Howdy from TX! (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Marietta: houses, neighborhoods, public schools)

[Mom2Feebs]

It looks like this Texan is about to become a Peach

Hubby will be working at the CDC Roybal campus. We have a 7 year old daughter with moderate autism, so public schools are a big concern. After some research, I'm pretty happy with what I have seen from a lot of East Cobb schools, specifically Murdock Elementary, and wondered if there was anyone out there had any personal experience with it (or nearby schools). I did read through the pinned thread but it did not address this question.

I also was wondering if anyone lives in that immediate area as we have found we absolutely love the contemporary homes on the big, wooded lots. It reminds me of The Woodlands just north of Houston. Is there good shopping in the area? I saw Trader Joe's on Johnson Ferry and was thrilled to see it! I took a Street View tour. LOL. Anyway, I have heard the traffic is terrible in ATL and wonder if it is worse or better than Houston (where we are originally from; currently we live in San Antonio).

Thanks for any information.

[HeyEng]

Hey Mom...I'm in San Antonio (near Helotes) as well and will be going back to Atlanta soon (hopefully in a couple of months). We bought a house in east Cobb (where I am originally from) a couple months ago right where you are looking (Murdock, Dodgen, Pope schools). If you would like specifics, drop me a line!

I have lived in NW San Antonio for almost 6 years and CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT wait to get back to Georgia!!!! I think you will really like it there.

A couple of your questions...for food shopping within about 3 miles of Murdock Elem. you have Publix, Kroger, Aldi's, Trader Joe's, Fresh Farmers Market and I am sure I am missing a couple. It will blow you away that there are more choices than HEB...not only that, you rarely have to stand in line or fight the crazy crowds like here in San Antonio.

Traffic...people from Atlanta will probably disagree with me, but I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that it's MUCH worse here in San Antonio than in Atlanta. It is true that the congestion is bad during rush hour, but at other times, it's not too bad unlike here in San Antonio when it's almost impossible to have a speed limit ride on 1604 unless it's 3 AM on a Sunday. I have had the opportunity to live in many areas and I think San Antonio is the worst I have ever seen. Atlanta? Not that bad in my opinion.

Schools...you're right...Cobb County is a good district, especially on the east side of the County. I attended schools on the east side and the west side and will say that I think the quality of education was a bit better on the east side.

One other thing about Georgia...you mentioned a while back about Spring in San Antonio. It's NOTHING compared to how AWESOME it is in Georgia...except maybe the pollen!

[DreamKeeper]

The East Cobb area is very Nice. I live not too far from that area in Sandy Springs. There are quite a bit of shops and restaurants around that area. You have your regular big box stores like Target, Sears, Home Depot, etc and a lot of smaller shopping centers with various stores/restaurants. You also have larger shopping centers at Merchant's Walk (EDENS | Merchant's Walk | Marietta, Georgia) and The Avenue outdoor mall (East Cobb | The Avenue) which are both literally right down the road from where the Traders Joe's you were looking at is located. Not too far away from that area you also have a lot of really good shopping in Sandy Springs/Dunwoody around The Perimeter Mall area (http://www.perimetermall.com/) and up the road in Alpharetta you have the whole North Point Mall area (http://www.northpointmall.com/). You definitely won't have a problem finding places to shop at around the area.

Also, the traffic is really going to depend on where you're commuting to and what time you're commuting. One thing I've found is that if you follow the herd you will probably end up in heavy traffic. When I moved down here I got a good street map and studied all the side streets and found that there are usually multiple ways to get to where you need to go. Most people hop on the highway or take one of the major surface streets but I've found that if you take some of the lesser known/traveled side streets you can really avoid most traffic problems. For instance my commute takes me about 15 minutes using a few of the side streets I found on the map. But, if I take either the highway or a route along one of the major roads my commute becomes about 30 - 35 minutes. So, if you use your head traffic can be much less of a problem, it's when you take the same route that everyone else is taking that it can become problematic.

[Saintmarks]

You also have a nice mall at Town Center, perhaps a step beneath North Point and Perimeter but much closer to your part of East Cobb (Murdock area) than the other two.

I am now in McKinney but a Georgia native, lived in Marietta for 14 years before heading this way 8 years ago. I loved the area and wish I were back there now. All the best in your move.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

...I also was wondering if anyone lives in that immediate area as we have found we absolutely love the contemporary homes on the big, wooded lots. It reminds me of The Woodlands just north of Houston.

...Thanks for any information.

Mom2Feebs,

You should peruse the thread below. Lots of good information:

1970s "Contemporary" Homes - Love? Hate? Live in One?

East Cobb has so many awesome contemporary style neighborhoods.

I hope this helps some. Good Luck!

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by HeyEng

Hey Mom...I'm in San Antonio (near Helotes) as well and will be going back to Atlanta soon (hopefully in a couple of months). We bought a house in east Cobb (where I am originally from) a couple months ago right where you are looking (Murdock, Dodgen, Pope schools). If you would like specifics, drop me a line!

I have lived in NW San Antonio for almost 6 years and CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT wait to get back to Georgia!!!! I think you will really like it there.

A couple of your questions...for food shopping within about 3 miles of Murdock Elem. you have Publix, Kroger, Aldi's, Trader Joe's, Fresh Farmers Market and I am sure I am missing a couple. It will blow you away that there are more choices than HEB...not only that, you rarely have to stand in line or fight the crazy crowds like here in San Antonio.

Traffic...people from Atlanta will probably disagree with me, but I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that it's MUCH worse here in San Antonio than in Atlanta. It is true that the congestion is bad during rush hour, but at other times, it's not too bad unlike here in San Antonio when it's almost impossible to have a speed limit ride on 1604 unless it's 3 AM on a Sunday. I have had the opportunity to live in many areas and I think San Antonio is the worst I have ever seen. Atlanta? Not that bad in my opinion.

Schools...you're right...Cobb County is a good district, especially on the east side of the County. I attended schools on the east side and the west side and will say that I think the quality of education was a bit better on the east side.

One other thing about Georgia...you mentioned a while back about Spring in San Antonio. It's NOTHING compared to how AWESOME it is in Georgia...except maybe the pollen!

Fantastic info! How funny that you are in Helotes--I'm in Westover Hills right near Sea World! I have to say I will sure miss the convenience of that place being right down the street, LOL.

I am stoked about the grocery stores. In Houston, we had lots of variety, but not like Atlanta. San Antonio has been SUCH a disappointment in that area. Plus, being a Florida summer girl growing up, I am super excited about Publix. Isn't that sad? "Where shopping is a pleasure!" I miss it!

I am happy that I will see azaleas again; I have missed them terribly. I am already looking in my birding book to see what Georgia has that I have never seen before. Hurray!

Hubby is leaving next week and the girls are going to stay here with me until school is out; so I am with you, just waiting I think we should keep in touch! Thank you for responding!

Originally Posted by DreamKeeper

The East Cobb area is very Nice. I live not too far from that area in Sandy Springs. There are quite a bit of shops and restaurants around that area. You have your regular big box stores like Target, Sears, Home Depot, etc and a lot of smaller shopping centers with various stores/restaurants. You also have larger shopping centers at Merchant's Walk (EDENS | Merchant's Walk | Marietta, Georgia) and The Avenue outdoor mall (East Cobb | The Avenue) which are both literally right down the road from where the Traders Joe's you were looking at is located. Not too far away from that area you also have a lot of really good shopping in Sandy Springs/Dunwoody around The Perimeter Mall area (Perimeter Mall - Premier Shopping, Dining, Entertainment in Atlanta, Geogia) and up the road in Alpharetta you have the whole North Point Mall area (North Point Mall - Premier Shopping, Dining, Entertainment in Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia). You definitely won't have a problem finding places to shop at around the area.

Also, the traffic is really going to depend on where you're commuting to and what time you're commuting. One thing I've found is that if you follow the herd you will probably end up in heavy traffic. When I moved down here I got a good street map and studied all the side streets and found that there are usually multiple ways to get to where you need to go. Most people hop on the highway or take one of the major surface streets but I've found that if you take some of the lesser known/traveled side streets you can really avoid most traffic problems. For instance my commute takes me about 15 minutes using a few of the side streets I found on the map. But, if I take either the highway or a route along one of the major roads my commute becomes about 30 - 35 minutes. So, if you use your head traffic can be much less of a problem, it's when you take the same route that everyone else is taking that it can become problematic.

Thank you for the GREAT links and information! I think we'll be memorizing all the side streets too. I used to love that about Houston--but in San Antonio it is MUCH harder to do.

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

You also have a nice mall at Town Center, perhaps a step beneath North Point and Perimeter but much closer to your part of East Cobb (Murdock area) than the other two.

I am now in McKinney but a Georgia native, lived in Marietta for 14 years before heading this way 8 years ago. I loved the area and wish I were back there now. All the best in your move.

Hey, all right! I have a friend in McKinney, and one in Plano, too. Thank you for the good wishes!

Originally Posted by aries4118

Mom2Feebs,

You should peruse the thread below. Lots of good information:

1970s "Contemporary" Homes - Love? Hate? Live in One?

East Cobb has so many awesome contemporary style neighborhoods.

I hope this helps some. Good Luck!

WOW....love this thread. Very eye-opening. I love the contemporary houses, they're just fantastic. When rehabbed right (and not "remuddled") they can be unbelievable! Thanks for the link, aries4118.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

...

WOW....love this thread. Very eye-opening. I love the contemporary houses, they're just fantastic. When rehabbed right (and not "remuddled") they can be unbelievable! Thanks for the link, aries4118.

I'm glad you like. Let me/us know which schools you eventually settle on, and I/we can point you in the right direction.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Howdy?
Is that another Aggie heading for the ATL?

[lastminutemom]

Are you worried about the commute at all? If so, you need to focus on that aspect of it....

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Are you worried about the commute at all? If so, you need to focus on that aspect of it....

True.

M2F--Did you say that you or your spouse will be working at the CDC at/by Emory? If so, then East Cobb is a bad choice.


(I/we can recommend some areas that are similar to East Cobb, but with a much, much better commute to CDC/Emory.)