relocation to Atlanta; looking for upscale area with GREAT schools (Sandy Springs: sales, real estate)

[mwolnhop]

I'm looking at a potential move from southern Tennessee to Atlanta, and am trying to get a feel for areas of Atlanta that would be a great fit for my family.

I have three kids, one will be starting high school next year and two will still be in elementary. Schools are probably my top priority; I prefer to be in public schools versus private. In the threads I have read so far, I see a lot of positives about Northside. Other good options in those areas?

I would also be looking for the best area I can afford; my home budget is probably around $500k or less; can that buy anything in the Johns Creek, sugarloaf or Duluth areas? Should I be considering other areas in North Atlanta? I have also heard good things about Peachtree City as well, but not much else south or west of Atlanta.

Lastly, I would be working in downtown Atlanta, so commute is also a concern. Living in Tennessee now, I don't have much of commute, but I did live in Tampa for a long time, and was used to a 40 minute hard-core commute there. I feel like I could sacrafice the commute for the right home and school.

I'd appreciate any advice, or ideas/suggestions that I should consider. Thanks!

[cmtiger]

You can do intown (be very close to work) and be in excellent schools if you live in the City of Decatur (within the city limits - Clairmont/Winnona/Oakhurt to Renfroe Middle to Decatur High) or if you live in the Morningside/Mary Lin to Inman Middle to Grady High School clusters.

These schools are somewhat diverse but have some of the best academics in the state, particularly when you look at disaggregated data.

Northside is also awesome though much bigger than Grady and Decatur. You will have a longer commute though.

Just wanted you to know that you can have a short commute and outstanding schools if you do your homework.

[PatPat]

@cmtiger:
Hmmm...I thought the Parkview school district was the top district in Georgia??

@mwolnhop
Please do some research on the Parkview school district and then visit GreatSchools.net to look up each school within the district. I have heard that this is THE school district to be in. 500K will get you a very nice home in this district. Here are some links to some homes that are on the market in this district:

These are all from Craigslist. I hope that this information is helpful.

[mwolnhop]

Thanks PatPat and cmtiger; I'll check into that info and links.

[lastminutemom]

pat pat,

Not even close. If you judge these things by SAT scores (which you probably shouldn't), Parkview isn't in the top 25 of total scores-- only two Gwinnett schools are -- Duluth and Brookwood. Parkview is ranked 24th in Math, but that is hardly the top school in Georgia. I bet you got your information from a realtor? Northview is the highest ranking school in Metro ATlanta.

Georgia Department of Education - Communications

On the other hand, 8 of the 25 come from Fulton (all N. Fulton or Sandy Springs) and 4 from Cobb. Even poorly performing DeKalb has two schools on the list.

I believe that Fulton is a better run school system -- you will pay higher taxes in Fulton but I think that you get what you pay for in Georgia related to education. Gwinnett has high schools that approach 4000 students and yet still they move very slowly in relieving the situation. On the other hand, Fulton works creatively to find solutuions to over crowding.

In my opinion, long range, Gwinnett schools will really suffer because of all the poor planning decisions (basically a lack of zoning) that their county commission has permitted.

[mwolnhop]

lastminutemom - higher taxes in Fulton, does that mean property and sales tax?

[OhioNative]

I would be very careful about Parkview. There are some nice neighborhoods in the area, but Lilburn as a whole seems to be on the decline, with areas of grafitti, empty shopping centers, many apartments and rental properties and all the issues that come with them.

[lastminutemom]

Yes to higher property taxes but not just because of the schools. Fulton and DeKalb support MARTA and Grady Hospital no other metro counties do. Long, long political discussion would be required to do that.

But unless you are living at the very top of your means, I don't think the difference is significant. (Perhaps an extra $100 a month at the most.)

Parts of Gwinnett are in real transistion and only time will tell how the system deals with it.

[jxu66]

The area that are suffered in Lilburn is within Berkmar and MeadowCreek high school area where commerical real estate located. Parkview high is in mostly residential neighborhood with very limited rental property. Parkview was ranked Top 25 SAT last year. I believe that it just missed this year (probably around top 30 this year). Certainly, it is not among the best but it is not too bad.

One thing about Parkview high in this favor is that it is relative close to Emory U and most of dekalb county. For many families who work in Emory U and want to have good schools system, Parkview provided a good alternative. North Fulton system is better but it is just horriable commute. City of Decatur is nice but it is very expensive.


To OP, if you work in downtown, Peachtree city is better alternative. Starr Mills and McIntosh school districts are very good over there. Also, if you can afford, city of Decatur. North Gwinnett or North Gwinnett commute to downtown is around 1 and half hours in rush hour.

[yeah-yo]

Roswell and Alpharetta are the most common answers given to that question. But, the commute to downtown Atlanta would be rugged. That price could get you something in unincorporated Marietta/East Cobb, such as the Walton High School district. The commute would be better, and Walton is the best HS in GA, according to some rankings. Good luck!