Not to mention that the city’s diversity is damn near fostering a world-leading art scene, music culture, and film industry. It’s clear why the city has been christened Black Hollywood. But that’s not new. In Atlanta, as Black entrepreneur Ryan Williams says, the biggest export is culture. It’s one of the only American cities with permanent, professional companies in all areas of performing arts—like ballet, opera, and theater. A capital of hip-hop, the city also has generated icons across R&B, neo soul, and country music. T.I., Zac Brown, and many others, still live in the city of Atlanta to this day. And Cardi B, although she grew up in New York City, dropped an extravagant amount of cash in 2019 to move to Atlanta with Offset, of Migos fame.
Atlanta
- State
- Georgia
- Population
- City Limits
- 524,067
- Metro Area
- 6,089,815
Sources: World Population Review, Wikipedia
- Known by many names
- ATL, The Big Peach, Black Hollywood, The Black Mecca, The City Too Busy to Hate
Atlanta knows what it’s about. With a fairly young population, a fast-paced city center (with urban parks, hot restaurants, and local transit), and a firm grasp on cultural production, the city continues to shine as a potential haven for creative professionals. It’s hard not to want to create…well, anything and everything here in Atlanta.
A reasonable cost of living and reasonable weather—all year round—sets the stage for a comfortable place to thrive alone or with a family. Summer in Atlanta means gorgeous weather, lively cookouts, late-night adventures, and plenty of outdoor activities. Winter isn’t too bad either, with about 2.9 inches of snow annually and 30° F temperatures.
“When I think about the city of Atlanta, the energy here is so raw, and so powerful. It’s an energy of fight and grit and it demands respect. I can feel it; that demand for respect.
And there’s this sense of power and authority in the people who live here and you can feel it radiating from the ground. And I enjoy sitting in that space and sitting in that energy—that raw creative energy. It always feels like we’re asking… so what’s next? What are we going to do now?”
Pea The FearyIllustrator & SpiritmasseurPhotography by Nate Ryan
Just a taste of what Atlanta has to offer
- Ponce City Market
- Aurora Coffee
- Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium
- 97 Estoria
- Joe’s East Atlanta Coffee Shop
- High Museum of Art
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Piedmont Park
- Switchyards Downtown Club
- Fourth Ward Skatepark
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“The dopest, freshest energy is here.
Straight from our city insiders
To further understand the vibrancy and nuance of the top three cities in our index, our WeTransfer team sat down with creative professionals who live, work, and play there to hear how the city has influenced them—and vice versa.
Pea the Feary feels the power of Atlanta’s raw creative energy. Can you?
As told to WeTransferThe Atlanta illustrator, with a spiritual philosophy of care, discusses the city’s ancestral hunger, the power that resides in our surrounding environment, and the raw creative energy surging through the city that’s waiting to be tapped.
Read moreNew worlds are waiting for you in Atlanta—and Clarissa Brooks is building her own
As told to WeTransferThe writer, abolitionist, and community organizer reflects on Atlanta’s ravenous penchant for personal growth, the Black youth who hold heavy ambition for the future, and the community of dedicated writers that surround and elevate her work.
Read moreKavi Vu knows that everyone can win in Atlanta, as long as we spend time with each other
As told to WeTransferVideographer, organizer, and civic leader, Kavi Vu shares the importance of telling the stories that contribute to a thriving community, the impact that comes with specificity and personal care, and the everyone-can-win philosophy that drives the city.
Read more
Homegrown in Atlanta, Giovanni’s love for the original Spy Kids set him on a particularly creative path, even at a young age. Now, with a film screened at the Atlanta Film Festival, his attention has focused on building community throughout the metro area. To that ambition, in response to the pandemic, he and his collaborators coordinated an online film showcase with proceeds supporting Atlanta Artist Relief Fund.
“Many people talk about this city functioning like a magical realism piece—crazy things happening in a very grounded world. One of my professors said something that will always stick with me. That magic is just Atlanta. Not necessarily magical realism. It’s just realism.”Giovanni TortoriciIndependent Filmmaker
Atlanta is leading the way. But don’t take it from us. Hear it directly from the people.