Atlanta Relocation Archives -

Citizens For Progressive Transit November 2018 Newsletter

November 27, 2018 by Thom Abbott

A world-class city needs world-class transit. And let’s face it, a rail system that runs the limited places it does like MARTA, does not a world-class city make.

Citizens For Progressive Transit

Most can agree that is one of the major reasons that the recent hunt to land the Amazon’s HQ2 did not end up in Atlanta. Our transit just doesn’t take you many places. But what we DO have makes one want to consider where they live to have access to the MARTA. Cities we cover like Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven, Buckhead and Midtown all have transit stations.

We always read, and like to share the Citizens for Progressive Transit newsletter to our readers and website visitors. It has some great information.

The November, 2018 issue goes further into the new ATL regional transit authority. All 16 Board Members are in place, but the face a complicated task…for sure. Coordinating a transit system between some 13 counties in the Metro Atlanta region. That is just plain…YIKES!

How many non-MARTA counties will pass a sales tax required to participate in the plan? (After my 45 minute ride to Midtown this morning in bumper-to-bumper traffic starting BEFORE Clairmont Road…you’d think all of them, right?) But I’m going to guess there will be some that say No to Rail. And one can’t say how sad that really sounds.

Here is a link to the November, 2018 issue of Citizens For Progressive Transit Newsletter.

Central Atlanta Progress launches Atlanta Downtown Website

October 2, 2018 by Thom Abbott

I’d have to say that Atlanta Downtown is probably not on the radar screen for many people. Now if you work in Downtown Atlanta or already live in the area, then of course, it’s on your mind. But the whole area has much to offer.

Central Atlanta Progress launches Atlanta Downtown Website

Atlanta Downtown….you think Centennial Olympic Park….Mercedes Benz Stadium….Georgia World Congress Center.(GWCC)…large convention hotels….The Apparel Mart…these are the things that come to mind. But Atlanta Downtown has restaurants, and numerous other shops and services.

But Central Atlanta Progress (the community improvement district organization) has a new look and a new website for you to check out!

Events in Atlanta Downtown

These are about as varied as Atlanta Downtown itself. Certainly, anytime the Atlanta Falcons or Atlanta United play at Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Downtown area is alive with people and activity. Throw in a major convention that occupies the GWCC and you can have a whole lot of people in Atlanta Downtown. (Yes, I know everyone usually says Downtown Atlanta, but for the purpose of this article, we are referencing it more as Atlanta Downtown to go with the new website branding!)

Other events happen throughout each month that are much more “local” in catering to the people that live and work in Downtown…like food truck events, or music in one of the parks.

Living in Atlanta Downtown

So, the new site has a unique feature in listing all the places you can live in Atlanta Downtown. You can find it HERE. You will find it broken down into unique sections, Ownership, For Rent, For Rent-Special and University. The sections only tell you where the places are, but nothing about what may be for sale in them. That’s where we can help you. You can’t set a search by Atlanta Downtown or Downtown Atlanta, as most condominium residences (that’s the majority of the For Sale real estate you will find) will be listed by their specific building. But we can search by Zip Codes to provide you a broad overview of what is available.

Search Zip Code 30303 Homes For Sale

Search Zip Code 30313 Homes For Sale

So take a look at Atlanta Downtown and their new website! And if you are looking to live in Atlanta Downtown, we’d be happy to help you find just the right place!

Midtown Mobility from Midtown Alliance

September 26, 2018 by Thom Abbott

Midtown Alliance is a non-profit membership organization and a coalition of leading business and community leaders – united in our commitment to Midtown as a premiere destination for commerce, culture, education and living. Governed by a 71-member board of the district’s top private sector leaders, our mission is to improve and sustain the quality of life for those who live, work and play here. The Alliance accomplishes this goal through a comprehensive approach to planning and development that includes initiatives to enhance public safety, improve the physical environment, and strengthen the urban amenities which give the area its unique character.

Guided by a visionary master plan – Blueprint Midtown – and in partnership with the Midtown Improvement District, Midtown has become a national model for urban excellence.

Midtown Alliance puts out various communications each month and throughout the year to keep residents and Midtown employers informed of what’s going on in the area. While you might find some of these things on their website, we wanted to share with you the September issue of Midtown Mobility from Midtown Alliance.

Biketopber — October 1-31, 2018

This is a month-long, FREE event also known as the Atlanta Bike Challenge. Biking, teambuilding, competition and prizes! Click on the link for more information about this event!

Measuring Foot Traffic

A key part of getting more retail (and maybe a couple less restaurants) is have feet on the street. While the Midtown population has grown, it’s certainly nothing like Midtown Manhattan! Midtown Alliance will look at the increase in foot traffic as well as car traffic. If you can imagine, technology that will measure pedestrian activity!! WOW! Data like this can be important to anyone looking to open a store front in Midtown!

Here is a link to the complete September Midtown Mobility newsletter.

Midtown Mobility | September, 2018

Atlanta software company FullStory moves to Brookwood

September 25, 2018 by Thom Abbott

Fullstory, a rapidly growing Atlanta software company is going to double its workforce, and move their Atlanta headquarters from Armour Yards.

Atlanta software company FullStory moves to Brookwood

Last year, FullStory raised some $15M to move forward on an aggressive R&D expansion that was projected to add up to 120 new jobs.

FullStory will now build out and lease a 49,200 sq.ft. headquarters in the space that was formerly the Brookwood Kroger. It’s currently occupied by the retailer, Sam Flax. Located at 1745 Peachtree Street, the location will offer employees that want the urban lifestyle to choose from Buckhead to the North or Midtown to the South. Condominium buildings like Viewpoint Midtown or 1010 Midtown are just a couple of the options available in Midtown Atlanta. Meanwhile, in Buckhead, FullStory employees could look at places like Cosmopolitan or Eclipse.

Transit options are a bit far for the location, but one could take MARTA to the Arts Center Station (if coming from the North) and Uber or Lyft back to the offices. But based on the location, there will most likely be ample parking to have employees in their own cars.

The building itself, will be redesigned by the architect, Plexus r+d and will be a blend of the open spaces, but will have “nooks and crannies where employees can squirrel away and focus,” Bruce Johnson, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer told the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

FullStory currently employs about 100 people in their current location at Armour Yards.

As new employees come on board, MyMidtownMojo and Thomas Ramon Realty are here to help them find a new home in Midtown, Buckhead or beyond! Contact us using the form below and we can talk about what you are looking for in your Atlanta home!

Citizens For Progressive Transit – July 2018 Newsletter

July 9, 2018 by Thom Abbott

Somewhere, somehow, I stumbled upon this organization and their monthly newsletter.

Citizens For Progressive Transit

…their website seems to be a tad behind…I’m sharing the July, 2018 newsletter with you here, and the website has April, 2018…so the best way to keep up with them would be to subscribe to receive the newsletter. But the highlights of July are:

Marta Takes Over Atlanta Street Car –$1 Fare Continues

The Atlanta Streetcar was turned over to MARTA on July 1. But they opted to keep the $1 fare, which has been blamed for the dramatic drop in ridership. It should probably be included in your regular MARTA fare, and you could transfer to the Streetcar.

I’ll give Atlanta credit for trying, in getting the Streetcar started. (You remember the plans called for it to run from Downtown to Buckhead on Peachtree Street, but the funding was not there, along with some lack of interest, challenges with it being on Peachtree, etc, etc.) But, to go from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center….not much service there.

ARC Grants to Expand Suburban Bus Service

Douglas County (that’s way out West for us In-Town folks) will get its first fixed-route bus service, and Cobb and Gwinnett will get to expand, due to new federal funding by the ARC.

Bond Money to Go For GA 400 Bus Service

Gov. Deal announced that recently approved bonds to raise $100M will be used in North Fulton County to facilitate MARTA bus service along GA400.

A Faster Path to Regional Rail (THIS one caught my eye big time!)

We’ve talked about regional passenger rail. And talked. And studied. And talked and studied…..but nothing. Yet North Carolina has launched a fourth daily round-trip on its state-funded Amtrak line, running from Charlotte to Raleigh. The three round trips carried 427,000 people last year. HELLO GEORGIA? It’s the 21st Century…and we can’t keep widening roads or adding cars.

This is why I love reading the Citizens For Progressive Transit newsletter….it keeps me informed.

You can read the entire newsletter here.

You can JOIN CFPT, and subscribe to the newsletter HERE.

MyMidtownMojo Makes for a Happy Seller

July 6, 2018 by Thom Abbott

Just as important as it is to find the right agent when you BUY a Midtown Atlanta condominium, so is it true that you need to have the right person to help you SELL!

Often times we hear of Sellers that choose to work with “well my wife’s co-worker’s husband is a real estate agent” or “there is this girl in our church that we feel we need to help” and while that may sound all fine and well on the outside, you have to know who you choose will get your condo sold…and know the right things to do, at the right time. Or have the right connection.

In working with Jacob, at the last minute, the Buyer’s lender requested a document that really none of us had ever had requested. When I reached out to the HOA of the building, they questioned why the lender need the said document. But, my relationship with the HOA helped us get it to the lender, and keep the closing on track! Whew…..disaster averted! One has to wonder if the “girl in our church” would of had that relationship to help get through a tight spot.

We had the pleasure of working with Jacob when he first moved to Atlanta from Boston in 2016. He found MyMidtownMojo.com and knew he wanted to live in Midtown Atlanta. His job in the medical field required extensive traveling, and the access to MARTA was also a major plus for him. He also had a unique requirement to find a condo home that would accommodate a family heirloom…a pool table that belonged to his father. Not all condos meet that requirement, but we found him the perfect space at Spire Midtown.

Fast forward a short two years to 2018, and a company promotion sent Jacob to Tampa. We again helped him sell his Midtown condo, at a great price, and Under Contract after just 6 days on the market!!

“Thom was great, his local knowledge helped me quickly find what I was looking for to buy, as well as sell a couple years later! When inventory is low, you need someone who will be responsive and timely to act on the market.”

Thanks for allowing us to help you Jacob!!

If you’d like to read more great reviews about our work with both Buyers and Sellers, please visit our Testimonial Page!

And we are ready to help YOU have an incredible real estate experience!

Citizens For Progressive Transit

Central Atlanta Progress launches Atlanta Downtown Website

Events in Atlanta Downtown

Living in Atlanta Downtown

Atlanta software company FullStory moves to Brookwood

Citizens For Progressive Transit

Thom Abbott

Palmer House Properties