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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Emma Hurt, Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Axios Atlanta

Data: U.S. Census American Community Survey; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

The pandemic shaved a few minutes off your drive to work.

What's happening: The average one-way commute in Atlanta was 2.9 minutes shorter in 2021 compared to 2019, per the latest U.S. Census data.

Why it matters: More people working from home and fewer people commuting by car reshaped the traditional back-and-forth.

Nearly 40% of workers in Atlanta primarily worked from home in 2021, according to the data.

Between the lines: Traffic congestion is down about 27% across major U.S. cities' downtowns compared to pre-pandemic levels, reports Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick.

Nationwide, the average one-way trip to work was two minutes shorter than in 2019, per the Census data.

What we're watching: For those who do go back in, flexible work arrangements make it easier to avoid rush hour and cut back on some of the stress around commuting, Adam Kamins, a senior director at research firm Moody’s Analytics, told Axios.

Go deeper: The number of people working remotely tripled during COVID 

Atlanta commutes get a little bit shorter

Traffic

The pandemic shaved a few minutes off your drive to work.What&#x27;s happening: The average one-way commute in Atlanta was 2.9 minutes shorter in 2021 compared to 2019, per the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/people-working-from-home.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiospm&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.73988241.2035717673.1665499575-amp-nRoaB8glk6WrcNozOf8Dpw" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/people-working-from-home.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiospm&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.73988241.2035717673.1665499575-amp-nRoaB8glk6WrcNozOf8Dpw" target="_blank">U.S. Census data</a>.

News

A total of 9,200 mixed-use apartments have been completed in Atlanta since 2012, per an analysis by RentCafe, a nationwide apartment-search website, Axios' Sami Sparber reports. 

Why it matters: Rental communities that include residential, office and retail space gained a foothold in the last decade, especially as the pandemic heightened renters' preference for having amenities nearby, the report says. 

What they found: 15% of the units built in Atlanta from 2012 to 2021 were mixed-use, per RentCafe — the 16th-highest share in the country. 

Zoom out: The number of apartments in "live-work-play" buildings nationwide has quadrupled from 10 years ago, from 10,000 completed in 2012 to 43,700 in 2021, according to Yardi Matrix data.

The bottom line: Blending different types of real estate is one way cities are evolving in the era of remote and hybrid work.

Atlanta a top city for live-work-play communities

Blending different types of real estate is one way cities are evolving in the era of remote and hybrid work.

Illustration of an office cubicle with a roof like a house.

Real estate

A total of 9,200 mixed-use apartments have been completed in Atlanta since 2012, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an analysis by RentCafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/live-work-play-developments/" data-vars-content-id="6889ffaa-5d91-430d-b2f4-c7d792cf13e6" data-vars-headline="Atlanta a top city for live-work-play communities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/live-work-play-developments/" target="_blank">an analysis by RentCafe</a>, a nationwide apartment-search website, Axios&#x27; Sami Sparber reports. Why it matters: Rental communities that include residential, office and retail space gained a foothold in the last decade, especially as the pandemic heightened renters&#x27; preference for having amenities nearby, the report says.

Did someone say rooftop? Enjoy a drink with a view at these spots while the weather is still lovely.

Why it matters: Lofty bars and restaurants are multiplying as new developments crop up across the city.

Details: This laid-back space serving Mexican cuisine is located upstairs at Beltline restaurant Bazanti.

Perks: Fresh squeezed margaritas — no reservations needed.

Address: 550 Somerset Terrace​ NE, Suite 102

Details: A lush bar and lounge at the Bellyard Hotel slinging colorful cocktails.

Go when: You want to get dressed up and take pictures under the lofted greenery.

A lush rooftop bar in front of Atlanta skyline

Greenery. Photo: Caleb Jones Photography, courtesy of the Bellyard Hotel

Details: Step back in time with a whiskey-based cocktail at this Midtown speakeasy and kitchen.

Menu: Level up your old fashioned with something from the impressive whiskey selection.

Gather with friends. Photo: Rachel Brockett, courtesy of Rowdy Tiger.

3 must-try rooftop bars in Atlanta

A rooftop terrace at night in front of Atlanta skyline

Skyline sights from Drawbar. Photo: Mark O'Tyson Photography, courtesy of the Bellyard Hotel

Did someone say rooftop? Enjoy a drink with a view at these spots while the weather is still lovely.Why it matters: Lofty bars and restaurants are multiplying as new developments crop up across the city.

Food and Drink

Things to Do

Dating can be expensive, but it doesn't HAVE to be. 

Whether you’re on a first date or 500th, here are some Atlanta ideas that'll cost you less than $25.

Catch a double-feature from your car at this old-school landmark. Find out what's playing and coming soon.

Details: Tickets allow admission for two movies on the same screen. Parking is first-come, first-served.

Take a romantic walk among the headstones, mausoleums and native landscaping at the city's oldest public park.

Cost: Free to visit, with ticketed tours offered throughout the year. Get the details.

Take a booze break and try Cultured South's rotating menu of kombucha, including CBD-infused options and a kombucha gelato float.

Best for: Those looking for affordable, alcohol-free fun.

Details: Check out our guide to patio season in Atlanta.

3 cheap Atlanta date ideas under $25

Photo courtesy of Historic Oakland Cemetery

Dating can be expensive, but it doesn&#x27;t HAVE to be. <ul><li>Whether you’re on a first date or 500th, here are some Atlanta ideas that&#x27;ll cost you less than $25.</li></ul>

Data: Point2Homes; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios Visuals

Atlanta renters earned 59% of the income they would need to afford a starter home in October, according to an analysis by real estate website Point2Homes.

Researchers considered "starter homes" properties valued in the lower one-third of all available homes for sale.

Why it matters: Higher mortgage rates and housing costs are keeping homeownership out of reach from many first-time buyers.

By the numbers: Renters in Atlanta earned a household income of $42,359 on average, while the income needed to cover a mortgage was $72,162, per the study.

In September, a typical Atlanta starter home cost $271,427, the study found, analyzing Zillow data.

Zoom out: Following October's interest rate hike, renter households in 15 of the 50 largest U.S. cities made less than half the income needed to buy one of the cheapest homes in town, per the analysis.

The big picture: Across the U.S., the share of first-time home buyers has shrunk to a record low, according to the National Association of Realtors. First-time buyers made up 26% of all buyers in 2022, down from 34% last year, the group found.

Go deeper: 3 reasons it's getting harder for renters to buy

Atlanta renters can't afford starter homes

Higher mortgage rates and housing costs are keeping homeownership out of reach from many first-time buyers.

Atlanta renters earned 59% of the income they would need to afford a starter home in October, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/starter-homes-where-to-find-them-entry-level-house-myth.html" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/starter-homes-where-to-find-them-entry-level-house-myth.html" target="_blank">analysis</a> by real estate website Point2Homes.<ul><li>Researchers considered &quot;starter homes&quot; properties valued in the lower one-third of all available homes for sale.</li></ul>

Sami Sparber

Featured stories

Atlanta renters can't afford starter homes

Atlanta commutes get a little bit shorter

Atlanta a top city for live-work-play communities

3 cheap Atlanta date ideas under $25

3 must-try rooftop bars in Atlanta