Atlanta is the Nation's Hottest Relocation Market

Spring and all her beautiful flowers have announced their arrival here in metro Atlanta, but many parts of the country are still in the midst of a long, cold winter. Which probably helps explain why, for the fifth year in a row, Atlanta is ranked #1 on Penske Truck Rental’s Top Moving Destinations List.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the State of Georgia do a fantastic job enticing companies to relocate here, but let’s face it – one of our biggest advocates is Mother Nature herself. Four distinct seasons and delightfully minimal snowfall make ours a region many would love to call home. And so they do, seemingly in droves. According to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, from 2000 to 2012 the population of metro Atlanta grew by 1.1 million people – a whopping 26% increase in 12 years.

The start of this growth can be traced back to the 1996 Summer Olympics, which brought Atlanta international attention. While we were already a prominent player in the South, the Olympics turned us into a truly global city. Companies that previously might not have even considered Atlanta suddenly had us on their radar. And they liked what they saw.

In just the past few years, we’ve seen numerous major employers move into the Atlanta area, including State Farm, General Motors, Athena Health, PulteGroup, Carter’s children’s apparel, Prince Global Sports, Mando automotive parts…the list goes on and on. Atlanta has also become a hub for the entertainment industry. Known as the “Hollywood of the South,” Atlanta is now headquarters to many production studios and is the filming location of choice for an ever-growing number of major movies and television shows. Even our music industry – always thriving – continues to expand its reach and impact.

So, aside from our (mostly) glorious weather, what is it about Atlanta that attracts such a diverse variety and large number of corporations to locate here? Businesses typically receive tax benefits for coming here, of course, but they also choose us for our incredible ability to attract and retain a high-quality workforce.

Atlanta is home to a very educated workforce – one of the top 20 in the nation, according to a 2014 study by WalletHub. With more than 60 institutions of higher learning in the metro area and a student base exceeding 275,000, our region attracts some of the best and brightest minds in the country. In fact, a 2014 study by NerdWallet named Atlanta one of the top-10 cities for college graduates. Our talent pool here is deep, and businesses are paying attention.

Additionally, the Atlanta metro area enjoys a relatively low cost of living. Primary budget items like housing, clothing, food and gasoline are less expensive here than in many other parts of the country. A 2013 study by The Council for Community and Economic Research found the cost of living index for Atlanta averaged 95.3, compared to the national average of 100. Being able to offer employees that sort of financial incentive along with our desirable quality of life is an important decision-making factor for companies looking to relocate.

Finally, Atlanta offers a fantastic variety of cultural and recreational activities. A world-class symphony, ballet, opera, and theaters plus numerous renowned museums provide countless opportunities to experience the arts. And sports-lovers rejoice at the many ways to watch and participate in every type and level of action. Whether it’s attending a professional or college game or getting outside on a field or course to play, residents of Atlanta are able to enjoy sports all year round.

All of this results in a sizeable influx of new residents to the area – it’s getting harder and harder to find a native Atlantan. So who, exactly, are all these new people? According to our relocation team at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, people coming here through a corporate move tend to be between 36-43 years old, married, with families. Our region gives them a wealth of options for homes and neighborhoods, schools, sports and recreation, and lifestyles. And the lower cost of living means they can generally afford more or better housing than they had before – Interest.com’s 2014 Home Affordability Study ranked Atlanta number two on its list of U.S. cities with the most affordable housing.

It’s not just corporate relocation that brings people here, though. The same things that make Atlanta such an attractive option for CEOs and their staff make the region appealing to individuals seeking a change, too. Baby boomers who want to put down the snow shovel without giving up their big-city amenities, arts and culture are finding new homes in our city’s great variety of townhome, condominium and loft developments. And post-college millennials looking to launch their careers are discovering that our low housing costs mean they can finally afford to move out of mom and dad’s house and into a place of their own.

All of this makes for an active and exciting real estate market in metro Atlanta. Just like the weather, it can change in an instant, but there don’t seem to be many dark clouds on the horizon.