16 Pros and Cons of Living in South Fulton, GA

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Below Atlanta. Both are a part of Fulton County.

South Fulton offers the attractions of Atlanta because the two are minutes apart.

However, it also offers residents a way of life that’s a bit less crowded and slower than you’ll find in downtown Atlanta.

Pros of Living in South Fulton

South Fulton GA has a lot to love.

The pros of living in South Fulton include:

• Fast Internet
• Diverse job opportunities
• Low risk of earthquakes and wildfires
• Lower Cost of Living
• Lower Housing Prices
• Cultural Activities
• Shopping
• Low unemployment rate
• Near large airport

1. Fast Internet

The average speed for Internet in South Fulton is 229.13, which is considered fast and adequate for most households.

89% of households in the area have a connection speed of at least 100 Mbps, according to the FCC.

2. Diverse Job Opportunities

South Fulton is a residential area, so there aren’t that many jobs in the immediate area.

The most common jobs in South Fulton are software engineer, project manager, and operations manager.

The largest employers are Home Depot, KPMG, and Delta Air Lines.

The average yearly salary is $74,000 a year, and the average hourly wage is $19.87 an hour.

The good news is that South Fulton is a suburb of Atlanta, which is a hub of industry.

No matter your career choice, you are likely to find plenty of job opportunities nearby.

3. Low Risk of Earthquakes and Wildfires

South Fulton has a low risk of earthquakes and wildfires.

In fact, there’s a .8% chance of a serious earthquake.

The area’s wildfire risk is 2 out of 10, which gives it a minor risk.

If you are concerned about these types of natural disasters, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t have much to worry about here.

4. Lower Cost of Living

South Fulton’s cost of living is surprisingly reasonable.

Overall, the cost is 5% lower than the national average.

The cost of living starts looking even better when you compare it to Atlanta.

Atlanta has a cost of living 9.4% higher than the national average, and 13% higher than the average in Georgia.

5. Lower Housing Prices

Housing prices in South Fulton are 16% lower than the national average.

This makes it a great place to buy a home if you can find one.

The medium home price in Atlanta is slightly higher than average for the nation.

6. Cultural Activities

South Fulton offers many cultural activities that you can enjoy.

The Fulton County Arts Council and the Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture work together to provide art and cultural events for residents.

They have arts centers that provide classes and events for many interests, including visual art, dance, music, theater, and multi-media. They also fund many public art projects.

You’ll find South Fulton Institute as well.

Their slogan is, “Where the Arts Intersect with Education and the Environment”.

The Institute was founded in 2005, with the goal of creating environmentally sustainable and deeply connected communities.

They also help to form community partnerships.

7. Shopping

There are lots of options for shopping in South Fulton.

One of the most interesting is Oasis International Market.

The market is very large and offers many types of food from around the world.

You’ll find fresh seafood, a wide range of produce, and specialty items that are difficult to find in standard stores.

Of course, there are plenty of shopping malls in South Fulton as well.

You can also check out the Mall of Georgia.

This is the largest mall in Georgia and one of the largest in the country.

This mall is about an hour’s drive away.

However, there are several malls nearby in Atlanta, so you’ll never run out of stores to shop till you drop.

8. Low Unemployment Rate

South Fulton has a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.5%.

This is slightly higher than the average for Georgia, which is 3.3%.

However, it’s lower than the average rate for the U.S., which is 3.8%.

South Fulton is projected to have strong growth as well.

The job market has increased by 2.9% in the last year.

Over the next decade, growth is projected to be 45.9%, which is significantly higher than the average of 33.5% for the U.S.

9. Good Schools

South Fulton is part of the Fulton County school district, which ranks as one of the best districts in Georgia in multiple areas.

It’s in the top 10% of schools in the state for Overall Rank, Math Proficiency, and Reading Proficiency.

Seven schools in the district ranked in the top 20 for best SAT scores as well.

The schools have a high minority population of 74%, with the majority being African American.

10. Near Airport

If you are a traveler, you’ll enjoy living near the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

It’s the busiest airport in the entire world, and arguably the best and largest in North America.

The airport is the largest employer in Georgia, providing jobs for 63,000 people.

You can travel to 150 domestic and 70 international destinations nonstop.

South Fulton is only minutes away from the airport, which can make travel easy.

In addition to traveling, you can stop by the airport for shopping, food, and art appreciation.

Cons of Living in South Fulton

Like any city, South Fulton has its fair share of downsides.

The cons of living in South Fulton include:

• High tax rates
• Lower average income
• Near airport
• High rent
• Hurricanes, severe storms
• Extreme temperatures
• High crime rate

1. High Tax Rates

Unfortunately, despite a reasonable cost of living, South Fulton, and Fulton County, have a high sales tax rate of 7.75%.

This is made up of a 4% Georgia state sales tax, and a 3.75% county sales tax.

The 3.75% includes a 3% county sales tax and a .75% district sales tax that is used to fund transportation, local attractions, and more.

The county rate of 3.75% is the maximum local sales tax allowed by Georgia law.

The sales tax rate is higher than the 70% of Georgia cities and counties.

It’s a bit high when compared to the national average, which is 7.3%.

The income tax rate is also higher than average. South Fulton has an income tax rate of 6%, compared to the 4.6% average for the U.S.

2. Lower Average Income

South Fulton has affluent neighborhoods.

However, the average income is lower than the average for the country.

The average income of a resident of South Fulton is only $21,164 a year, compared to $28,555 as the average for the U.S.

The median household income is also lower.

The average household income for South Fulton is $55,730.

The average for the U.S. is $69,021.

Lower incomes can affect the economy, crime rate, and job opportunities.

However, the economy of South Fulton continues to grow, and there are plenty of job opportunities as mentioned earlier.

3. Near Atalanta Airport

Sure, we’ve already mentioned this is a pro, but it can be considered a con as well.

The busy airport has flights at all hours.

If you are very near the airport, the noise from the planes can definitely be a con.

4. Higher Rent Costs

The striking thing about the high rent costs in South Fulton is that home prices are significantly less expensive than the national average, but rent is a bit more expensive.

The average rent for the U.S. is $1,470 a month.

The average rent cost in South Fulton is $1,519 a month.

This makes rent in South Fulton 3% more expensive than the national average.

Rent is also higher than average for Georgia, with one and two-bedroom apartments being much more expensive than is average for the state.

5. Severe Weather

South Fulton is at a significant risk of severe weather.

It’s susceptible to severe thunderstorms, with flooding being the biggest concern from storms.

In 2009, the area was hit very hard by flooding.

This resulted in 10 deaths and at least $500 million in damages in South Fulton and the surrounding area.

Severe storms can also bring tornadoes.

In fact, in 2008, Atlanta and the South Fulton area were damaged by a tornado.

In addition to thunderstorms, South Fulton is vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes.

Even though it’s not on the coast, it’s close enough to get hit by storms that form in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, including Hurricane Katrina.

6. Extreme Temperatures

In South Fulton, you can expect hot humid summers and wet chilly winters.

Temperatures can range from 28°F to 89°F  throughout the year.

It is very rare for temperatures to get below 13°F or above 95°F in the summer months.

If you enjoy hot subtropical summers and bitterly cold winters where the cold seeps into your bones, South Fulton is a great place to live.

Not ideal if you prefer things more moderate, however.

Pros and Cons of Living in South Fulton, GA – Summary Table

South Fulton Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: South Fulton Safety Review

Safety Index:

48

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM