Alex Pearlstein

<p>Metro Atlanta ranked as the second costliest area to live in the U.S. for working families after the region's sky-high transportation costs were considered along with housing costs.</p>

<p>Assaults and property crimes are also up in 2006, according to recently released FBI data. City officials are hoping the increase is a one-time occurrence, and not a trend that could endanger its ongoing urban revitalization efforts.</p>

<p>Transportation Secretary Peters and the head of Georgia's Dept. of Transportation chatted about grandchildren during a recent visit, but forgot to discuss the region's stalled commuter rail project.</p>

<p>In their annual trip to cities that work better than theirs does, Atlanta leaders visit Vancouver to see first-hand the benefits of density, transit and regional planning.</p>

<p>Though not mentioned in this article, a Hope VI-funded revitalization of Atlanta's Carver Homes housing project led to the development of a school which is now being considered as a city-wide model.</p>