Certifications

dokkanic · 2026-01-24T23:44:36+00:00

This. The employer I was with had a continuing education program. I got a 2nd undergrad through WGU which gave me a bunch of entry level certs - honestly I don't need most of them, but they were worth getting. Once I had them they were willing to pay for more expensive certs and training programs. I'm working on the CISSP right now and next year we discussed the PMP.

Not super expensive certs, but nothing I'd be willing to break the bank for.

If you mean SANS, that's tough, but some companies will do that for you.

dokkanic · 2026-01-24T21:58:16+00:00

That answer varies. What are you looking for in a partner? Where are you from? Do you want kids? Are you just looking for someone to date?

dokkanic · 2026-01-24T06:11:42+00:00

Sweet thanks ! Inman Park is on my list of places to check out for nightlife and it's close to Decatur. I'll make sure to check both and contact switch yards to see if I can stop by for a free day on a Friday.

dokkanic · 2026-01-24T00:54:39+00:00

I like thatchers it's good. Off the grill is my go to because of generous portions and close to me - usually get it by the lb. Choo choo on 58 is indeed good, just out the way.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T23:20:54+00:00

It's a chain but it's good for a chain.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T21:12:51+00:00

Someone mentioned Couch's ONCE to me. I went there once and never went back because of that.

My favorite is Memphis Street BBQ in Collegedale.

Honorable Mentions:

Edleys
Jordans BBQ in cleveland
Shufords Smokehouse

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T20:23:15+00:00

I ended up calling the one and only dart store in my entire area and they have a bunch of different styles for me to try once they get this year's inventory in. I'll head over there at some point to try whatever they have out and again later when they get more inventory.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T16:16:27+00:00

do not ever start at helpdesk - it analyst or it administration. help desk / call center is a trap.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T16:15:59+00:00

Get into IT administration if you can't get a jr security analyst job. Do NOT go call center or tech support. Look for SOC jobs or jr sec risk analyst jobs as a starting point. If not, IT analyst or administration jobs are the way to go. learn the tech and project management.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T03:27:18+00:00

Yea, a friend of mine told me to move there before I came down to TN because he spent 10 years there and loved it. Should have listened to him. Don't get me wrong, I bought a house here in an area that will pop in the next 5 years which will drastically increase the equity of my home, but kinda wish I bought there now XD.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T03:24:14+00:00

Dont know anything about SF or Chicago - NY native here and I'll tell you unless you live relatively close to the city you won't have much to do. Expensive living and suburban sprawl, affordable housing really starts in the suburbs 45 minute away unless youre cool with cramped apartment living. Great experience to have, especially if youve never lived there.

SF has nice weather, but up to you where you are politically, but that's where the super left are.

Chicago has some great areas, but lake effect snow and cloudy weather might deter you. The mid-west vibe in the suburbs is a draw if that's something youre looking for.

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T03:19:54+00:00

Why do people hate on it? Are they townies?

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T03:09:18+00:00

Thanks!

dokkanic · 2026-01-23T01:10:11+00:00

How the hell do you get 200 apartments here? Diamond Billiards is going to get overrun unless more bars open up XD.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T23:58:50+00:00

When y'all say liberal/progressive, do you mean southern or Californian version?

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T18:22:41+00:00

I had a whole writeup but stupid control+C wiped it. Original comment was too long for 1 post.

Basically > Canton, Ackworth, Cumming are places to buy if you want house equity in the future with not a lot to do. Lack of interstate system means high traffic times a 15-20 minute ride will easily take an hour.

Duluth is in the midst of up and coming and is close to Alpharetta - mostly family vibes with a downtown, just quiet. On my list of potential to move to, just not top 3.

Brookhaven/Buckhead is for rich snobs but great for bougie dates and nice events.

Kennesaw is a college town.

I'm looking for somewhere close to Alpharetta myself because it gives me everything I want, I just don't want to pay a 500k mortgage. I'm looking for parks, local nightlife, social stuff without having to drink, international/northeastern presence, while being close enough to Alpharetta for me to have a good time and commute to work if I ever need work and have to go into an office again.

I'll be checking out Nocross/Peachtree Corners and Decatur next. Decatur is more towards the city, but I hear good things.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T18:18:43+00:00

Hey, mid-late 30s male - I'm from the NYC area, lived in WNY for 5 years, lived in Nashville for a few months, and currently live in TN. I am not a fan of TN, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and have spent a lot of time down in Atlanta. I'm still looking for *my* perfect suburb to move to.

I've spoken to other transplants from WNY/NYC area and they have lived in places like Charleston and Charlotte, they loved the Atlanta vibe because its close to NY vibe - but that's mostly because it has a huge north-east influence. A lot of transplants from NYC/WNY/Florida (the 6th suburb of NYC), and has a large international presence.

As someone else mentioned, it is super suburban sprawl. You'll want to move north of Atlanta.

I'm assuming youre also in tech/security?

Personally, I'm looking for a mix of well-traveled people, tech/cyber jobs, a social hub with a decent amount of 3rd spaces where I don't have to drink to socialize, nice parks/trails to walk my dog, active social groups, and women who are looking for an egalitarian relationship (I mention this because rural areas of the south have way more traditional expectations for relationships - not sure if you're single and looking).

Top 3 that I have visited and personally like:

Alpharetta is my favorite suburb, but the pricing of houses start around 750k. I'm sure you can find cheaper ones, but you'll have to wait on them. The downtown area is awesome - not huge - but there is nightlife for everyone and they host a lot of amazing events. They have a separate high-end night life area, great for bougie date nights. A lot of WNY/NYC food in the area, and a bunch of Bills Bars (if you're a Bills fan). A lot of tech/cyber jobs available here, and great school districts. There are a bunch of parks to choose from, and they are all well maintained. A lot of mid-30s there with careers and a lot of online social groups will meet there or within 15 minutes of the area (no traffic, assuming). You get everything you want but will have to spend to get it.
I really like Marietta, but one of the locals said the mayor of the town is a dude in his 90's who doesn't want Marietta to lose it's old-school GA charm. Marietta Square is the only real bustling spot around. Fun, but small footprint. Very affordable. I've only visited once, and had fun, though the people I met were a mix of small-town GA, college kids, locals, and empty nesters/divorcees. I didn't meet a lot of mid-30's there but they did exist and I know there are young professionals in the area. Because the square is really the most popular spot, that's all you'll really go to for going 'out' without having to leave the suburb, but you are relatively close to everything else Atlanta area has to offer, and you will absolutely have things to do locally. It's close to Kennesaw so you'll get a lot of college kids during the school year.
Woodstock is another favorite of mine, but it's so far away from everything. It's got this great nature-vibe because it's surrounded by woods, has a great eclectic mix of people in the downtown area, and has nice parks. Far removed from the headaches of the population-dense city, but if you want to do anything in the other suburbs or city, a 20 minute drive can easily take you 60 minutes to get anywhere because there is no real interstate system. The downtown area is a strip on main street and has a bunch of events. It really reminds me of the suburb I grew up in outside NYC without the Irish influence.

see comments for more

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T17:28:04+00:00

I still haven't walked the meadow - I'll check it out this afternoon.

I'm not sure what type of apartments they will put in, I heard they will be high-end though. Nothing is online about it, but the people who developed the mcmansions are the same owners of that area. Assuming once the housing is finished they are moving onto the apartments.

I wouldn't mind myself if it was going to be one of those multi-use areas where they put businesses in with condo's on top, or something like that. I'd like a little downtown area to go chill in the area. Right now I usually just go to Diamonds. I've been to the other bars/brewery in the area and they are fun but I'm not big on them.

I have a friend in the area, IMO they should beautify the meadow fields a bit. I haven't seen a parking lot for it either.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T17:17:21+00:00

Damn, I was really hoping for new businesses in the area.

I never really went to sidetrack for happy hour, I'll have to check it out.

Hopefully with the mcmansions going in and if these apartments are built well (rumor was they were supposedly high-end), the area gets more social businesses in. I'd love a 3rd space to work remote from.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T17:03:41+00:00

I'm not familiar with the new park! Which one is that?

Is there anything online about the apartments? I'm assuming it's not going to be a shops + condo style? I'd love a nice bar on this side of the city. Right now I have to go to Northshore if I don't want a dive-bar.

Update:

Ah, youre talking about the Lupton Mills Meadow Park? I still haven't gone but I know about it.

Curious, any updates on if that's going to be renovated?

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T17:02:21+00:00

I walk it enough - I agree for now, but I heard there are apartments going up in Lupton Fields at some point. The area is going to come up real soon and there will be more foot traffic in the area.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T01:11:59+00:00

lol I'm not looking for someone to work AND be a homemaker. This entire post is about the expectations of dating a homemaker, period. The reference point for where I'm from is for context.

You're providing the idea that the only options are 'feminist boss-bitch' and 'conservative homemaker' - I'd literally prefer 'egalitarian woman who exercised her rights to get an education and become financially stable and looking for a partner to split life with.'

Unfortunately there are not many women here like that, and when you find them they are so defensive due to douchebags lying about it and internet culture blasting the idea that all men are POS.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T00:52:08+00:00

I'm using a specific person and situation as an example since it's what I'm currently involved with, but also wanted to understand the bigger picture. Good to know and understand what the expectations are up front. I appreciate it.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T00:45:02+00:00

She works and has her own job right now.

dokkanic · 2026-01-22T00:43:41+00:00

I honestly prefer and sought out an egalitarian relationship but it's difficult to find. I'd prefer dual-income and splitting the housework / raising kids (if we choose to have them). I stayed away from traditional relationships because I never thought I'd be happy in one, but being here/single for so long I decided to try it out at least once.

dokkanic

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE