Relocating from Oregon what should I expect?

[dilby]

Hi, looks like I am going to be relocating from Portland OR to GA for my work and looking to get some input on where I should be looking to live, I primarily telecommute but need to be able to get to Atlanta on short notice within 3 hours. I grew up in AZ but have been in Portland for 20 years and have grown accustomed to being around liberals and liberal culture. I am white but currently live in a predominately mixed neighborhood which I enjoy. I expect this to be a bit of a culture shock, I grew up pretty redneck but it was AZ redneck which is not exactly Southern redneck. My Girlfriend and I are looking for a liberal community, one preferably with some diversity and one that would have a decent gay bar that does drag shows. Sunday drag brunch has been our thing for years since we are not exactly religious. We are both college educated, I work tech and she does accounting so we make a decent income, not rich but do OK, we would be just on my income to start which is about $130k a year. I am in my early 40s while she is in her early 50s, although age is not important we are out of our college days but not quite ready for retirement. Anyways any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[nmgaucho]

1. Live in Athens

About as liberal as you can get for GA

[customerserviceguy]

6. Also, being from Oregon

the OP would tend to take the presence of good craft beer for granted, and it just isn't so in many communities in the South. But Athens has Terrapin, and that will make it seem a little more like home.

[Phentex]

7. My first thought was Athens too, then Decatur...

not Midtown unless you can walk instead of drive wherever you want to go.

[LuvLoogie]

2. I'd go to the coast. Savannah? Middle Georgia gets too hot.

Just go with the flow. Don't try to make Georgia what it isn't. Let the good present itself.

[YOHABLO]

3. I've lived all over Atlanta area and know it well. You need to check out East Atlanta area.

Very up and coming/ hip. Midtown is nice but expensive. Buckhead is lots of upscale shopping and pretentious restaurants. The statement you made had me thinking: "My Girlfriend and I are looking for a liberal community, one preferably with some diversity and one that would have a decent gay bar that does drag shows. Sunday drag brunch has been our thing for years since we are not exactly religious." There's a gay community in Atlanta for both men and women. Lots of bars and still some drag scene going on but not like it was in the 80s. You missed that scene which was fabulous. But still the Midtown area is nice if you can afford to live there. But lots of the Midtown folks have moved to East Atlanta. You might like Decatur. Very trendy and pretty laid back. Very diverse with some great bars and eateries. Athens is nice but it's a college town. Savannah is nice too but a little too touristy for my taste. Savannah's about a 3 and 1/2 hr drive from Atlanta. Savannah is a very beautiful city. Atlanta has horrible traffic so be prepared. It does get very hot in Georgia especially in July and August. Good luck!

[happybird]

4. Prepare for humidity

AZ might have hotter temps, but high heat + crazy humidity is a whole other ball game, especially if you have never before been to the south and experienced it. It can be brutal in July and August.

Good luck with your move! I hope you find a suitable neighborhood (and a Sunday drag brunch- that sounds like a fun tradition!)

[Hoyt]

5. Posters above have good ideas. I'd shoot for Midtown, Decatur, Virginia-Highlands area, Emory,

Old Fourth Ward, even some close in suburbs.

If you have 3 hours to get to Atlanta, you could live as far north as Chattanooga and still have an hour to spare. But North Georgia is pretty red -- like 75 to 80% voted for trump.

Athens is nice, but it is a college town and is a little "slower" than Atlanta.

Here's a good map: