A co-worker recently asked me what differences I have noticed between “ITP" and "OTP” now that I have been living ITP for a while now. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these terms (I was until a few months ago), she was asking me what differences I have noticed about living “inside the perimeter” of Atlanta verses living outside of it.
I have noticed a few things, such as:
- Parking. I park in parking decks everywhere ITP – Walmart, our apartment, you name it. OTP, I hardly ever used parking decks.
- Restaurants. OTP I went to chain restaurants 95% of the time. I didn’t trust most non-chain restaurants there! ITP, I never eat at chains. There aren’t many here – plus, there are so many fun non-chain restaurants that we want to try!
- Friendliness. People ITP are not as friendly as people OTP (okay, there are exceptions to this rule both ways, but it’s a general observation.)
- Diversity. People are much more diverse ITP – in socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, and many other ways - with one exception: age. I saw more elderly people OTP.
There are pros and cons to most of these things – I could argue both sides on many of these issues. Just observations I found interesting. I will say this: I had some definite misconceptions about what life ITP would be like, and I have been pleasantly surprised that they were just that - misconceptions. For example, I thought that ITP, there were hardly any trees or yards. However, John and I have stumbled upon some great yards and quiet, serene roads that seem just like neighborhoods I could have found OTP.
I also won’t say that living one place is “better” than living another. I think both have their advantages and disadvantages.
That’s all for now – just quick observations as I sit on my balcony overlooking Peachtree Road and see a MARTA train pass by! I never thought I would say this, but John and I have both really enjoyed our balcony and found it to be a very peaceful place for reading, thinking and conversations. I never thought I would live anywhere NEAR Peachtree Road or a MARTA track, much less think that a place like that could be peaceful, but never say never! God works in mysterious ways and knows us better than we know ourselves. Enjoy your evening, wherever you are!
I have noticed a few things, such as:
- Parking. I park in parking decks everywhere ITP – Walmart, our apartment, you name it. OTP, I hardly ever used parking decks.
- Restaurants. OTP I went to chain restaurants 95% of the time. I didn’t trust most non-chain restaurants there! ITP, I never eat at chains. There aren’t many here – plus, there are so many fun non-chain restaurants that we want to try!
- Friendliness. People ITP are not as friendly as people OTP (okay, there are exceptions to this rule both ways, but it’s a general observation.)
- Diversity. People are much more diverse ITP – in socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, and many other ways - with one exception: age. I saw more elderly people OTP.
There are pros and cons to most of these things – I could argue both sides on many of these issues. Just observations I found interesting. I will say this: I had some definite misconceptions about what life ITP would be like, and I have been pleasantly surprised that they were just that - misconceptions. For example, I thought that ITP, there were hardly any trees or yards. However, John and I have stumbled upon some great yards and quiet, serene roads that seem just like neighborhoods I could have found OTP.
I also won’t say that living one place is “better” than living another. I think both have their advantages and disadvantages.
That’s all for now – just quick observations as I sit on my balcony overlooking Peachtree Road and see a MARTA train pass by! I never thought I would say this, but John and I have both really enjoyed our balcony and found it to be a very peaceful place for reading, thinking and conversations. I never thought I would live anywhere NEAR Peachtree Road or a MARTA track, much less think that a place like that could be peaceful, but never say never! God works in mysterious ways and knows us better than we know ourselves. Enjoy your evening, wherever you are!
Leigh, I hope the old people you are referring to that live OTP don't include me!
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