2 Things... (Atlanta: best neighborhoods, crime rates, house)

[distortionmaster20]

One: What are the best neighborhoods in the Atlanta area in terms of school location and crime rates? In other words, what are the best (and most affordable) neighborhoods for raising a family (with a $100,000 annual salary)?

Two: According to wikipedia, Atlanta averages only 2 inches of snow a year, but I hear ice storms are more common. On average, how many times a year does Atlanta get hit by ice storms?

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by distortionmaster20

Two: According to wikipedia, Atlanta averages only 2 inches of snow a year, but I hear ice storms are more common. On average, how many times a year does Atlanta get hit by ice storms?

I'll address # 2, simply because # 1 gets asked so often (as in daily) in here you can browse through the posts and find answer to school/neighborhood questions easily by doing that...

Right now we're not even averaging 2" of snow per year. I live in the West metro area and we haven't had any measureable snow in about 3 years. There was a light dusting on the deck last winter and that was it. The winter before - nothing at all. The further north you go in the metro area, the more likely you are to see some snow in the winter. The North Georgia mountains (1-1.5 hours north of Atlanta) sometimes get 2-3" at a time but it usually melts the next day or so.

Serious ice storms happen every 2-3 years, as in, the type that knock power out to large areas for up to 1-3 days. Sometimes there's a longer period in-between. At some point each winter there will be more minor ice storms that don't do quite the same damage. The biggest danger of ice storms here are the drivers who are unfamiliar with "black ice" - ice that forms on the roads and is pretty much invisible. Since you literally have drivers from all over the world living here now, it can be a dangerous combination of heavy traffic, speeders, tailgaters, varied drivers AND black ice. In other words, stay home after an ice storm - even if YOU know how to properly drive in icey/snowy conditions, chances are 90% of the people around here do not.

If you buy a home in a more rural area or suburb that way out there, it's not a bad investment to have a generator handy in case a bad ice storm does hit. I have known several people who went without power for days when hit by one. It's not an every-year occurance though - but remember that from time to time severe weather hits in the summer as well knocking out power, so they come in handy. Also having a house that is gas and electric combined instead of all-electric will at least give you options for cooking/water heating if the power goes out.

[lastminutemom]

Even close in neighborhoods can lose power for days during ice storms and other major nasty weather acts.

Lately, though, while we have had some very cold spells --it has been very dry in the winter (at least on the days that are cold enough for a freeze).

Your salary isn't enough to advise on neighborhoods.

Where your job is/will be and what price point for housing and what type of housing (size, age, number of bedrooms, etc) -- will get you a better answer.

[JBnC]

We have about one good ice storm a year. Unfortunately, the city is not equiped to really handle it, so the city practically shuts down. They manage to get salt on major roads and overpasses. They can be extrememly dangerous and I don't blame people at all for staying it. I have personally lost control of my car on an icy road, not thinking it was that bad. I almost ran into a light pole.

As far as neighborhoods, Atlanta is surrounded by many suburbs and growing in all different directions. Although I would not move to one entirely based on work, you should base it somewhat on proximity to work, because traffic can be horrible and there is a great deal of sprawl. Proper Atlanta has many neighborhoods as well, so either way it's hard to pin down the "best" neighborhood.