Auburn,AL or a city around Atlanta,GA???? info asap please! (Columbus: how much, transfer)

[Thompson10]

HELLO.
My family and I are moving to GA (or maybe Auburn,AL) next month.My husband is opening up a fast casual mexican restaurant. I was transferred to ATL for my job (Delta F/A). We would like to be less than 1 hr to Columbus GA since we have family there and might need help with our 6 month old while I am on trips for work. And less than 1 hr 30 mins from the airport.
But most importantly we need a good city that can support another local mexican restaurant. We are unable to find a good location in Columbus GA.

Is Auburn a good city to raise a family? Would it be a crazy commute to the airport two times a week ?

SO please help us figure out which city would be the best for us!! I am getting very stressed and time is running out..

[lorilove]

Auburn would be a difficult commute. Have you checked Newnan, Ga or perhaps LaGrange, Ga?

[cwkimbro]

Well...

with google maps the airport is 1 hr 40 minutes (100 miles) from Hartsfield. I think you realize its a long commute, but you wouldn't do it often and you appear to be up for that.

What I'm curious about is.. when?... if you ever have to drive that route during rush hour (or future freeway construction can cause problems as well, especially during summer vacation season with all the extra cars on the road) you can easily add an extra 30min-1hr to that commute.

Also, from what we have seen with gas prices... It is inevitable the prices will go up over time. It is truly a supply and demand issue. There is more worldwide demand and less supply. If you are buying into property (restaurant and home) long-term... I would ask yourself... worse case scenario.... if the price of gas doubles... can you still do that commute?

I also noticed Columbus/Phenix City are about the same distance away Hartsfield as Auburn, AL. If you do give yourself a long commute being in Columbus would at least let you be near your friends and keep from having to drive to Columbus and then Hartsfield.

I would also check into Lagrange. It might not be as nice as Auburn is, but it is where I-185 hits I-85 and goes straight to Columbus, so it is an easy drive. It is also only 60 miles from Hartsfield.

If you want to be closer to Atlanta... I would recommend Newnan. It is a fast growing suburban/exurban area. One thing I want to spot out... it is also quickly growing new businesses and restaurants near I-85. That shows there is enough demand for new local businesses to open. Granted, I don't know how many Mexican restaurants there are specifically or how busy they are. Whereever you go... I would eat out at existing local Mexican food 10-15 times before moving into a city. Go at different times and different days of the week. Count customers... see what they order.... and tally up how much money you could make.

That is the easiest to do a quick "analysis" if the local demand for Mexican food is greater than or less than what is already available.

[todd hayes]

You should move to Newnan its still growing very fast here i think a new mexican restaurant would do great here because all the mexican restaurants already here always have a long wait

[Thompson10]

Thank you for everyones feedback. It is definitely helping me!!

I would love love to live in Newnan BUT when I googled mexican restaurants there were so many that popped up which made my husband very nervous. And a couple of them seem very nice and I have heard its a small city. But Thank you for telling me that they are always busy. My next question about Newnan is .. During lunch hours are the restaurants dead do to most people working outside of Newnan?

We have looked in Columbus to open a restaurant but have not seen any ideal spots. We liked Columbus Crossing but its full of chains and I feel we would be overlooked.We found a place in downtown but they wanted us to be larger than we are comfortable with.

I am not familiar with Lagrange. Do they have a lot of restaurants and stores or does everyone go to Columbus when needing to pick up things?

I feel like I am overlooking some cities but I know i am being very picky with wanting to be close to the airport,family and a great place for our restaurant...

[lorilove]

I am not familiar with Lagrange. Do they have a lot of restaurants and stores or does everyone go to Columbus when needing to pick up things?

LaGrange is a city of 30,0000 residents, has a local college and a large industrial park with several Fortune 500 companies represented. Residents may go into Columbus for some shopping and dining but not a daily occurance.

[GRS86]

Outside of Columbus, Newnan and Auburn would likely give your business it's greatest potential for growth. La Grange wouldn't be bad either.

[Thompson10]

We have decided to open the Restaurant in Newnan. Since there are so many mexican places we are going to go with a new orleans themed cajun place so keep an eye out for us .. Thank you again for everyones feedback

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Thompson10

We have decided to open the Restaurant in Newnan. Since there are so many mexican places we are going to go with a new orleans themed cajun place so keep an eye out for us .. Thank you again for everyones feedback

Wow, what a change!

Good Luck!

I hope everything works out well for you and you like Newnan!

[Thompson10]

Thank you! This is my new thread if anyone in the Newnan area can help

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...l#post21307743