Not long after Maj. General William Tecumseh Sherman and the Union army left Atlanta in flames on November 15, 1864 en route to Savannah, Georgia’s crown jewel has been a popular destination for non-southern visitors. Today Atlanta can easily be considered one of the country’s best places to live (despite the well publicized horrid traffic), here are 10 of the best reasons to live in the ATL.

1) Colleges and Universities

Atlanta houses some of the country’s – and in regards to certain school’s, the world’s – best colleges and universities. Atlanta is home to the world renowned Emory University and Emory University School of Law. Within the city limits also lies the Georgia Institute of Technology (aka Georgia Tech), Morehouse College, Spelman College, Oglethorpe University, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University and its law school, John Marshall Law School as well as the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and the Atlanta School of Massage, if you’re in to that sort of thing.

2) Diversity of Population

With all due respect to Butte, Montana and Salt Lake City, Utah, Atlanta has one of the country’s most equally diverse living and working situations. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta’s population was broken down as follows: 50 percent black, 38 percent white. Easily the closest one can come to finding a major American city that’s as black as it is white.

3) Suburban Urban Locals

Living in Atlanta can be mean that you live in neighborhoods like Kirkwood and Buckhead or cities as far away as Jonesboro and Marietta, while still residing in the metro Atlanta-area. Atlanta is made up of beautiful locales that are within a short drive or public transportation trip to the downtown shopping areas like Five Points, Little Five Points (yes, there’s a difference) Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza to name a few places. With major highways (I-85, I-75, I-20 and I-285) accessible from all over the city, you can come in and out of the heart of the city without much problem (I did mention that whole traffic thing, right?).

4) Restaurants

The entire southern region of this country is known for its soul food and comfort foods, that said Atlanta should be considered the chairman of the board with its plethora of award winning eateries. With the city’s recent population explosion – according to a 2015 Atlanta Business Chronicle story by Ellie Hensley, citing a study by Atlanta Regional Commission, from April 1, 2014 - April 1, 2015 Atlanta grew by 60,300 residents – the food here has gone through a metamorphosis from soul food to international delights. From Korean and Vietnamese to Indian and Mexican, Atlanta has dining choices for all of its new and old residents.

5) Professional and Collegiate Sports

For those of us that make it a priority to have some sort of professional or college sport as a part of our daily routine, Atlanta has that covered in spades. The Atlanta Hawks, Braves and Falcons (far and away the city’s favorite) all play downtown and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Georgia State Panthers both participate in Division 1 basketball, football and baseball. Morehouse and Spelman, both field competitive track and field teams as well. If sports are your thing (and they most certainly are mine) then Atlanta has your fix covered all year long.

6) Weather

Beyond never experiencing an earthquake (there was one close by, in Charleston, South Carolina in 1886), Atlanta’s weather is a reason to live here. According to usclimatedata.com Atlanta’s average temperature is 61.4 F, its average low is 52.5 degrees F and high is 70.3 degrees F. Take that Arizona and Colorado.

7) Reality Television Opportunities

To some the explosion of reality television shows popping up all over the country may seem like a distraction and maybe even a nuisance but to the many actors and actresses, not to mention producers, stagehands, make-up artist, showrunners and writers, the city of Atlanta has opened up a whole new world far, far away from the typical Hollywood and New York City path. If acting isn’t your chosen profession there’s still a chance you can find yourself signing a waiver while enjoying dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants during an impromptu reality shoot.

8) Cost of Living

Simple math: According to the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index on numbeo.com you’ll need $7,300 per month to live in New York City compared to $4,176.40 to live in Atlanta in a comparable quarters. I’ll just let that sit with you for a while.

9) Hospitals

For one reason or another at some point in our lives we will need the services of a hospital and the medical professionals the work within. Atlanta has some of the country’s best medical facilities inside of the metro city limits. Emory University Hospital is ranked nationally in 12 adult specialties according to usnews.com. Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta Medical Center, Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kennestone Hospital (Marietta), Atlanta VA Medical Center and Southern Regional Medical Center (Riverdale) are all easily accessible. Both the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and the Piedmont Cancer Center are amongst the top ranked cancer treatment centers in the country, if not in the world.

10) Employment

From the country’s busiest domestic and international Airport, Hartsfield Jackson International , to the numerous hospitals, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, Atlanta is amongst the best cities in America for job opportunities according glassdoor.com. The site has Atlanta ranked 17 on their 25 best cities for jobs list.

So what do you think? Are you ready to move to Atlanta? Leave your thoughts in the comments.