I’ve been telling friends, family, and founders for years that Atlanta is special and near a tipping point. Side note: My pitch helped convince a close friend and family members to move here this year. It’s a major metropolitan city, but it’s built differently. It’s a place that people don’t want to just pass through to experience. They want to call it home because it offers the opportunity to pursue professional excellence in various industries and an amazing quality of life. Lots of big cities offer one of those benefits, but few offer both. Atlanta does, plus other good qualities, which makes it unique.

I’ve been a believer for many years that Atlanta is where the puck is headed. Most people don’t realize how great the city is. I’ve long believed that when word got out about the city’s greatness, it would go from being a metro city to what I call a tier-one major metro. That transition would put the city in a different stratosphere and able to compete as a destination with other tier-one major metros. I think of tier-one major metros as cities that are known outside the US as the undisputed capitals of their regions. Think New York City for the Northeast, Chicago for the Midwest, Los Angeles for the West. The Southeast has a few great cities, but not an undisputed capital, especially when you ask people outside the country.

The word is starting to get out now. Money magazine just ranked Atlanta as the best place to live in the U.S. My favorite lines from the article:

“No matter what kind of person you are, Atlanta is a place where you can feel at home. And, just as important, it’s also a place where you can find a job.”

Atlanta is a great (not perfect) city. It’s had a huge influence on culture in so many ways over so many years. I’m happy the city is getting the credit it deserves and thankful Money magazine took the time to really get to know what the city has to offer. I’m proud to live here. I look forward to helping the city move forward and can’t wait to see what’s in store!