Going to be a FT analyst out of school. Don't have deep connections personally to either place.
I saw some other threads, but they might be a bit outdated and I know COVID impacted a lot of things. What are some of the pros and cons of each city? From COL, life as a young person out of school, driving/transportation, better for finance, more laid back culture?, etc. Any trends to be aware of in terms of becoming a higher COL spot?
Thank you
| +442 | Don’t work at UBS - UBS Sucks | 41 | 12h |
| +329 | Article - UBS’ Investment Bank Keeps Losing Ground | 41 | 5d |
| +201 | Should My Intern Get a Return Offer? | 56 | 40m |
| +64 | When to Leave Office as Intern | 8 | 6d |
| +56 | F*ck it I'm Going to Med School | 19 | 2d |
| +50 | Getting Laid in IB? | 27 | 51m |
| +49 | Would you rather be a Touse Squid or a Bouse Mogger in IB | 3 | 11h |
| +45 | Living in greenwich as an analyst? | 9 | 2h |
| +32 | STEM student lost in London IB recruiting | 19 | 8h |
| +27 | NYC Associate Budget | 9 | 21h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
b
b
bumped
Charlotte has a lot more finance jobs but Atlanta is a better city IMO.
Both are low cost compared to a northeast or west coast city. Both will allow you to have a car easily. Both have weekend activities outdoors if you want to leave the city.
Atlanta is a much larger city with more amenities, restaurants, cultural attractions, and entertainment. The two are not the same scale. Keep in mind Atlanta is more like three cities: downtown, midtown, buckhead. You would probably live in the latter two.
Interested
Atlanta native here. Can’t speak a whole lot about Charolette but I’ve been there a few times for interviews and sporting events in high school, but it seems nice.
Someone mentioned before that you’ll probably be living/working in Buckhead or Midtown, which is accurate. COL is relatively low compared to Northeastern cities. Housing costs will vary between $1300-1600 per month from what I’ve seen (for a nice apartment in a nice area. IMO I would stick to nicer areas as it can get sketchy real quick in some places.) I’m starting full time there this fall and will hopefully be able to max out both a Roth IRA and 401k with my base salary (probably will have to live a little more lean tho).
In terms of being better for finance, I might lean towards Charolette. Seems that there are more boutiques there and it’s a hub for BAML, WF, Regions, and Truist (I think that’s where BB&T was HQd before the merger). Atlanta has Truist (I think more of the IB is done in Atlanta for Truist), some regional coverage offices of other banks, and some boutiques. PE is growing from what I can tell as it seems more small shops are being created. Bigger shops in ATL include Roark Capital. Not super sure about how great the exit opps are for staying in Atlanta.
I’m a bit biased but I really like the culture in Atlanta. I think that it can be fitting to a lot of different people and you can definitely find a niche that you’re more comfortable in if that’s what you’re looking for. There are a ton of great spots in midtown and buckhead in terms of bars/social places. From my understanding, the majority of COVID restrictions have been lifted, but I’m not entirely sure.
------------------------
I would say it’s actually pretty easy to meet people and friends. Definitely more of a bro culture but people are nicer in the south than in the northeast and west coast
Atlanta native here. That is true since most people have been going to school together even before college, but the people here are generally nice. There are a lot of bars in the area and other amenities in the area so it won't be hard to find people. But if you want to get away from the cliquish vibes, Decatur is also a nice part. It kinda like the hippy side of Atlanta, more culturally immerse since there are more people from different backgrounds there. The issue is that kinda far from Buckhead, and Atlanta traffic is literally the worse
Charlotte is probably a more strategic career move because of the amount of banking jobs there, but Atlanta is definitely a more fun city. Charlotte can be a fun city as well, but its much smaller. Atlanta has a more big city feel in regards to the nightlife scene, where charlotte is very much a chill at a brewery vibe (with a few wild nights at the Roxbury).
-------------------------------
One of the the reasons I believe that’s the case is due to the the fact that WF and BAML pretty much clean house in terms of white-collar professional hiring.
You can see some data here:https://charlotteregion.com/clientuploads/Data/Major-Employers-Q218.pdf
The only comparable “firms” is the medical health system the public education system and Walmart. So if you consider downtown hiring it really is BAML or WF while the other firms people list are regional offices. What this means is if you work for BAML or WF invariably you are going to bump into a lot of coworkers/managers whenever you go out. So even if you are “out” you probably still have to act like you’re at work in some sense which contributes to the “tame” aspect mentioned in this thread. Compare that to Atlanta which is very much a city of diversified industries so the chance of going out to eat and seeing 20 of your coworkers seems unlikely (Certain major firms like Delta and Coca-Cola while big have many separate divisions and locations so it’s not equivalent to BAML or WF where everyone is in the same office). My hypothesis is unproven and I stand to be corrected in everything I’m saying .
In a sort of similar dilemma here.
Atlanta is a ghetto shithole. Charlotte is smaller but cleaner and with fewer disreputables
Go with Atlanta. I have interned/lived in both cities and Atlanta is significantly better in terms of career opportunities, nightlife, and stuff to do. Additionally, Atlanta has gotten significantly nicer/safer over the last few years.
Lenox mall begs to differ on your last point.
lol
aren't there way more finance ops in Charlotte?
Atlanta is a big ghetto and you see a lot of undesirable people
That is not true. Are there parts of the city that aren't pleasant, yes. But that is in every city across the world, especially Philly. So to call a city a giant ghetto is inaccurate.
Yes parts of Buckhead and O4W... the same parts of course that young professionals live close to...
Sure. There is literally no comparison between Philly and Atlanta. They are playing in different leagues, mate. Atlanta except buckhead and a few pockets of midtown is equivalent to west Philly
Never lived in either, but traveled to them and I'd much prefer Charlotte. It's significantly smaller, but the traffic isn't as bad, it seemed safer at night and housing was quite affordable. I never liked Atlanta and would consider Nashville or Tampa over it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes.
Grew up in metro Atlanta. The area is thriving. Charlotte has nothing on Atlanta, especially now that the Beltline area is so nice.
spent 5-6 years in each area, charlotte is much nicer
I'm from Atlanta, lived in Manhattan for 2 years and have been in Charlotte for nearly 5 years. Between Atlanta & Charlotte - Charlotte is a clear winner. Way easier to get around, sure its 'smaller' but more concentrated and a lot of finance career potential. Live in Southend or Montford & be walking distance from a bar - can't beat it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For sure - I was in Charlotte my first year out of school then went to NYC and came back. Charlotte is a really young city, a lot of the banks here have analyst programs and the areas I mentioned (Southend & Montford) are where most people in that world live. Think of the Charlotte bar scene like Buckhead in Atlanta. You don't have the other areas to go to but the good ones are always a great time. You have the mountains & the beach 2 / 2.5 hours in opposite directions and Lake Norman is ~30 minutes up the road if that's your thing. Moral of the story - you're choosing between two good options. Atlanta is larger but Charlotte is more concentrated 'young professionals' and you don't have a lot of the undesirable problems that come with Atlanta like traffic, crime, etc... and if you're a football guy - Panthers games are awesome - all the breweries & bars turn into big tailgates so you don't really have to go to the game
Atlanta for sure - I’ve lived in Charlotte for two years and been in Atlanta for two years now (originally from NYC). As most have commented, Charlotte is small, yet it does have finance opportunities with BofA and WF being a large presence there (I worked for BofA when I lived there). There are things to do if you’re into nightlife, bars, etc if you want more options Atlanta is the better choice. I live and work in Buckhead and it’s a really nice area.
Grew up in atlanta (disclaimer haven't lived there in over a decade but my parents still do, also on the older married with kids side) currently work in Charlotte.
From.a career optionality standpoint Charlotte, hands down, lot more options (wf hq, baml has a small Lev fin office, Piper, black arch, jefferies, relatively new but pretty sizeable william Blair office, and a few others I'm forgetting). That being said it may be a moot point as since you're young you may move to say NYC in a couple years. Atlanta has truist, and some satellite offices for jpm, baml and I know william Blair poached a few people as well. But obviously fewer finance jobs in atlanta.
Atlanta I would argue is the better city to live in, in terms of things to do. It's bigger which is both good and bad. More spread out and traffic is perpetually bad so people end up staying in their section of town, so for example, if you live in buckhead, you'll primarily go to the bars and restaurants in buckhead. But since it's bigger, Atlanta has a better food scene than Charlotte, more sports, more non stop flights, etc. You should have no trouble making friends in either city as they both have a ton of young professionals most of whom are not from the city do they won't ONLY want to hang with their old crowd. Both are great COL, .
Charlotte has Tobin & Company
/thread
I think Atlanta is a much cooler city but the finance jobs just arent there.
.
I think CLT has a lot more banking roles and buy-side too if I'm not mistaken
Not sure about career availability but I just think Atlanta is so much nicer than Charlotte
Charlotte is the obvious answer. Not sure why people are acting like Atlanta is so much bigger considering Charlotte has a higher population. Charlotte is the biggest finance city in the south east and has some cool night life. Atlanta is cool too though.
Itaque dignissimos et molestiae consequatur quisquam. Minima et expedita in perferendis inventore voluptas voluptatibus. Et ut repudiandae ratione quidem pariatur. Velit quibusdam quaerat impedit nihil. Quo sit quibusdam veniam. Sint ad pariatur labore.
Officia vel est a quo itaque sequi. Quia quos perferendis rerum tenetur natus. Iure dicta pariatur ratione accusamus. Nobis distinctio voluptatem quia non.
Nihil minus sed qui modi vel quas id. Enim suscipit eaque quia molestiae nemo expedita minima voluptas. Beatae est aut voluptas aperiam eos atque numquam. Culpa id illum adipisci et laudantium dolorum rem assumenda.
Qui officia dolor consequuntur occaecati. Omnis ratione aut quas nisi non. Consequatur culpa quibusdam est. Cupiditate repellendus in iste nobis qui voluptate. Eum sint consequatur autem molestiae sint.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Odio ab minima non asperiores beatae. Mollitia quia porro accusantium sit. Alias ab ea dolorem modi vitae. Quas eos maiores voluptas alias et nemo aliquam. Suscipit est ut occaecati rerum. Error debitis qui voluptatem ducimus.
Quam suscipit sed ut maxime optio harum rerum. Omnis reiciendis porro fugit excepturi quas consequatur repellat earum. In et beatae quo voluptate ut illum vel nihil. Dolorem iste libero provident omnis.
Et repellat sapiente et est nemo. Qui at sed laboriosam commodi deleniti. Ipsum cum quo eaque eligendi adipisci dolores sunt et.
Est deleniti exercitationem cum ex soluta consequuntur. Repudiandae et voluptas et eligendi ut incidunt sit. Dolores fuga debitis expedita atque quod ab earum aliquam.
Amet ea alias doloribus odit est necessitatibus. Aut vero animi sit et magni est. Minus sequi et quia expedita.
Aspernatur a rerum quis ullam alias. Velit voluptatum adipisci accusantium fugit aut. Non tempora sed aliquid animi. Mollitia voluptatem fuga tempore quibusdam quis. Consequuntur cum et sed corrupti occaecati.
Maiores aliquam corporis dolores quis illum consequatur quis. Est aliquid laborum sed dicta id. Et dignissimos nihil autem eum quasi aut debitis.