Need an Expert Opinion on Kennesaw Please :) (Atlanta, Smyrna: apartment complexes, rentals)

[Jorzelyn]

I am hoping to attend a grad program at KSU, however, I'm from the Chicago area. My husband will be looking for employment, and found a possibility in McDonough. I've looked at a map and see that Kennesaw and McDonough are on opposite sides of Atlanta and are about 50 miles apart.

To compromise, is there a decent suburban town on either the East or West side of Atlanta that would make commuting to Kennesaw and McDonough doable (like a 30 minute commute for us). We have three young children, so we want to be outside of Atlanta in a suburb so we can have a relatively quieter life.

Need good schools. Will be renting (prefer a house over an apartment).

Any advice from the local community would be VERY much appreciated!

[lorilove]

Honestly, I can't think of anywhere that you will get both good schools and a 30 commute.

What is your budget and what type of diversity are you looking for.

[K-SawDude]

From the perspective of the commute, it sounds like you should consider living intown (jnside the 285 loop) as close as possible to I-75 so that each of you would benefit from a reverse commute (i.e., you'd always be against rush hour traffic for a 9-5 job). But I'm not sure where you can find that with an excellent school and a rental house as well.

Since you mention apartments as a possibility, I think you should talk to the folks at promove Apartments for Rent - Apartment Locator Service | PROMOVE.com

Mention to them exactly what you told us you're looking for, and they'll point out apartment complexes that come closest to your wish list. Then perhaps you can look for house rentals in those same neighborhoods and do some price comparisons.

(P.S. I speak from experience on the Kennesaw route. I live in West Midtown right near 75 and commute 30 min to Kennesaw every day, with no traffic. But our neighborhood doesn't have great public schools, as far as I know.)

[Jorzelyn]

Thanks for the quick responses guys! Budget is like under $1400, diversity doesn't matter so much. We live in a very diverse neighborhood where we are, so that's not really a concern or preference.

Thanks for the ProMove tip! I'll definitely look into it

Just from looking at a map, what about areas around Snellville? Or will that make for a long commute? I guess maybe we should just get our happy butts out there soon and scout around

[PKCorey]

Snellville to KSU would be a daily drag. Bad idea especially if you have evening classes.

[lorilove]

Just from looking at a map, what about areas around Snellville?

Snellville to Kennesaw - you area easily talking about a 1 hour + commute on the best of Atlanta traffic days.

You can find homes in the Smyrna/Cumberland area that have good but not great schools. This will be a 15-20 minute commute to Kennesaw. That will give your husband a 45 + minute commute to McDonough. Your problem is going to be the I-75/I-85 connector in downtown. Depending on when he is driving, this can backup. On a good day, traffic moves okay through the city but from experience, it does not take much for the connector to become a traffic nightmare and doubling his commute time.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by lorilove

Snellville to Kennesaw - you area easily talking about a 1 hour + commute on the best of Atlanta traffic days.

You can find homes in the Smyrna/Cumberland area that have good but not great schools. This will be a 15-20 minute commute to Kennesaw. That will give your husband a 45 + minute commute to McDonough. Your problem is going to be the I-75/I-85 connector in downtown. Depending on when he is driving, this can backup. On a good day, traffic moves okay through the city but from experience, it does not take much for the connector to become a traffic nightmare and doubling his commute time.

He can avoid the D/C by just going around on the western end of the Perimeter and just jump on 75 near Forest Park.

[K-SawDude]

Originally Posted by lorilove

Snellville to Kennesaw - you area easily talking about a 1 hour + commute on the best of Atlanta traffic days.

You can find homes in the Smyrna/Cumberland area that have good but not great schools. This will be a 15-20 minute commute to Kennesaw. That will give your husband a 45 + minute commute to McDonough. Your problem is going to be the I-75/I-85 connector in downtown. Depending on when he is driving, this can backup. On a good day, traffic moves okay through the city but from experience, it does not take much for the connector to become a traffic nightmare and doubling his commute time.

I was thinking Cumberland may be your best bet as well (though it's MUCH better for you than for the husband.)

[Jorzelyn]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all the help. If this forum is any indication, looks like the area will be a friendly place to move.