What makes the Cities LIVABLE?

Based on my fieldwork this week, I found various factors that contribute to the quality of life for residents in this area. Some of these factors I encounter every day. However, upon closer observation, the communities are not perfect as I have observed some challenges that may negatively impact the quality of life for residents as well.

A Great Place to Live

Affordable Housing

As someone who is actively looking for a new apartment, it has caught my attention that the county has a variety of housing options that are all fairly affordable for people of various income levels. I found so many high-quality studios, condos, family homes, and even historic mansions in the Marietta, Vinings, and Smyrna areas.

Great Schools

With individual school grades ranging between A+ and C+ and majority of which being A, A-, B, and B+, it is clear from the data that Cobb County is doing well. However, it brings to my attention, why are the A-grade schools concentrated in the northern part of the country while B-grade schools dominate the southern half? Is the lower part of Cobb County less livable than the upper part?

It so turns out that South Cobb has greater economic, social, and infrastructure challenges than other areas of Cobb County. South Cobb has some of the highest poverty rates in the county--economic disparity that limits residents' access to resources like quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities (GCN, 2020). I drove around the South Cobb area and I noticed that the place was plagued with old shops, cracked roads, insufferable traffic, and a lack of green spaces.

Even so, this is something I am certain of - Cobb County has some of the best schools in the state of Georgia. We have a handful of high schools supporting a Magnet Program for advanced education such as Wheeler High School. This attracts families, making it important that the city accommodates for the needs that all families have - which they do. For instance, Cobb County has a food drive for families in need. This service has been provided since the COVID-19 pandemic, but donators have helped to continue funding the program - a great way to support others in the community who may not have all that they need.

On a separate note, East Cobb Middle School coordinated a spring dance for their students recently. Even though, I didn't go and chaperone or anything, I've heard that the students had a blast. Another way to create a sense of community for kids.

Green Spaces

In all my time living in Marietta, I have not experienced air pollution and based on what I've observed in the area, there are a lot of parks, trees, recreational areas, and protected lands.

I walked on the Silver Comet Trail one weekend and it really defined livability for me. The trail is basically a large sidewalk with trees, grass, rocks, animals, and even ponds on either side. The trail is located behind high-end subdivisions, residential communities and apartment complexes, making it easy for residents to access the trail. What I really loved though, was the integrated bridges where you can hear the faint sounds of cars and trucks above you, but it's still quiet enough in the area that you can hear the wind and the birds too. Smyrna did an amazing job with combining residencies, nature, and commercial traveling supporting active lifestyles and making the area extremely efficient and livable.

Strong Economy

The presence of major companies and the Atlanta Braves' stadium, Truist Park (which so happens to be 3 minutes from where I live), contribute to a thriving local economy in the area.

Community events held in areas like the Cobb Civic Center also have a lot to do with the strong economy, sense of community, and cultural engagement.

Historic Charm

The historic area of Marietta Square provides a vibrant public space with shops, restaurants, and community events (e.g., farmers markets, art festivals, and live performances), enhancing the city's charm and walkability. The Marietta Museum of History and the Gone with the Wind Museum are located nearby, ensuring that visitors can engage with the area's Civil War-era history and its broader significance in Southern history.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is another popular site in the county. It preserves key Civil War battles fought during Sherman's Atlanta campaign. The park serves multiple purposes, the most popular being a reminder of the sacrifices made during the war and as a park that offers hiking trails and beautiful views from the top of Kennesaw Mountain. It's a place where outdoor enthusiasts and history nerds meet.

Diverse Communities

It doesn't seem to matter what part of Cobb County you go to, all of the cities have a high level of diversity. You can see it everywhere, even at the grocery stores. People of all different backgrounds thrive in this county. The high diversity makes it easy for people to "fit in" and feel like they belong, increasing the overall sense of livability.

Not the Most Livable Place

Despite all of the aspects of the Cobb County Cities that make the area livable, I've encountered some flaws as well.

There are talks of gentrification by the government to displace low income and minority residents in the city of Marietta. Even though housing is affordable by at least middle-income earners in the area, low- and working- class individuals in more poverty-stricken areas of the county (such as South Cobb) are struggling to pay for housing, with some paying as high as 65% of their income (GCN, 2020). As someone who has lived in Marietta for over 20 years, I agree that the government is partially to blame for this. Governments create environments where high-income earners can thrive with nice shops, new houses, safe communities by setting high prices, causing lower-income earners to find not-as-livable areas, that are often unsafe, to live in. Economic prosperity has been pushing away poverty, not solving it.

References

Georgia Center for Nonprofits [GCN]. (2020). Cobb Human Services Needs Assessment and Asset Mapping. Cobb Community Foundation. https://cobbfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Cobb-Human-Services-Needs-Assessment-and-Asset-Mapping-REPORT-1.pdf

Niche. (n.d.). Cobb County Schools - Georgia. https://www.niche.com/k12/d/cobb-county-schools-ga/

US News. (n.d.). Cobb County School District. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/georgia/districts/cobb-county-106759