atlanta? Car registration, pet laws, city services, more...

Hi I am wanting to emigrate to Atlanta and wondered if anyone had any advice in terms of visas or know of any employers offering sponsorship. I am a contracts manager with over 13 years experience.
Many thanks

as far as moving anywhere a person should have a job before moving there...to me that is common sense..or money to live on for at least 2 years or more in this economy
i lived in atlanta for over 10 years and had no issue with traffic...but it depends on the person ..many people want that wonderful house in one area but work 40 minutes away in another

also everyone has bachelors degrees and years of work experience atlanta is no different than anywhere else..

before you move you should do research...even then you find some things that take getting used to for me its the valorem tax on the car....for others it may be traffic,weather etc you take the good with the bad...

if you have bills such as car payments and student loans i wouldnot reccommend moving to atlanta unless you make 40k and that as a single person with no dependents...

good luck to everyone in their job search!!!

Linda in Green Bay, Wisconsin said: Hello I have read a lot of the post and it is kind of scary because I am getting ready to move to atlanta and I am a nurse I will try and try hard to find a job , and I hope that it is not as hard as everyone is saying.

nurses can always find a job you should be able to with no problems !! good luck! atlanta is great place to live!!!

Hi Linda, I have been living in Atlanta for a year now and I love it. I am originally from NY. When I came down I didn't have a job lined up but my husband did. It took me 2 weeks to land a gig in the health care field. I love my job and the people I work with. I work in Human Resources and I see a lot of people that comes in for interviewing. If you are motivated you will find something but if you are a slacker than you may have a problem. I would suggest getting your resume if you haven't already professional done. This ikey. I have seen some resumes and said to myself I can see why your still unemployed. Its good to research for yourself about Atlanta but honestly everyones opinion is different. I had so many people tell me not to move I will never find a job. Please don't listen to that. Atlanta has had a 20 percent increase in people moving down here. I can understand why some GA residents are upset because everyone else is taking the jobs that should have been there's and its understandable. So I would suggest the move because my experience has been great! Hope this helped

If you are moving to Atlanta and need a home to rent. Please feel free to visit our website www.onesourceatlanta.com

Lorraine from New York: My husband & I we both have very good jobs in New York but we are buying a house in Lilburn, GA. And we will be giving up our jobs and moving to to Lilburn, GA with my 2 kids. We will have no jobs and will have to start live all over again. Can someone tell me if we are willing to do any job. Will we get atleast something to do. How bad is Atlanta now on job availibilities. I am an Executive Assist. & my Husband Import Manager now.

Please help us.

Haha, really? Atlanta has the same ##$*&@ problem just like NYC. You name it, unemployment, poverty, rape, robbery (don't go around GaTech at night), etc...If you think you won't survive in NYC, you won't survive in Atlanta and vice versa. It's the same @#$% hole just like any other state, but less discussed in the news.

I moved from NY to Atlanta a year ago and I love it! My husband and I fund a job with know problem. Its best to get a head hunter to help you faster. Good luck

Thanks for the encouragement. Can you let me know the names of headhunters in Atlanta, if you know of any. Thanks. :)

squirrelonfire: Please don't get me know. I am not moving to Atlanta because I will not survive in NYC. Offcourse with the good jobs that we both have we will Super Survive in NYC. But we have families in Atlanta and above all we just love Atlanta and I want my children to grow with the family, with their grand parents etc. this is about family values, and the love we have for Atlanta. It's not about survival, my friend.

squirrelonfire:Please don't get me wrong. I am not moving to Atlanta because I will not survive in NYC. Offcourse with the good jobs that we both have we will Super Survive in NYC. But we have families in Atlanta and above all we just love Atlanta and I want my children to grow with the family, with their grand parents etc. this is about family values, and the love we have for Atlanta. It's not about survival, my friend.

Blarg in Kennesaw, Georgia said: Hi Carolyn,

I've been in Atlanta since 2000. Personally, I can't wait to get out. We are located near Acworth, and TRAFFIC is a #1 reason for leaving - it is only getting worse due to uncontrolled massive development throughout.

As far as jobs, I have nothing good to say. Laid off 2001, impossible to get back into the field (above 60% unemployment in IT / Technical field(s)) - career ruined - DUE TO THE FACT IT IS NOTHING BUT AN EMPLOYERS' MARKET HERE. Get a full time job in 2006 (paying less than 1/2 of what I used to make), laid off (no reason, no idea it was coming) now looking for work.

It really depends on what type of work you are looking for. Sorry I can't offer anything positive.

I agree. I have been here since 2004 and I am so ready to leave. Texas here I come.

lchancy said: I moved from NY to Atlanta a year ago and I love it! My husband and I fund a job with know problem. Its best to get a head hunter to help you faster. Good luck

Can you provide with your headhunter's name. I am looking for social work positions.

Margie in Stone Mountain, Georgia said: I agree. I have been here since 2004 and I am so ready to leave. Texas here I come.

Be wary of Texas. They have jobs! But most of them are minimum wage. So if you like working at McDonalds or some fast food restaurant then have at it. The cost of living is about the same. Rent and homes in Texas cost much more. If you are in law enforcement then you can get a job in the larger cities that pay well (Dallas County, Tarrant County, Fort Worth P.D, and Dallas P.D.). You will lose a lot of scenery that you have here. I left Texas a few weeks ago because I like what I seen here in Atlanta. I gave up my career. Hopefully I will find something to support my family so I don’t have to go back.

Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania said: Hi:
Thank you for the very helpful info. I am considering a home in Acworth. Do you know anything about it. Is it in a good area and close to the major roads. Tahnks!!!

I have a great realtor that will help you find what you are looking, she works really hard to find you what you are looking for and help you get into it and in the right area based on your family need and your desire. email me wilburnm51@yahoo.com for her contact info.

play in West Palm Beach, Florida said: I read your post and I am happy that you did not listen to others and that you and your husband had found a job. Me and my family is moving to ATL this year and in some of the posting alot of people said you should have a job lined up before you move, but that isnt always true I know that it is good to have one lined up are have enough money to get you by until you find a job.

Hi West Palm,
Have you all moved to Atlanta GA yet?

M Fairly in Atlanta, Georgia said: I would try a free local message phone number and maybe a UPS office box for the mailing address.

There are several people here with long distant numbers on resumes. You should not have a problem. If you need help in finding a rental homes or a home, please contact me at: wilburnm51@yahoo.com
and I will hook you up with a great realtor that really works hard at getting you what you are looking for whether its a rental or a purchase to fit you and your family. She will provide you with info on the city and almost always no someone that is hiring or someone that no someone. She a very resourceful person to know.

ATL really does suck... in Atlanta, Georgia said: I have read all of the comments posted about people wanting to move to ATL. So now, its 2010....unemployment rate is 10% here. Did any of you move? Found any jobs? If so, please post as to where they are! If you have an MBA, you might be lucky enough to get a job at McDonalds these days!

Oh I agree...was offered parttime work, endless interviewers who was more focused on my northern accent, and next to minimum wages for EA, AA, EAA, positions. Like really dude? Besides temp agencies with no assignments. Tell me how that is possible? Oh, let's not forgot its a recession. Good thing I had the smart sense finance that helped me cushion the fall--great savings. Currently, 2 years not settling for mediocre positions. If your into nursing and daycare then move in. I met tooooo many people with MBAs or BAs stuck in daycares. Network sucks as some clowns think you may take their position. Lol. Talk about how insecure people are because your polished. Also, a recruiter told me to dumb it down. WOW! Good luck and blessings.

I just graduated with my MSW and I would like to relocate to ATL. Are their any social workers who can give me some sound advice in finding employment before I move there.

I just graduated with my MSW and I would like to relocate to ATL. Are their any social workers who can give me some sound advice in finding employment before I move there.

wth is MSW?

wth is MSW?

squirrelonfire in Atlanta, Georgia said: wth is MSW?

I am sorry I should not assume that everyone knows what a MSW is. MSW satnds for a masters degree in social work.