New Here have some questions (Atlanta, Marietta: renting, job transfer, safe area)

[ERE81]

Hey all!

My husband is getting his job transferred down to Alpharetta next month. We are living in Maine right now and we are looking for a safe place to live. We have a 3 year old and we don't want to live in the ghetto or neighborhoods where white people are a minority. I have no idea about anything in Georgia and no Idea where the safe places are to live. Also it needs to be something close to the Marta bus line. If anyone can help with some info I would greatly appreciate it thanks!

[Go Blue 99]

I would look in Alpharetta if I were you. It is a very safe area, and your husband would love the short commute. What is your price range?

Also, why do you need to be close to the Marta Bus line? There are a few bus stops in Alpharetta, but the closest rail stop is about 7 miles away at North Springs. Where are you trying to go on the bus?

[ERE81]

Right now we plan on renting for about a year then buying we are looking for nothing more then $1000.00 a month right now. He is getting a huge promotion
and since we have one vehicle (2006 Dodge minivan) he was going to take the Marta to avoid having to buy another car and to save some money, one of the Bus stops is only 2 blocks away from where he will be working so thats why.
Now I can't find anything in Alpharetta for less then $1200.00 a month, I guess its really expensive

I have seen some nice places in Stone Mtn and Marietta But where are the more safer places to live?

[jxu66]

Hate to say this. Most of North Fulton areas are price similiar to Alpharetta. $1200 for two bedrooms are not that high (I assume that's price for two bedrooms).

Marietta is in Cobb county and Stone mountain is in Dekalb county, two different counties. It would be nightmare to get to Alpharetta since the public transporation is so poor here in Atlanta suburb.

The best is stay in Alpharetta area and pay the price.

[Atlantasfinest]

$200 is nothing compared to the amount you will save in gas money and time, your perception of safety living in Alpharetta & the overall quality of life. Spend the $200 live in Alpharetta for a year so your husband can have that close commute. Your family will appreaciate it dearly. I don't think your husband will take a liking to a commute from St. Mountain or Maretta to Alpharetta. The schools and the overall quality of life are much better in Alpharetta so I would suggest moving there.

[Go Blue 99]

I would not live in Marietta or Stone Mountain. Your husband would hate the commute to Alpharetta.

If he REALLY is set on taking the bus to work, I would take a look at the apt complexes on N. Point Pkwy. There are a couple of Marta bus stops in this area. There is a complex called Preston Ridge that should be a 10-15 min walk to the bus stop. Depending on where his office is, there might even be apt complexes within walking distance of the office.

You're doing the smart thing by renting for the first year. No doubt- I would live in Alpharetta for that year and then decide where you want to buy.

[ERE81]

Thanks for the info! I guess then we will move to Alpharetta that seems to be the smartest idea. Is Traffic really that bad??? We are coming from maine and even in Boston (Where hubby works) the traffic isn't that bad. I guess I cant imagine it.... Hows the weather down there by the way? Up here from
October to April we get Tons and Tons and Tons of snow I heard it gets pretty hot...

[Atlantasfinest]

Here are the averages for Weather here in Atlanta via the Weather Channcel.
You wont get snow here but you will get 4 season without the snow.

Average Weather for Atlanta, GA - Temperature and Precipitation

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by ERE81

Thanks for the info! I guess then we will move to Alpharetta that seems to be the smartest idea. Is Traffic really that bad??? Hows the weather down there by the way? I heard it gets pretty hot...

Hmmmm... traffic.. let's see....

Atlanta is sometimes called the "L.A. of the East" regarding traffic. During rush hours (note hourS, not "hour"), it can take me about 2 hours (or so) to go 19 miles across town on a soso day. Slightly less if it's a good day, more if it's bad. We have had accident tie-up days where people get stuck for hours, though. In other words - yes, it is that bad. Sorry.

Weather.... Today is 98 degrees with nearly 50% humidity and a "heat index" (tem+humidity) of around 105 degrees. Second day of it, with a few more days of it ahead. I can't even get my dogs to stay outside more than 5 minutes, even with a heavy duty drum fan on the porch aimed at them. I woke up this morning before sunrise and it was close to 80 degrees with 70% humidity. Just be prepared to wear LOTS of deodorant, wear bug spray with DEET, and change clothes a couple of times per day in the summer. Again, sorry.

More info:

MARTA's interactive transit map (instructions on how to zoom on the page): MARTA - Map Viewer (broken link)

GRTA's Express Bus System Map: Xpress System Map (broken link) - these are only express buses that go from the burbs into Atlanta in the AM and PM hours (return).

[ERE81]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Hmmmm... traffic.. let's see....

Atlanta is sometimes called the "L.A. of the East" regarding traffic. During rush hours (note hourS, not "hour"), it can take me about 2 hours (or so) to go 19 miles across town on a soso day. Slightly less if it's a good day, more if it's bad. We have had accident tie-up days where people get stuck for hours, though. In other words - yes, it is that bad. Sorry.

Weather.... Today is 98 degrees with nearly 50% humidity and a "heat index" (tem+humidity) of around 105 degrees. Second day of it, with a few more days of it ahead. I can't even get my dogs to stay outside more than 5 minutes, even with a heavy duty drum fan on the porch aimed at them. I woke up this morning before sunrise and it was close to 80 degrees with 70% humidity. Just be prepared to wear LOTS of deodorant, wear bug spray with DEET, and change clothes a couple of times per day in the summer. Again, sorry.

Great