Brian said:
Cental, in responding to your post #12.
From your post, Atlanta would be the place for you. But what I'd suggest is that you spend few days around in ATL.
ATL has for years been very popular with young people for various things/reasons like cultures, education, jobs, music, urban life, milder winter, affordable housing, and other opportunities that aren't offered/available in their states/hometowns. I read somewhere that somewhere like 78 percent of residents are from elsewhere.
The freeways here are usually very bad. But comparing our mass transit systems to Memphis and Nashville's, ATL's is far better and easy to get around. One could even live in urbanized areas (like Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton and some other counties) not have to drive at all and hop on the public and commuter buses to the subway stations in downtown/midtown ATL to many places in Fulton, DeKalb and northern Clayton (airport) counties and even hop on other buses to other counties. Two of GPC's DeKalb County (Clarkston and Decatur) campuses are either on or near the subway lines.
When it comes to deaf people, you have more opportunities in ATL meeting deaf people, learning signs (ASL) and about deaf culture. In ATL, you can go to deaf social/events every week (Fridays and Saturdays) at different locations. while in MEM and NAS, the social/events are usually held once every month or even months I think depending on people's interests.
Speaking of Chattanooga, that town has always been my favourite city in Tenn. I was born in Athens (Tenn) that is now part of the metro area - but lived in Loudon County (near Knoxville) most of my life. Should I move back to that state, Nooga is the one for me.
I apologize for a very long post.
No apology necessary. I really appreciate all the input. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Employment and residency are my 2 biggest worries. I've heard Atlanta has a notoriously higher standard of living when compared to Memphis. I've skimmed through some apartment sites, and couldn't see enough to make a fair judgement. I've searched through job sites several times, and nothing has really hit me as a possilbility. Although with as large as it is, I'm sure there are plenty, I just haven't found them yet. I was interested in seeing about doing relay for AT&T down there, but as it turns out, their call center is located in Augusta, not Atlanta, as I was lead to believe. I'm looking mostly into customer service/call center jobs, since that is what I have experience with. But worse comes to worse, I can always get a job with UPS (whom I've previously worked for, and spent a few months as a supervisor), Fed Ex, or possibly even DHL (whom I hear pays really well).
The past couple of times I've been in Atlanta the interstates haven't been to bad, and it was right in the middle of rush hour, that I came in. Memphis has a fairly simple interstate system compared to Atlanta, and Nashville's seems tame even when compared to Atlanta. I-85, I-75, I-285, I-20, 575. I've driven it several times and I am still confused. Especially along I-85 and 75. I've taken a couple of days this summer to visit Atlanta, but I mostly stayed in the Northern area, along North Ave. And a few attractions along I-85. The couple of times I've gotten lost around Northest, in Dekalb were terrible. I thought I would never find my way back to my hotel.
As far as the deaf community in Atlanta, I'm sure there is alot more to be involved then when compared to here in Memphis. I've never even heard of any local meetings, clubs, get togethers, or anything for Memphis. Atlanta, being a much bigger city, it would not surprise me one bit, and I already know several of the people who posts on here that are from Atlanta. I just enrolled in the first of four classes that are being offered here in Memphis, so hopefully, I'll know some basic conversational ASL, by then. Up until now, I've been teaching myself through books and websites.
And, on your affinity for Chattanooga, great minds think like.
Perhaps the most pleasant, peaceful city around here in the south.
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