Atlanta Relocation
 

This seems to be the best site for getting inside information on Atlanta neighborhoods. I've done a lot of searching and it seems like most areas outside 285 are out of the question due to traffic since the job is in downtown Atlanta. So, where can I find a 2500 sq. ft home in the $400-500 range in a nice neighborhood with lots of families and good schools all inside 285? A little yard would be necessary for kids to play and some trees for a little privacy. I've seen some potential in Dunwoody (even though it is outside 285) since it is on the rail system. Does anyone know what travel time is like on marta from Dunwoody to downtown? Any info is greatly appreciated.

vmcenroe-

Welcome to the city of transplants! For 400K I think you'll have many neighborhoods/areas to choose from so it all depends on what you are looking for. Closest to downtown, you have Midtown and Buckhead, in Fulton county. They have a combonation of apartments, condos and expensive houses, but it also a very busy area with the large number of high-rises/offices, museums, restaurants, bars, clubs, and horrible traffic. I've also heard Fulton co. has some of the highest property taxes in ATL, and worst schools.

Outside of the city, I would suggest looking north-east in Vinnings, Smyrna, and Marietta. They are in Cobb county, and would probably be about 30 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic. Lots of cute areas, shopping, restaurants, etc.

West on I-20, is a large area and many cities being developed. Try Villa Rica, Lithia Springs, Austell and Douglasville, in Douglas county. You can find MANY neighborhoods well within your price range, and most below, for beautiful homes. If you or your spouse likes to golf, I would suggest looking at neighborhoods Chapel Hill in Douglasville. I think Mirror Lake, also in D.ville is on a golf course. Furthest away from downtown would be D.ville at approx. 35 mintutes, depending on traffic...but it is a straight shot on I-20 and I've never considered it bad.

South of downtown is the airport (and not so nice neighborhoods - although they are improving), and further south many nice neighborhoods (I've heard) like McDonough, Fayetteville and Peachtree city. Fayette County, from what my co-workers day, have the best school system. P.Tree city is nicknamed Deltaville, with many Delta employees. There miles and miles of golf cart routes all throughout the city, so people don't have to drive their cars to shop or eat out. I know, sounds hilarious! This are would probably be a bit too far, at around 45 minute drive.

East of downtown are cites like Stone Mountain, and Decatur. While I know several friends who have recentlty moved to Decatur, it always seems that the areas East and south east of downtown are mentioned on the news for various reasons, mostly bad.

Hope some of this helps.

Oh...and Marta Dunwoody to Downtown, I would think with stops would run around 30-35 minutes.

In that price range, look at Candler Park and Inman Park. Gorgeous older renovated homes, and a relatively convenient commute downtown. Near Candler Park, Mary Lin is an excellent elementary school; one of the few Atlanta Publics that people fight to get their kids into.

Morningside/Ansley Park is one of the pricier neighborhoods, but it's also very convenient and has a great elementary school (Morningside Elemen.)

I'd also look at Decatur if I were you; the Winnona Park neighborhood is especially desirable; has a little more of a suburban feel. Walkable to a cute little Decatur town square, and Winnona Park Elementary is A+.

Been there done that. To stay inside 285, you will need to do your research. DH worked for Coke, and schools were a priority for us so we lived in East Cobb. The commute WAS bad, but not unusual for a big city.

If I had to do it over again I would rent before buying. Get a buyer broker to help you do your legwork, and list your priorities in order.

Find a school system you like, then wait for a house. Sure beats kicking yourself a few years down the road.

Thanks for all the input. This whole Atlanta move seems to be a big game to try and outwit the traffic demon. If there were no traffic I'd pick Cobb County. That seems to be off my list now. I could be convinced that intown is the place to be, but are those neighborhoods (inman park, candler park) really happening areas for families? The elementary schools may be great but what happens at the high school level when many elementary schools feed into one high school? Do people there send their kids to private schools?

Decatur and Dunwoody are still on my list to check out. So the Northern burbs are out. What about traffic from the south? Peachtree City sounds intriguing to me. Can a commute from PTC be done if you leave early enough in the morning? Please help me figure this out because if I can't find a way to have a reasonable commute into the city and still have a nice area for my family then the Atlanta move will not happen. I'll be visiting in a couple of weeks, but I want to have all my areas narrowed down. Atlanta is huge. I'll be visiting, then have to make my decision.

If a long commute is a big issue for you, I'd rule out Peachtree City. It seems so isolated IMO.

If you are willing to leave early in the morning, you could live in Cobb, if that is your first choice. You will encounter traffic from every direction into downtown anyway. So if I were you (and I was in your position 7 years ago) I would get a really good relocation agent, and tell him/her your top priorities. We wanted really great schools and a neighborhood with lots of kids. We ended up in East Cobb county. MANY of our neighbors commute downtown. They just try and be flexible with their schedules. Good luck!

I am an agent in Atlanta!

I would rec. Sandy Springs even though it is outside of the perimeter.
it has a small town feel, lots of shopping, great schools, and easy access to the city.

Schools will be the biggest issue in your decision as most people inside the perimeter send their kids to private school. That expense may change your housing budget.

We moved to Decatur from Fort Lauderdale 18 years ago and have been very happy here. It's a small town near the big city, has its own school system, has two MARTA rail stations (one with free parking) that will bring you downtown in about 10 minutes, or to the airport in about 30.
You may wish to check out www.decaturga.com for lots of good information.
Good Luck.

Dunwoody to city center is 22 minutes. Itsmarta.com.
I live in Sandy Springs (also on the rail line) and grew up in Buckhead. Most new housing inside the perimeter seems to exceed your housing budget. If you are interested in public schools for your children, there are some very good ones in the metro-Atlanta area, especially north Fulton and east Cobb. Choose your neighborhood very, very, very carefully. You are wise to consider the high schools. Close in there are slim pickings.

Statistically speaking, I don't truly believe that the majority of people that live in ATL send their children to public schools. I do not live in the city limits, have no children, but volunteer at four schools in Atlanta city proper. It is my opinion, as with anything else, you get out of it...what you put in to it.

As you know, research is key. Research based on what your family needs and preferences are.

Second, for some reason...it appears that folks that frequent this forum seem to often recommend areas north of ATL or close proximity. ATL's metro area is 4 million plus and growing. Again, I can't quote statistics, but cannot support that the areas east and south are often mentioned on the news for mostly bad reasons anymore than any others.

Again, the demographics of ATL varies...as well as many of the outlying areas.

Good luck to you.

I've got some insider info. They are going fast in certain areas of Sandy Springs. (near Chastain Park). There are still some available but they are staying on the market less than 6 mos. And what an investment. Just in the last week I have 12 mailers from agents and 6 offers from builders. Just for my 1/2 acre lot, not the house. My oldest went to a great high school and is now enrolled at Georgia Tech. Great area IMHO.

Saw an interesting free magazine in a restaurant lobby last night. Their webiste is www.newcomeratlanta.com. I glanced at the mag while I was waiting and there was some good info by county and maps inside. Check out their website.

I currently live in Buckhead, but lived for three years in the Douglasville area. They are two entirely different experiences, but both can be family oriented. The commute into Atlanta isn't as bad from that area of town as it is from other areas, but you'll still encounter traffic.

In the Buckhead into Sandy Springs areas, you can find lots of great neighborhoods and schools. Peachtree Hills and the Peachtree Battle areas have homes in your price range (as well as in twice that, but they are there). Chastain is also another great area. Decatur is also a pretty neat town that I visit/shop/eat in from time time to time, but I don't know anything about the schools. I agree that for this town, especially if you want to buy right away, do a LOT of research and make sure you understand your priorities.

Ptree City is too far removed for most people's taste, but the people who live there do like it.

I find that at the end of the day I prefer the city to the suburbs. And you can find a home that meets your needs it will just take a bit more work. Good luck with your search!

having lived in Atlanta for over 20 years, I second most of what Hannah25 said. (I don't know much about Douglasville.) I really like the north Buckhead-into-Sandy Springs area. I think that's the best situated place to live. I have several friends who live there and they have kids. They love the area.

Hi.

I'm an Atlanta native. I've lived outside the city as far away as Snellville, and I've lived in Midtown. Having raised two kids, I would NOT recommend trying to purchase in Buckhead or Midtown. Your price range will buy a small house, small yard, crummy public schools, water/sewer and tax rates that are going through the roof and unsafe neighborhoods. Having said all that, if your family is used to "big city" intown style living, you may also enjoy the proximity of great, but expensive shopping, tons of restaurants, etc. I'd personally look at Vinings. My fiance lives there and its great. He works downtown and it takes 15 minutes in the AM, maybe 25 in the PM. Here is the reality of our traffic: Unless you live within a few blocks of your job, you CANNOT avoid it during peak travel times (7:30-8:30 am and 4-6:30 pm); Everyone that commutes just gets used to it--catch up on calls on your cell; listen to CD's; drink a cup of coffee and decompress a bit; I've had a 45 minute commute for years and while I wish it was shorter, I'm glad I raised my family outside the city.

Based on the information you've been given below, I'd relocate to North Fulton School. Most affluent people in the Atlanta City district send their kids to private schools. Do research on individual schools in Dekalb, Gwinnett and even some Cobb schools.

Sorry - schools in the northern section of Fulton County.

Vmcenroe, I don't know if you're still doing research but I'd like to add my two cents if I can. I'm not in Atlanta now but have lived there for 30 years and am moving back from Nashville in May.

Dunwoody is definitely a good place to look. I have lived there and the neighborhoods have a lot to offer. The schools (public and private) are good ones. Plenty of trees and the lots seem a little bigger. Two MARTA stations (as someone else said) can whisk you downtown easily. It would probably take about 34 minutes. Perimeter Mall has fantastic shopping.

I grew up in Fayette County and Peachtree City is fantastic. However, the commute is the utter pits and I would not do it unless you had to.

The Decatur area is the HOT place right now for people to live. Lots of families and good schools with a bit of a hip single scene. However, as a result, housing is going through the roof. You might want to look into the nearby Druid Hills area where housing isn't quite as high and the area is still nice.

Someone mentioned Peachtree Hills, which is near Buckhead. Nice, nice, nice! I went to church near that area and Garden Hills. I would love to live there but housing prices (again) can be nutty. It's also near the Lindbergh MARTA station.

With apologies to atlswan:

The houses in Druid Hills proper ( a historic district whose homes and parks were, in many cases, designed by first and even world class architects and planners) are much, much more expensive and, in my opinion, far, far nicer, on average, than the houses in Decatur, no matter how "hot" Decatur may be with 20 and 30 somethings. I strongly suspect you could not find a knockdown in your price range in Druid Hills. There are many houses in Decatur that should be knocked down.