Yeah, you also went when Georgia State, and Georgia Tech were out of class. Downtown isn't where atlanta happens. You needed to have gone to little 5 points or buckhead to see lively areas.
I'm an Atlanta native, born and raised. I currently live in Buckhead. Downtown Atlanta IS NOT IT! It's primarily a business district, so while you do have people who live there, it isn't a popping entertainment location. If you want to experience the vibrant lively locations, then you need to visit Midtown (the most popular area of Atlanta. ALWAYS lively 24/7 very modern and rapidly expanding), Poncey Highland-Virginia Highland and some of the other similar east side neighborhoods (these give u suburban city vibe with super oldfashioned and vintage quirky aesthetics), Little Five Points (always active, super alternative and quirky and kind of grunge), Buckhead (considered the rich area, bougie and "high class" aesthetic), Ansley Park (really vintage, ecclectic, and suburban aesthetic). Overall, Atlanta is SUPER ecclectic though, since you get TOTALLY different vibes and experiences. You get a vibe in one neightborhood and then get a TOTALLY different vibe in a different neighborhood only 5 minutes away. If someone visits Atlanta and doesn't visit multiple neighborhoods, then they aren't gonna get an accurate look at how Atlanta really is. Unlike many other major cities that have one major city center, Atlanta has multiple mini cities, each super close to eachother, but with very distinctive aesthetics, charms, and things to do.
I’ve lived in Atlanta 10 years, downtown is not where you go for the action in this city. Also you came in dead winter and drove through Georgia state and Georgia techs campus when all the students were out. Traffic was picked up heavily since Jan. Atlanta is massively sprawling and no one goes to downtown anymore.
Edgewood is still very much active but other than that, most of the scene in the actual city is a shadow of its former self. Memorial Drive used to be the strip back in ‘07-09.
@@sanyatesGRIA yea Atlanta has become more neighborhood driven. Alot of people just stay local and do what's around. Every lil city or neighborhood has their own lil thing going
Spent 37 years outside Philadelphia and 8 years IN Atlanta. I can tell you Atlanta is a Nice place to live. Georgia in general is MUCH less corrupt and Wasteful then cities/states in the northeast
Atlanta is a big area. Most people think Midtown is Atlanta, but then they miss out on places like Little 5 Points, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, or even the northern suburbs near Suntrust Park.
I was in Atlanta two months ago as a tourist from the Czech republic and I was surprised how clean is this city. Even though there were homeless people around the Woodruff park, I didn't see garbage around them. Going by walk from Peachtree tower (13:44 in you video) to Old Fourth Ward to visit LottaFrutta, again all was clean and seeing beautiful gardens and small houses... incredible.
I was born in Atlanta on September 29, 1955. My family lived on Ormond St from 1952 until 1964. We lived about midway between Capital Ave(now Hank Aaron Dr) & Grant Park. Back then we could walk to school or Grant Park without our parents. Our country cousins would visit during the summer & we always went to the park to spend the day. There was a neighborhood corner grocery store called Dan's where we could get meat carved any way you wanted. It was on Ormond going toward Capital Ave & toward Grant Park, was a drug store named Fabian's that had a grill & you could get a real Cherry Coke! One of the main problems I have with Atlanta, is that with every new mayoral admin, street names are usually changed, getting rid of old historic ones & giving new ones. I mean how many more Peachtree names can you have? I also graduated from GA State University in December 1978. It was nice viewing the drive you made thru Atlanta & trying to figure out where you are. Thanks for sharing!
Okay!! Who ever did this video is lame and a hater. I want to know where this guy from whos doing the video. Atlanta is unique in its own way!! Also aint nothing boring about the "A". Don't get TWISTED the hype is real.
Im a Georgia native, lived in Atlanta and now in Gainesville. More people = more improvements in safety. Atlanta was bad in the 90's now its a lot better. We cant gatekeep states, its bad for business and safety.
Atlanta is very spread out and is a sprawling giant suburb. I noticed this, when I visited one Thanksgiving. The tourists were out and about Centennial Park, but downtown was pretty empty. There are I am sure thriving neighborhoods away from downtown though just a spread out city.
@@SuperJMichael Gosh, people don't listen. I am talking about Kansas City and no offense, it exactly is not on the top of my bucket list to even visit.
You didn’t mention that Atlanta is the 9th largest Metro in the US. 6.3 million. Should not have stopped at Midtown, much more to see further north in Buckhead!
Unnecessarily angry response as I was referring to the high rises and architectural layout…… not the people. Please direct your anger to those who deserve it.
Growth in Midtown the past 5-10 years has been amazing, definitely where a lot f the new growth is, major expansions of GaTech, student housing, apartments and condos, plus the new headquarters for Norfolk Souther, NCR, and Anthem HC. Also what's not shown at all is the whole Buckhead area which has massive development as well with it's own "downtown" skyscraper area.
lived in ATL all my life. This video showcases the worst part of the city. The east side and midtown are probably the best places to showcase. The problem with ATL is that the city isn't a circle it is a diagonal line so the infrastructure is horrible, causing traffic to clog most major roads and highways.
I noticed ATL doesn’t follow a square/rectangular grid pattern…streets just go in all kinds of crazy twists and turns…I don’t see how it’s possible for non-natives to get around without a GPS.
Apparently you have never been in Atlanta. When you look at census look at metro, because most people here live in the suburbs our city sucks why live in there. Atlanta has the best suburbs in America
In the beginning you were driving through areas that are totally COVD-closed. The extensive GSU campus, the State, City and County government corridor. The apparel, gift, and other mart centers. The hotels that service what is usually all that traffic. But you did manage to miss the Dome, the Omni/CNN area West Midtown, GaTech Univ. the part of Midtown that is actually where al the new stuff is (Spring and W. Peachtree) the whole Atlantic Station area, Ponce City Market/Beltline area. If you'd kept on up Peachtree you have gotten up to Buckhead and the Lenox area, which are huge areas of development.
@@NickJohnson Thank you for all of the hard work involved and travel to give us glimpses into American life in these cities. Your contributions are not in vain my friend 🤗
I loved Atlanta in the mid 90s. Fun, friendly, a mix of all kinds of neighborhoods. Right now it’s gentrified, less friendly, super expensive by southern standards and only good if you’ve got a terrific job.
I’ve lived in a close Atlanta suburb for 40 years. The city has grown, and the spillage from the hood has spread outward, resulting in crime increases everywhere. Working now on finding a place to relocate far from the city. Georgia’s fine, but Atlanta is suffocating from its success and the politics that control it.
Atlanta downtown area always looks empty compared when comparing the pedestrian vs size factor. However, try to find parking and it’s horrendous. You can pay a premium for a private parking spot to go to church downtown. Spaces are expensive. I attend St. Marks. It’s right downtown and I have to park and walk about 6 blocks. Then, you worry the whole time that your car is being ransacked while you are trying to worship.
Nope. I’m an Atlanta native. It’s culturally a wasteland, no matter who moves to it. Has been since the early 1990s when Rich’s closed-& so did everything else that made downtown a downtown. That’s how an unranked state school was able to buy it all up so cheaply. Financially, I’d say it’s a money pit: all cart before the horse, all showbiz & no substance. And the newbies simply cannot connect the dots. There’s nothing to do here (that any Atlantan would choose to do) because ALL the financial decisions are made elsewhere. Been True, ever since Atlanta lost First National Bank of Atlanta, C&S Bank (Citizens & Savings), Georgia Federal Bank, Trust Company Bank, National Bank of Georgia (NBG) & BankSouth. Furthermore, everything is priced at NY salary rates, not actual Gawja income rates. Not hard to do the math-Atlantans have no real future in Atlanta. BUT they can go to any of 5 churches to a block & they LOVE funerals, so it should be fine.
I lived in ATL for a long while pre-pandemic and it was pretty much always like this. I always forget how that’s weird to outsiders. We’re just not really a walking city yet
@@NinjaBooKitty Apparently all the other “I lived in ATL for X amount of time and this is exactly what it’s like in these areas” comments seem to disagree with you
I am from this beautiful city and I am living in Illinois right now, but I enjoyed going on this drive around the city with you. I will be down there to visit my family in November.
@@NickJohnson lol....yes it took me by surprise but guess what❗Atlanta is pretty much back to normal and traffic is back due to things getting better with Covid-19. Also next time your in Atlanta give me a shout. This city has alot to offer.
The traffic congestion is very bad. There are actually places in which police routinely direct traffic at the intersection of a road and the entrance to some fast-food restaurants.
Atlanta a beautiful city with 5 skyscraper clusters (downtowns) in its metro here is the list. Midtown Downtown Buckhead Marietta Dunwoody Northside area
The area you referred to as Marietta is actually considered Smyrna Cumberland or Galleria. Marietta starts north of Windy Hill rd which is about a mile to the north.
I went to downtown Atlanta to visit the museum for my birthday in August of 2019. I took that opportunity to also 'tour' Georgia State (which I decided not to attend because of how spread out everything is downtown.) At the time it wasn't so dead and it was on a Saturday. Maybe because of COVID, fewer people are out?
Good morning Nick!❤🙂 hows life?I love your videos, great humor...you make me laugh☺️ Thanks for the tour of Georgia...never been there. I've heard its pretty. I'm in Casper, Wyoming. Moving to Anchorage, Alaska❤ God be with you, have a great weekend💕looks like a sunday morning...so dead/quiet
we drove through El Paso and other spots on our way to Houston, Friendswood back in the early 80's, my sister in law used to live there, we're in Illinois and it was a blast driving from here to there, Texas is gorgeous!
Heya Mr. Nick, i have never seen it that empty before. I lived down there for five years. looks like a ghost town right now👻🤓 I enjoy your filming and programming thanks a lot for bringing it to us!
Um? Hahah! Was this video ironic and I missed it? FWIW, your tone speaks for itself, but seeing you drive through streets I have so many fond memories of... Yeah... I genuinely enjoyed the throwback. Not everything is destitute and sad, maybe?
Would love some advice from the native in the comments. I plan on travelling to Atlanta for a quick trip with my mother. Our plan was to stay downtown and visit the Georgia Aquarium, Coca Cola museum, and the park. According to the comments it looks like Midtown is a better option. Do you guys recommend any accomodations? Willing to try a hotel or airbnb's.
There's nothing wrong with staying downtown if that's what you plan to do. You'll be right next to all of those attractions and can easily ride the train/Uber/drive to other parts of the city like Midtown and Buckhead. Be sure to go check out Piedmont Park and Ponce city Market.
Downtown atlanta hasn't change a bit since I left 15 years ago except Emory university is now present on Peachtree street. But the midtown got need highrises everywhere. You missed the gone with the mind house, but not by much
Visited Atlanta during the Olympics and no desire to go back. Our hosts, including our hotel, Coca-Cola and the IOC workers tried their best to insulate us from the locals. We found out why. We were treated with complete disrespect and outright contempt during each and every one of the few interactions we had with the locals. For example, on the MARTA subway they had friendly, helpful voices speaking in several different languages very courteously. Those messages were pre-recorded, obviously not by someone from Atlanta. Occasionally the actual MARTA workers would get on the mike and then you would hear things like "Next stop, last stop, get the eff off!" Every single one we encountered used the most vulgar, filthy language and exhibited such a bitter, hateful personality. No thanks, Atlanta, you may look good but your population sucks. Don't be fooled into visiting there. They have a busy airport because it is a transfer point to other destinations and not because people like going to Atlanta.
@@saratemp790 There's an old saying that goes "Times change, but people don't". From what I see and read in the news, Atlanta has only gotten worse. They weren't burning down Wendy's and throwing projectiles at the CNN headquarters building 25 years ago, but they are now. What was once only rudeness and street language has descended into unpredictable mob violence. But, in all fairness to Atlanta, there has been a general deterioration in the human culture that is universal. Still, there are many better places to spend your time.
@@dontreldontrel416 Neighboring states have cities much better to visit for the experience of that part of the world. Anywhere in Florida or in South Carolina would be preferable to Atlanta. Georgia does have the best peaches but it's just not worth all that much.
@@joestewart8914 I find it funny how you decide to judge an entire city/state population based off of your very limited time in Atlanta over a quarter of a century ago. And I don’t know what you’re talking about as far as South Carolina being better, because I’ve been there more times than I can count and most people only go there for the beaches.
I went to ATL in March during Al-Star weekend. It was fun and beautiful. I went to Doraville and Chamblee. I went the MLK musuem and to the GA Aquarium. Georgia Tech and Buckhead was cool.
Atlanta is a nice city to drive through, not a nice city to live. Very poorly designed. Crime spilling over from the ghetto into even the nicest areas. Most sensical people in the area live in the suburbs and countryside to the north, which are very nice.
I lives here since 2012 Atlanta is very overpopulated . Night time everyone comes outside in different areas of the city , the traffic is so bad and this was just an early cloudy day where everyone was inside .
It's similar here in Austin, TX. Lots of traffic going through downtown. But downtown itself is fairly empty. There's a ton of new high-rises here. I'm waiting to see what the occupancy rates will be a couple of months from now.
Too bad you missed the good parts of Atlanta: Ponce de Leon Avenue, Midtown, Piedmont Park, Buckhead, Decatur, Emory/Druid Hills, Little Five Points, Alpharetta, Roswell, etc. You were just a block or two from the Margaret Mitchell house at the end of the video.
Nobody gives a flying F about the Margaret Mitchell house. She lived in one room in that house. It's totally insignificant. Prime real estate that needs to be developed on. Move that house to the history center in Buckhead.
Ellis Hotel is a Beautiful Boutique 12:33. To tell you the truth, most of those streets I've never been on. I usually use Peachtree or Ponce if I need to go downtown to eat. But Atlantic Station, Buckhead, Lennox and the burbs is where I usually try to stay.
Nick I thank you for that memoir of places I spent most of my career being a part of building that city and many of those buildings. It never has been a street life downtown, mostly just business inside and then commute home or back to the hotel. Gets a little more alive in midtown evenings or further north. Want to see street life (or death) try Simpson Street Friday PM. You almost got to it on the earlier tour of the west side. Thanks again. Hit me up next time you pass through.
I am not from the US. But I sometimes play city rides to relax. I miss the sound of the environment, I hate that music. Videos can be so much better if you have a microphone recording sounds around you. Even with engine noise can be improvement compared to this.
@Trevor. You better hurry because home and rent prices are going up daily and inventory is getting very low. They can't build homes and apartments fast enough to keep up with the number of people moving here. A lot of people are living in AirB&B.
atlanta looks amazing , alot going on there . the city would do itself a great favor if , the streets were kept up better i.e. the pot holes in pavement and painted lines , etc, . the city itself looks really nice but , the condition of the streets , kind'a gives it a run down look.......that should not be..........it needs freshening up.......
@Elizabeth Wolfe ...i hear ya . i have never been there and as it is now , well , i'll just say , it's not on my bucket list.....right now .......more's the pity , that it is supposed to be black this , black that but from everything i've heard , it is horribly mismanaged......." hot lanta " is a " hot mess " . yes , it needs leadership with guts and backbone . i was just commenting on the aesthetics , thanks for that input......
@Elizabeth Wolfe ......i remember when people first started relocating there , people there was saying , " if you don't have a degree , don't come ". because people were going there , thinking , it was going to be a cake walk . wanting something for nothing , is a mistake because , free stuff aint free..........seems like " THE LEADERS " are lining their own pockets . much like , what is happening in nigeria , go figger......
As somebody who lives here, the neighborhoods are crap. Absolute crap. The traffic is beyond horrible. Housing is extremely over priced thanks to idiots constantly moving here. We have a serial killer on the expressway. Shootings are through the roof, robberies are through the roof as well as rapes. Last weekend alone over 20 people were shot in downtown Atlanta. This is not the place to come for kicks and giggles. Atlanta is a dying city. No pun intended.
People are just talking nonsense- the area in the beginning of the video with the Olympic Rings above the street (Capitol Ave)- that’s my neighborhood- summerhill. I woke up this morning, walked to the local coffee shop on Georgia Ave- then went next door to the Vintage Art festival. I bought a few things from local artists, then went 5 minutes up the stree to the Grant Park farmers market. Bought locally grown veggies and a crepe from one of many food trucks. There were families, music- and this is every Sunday morning. I love my city. These people are boring yuppies that get frazzled by the first minor inconvenience of city living. Atlanta is an amazing city- ignore the haters.
@@VSantiago718 well you sure as hell can’t ignore the violence. Just because you had a good experience doesn’t mean that everybody else does or has. The city is going downhill fast and if you can’t see that you’re in major denial.
It's because Atlanta doesn't really have much culture or interesting things, once you don't need to work in an office anymore. It's more of a bland big corporations meets cheesy nightclub people type of city
There's major corporations and headquarters in Atlanta and lots of black culture in Atlanta as well as black own business and restaurants. Apparently you have absolutely ZERO knowledge of black culture especially in Atlanta so I don't expect you to be able to relate so just STFU!!!
Since Covid and the riots a lot has changed. A lot of new exiting companies, development and construction have popped up, but on the flip side crime has increased, homelessness has increased and cops have quit. Atlanta has a complex future ahead and many issues to address (especially traffic and crime)
I live in Buckhead and work in the City of Atlanta, this looks like am hours, there is always something going on in the City starting in the midafternoon.
Been in Atlanta since 84. It's still a great city. When the wannabe players and moguls come here, they soon find out these people here aren't fools and they leave.
@@davidellis5141 No James Oglethorpe founded Georgia with permission from King George, Atlanta was founded almost a hundred years after Georgia was even established
Couldnt pay me millions to live there again, only thing I miss is a few dear friends and the international farmers market. Stopped a couple of years ago from fla to tn at the market to get everything for my families thanksgiving. The traffic was insane!
18 years later the Hooters on Peachtree is still there. I wonder what the snobby girls who frowned upon me when I was temporarily homeless due to a mental breakdown are up to? probably just old as hell right now with baby daddy problems and no wedding ring while I’m booming in Miami 💰 💰
Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: th-cam.com/play/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF.html
Being a Georgia native, I like when videos discourage others from moving here.
I second that remark 👍
Georgians do not care for outsiders.
2:10 that is real Georgia gold on that dome. Mined out of the hills in Georgia.
@@gregpeterman1102 But unfortunately we have way too many of them ! Ruining the Atlanta metro area.
@@UmAdxXbRo Well everyone’s moving out of California anyways which is great for you
Yeah, you also went when Georgia State, and Georgia Tech were out of class. Downtown isn't where atlanta happens. You needed to have gone to little 5 points or buckhead to see lively areas.
I was about to say this.
Or midtown, west midtown
Truth!
The Buckhead bar scene was bulldozed years ago.
Wow I haven’t worked downtown in a year ! so dead. It’ll never be the same
I'm an Atlanta native, born and raised. I currently live in Buckhead. Downtown Atlanta IS NOT IT! It's primarily a business district, so while you do have people who live there, it isn't a popping entertainment location. If you want to experience the vibrant lively locations, then you need to visit Midtown (the most popular area of Atlanta. ALWAYS lively 24/7 very modern and rapidly expanding), Poncey Highland-Virginia Highland and some of the other similar east side neighborhoods (these give u suburban city vibe with super oldfashioned and vintage quirky aesthetics), Little Five Points (always active, super alternative and quirky and kind of grunge), Buckhead (considered the rich area, bougie and "high class" aesthetic), Ansley Park (really vintage, ecclectic, and suburban aesthetic). Overall, Atlanta is SUPER ecclectic though, since you get TOTALLY different vibes and experiences. You get a vibe in one neightborhood and then get a TOTALLY different vibe in a different neighborhood only 5 minutes away. If someone visits Atlanta and doesn't visit multiple neighborhoods, then they aren't gonna get an accurate look at how Atlanta really is. Unlike many other major cities that have one major city center, Atlanta has multiple mini cities, each super close to eachother, but with very distinctive aesthetics, charms, and things to do.
Just like LA
Buckhead isn’t IT either!
@@jahmirswint6216 There is some truth to that. Not gonna lie LOL But its better than Downtown Atlanta. I think the IT spot is DEFINITELY Midtown!
Little 5 points and East Atlanta are getting run down and gangs have claimed them , lots of crime.
Don't forget Lenox Mall. It's a great place for you to GET SHOT.
I’ve lived in Atlanta 10 years, downtown is not where you go for the action in this city. Also you came in dead winter and drove through Georgia state and Georgia techs campus when all the students were out. Traffic was picked up heavily since Jan. Atlanta is massively sprawling and no one goes to downtown anymore.
You go if you work there
If your going to the Falcons or hawks
Edgewood is still very much active but other than that, most of the scene in the actual city is a shadow of its former self. Memorial Drive used to be the strip back in ‘07-09.
Ya the downtown core looked clean but also kinda boring! Indeed it doesn’t look like that is where the “action” is.
@@sanyatesGRIA yea Atlanta has become more neighborhood driven. Alot of people just stay local and do what's around. Every lil city or neighborhood has their own lil thing going
Spent 37 years outside Philadelphia and 8 years IN Atlanta. I can tell you Atlanta is a Nice place to live. Georgia in general is MUCH less corrupt and Wasteful then cities/states in the northeast
Try New York with all those people & they are closing so many book stores. What does that say about the city?
I can imagine Atlanta being most beautiful in summer time when the trees bares its leaves!
Anthony LeRoy in the video desc. it says it was filmed at the beginning of 2021
@@T-Tone Nick said January in beginning of video.
Yes. This is definitely winter. In the spring or summer you would see way way more green. Especially in Midtown.
@@T-Tone do you honestly believe the trees wouldn’t have leaves by now in the summer it’s the south
it is! and more live
I spent a week in Atlanta. Downtown is defenitely is not where to go for entertainment and fun.
Atlanta is a big area. Most people think Midtown is Atlanta, but then they miss out on places like Little 5 Points, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, or even the northern suburbs near Suntrust Park.
I generally hang out around kennesaw area and stay in cartersville when I'm up here
This is basically correct. The swingin' areas are outside of downtown.
I'm proud to be a Grady Baby 🍼
I REMEMBER WHEN THE UNDERGROUND WAS POPULAR, WHAT HAPPENED TO IT
It's So Quiet! Seems like a Sunday Morning at 730am!!
Great Drive, Great Video!!
Thanks Much!!
Excatly
I was in Atlanta two months ago as a tourist from the Czech republic and I was surprised how clean is this city. Even though there were homeless people around the Woodruff park, I didn't see garbage around them. Going by walk from Peachtree tower (13:44 in you video) to Old Fourth Ward to visit LottaFrutta, again all was clean and seeing beautiful gardens and small houses... incredible.
only 500k ppl live in the downtown area of the city, most live in the metropolitan area (around 6 million) and commute to the city for work
I was born in Atlanta on September 29, 1955. My family lived on Ormond St from 1952 until 1964. We lived about midway between Capital Ave(now Hank Aaron Dr) & Grant Park. Back then we could walk to school or Grant Park without our parents. Our country cousins would visit during the summer & we always went to the park to spend the day. There was a neighborhood corner grocery store called Dan's where we could get meat carved any way you wanted. It was on Ormond going toward Capital Ave & toward Grant Park, was a drug store named Fabian's that had a grill & you could get a real Cherry Coke! One of the main problems I have with Atlanta, is that with every new mayoral admin, street names are usually changed, getting rid of old historic ones & giving new ones. I mean how many more Peachtree names can you have? I also graduated from GA State University in December 1978. It was nice viewing the drive you made thru Atlanta & trying to figure out where you are. Thanks for sharing!
Don't let this video fool you. There are enough people here in Atlanta.
Okay!! Who ever did this video is lame and a hater. I want to know where this guy from whos doing the video. Atlanta is unique in its own way!! Also aint nothing boring about the "A". Don't get TWISTED the hype is real.
Ain't THAT there damned truth.
If you've ever been stuck on 75/85 you'd know it without a doubt!
They are all spread out
@@SexyBlack8616 fax, ive heard so many good things about it. I kinda want to live there
Im a Georgia native, lived in Atlanta and now in Gainesville. More people = more improvements in safety. Atlanta was bad in the 90's now its a lot better. We cant gatekeep states, its bad for business and safety.
Atlanta is very spread out and is a sprawling giant suburb. I noticed this, when I visited one Thanksgiving. The tourists were out and about Centennial Park, but downtown was pretty empty. There are I am sure thriving neighborhoods away from downtown though just a spread out city.
Nah. Kansas City is a spread out city.
@@SuperJMichael what does that have to do with Atlanta lol. And Atlanta is really spread out for no reason.
@@SuperJMichael Gosh, people don't listen. I am talking about Kansas City and no offense, it exactly is not on the top of my bucket list to even visit.
@@mischa8623 Atlanta proper isn't spread out. The metro area is.
@@lfelton777 no they both are, its just that the metro is spread out much worse. But Atlanta proper is fairly suburban itself
You didn’t mention that Atlanta is the 9th largest Metro in the US. 6.3 million. Should not have stopped at Midtown, much more to see further north in Buckhead!
Yeah Buckhead is the corniest part of Atlanta, and where you'll find an army of overpaid degenerates.
Unnecessarily angry response as I was referring to the high rises and architectural layout…… not the people. Please direct your anger to those who deserve it.
@@michaeltaylor4941 thanks for proving my point.
@@nas8326 ? You are warped and toxic. I don’t live in Atlanta!
@@nas8326 Genuflect much?
Midtown looks like it's Atlanta's second, newest, and most vibrant downtown.
Midtown is not new. It’s been the hip place to go for almost 3 decades.
Growth in Midtown the past 5-10 years has been amazing, definitely where a lot f the new growth is, major expansions of GaTech, student housing, apartments and condos, plus the new headquarters for Norfolk Souther, NCR, and Anthem HC. Also what's not shown at all is the whole Buckhead area which has massive development as well with it's own "downtown" skyscraper area.
Good morning Nick... Thanks for showing me around America, Cheers... 🇺🇸❤️🇦🇺🦘🤠
Ok Simon!
My bro put my iOS super relaxing wake up tone at 8min and now I'm ready to start my day
lived in ATL all my life. This video showcases the worst part of the city. The east side and midtown are probably the best places to showcase. The problem with ATL is that the city isn't a circle it is a diagonal line so the infrastructure is horrible, causing traffic to clog most major roads and highways.
Right? everyone drives here which means mucho traffic jams
It sure is clean though. More so than a lot of other big cities. Small thing unless you encounter it every day.
Atlanta sucks
lol. Right? Nobody chooses to
go down Luckie St and such in that area unless they have to.
I noticed ATL doesn’t follow a square/rectangular grid pattern…streets just go in all kinds of crazy twists and turns…I don’t see how it’s possible for non-natives to get around without a GPS.
Apparently you have never been in Atlanta. When you look at census look at metro, because most people here live in the suburbs our city sucks why live in there. Atlanta has the best suburbs in America
In the beginning you were driving through areas that are totally COVD-closed. The extensive GSU campus, the State, City and County government corridor. The apparel, gift, and other mart centers. The hotels that service what is usually all that traffic. But you did manage to miss the Dome, the Omni/CNN area West Midtown, GaTech Univ. the part of Midtown that is actually where al the new stuff is (Spring and W. Peachtree) the whole Atlantic Station area, Ponce City Market/Beltline area. If you'd kept on up Peachtree you have gotten up to Buckhead and the Lenox area, which are huge areas of development.
We do be turnt bih.... F*** you mean!!
Good bih..... Don't come back!! We want half of y'all gone anyway!!! Lol
Amazing all the people commenting who seem to know little about ATL and its neighborhoods...
Been here since 1990. LOTS of changes and over development. Now in Gwinnett. We NEVER go to downtown Atlanta for anything .
@@NOTHOTlanta grady baby here , i stay away from the A now too.
This is my Hometown and I love it!! A wonderful city ❤️
Cool!
@@NickJohnson Thank you for all of the hard work involved and travel to give us glimpses into American life in these cities. Your contributions are not in vain my friend 🤗
Me Too!! Hella fun!! What is he talking about? What a hater!! Lol
Being born and raised in Atlanta, and 51 I never dreamed there would be so much traffic! It’s horrible during normal circumstances
Coved. Those buildiings are empty.. My hometown, surprised it's so clean. Used to work down town over 50 years ago. Haven't been back.
I loved Atlanta in the mid 90s. Fun, friendly, a mix of all kinds of neighborhoods. Right now it’s gentrified, less friendly, super expensive by southern standards and only good if you’ve got a terrific job.
Always love driving tours especially places I've never been. Thanks for sharing!
looks like a good size city, bigger than i thought it was, thank you for sharing!
Ok Laura! 👍
It's because he failed to mention the metro population is over 6 million . Can't go by city proper anymore.
He drove through in January he needs to come back today memorial Day weekend lmao
Lol or drive through Atlanta at rush hr around 5 or 6 PM. I moved out in 1995 but I sure it even busier now
Love these dashboard tours that Nick Johnson does. It's like you drove around the area yourself.
If Atlanta is so bad, why are people still moving here?
Who said it was bad?
Not necessarily your video, but the comments mostly.
EXACTLY!! Bye Bye
@@saullopez274 His video is saying that! Tryna bash the "A". What's wrong with them
I’ve lived in a close Atlanta suburb for 40 years. The city has grown, and the spillage from the hood has spread outward, resulting in crime increases everywhere. Working now on finding a place to relocate far from the city. Georgia’s fine, but Atlanta is suffocating from its success and the politics that control it.
Gentrification spreads come out instead of localizing it.
I feel like most of the empty feeling that day had to do with the bad weather. Who wants to walk around a city on a cold wintery day
Atlanta downtown area always looks empty compared when comparing the pedestrian vs size factor. However, try to find parking and it’s horrendous. You can pay a premium for a private parking spot to go to church downtown. Spaces are expensive. I attend St. Marks. It’s right downtown and I have to park and walk about 6 blocks. Then, you worry the whole time that your car is being ransacked while you are trying to worship.
I live here in Atlanta, and the weather was also my first thought.
Nope. I’m an Atlanta native. It’s culturally a wasteland, no matter who moves to it. Has been since the early 1990s when Rich’s closed-& so did everything else that made downtown a downtown. That’s how an unranked state school was able to buy it all up so cheaply. Financially, I’d say it’s a money pit: all cart before the horse, all showbiz & no substance. And the newbies simply cannot connect the dots.
There’s nothing to do here (that any Atlantan would choose to do) because ALL the financial decisions are made elsewhere. Been True, ever since Atlanta lost First National Bank of Atlanta, C&S Bank (Citizens & Savings), Georgia Federal Bank, Trust Company Bank, National Bank of Georgia (NBG) & BankSouth. Furthermore, everything is priced at NY salary rates, not actual Gawja income rates. Not hard to do the math-Atlantans have no real future in Atlanta. BUT they can go to any of 5 churches to a block & they LOVE funerals, so it should be fine.
If the city is thriving the weather doesn't matter. Atlanta is boring.
@@ahnraemenkhera7451 Very true.
Lived in Atlanta since I was 5 yo. At 57, I cannot wait to get out. The crime is out of control and our police officers are leaving! Be safe!
That’s happening everywhere 🥲
I Lived Here For ~10 Years... The 1990’s.
Thank You
🙏
That's when the ATL was poppin.
@@Marie-sw5cd
Cooler Than A
PolarBears
ToeNail...
I lived in ATL for a long while pre-pandemic and it was pretty much always like this. I always forget how that’s weird to outsiders. We’re just not really a walking city yet
@@NinjaBooKitty Apparently all the other “I lived in ATL for X amount of time and this is exactly what it’s like in these areas” comments seem to disagree with you
This is great footage of downtown Atlanta. I never been there and was always curious about the downtown area...Most definitely can tell it's a Sunday.
I am from this beautiful city and I am living in Illinois right now, but I enjoyed going on this drive around the city with you. I will be down there to visit my family in November.
Ok Lori
It just seems the life has disappeared as in most cities. Just 2 years ago the economy was booming, people were happy. It all changed for the bad
Stop voting Democrat
This is all Trump's doing.
@@rickyhall6687 Let Trump back in lol
Atlanta is booming. If yo7 don’t have a job in Atlanta you are not looking for one.
@@angelicadickson8666 true, but this entire voting thing Atlanta missed out on big money at a really nice time. That will take years to recuperate.
Hey Nick you have my alarm clock music playing at 8:42🤣🤣💙 it goes off at 5am every Friday - Tuesday. But good video driving through my adopted city.
Haha I know I love that song :) you were probably like - why's my alarm going off? ⏰
@@NickJohnson lol....yes it took me by surprise but guess what❗Atlanta is pretty much back to normal and traffic is back due to things getting better with Covid-19. Also next time your in Atlanta give me a shout. This city has alot to offer.
I like how I drive through Atlanta regularly and still watched this like "what did he see?!" lol
🤔 So nice to 👁👁 a big city with hardly any litter / trash on the streets ! Keep it up ATL ...🤗🤗
Just chicken wing bones
Thats the tourist part. It has to stay clean
@@kamkam5537 Yes I've seen the non tourists part on 48 hours..🏃🏿♂️🏃🏿♂️💥💥💥🚔🚔🚔
The traffic congestion is very bad. There are actually places in which police routinely direct traffic at the intersection of a road and the entrance to some fast-food restaurants.
Atlanta a beautiful city with 5 skyscraper clusters (downtowns) in its metro here is the list.
Midtown
Downtown
Buckhead
Marietta
Dunwoody Northside area
Im from New Oreleans and was blown away with the progress in ATL
@@MrLdevelle I never been in that part of town i will take your word. atlanta is growing fast
You forgot downtown Decatur. No skyscrapers but a nice area to hang out.
The area you referred to as Marietta is actually considered Smyrna Cumberland or Galleria. Marietta starts north of Windy Hill rd which is about a mile to the north.
@@laryanryan9170 Fo sho i stand corrected!!! thanks for the update.
Thanks for the ride along. Many memories from that city. Fun times.
I like how I’m watching this while I drive thru Atlanta
I liked atlanta better than. Miami.
Winter here feels good compared to Durham NC hey Nick I also moved from NC I moved last year
I went to downtown Atlanta to visit the museum for my birthday in August of 2019. I took that opportunity to also 'tour' Georgia State (which I decided not to attend because of how spread out everything is downtown.)
At the time it wasn't so dead and it was on a Saturday. Maybe because of COVID, fewer people are out?
People: Atlanta Crowded
Me in Chicago: That’s Crowded 😳😩🤷🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good morning Nick!❤🙂 hows life?I love your videos, great humor...you make me laugh☺️ Thanks for the tour of Georgia...never been there. I've heard its pretty. I'm in Casper, Wyoming. Moving to Anchorage, Alaska❤ God be with you, have a great weekend💕looks like a sunday morning...so dead/quiet
Hi Rose have fun in Alaska!!
Nick, I wish you make videos on West Texas cities like El Paso, Texas Amarillo , Texas San Angelo, Texas, and Abilene, Texas... Thank you..
we drove through El Paso and other spots on our way to Houston, Friendswood back in the early 80's, my sister in law used to live there, we're in Illinois and it was a blast driving from here to there, Texas is gorgeous!
Nobody cares about west texas
I'll never drive through El Paso again, worse than Atlanta.
@@young-blk-investor1059 well I care
can't believe you skipped the park, the aquarium and coke...
Heya Mr. Nick, i have never seen it that empty before. I lived down there for five years. looks like a ghost town right now👻🤓 I enjoy your filming and programming thanks a lot for bringing it to us!
Ok Anthony
Man do I miss living in this city. Thanks for the video.
Ok Scott
Um? Hahah! Was this video ironic and I missed it? FWIW, your tone speaks for itself, but seeing you drive through streets I have so many fond memories of... Yeah... I genuinely enjoyed the throwback. Not everything is destitute and sad, maybe?
Would love some advice from the native in the comments. I plan on travelling to Atlanta for a quick trip with my mother. Our plan was to stay downtown and visit the Georgia Aquarium, Coca Cola museum, and the park. According to the comments it looks like Midtown is a better option. Do you guys recommend any accomodations? Willing to try a hotel or airbnb's.
There's nothing wrong with staying downtown if that's what you plan to do. You'll be right next to all of those attractions and can easily ride the train/Uber/drive to other parts of the city like Midtown and Buckhead. Be sure to go check out Piedmont Park and Ponce city Market.
Downtown atlanta hasn't change a bit since I left 15 years ago except Emory university is now present on Peachtree street. But the midtown got need highrises everywhere. You missed the gone with the mind house, but not by much
Visited Atlanta during the Olympics and no desire to go back. Our hosts, including our hotel, Coca-Cola and the IOC workers tried their best to insulate us from the locals. We found out why. We were treated with complete disrespect and outright contempt during each and every one of the few interactions we had with the locals. For example, on the MARTA subway they had friendly, helpful voices speaking in several different languages very courteously. Those messages were pre-recorded, obviously not by someone from Atlanta. Occasionally the actual MARTA workers would get on the mike and then you would hear things like "Next stop, last stop, get the eff off!" Every single one we encountered used the most vulgar, filthy language and exhibited such a bitter, hateful personality. No thanks, Atlanta, you may look good but your population sucks. Don't be fooled into visiting there. They have a busy airport because it is a transfer point to other destinations and not because people like going to Atlanta.
I'm sure ppl still visit the area. Where would you visit
@@saratemp790 There's an old saying that goes "Times change, but people don't". From what I see and read in the news, Atlanta has only gotten worse. They weren't burning down Wendy's and throwing projectiles at the CNN headquarters building 25 years ago, but they are now. What was once only rudeness and street language has descended into unpredictable mob violence. But, in all fairness to Atlanta, there has been a general deterioration in the human culture that is universal. Still, there are many better places to spend your time.
@@dontreldontrel416 Neighboring states have cities much better to visit for the experience of that part of the world. Anywhere in Florida or in South Carolina would be preferable to Atlanta. Georgia does have the best peaches but it's just not worth all that much.
@@joestewart8914 I find it funny how you decide to judge an entire city/state population based off of your very limited time in Atlanta over a quarter of a century ago. And I don’t know what you’re talking about as far as South Carolina being better, because I’ve been there more times than I can count and most people only go there for the beaches.
@@ALsn-xz9ix I have heard more recent horror stories about Atlanta from associates. The only place that's worse seems to be Baltimore.
Downtown Atlanta looks nice.
You came to Atlanta during the winter on a over cast day during a pandemic and you are wondering why it was empty? really?
I went to ATL in March during Al-Star weekend. It was fun and beautiful. I went to Doraville and Chamblee. I went the MLK musuem and to the GA Aquarium. Georgia Tech and Buckhead was cool.
EXACTLY! It is BEAUTIFUL! THIS GUY DONT KNOW ANY BETTER
Atlanta is a nice city to drive through, not a nice city to live. Very poorly designed. Crime spilling over from the ghetto into even the nicest areas. Most sensical people in the area live in the suburbs and countryside to the north, which are very nice.
Yes, but they come up from the south in cars they buy with EBT money. Used to be they could only plunder in their own neighborhoods. Not anymore.
You make the best videos, I prefer your channel to regular tv stuff. I find you are more thoughtful. I hope you keep making videos for a long while.
I lives here since 2012 Atlanta is very overpopulated . Night time everyone comes outside in different areas of the city , the traffic is so bad and this was just an early cloudy day where everyone was inside .
Yep left there 20 years ago and never understood what the hype was about. Dead after dark and weekends. In ATL it's all about the suburbs baby.
Yeah, that's all of Atlanta is.......
What suburbs
It's similar here in Austin, TX. Lots of traffic going through downtown. But downtown itself is fairly empty. There's a ton of new high-rises here. I'm waiting to see what the occupancy rates will be a couple of months from now.
Too bad you missed the good parts of Atlanta: Ponce de Leon Avenue, Midtown, Piedmont Park, Buckhead, Decatur, Emory/Druid Hills, Little Five Points, Alpharetta, Roswell, etc. You were just a block or two from the Margaret Mitchell house at the end of the video.
Yeah can tell he dosent know much about the city
Nobody gives a flying F about the Margaret Mitchell house. She lived in one room in that house. It's totally insignificant. Prime real estate that needs to be developed on. Move that house to the history center in Buckhead.
I enjoyed listening to your music for your videos. I also enjoyed Mappy and his family and friends!!!!!!
*Big city gr8 video* 👍🇺🇸
Ellis Hotel is a Beautiful Boutique 12:33. To tell you the truth, most of those streets I've never been on. I usually use Peachtree or Ponce if I need to go downtown to eat. But Atlantic Station, Buckhead, Lennox and the burbs is where I usually try to stay.
Love the music! Is relaxing.
Nick I thank you for that memoir of places I spent most of my career being a part of building that city and many of those buildings. It never has been a street life downtown, mostly just business inside and then commute home or back to the hotel. Gets a little more alive in midtown evenings or further north.
Want to see street life (or death) try Simpson Street Friday PM. You almost got to it on the earlier tour of the west side. Thanks again. Hit me up next time you pass through.
I am not from the US. But I sometimes play city rides to relax. I miss the sound of the environment, I hate that music. Videos can be so much better if you have a microphone recording sounds around you. Even with engine noise can be improvement compared to this.
I have a lot of love for Atlanta. Atlanta is most likely the first city I plan to relocate.. if I have the money.
Very bad move.
@@pinkrose4322 Why is that a bad move?
@Trevor. You better hurry because home and rent prices are going up daily and inventory is getting very low. They can't build homes and apartments fast enough to keep up with the number of people moving here. A lot of people are living in AirB&B.
@@laryanryan9170 That's really sad. There's just too many greedy people these days. Thanks for the info 👍
Extremely clean downtown
Love this kind of videos. Keep it up!
U a cutie 💝😙
THANK U NICK!!! 4 LETTING ME KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON ...
....4 REAL!!!
WAY 2 GO!!!
U 🎸 ROCK!!!
👍👍
atlanta looks amazing , alot going on there . the city would do itself a great favor if , the streets were kept up better i.e. the pot holes in pavement and painted lines , etc, . the city itself looks really nice but , the condition of the streets , kind'a gives it a run down look.......that should not be..........it needs freshening up.......
Do you say I.e such as inland empire
Dman you know bout San murdadino
@@yungblakkpueblobishop4130 .......I.e. is an abbreviation for the phrase " id est " ( latin ) which means " that is."......................
@Elizabeth Wolfe ...i hear ya . i have never been there and as it is now , well , i'll just say , it's not on my bucket list.....right now .......more's the pity , that it is supposed to be black this , black that but from everything i've heard , it is horribly mismanaged......." hot lanta " is a " hot mess " . yes , it needs leadership with guts and backbone . i was just commenting on the aesthetics , thanks for that input......
@Elizabeth Wolfe ......i remember when people first started relocating there , people there was saying , " if you don't have a degree , don't come ". because people were going there , thinking , it was going to be a cake walk . wanting something for nothing , is a mistake because , free stuff aint free..........seems like " THE LEADERS " are lining their own pockets . much like , what is happening in nigeria , go figger......
Downtown Atlanta looks pretty good I wonder what some of the neighborhoods are like
I did a drive in a bad one a few weeks back
As somebody who lives here, the neighborhoods are crap. Absolute crap. The traffic is beyond horrible. Housing is extremely over priced thanks to idiots constantly moving here. We have a serial killer on the expressway. Shootings are through the roof, robberies are through the roof as well as rapes. Last weekend alone over 20 people were shot in downtown Atlanta. This is not the place to come for kicks and giggles. Atlanta is a dying city. No pun intended.
@@hotmesssouthernmom4542 I don’t know what you’re talking about. Atlanta has its issues sure, but crime is everywhere and Atlanta is still a nice city
People are just talking nonsense- the area in the beginning of the video with the Olympic Rings above the street (Capitol Ave)- that’s my neighborhood- summerhill. I woke up this morning, walked to the local coffee shop on Georgia Ave- then went next door to the Vintage Art festival. I bought a few things from local artists, then went 5 minutes up the stree to the Grant Park farmers market. Bought locally grown veggies and a crepe from one of many food trucks. There were families, music- and this is every Sunday morning. I love my city. These people are boring yuppies that get frazzled by the first minor inconvenience of city living. Atlanta is an amazing city- ignore the haters.
@@VSantiago718 well you sure as hell can’t ignore the violence. Just because you had a good experience doesn’t mean that everybody else does or has. The city is going downhill fast and if you can’t see that you’re in major denial.
Good video. However, you missed some of the key landmarks like the aquarium, Mercedes Benz stadium, and the Millennium Gate museum.
The aquarium is AMAZING!!!
It's because Atlanta doesn't really have much culture or interesting things, once you don't need to work in an office anymore. It's more of a bland big corporations meets cheesy nightclub people type of city
Well there IS the Southern Center for Human Rights.
Not true in my opinion.
Bry you sond like someone who has never been to Atlanta.
There's major corporations and headquarters in Atlanta and lots of black culture in Atlanta as well as black own business and restaurants. Apparently you have absolutely ZERO knowledge of black culture especially in Atlanta so I don't expect you to be able to relate so just STFU!!!
Every time I search an area, you have a video about it. You've been everywhere 😆
Here in Atl, it slow downtown ONLY early in the morning 🌷
EXACTLY!! These people lying like HELL!!
It wasn't in the morning
Dude I love the music you pick for your Videos. It reminds me of the SimCity game series. Keep up the good work!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Ok terry!
This really took me back to my days at GSU in the late 90s/early 2000s, but also sadly reminds me of my current weekly commute.
Ok, so I just let this play as I code for my job and it was so relaxing
I parked in downtown Atlanta 21 years ago, got hit by thieves, and haven't been back.
Since Covid and the riots a lot has changed. A lot of new exiting companies, development and construction have popped up, but on the flip side crime has increased, homelessness has increased and cops have quit. Atlanta has a complex future ahead and many issues to address (especially traffic and crime)
Midtown and Buckhead is where it is happenening.I miss living in Atlanta but not the traffic.
I live in Buckhead and work in the City of Atlanta, this looks like am hours, there is always something going on in the City starting in the midafternoon.
EXACTLY!!
That is so amazing.
Been in Atlanta since 84. It's still a great city. When the wannabe players and moguls come here, they soon find out these people here aren't fools and they leave.
EXACTLY!! Lol
Back in my playa days I was always smashing out of town B's. Piping them so good they wanted to move here. 😎😂😂😂
There is an amazing lack of tents on the sidewalk.
That’s because the homeless live in tents inside the woods.
Parts of downtown Atlanta remind me of London 👍🏻
Yea it strangely gives London vibes
King George founded Georgia. The 🇬🇧 influence is still there.
@@davidellis5141 No James Oglethorpe founded Georgia with permission from King George, Atlanta was founded almost a hundred years after Georgia was even established
@@davidellis5141 Most true Georgians are Scott-Irish ancestry. Georgia was founded as a debtors colony, no prison if you go help settle the colony .
@@ALsn-xz9ix It was named Terminus, before they changed the name to Atlanta.
This is a problem with most American cities, outside except NYC or SF. Big, maverlous buildings & wide streets, but absolutely empty of people.
My thoughts exactly. And I'm not so sure about NYC & SF being devoid of people in the bldg.s & streets.
Only the rich can afford to live there
Pre Covid the streets were more filled
Can't believe that Quiznos and CNN are still in business.
Lol cnn
Most people prefer to stay in their city and with their people
@Dean Nicks Certainly Not News
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm, toasty
CNN the worst of the worst when it comes to the MSM networks. At least they're ratings are plummeting
Couldnt pay me millions to live there again, only thing I miss is a few dear friends and the international farmers market. Stopped a couple of years ago from fla to tn at the market to get everything for my families thanksgiving. The traffic was insane!
Exactly. I work downtown and live ITP. This quite slow view is an exception. He picked a wonderful time to visit. I am enjoying the ride.
Remember seeing the Braves game and riding through Atlanta in 2005 at the age of 10. I'm 25 now and intend to go back soon.
Well Atlanta is becoming the murder capital of the United States so come on back anytime. Maybe you won’t get shot.
Metro area has over 6 million in population and 9th largest city in US .
18 years later the Hooters on Peachtree is still there. I wonder what the snobby girls who frowned upon me when I was temporarily homeless due to a mental breakdown are up to?
probably just old as hell right now with baby daddy problems and no wedding ring while I’m booming in Miami 💰 💰
😭😭
Candy cane had her car repossessed and her sugar daddy gave her crabs before he left her.
you sound like an angry black man rn
There is always work here. If you're unemployed it's because you don't want to work.
Facts