yep, OWJ's got it right. We're looking to buy off exit 7 (but are hesitating greatly)
Anyway, so great to see so many atlantans. one of these days we'll have to host our own Fodor's GTG. Has anyone ever done that here?

Thanks, OWJ! The champagne was great last night...I really needed it. The rest of the bottle was mimosas this morning.

I did 500 miles in 2 days and all in the middle of GA. Reminded me a bit about the joke I made in response to the travdis' alias post last week. But, it was a beautiful couple of days to drive around this spring in Ga. Avoided I-20 cause of the construction mess and went (REAL) backroads back and forth from the airport to middle GA.

syd1 - I tried to drum up interest in a GTG but there wasn't much response. The good result was that bamakelly meet a lot of Alabamians we didn't know were on the board. I'm all for a GTG...and obviously don't mind traveling a bit to get there.

syd1, I am kinda confused too. I live in Chastain Park and if your looking to buy off of Holcomb Bridge that could be a weekly, if not daily, commuter headache. I also have a place in Alpharetta and some of my worst commutes have been between the two on 400. I am assuming your going to one of the private schools around Chastain? There are several homes available, ranch 3/2 in the 330-500 thousand range. The difference is they are older (50's) and they are being scarfed up to tear down and build million dollar propertys. Good investment IMHO. Have you looked in the Sandy Springs area, which is close to Chastain Park?

you're right -- we will look around Chastain Park. It's probably not worth the headache on the road! But in the meantime, I'll bet we can get a GTG sometime this spring or summer. I'll think about it -- perhaps a little Park Tavern?

Syd--
I think a GTG sounds fun! Tell me when and where and I'll meet ya! Life is a bit out of control at the moment, otherwise I'd be happy to organize...

OWJ

Thought I'd follow up. We decided on the Smyrna/Vinings area as there are more back roads into Sandy Springs. Thanks again for all of your advice! At least if there's traffic on 285 we can hop off, as opposed to 400. And I haven't forgotten about the GTG. I think Park Tavern outside would be a great place. So anyone interested post back and we'll pick a date!

Park Tavern GTG sounds good to me

I can't believe there are so many Atlantans on this thread....I saw "400" in the header & thought, "now they can't be talking about the Alpharetta Autobahn, can they?" And here you all are!

Look, I don't know the road like you guys do but if I were moving to Atlanta (and I did move here 4 years ago), I'd buy a house in-town (Va-Hi, Morningside, Midtown, Grant Park, Candler Park) and forget the commute & enjoy the fantastic intown living that Atlanta is starting to expereince.

In addition, I have two small children & both attend the public schools in Midtown Atlanta...you'll be amazed to hear this but the elementary schools (and some of the junior highs) are amazing places!

best place to look for real estate in Atlanta is Craig's List: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/rfs/

My daughter and SIL are beginning to look for new housing with good public schools in Atlanta, since they now have a one year old. One works downtown, the other near the perimeter (I think 285 and 400--but I am not from Atlanta!) What school districts are good?

The best schools in metro Atlanta are considered to be those in N. Fulton (most in Alpharetta are good) and E. Cobb Co. Forsyth Co. schools are growing and my friends who are teachers, really like where their kids go.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a publication that you can order w/test scores www.ajc.com

I teach in Fulton, in Alpharetta, and I think our schools deserve the reputation they have.

Syd- If the work location is at Glenridge and the school is either Galloway, Donellan, or GHA, then I think you should seriously consider a home in Sandy Springs (either inside 285 or the Heards Ferry neighborhood), the Chastain area or north Brookhaven.

"Traditional" Vinings (where I live) would be ok but be careful as you go outside 285 as the real estate agents are calling Mableton and Smyrna "Vinings" and the commutes from those areas are growing quickly.

I know many families that have tried cross-town commutes to private schools. Inevitably, they end up moving as close to the school as possible. Kids and 30 minutes commutes to school each way are tough to do. It takes a lot of time out of your day to go back and forth (an hour each trip). There's also the issue that the vast majority of your kids' classmates will live in the area of the school.

For example, the family of one of my son's friends is moving from Dunwoody to Vinings because their kids go to schools near me. The dad works at 285 and 400. They think their kids will be able to develop more friendships because it's a lot easier to arrange "playdates" when the kids don't live 30-45 minutes apart.

I have a bunch of friends who live in Brookhaven, and kids go to school near me. They all complain constantly about the commute to and from school, sometimes multiple trips per day due to different schedules and volunteering at the school.

I understand wanting new construction. Some people moving to Atl, particularly those coming from the northeast, think they will be able to move to a new, large house with a big lot for very little money. The reality is that Atl is more expensive than many think it will be.

I have lived in the northeast, Chicago and Atl. Atl is a great place to live but the quality of life is much greater if you live near where you work and go to school. You may not get as much house or land, but in the end, I think you will be much happier.

Good luck with your move.

padams421: Thanks so much for your advice. You really hit the nail on the head! We will be in traditional "Vinings" about 2 minutes from 285 and I did a dry run to Glenridge and it took 18 minutes. I hope we're not making a mistake and I'm also hoping to hook up with other parents and eventually carpool.

Syd- Welcome to Vinings! While the public elementary school is good, the majority of children in Vinings go to private school. It is a very convenient, family friendly place to live. As you have determined, there are back ways to get to Glenridge, so the commute shouldn't be a huge issue.
Pamela

Just got back from Alpharetta today & all I can say is the 400 is something else! We came in I20 to 285 to 400 up to Alpharetta. The directions to where we were going got packed (of course), the Uhaul had no tail lights & we were in 5pm traffic. Got the visual in your head?? It was crazy but gotta say that the folks were nice & let us in when we needed to merge & tolerated our frantic dodging without massive horn blowing.
It was not as bad as I expected. We were going up to exit 9 & 10 off 400.

Going back home today was a breeze. We left Alpharetta (exit 9 Haynes Bridge) to 400 to 285 to 20 & had no problem. It was about 7am when we left Alpharetta & the only real backup was on 285W because of an accident. It also looked like a backup exiting by exit 7. There was a long line from 400N trying to get off there. After passing that exit it was clear sailing. So if you are going from exit 7 to downtown I wonder if it gets worse around 8am. It wasn't bad when we went through this morning.

Loved the whole area though. Great scenery!

benj,
Glad you survived your first 400 experience. The only thing predictable about 400 is that it is unpredictable! There can be a backup - in either direction - at any time of day. Heading south in the mornings, the backups are usually north of Alpharetta and south then after the toll booth when 400 merges into 85.

Sounds like you landed between Haynes Bridge and Old Milton. Lots of places to eat and shop in that area. Happy move!

Re horn blowing - you know you are right. I'd not noticed in a long while, but Atlantans don't honk very much at all. Some entity did a test to see how long it took someone to honk in different cities when the light turned red and the car ahead didn't move forward. In Manhattan it was split-seconds. In another northern city it was 2 seconds. In a small town in Georgia or Alabama (can't remember which) it was 2 MINUTES! I believe it. We just don't honk a lot.

Be sure to wave a thank you when someone lets you merge in their lane. I've noticed after driving elsewhere that for the most part we are more polite to one another on the road.

And, in rural Georgia the greeting is a lifting of the ring finger of the hand on the steering wheel. The RING finger - not the other!

Duh - that would be the index finger (not ring finger)

Trivia question - what movie hit was filmed on 400 before it was opened to the public?

starrsville until now I had missed your trivia question. I have been in Atlanta since 1962. I have lived in Atlanta and several of it's suverbs. Only movie that comes to mind, one of my favorites, is "Driving Miss Daisy"? I remember Springdale Rd. near the By Way. (actual road name) I remember Lullwater Rd. Monroe at Piedmont. And Spring St. But 400? You got me stumped. What movie? Btw, it'd be cool for some type of gtg. The weather lately has been Spring in Atlanta at it's best.(If not a little on the cool side) I'm in the mood!

The answer is.....(drum roll please)....

Smokey and the Bandit.

They delayed the opening of 400 to the public so they could film the high speed scenes on 400. There's also an interesting shot of them driving across Buford Dam (with all the curves on the "dam road")

Most people thought 400 was a folly - just to put money in the pockets of locals that owned property in the right of way.

No one (I knew) EVER imagined at the time the area - and road- would become what it is now.

Back then, for those living in Cumming you had to drive to Perimeter Mall to shop and most folks drove to Gainesville to see a movie.

I'm going to be moving from NY to the Smyrna vinings area of Atlanta. I will be commuting in the morning to Alpharetta. Does anyone have any idea about the traffic I will encounter there, or if it is any benefit that I will be traveling away from downtown? Also wondering if there are alternate routes other than 285 and 400!
Thanks!!

Unfortunately, no. No relief. The commute north into Alpharetta from 285 can be worse than the commute south in the morning. There may be back road routes depending on exactly where - but probably not.