Want to live and work in Georgia?

Georgia has a cost of living below the US average, making it an attractive destination for people coming from the Northeast or West Coast. A one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta ranges from $1,500 to $2,200 depending on the neighborhood. In mid-sized cities (Athens, Augusta, Savannah), between $1,000 and $1,500.

Groceries and restaurants are accessible. A meal at a casual restaurant costs $12-$22. Gas and electricity are at or slightly below the national average. State income tax exists and is moderate (around 5.49%).

State sales tax is 4%, but with local additions it can reach 8% in some cities. Property tax is among the lowest in the Southeast. All things considered, Georgia is a great state for those who want space, a house with a yard, and controlled expenses, especially compared to New York, California, or Massachusetts.

Atlanta is home to some of the largest US companies: Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, UPS, CNN/WarnerMedia, Chick-fil-A, and Newell Brands. Hartsfield-Jackson airport is the world's busiest, and UPS operates its main logistics hub there. This generates jobs in logistics, transportation, and airport support.

The film industry has exploded in the last 15 years. Atlanta has been nicknamed Hollywood of the South, with Tyler Perry Studios, Pinewood Atlanta, and productions from Marvel, Netflix, and HBO. Rapid growth in technical production, acting, and post-production jobs.

Technology and fintech are growing in Midtown and Buckhead, with companies like NCR, Mailchimp (sold to Intuit), and various startups. Healthcare is a big sector, with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) headquartered in Atlanta. Universities like Georgia Tech, Emory, and UGA employ thousands.

The Atlanta metro area has first-rate hospitals. Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Grady Memorial are among the best in the Southeast. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is also headquartered here, a global public health reference.

The model is the American standard: employer-sponsored health insurance, no universal coverage. Family premiums run about $1,300-$1,700, with the employer paying part. Low-income families may qualify for Georgia's Medicaid, but the state has more restrictive criteria than many states (it did not expand Medicaid under the ACA).

The big problem is the rural interior: many counties have a doctor shortage, hospitals closing, and long distances to specialized care. For immigrants in Atlanta, there are Brazilian and Hispanic doctors who see patients in Portuguese and Spanish, especially in Marietta, Norcross, and Doraville. Community clinics serve those without insurance.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) is the world's busiest airport by passenger count. It is a global hub for Delta Airlines, with direct flights to Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, including direct service to Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) and Rio de Janeiro. Savannah (SAV) also has an airport, but with domestic flights only.

Within Atlanta, the MARTA system combines rail (four lines) and buses, but the network is limited and mainly covers downtown. For most residents, especially in the suburbs, a car is essential. Rush-hour traffic in Atlanta is among the worst in the US, with the I-285 (perimeter highway) heavily congested in the morning and afternoon.

For intercity travel, Amtrak passes through Atlanta (Crescent Line, connecting New Orleans to New York) but is seldom used. Interstate bus services (Greyhound, FlixBus) cover routes to Florida, Charlotte, and Nashville. Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous in Atlanta.

Atlanta was the world capital of hip-hop in the 2000s and 2010s, with artists like OutKast, Future, Migos, T.I., Ludacris, and Lil Baby hailing from the city. The LaFace record label, founded there, launched Toni Braxton and TLC. In Athens, the tradition is alternative rock: R.E.M. and the B-52's were born there. The music scene is central to the state's identity.

Southern food dominates: fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, biscuits and gravy. Atlanta has a diverse food scene: Peruvian, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Brazilian (churrascarias and bakeries) are all present. In Savannah, coastal food (shrimp, oysters, grits) reigns.

Savannah is one of the most beautiful historic cities in the US, with shaded squares and colonial architecture. The Masters golf tournament in Augusta takes place every April. Atlanta has a good theater scene (Fox Theatre), live music, museums (High Museum, Civil Rights Museum), and sports (Braves, Falcons, Hawks).

Georgia has around 1.1 million residents born outside the country, close to 10% of the population, and the fastest growth has happened in the last two decades. Mexicans form the largest group, concentrated in Norcross, Lawrenceville, and Doraville, inside Gwinnett County, with a strong presence in construction and food service. Indians have their own corridor in Suwanee and Johns Creek, tied to tech services, and the Hindu Temple of Atlanta is one of the largest in the Southeast. Koreans dominate Duluth, with supermarkets, churches, and schools in hangul, and form one of the largest Korean communities between New York and California. Vietnamese, Ethiopians, Somalis, Burmese, and Bhutanese fill Clarkston, known as the most diverse square mile in the United States and a historic refugee resettlement hub.

Atlanta hosts the consulate-general of Mexico, the consulate of India, the consulate of South Korea, the consulate of El Salvador, and the consulate of Vietnam. The Latin American Association, in Atlanta, is the largest Hispanic organization in the state, with English classes, immigration services, and workforce training. The Coalition of Refugee Services Agencies coordinates resettlement organizations in Clarkston and DeKalb. GALEO works on civil rights and Latino political participation. Catholic Charities Atlanta provides immigration legal services, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta advocates for Asian communities.