How would you compare Atlanta GA to Phoenix AZ?

6 comments

1. [Cost Of Living Comparison](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/atlanta-ga-vs-phoenix-az)

   “[Walkability](https://www.walkscore.com/)” is going to be very neighborhood specific. Phoenix and Atlanta are really hot 3-4 months each year.

   Things to do? They’re the 8th and 10th largest metros in the nation. They have everything from major pro sports to aquariums to golf to cabaret clubs. What do you want to do? Phoenix has nearby mountains, Atlanta has nearby mountains. Phoenix is a short flight to the ocean, Atlanta is a relatively short drive to the ocean.

   They’re both major cities surrounded by conservative rural areas.

   Phoenix is in the desert and will have water problems. Atlanta is not and will not.

2. A lot of people call Atlanta the New York of the South in terms of the cosmopolitan nature. Lots to do. Georgia is slightly more conservative than liberal but Atlanta is probably the most liberal place in the state. It’s more expensive than most everywhere in the state but not as bad as California, New York, etc. The weather can be crazy. Severe rain. Thunderstorms. Hot and humid in the summer.

   Phoenix is the utter definition of urban sprawl. The surrounding suburbs go on forEVER! The downtown is tiny for a city with that kind of population. There’s some good nightlife and the upside of the small downtown is it’s pretty walkable. Arizona is maybe slightly more conservative than Georgia but Phoenix isn’t too bad politically. Arizona, of the 13 western states, has the weirdest racial relations issues. They only recently adopted Martin Luther King day as a holiday and some people have real beef with Hispanics and Native Americans. Arizona does have a lot of great scenic beauty. The weather is sunny most of the year but in the summer it can be hot as all living hell! In European terms, like 40-47C on a pretty regular basis from maybe May to at least October, without much drop off overnight.

   Hope this helps!

3. Atlanta actually has water, and is sustainable.
   Phoenix does not and is not.

   So, that’s a big one.

   Average age and racial makeup are vastly different between the two. Phoenix is much older and whiter.

4. A lot more trees in Atlanta.

5. Neither city is really walkable.

6. As a side note, can I ask why is everyone talking about “walkability” and “walkable cities” all of the sudden? I swear this was not a thing 5 years ago and now it seems immensely important to everyone online. Is it a Zoomer thing? Climate change related? Genuinely curious.