Where It All Goes Down
Atlanta and Surrounding Area
Just Peachy
Although The Walking Dead takes place in Atlanta and nearby areas, it could be any city, anywhere in the United States. Rick lives in a fairly rural area, so there are fewer zombies there. Most people have fled to the cities because the government told them they'd be safer there.
That was a bad idea. When Rick arrives in Atlanta, it's overrun by thousands, if not millions, of zombies. In order for Rick to get to Atlanta, he has to travel the highways. There are abandoned cars scattered across the road, and gas stations are out of fuel, and they're probably like that all over the country at this time. The picture's one of complete desolation.
Being set in Atlanta does give us the irony of the "Welcome to Georgia" sign which says "Southern Hospitality" (148) below it. Nothing says Southern hospitality like getting your face chewed off. We thought this was Georgia, not Florida! The irony is that the official "Welcome to Georgia" sign doesn't even say "Southern Hospitality" in real life. One of them actually says "State of Adventure," which we think would be even better for the symbolism of this story.