Real talk about sprawl (Atlanta, Jackson: employment, public schools, per square foot)

[red92s]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Coan M.S. just got Dr. Bockman, she lead the resurgence of Inman M.S., as principal adn she will lead the improvement of Coan.

Saw they just filled up half the ball field at Coan with classroom trailers. What's up with that? Since it's remaining open, are they absorbing a lot of students from other schools that are closing? Is that a long-term solution?

[cqholt]

Saw they just filled up half the ball field at Coan with classroom trailers. What's up with that? Since it's remaining open, are they absorbing a lot of students from other schools that are closing? Is that a long-term solution?

Jackson H.S. is being relocated to Coan campus for 2012-2013, while complete renovations are completed at Jackson. Coan will relocate to East Lake campus, which has closed and all students transferred to Toomer.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Jackson H.S. is being relocated to Coan campus for 2012-2013, while complete renovations are completed at Jackson. Coan will relocate to East Lake campus, which has closed and all students transferred to Toomer.

Ah, okay. Thanks.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by 4KBH

EXACTLY! Ain't gonna happen. And I do agree that $500K for a 4 br 2200sf home is high; but that's the median for many of the areas with good schools. Which, is quite sad. Like your dad, my husband and I can afford a half-million dollar home, but why?

The "but why" is precisely the point!

If you you can have a 4 BR 2200 sf house with good schools in a suburb somewhere, then why are you looking around and trying to find the same thing intown? What's the attraction? If it's all the same, why are you frustrated that you haven't been able to find it intown?

I'm not talking about you personally, of course, but simply making the point. Value, prices and desirability are based on many factors, most of which are subjective. Where you live is not merely a generic calculation of price per square foot. In this case, buying the house you want is within your means, but you are weighing the subjective factors. What may be valuable to others may not be valuable to you, and vice versa.

That's the way markets work. When enough people are convinced it is worth paying more to live in certain areas of town, the prices go up. It's that way in cities everywhere.

Let me add that the hoopla about saving on commuting costs is way overstated. That's not the key factor in why people decide to live intown or elsewhere. (The majority of intowners commute to work in the suburbs anyway).

[JPD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Let me add that the hoopla about saving on commuting costs is way overstated. That's not the key factor in why people decide to live intown or elsewhere. (The majority of intowners commute to work in the suburbs anyway).

Right. Saving on commuting TIME is the key. Cost is just a side benefit. You can't buy time, but you can choose to live somewhere that will allow you a lifestyle in which you have more free time as a direct result of a shorter commute.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by JPD

Right. Saving on commuting TIME is the key. Cost is just a side benefit. You can't buy time, but you can choose to live somewhere that will allow you a lifestyle in which you have more free time as a direct result of a shorter commute.

Although that could just as easily influence you to live further away from the traditional city center. If your job is up on the 400 corridor, for instance, you may save time and money by living in Forsyth or Cherokee or north Gwinnett.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Although that could just as easily influence you to live further away from the traditional city center. If your job is up on the 400 corridor, for instance, you may save time and money by living in Forsyth or Cherokee or north Gwinnett.

Right. Not everyone should live near Downtown or Midtown. Live near the things you have to do everyday, and your life will be less busy, allowing you more time and energy to do the things you want/like to do in your free time.

I'm very lucky that I live near the things I have to do and the things I like to do.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The majority of intowners commute to work in the suburbs anyway.

Not sure I buy that. In the immediate group of "intown" family and freinds I'm connected to, I'm strugguling to think of anyone that commutes more than 5 miles each way.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by red92s

Not sure I buy that. In the immediate group of "intown" family and freinds I'm connected to, I'm strugguling to think of anyone that commutes more than 5 miles each way.

See page 51 of the city's 2011 CDP assessment. 41.6% of Atlanta workers are employed within the city itself; 58.4% work elsewhere.

http://www.atlantaga.gov/modules/sho...ocumentid=2834

[ATLTJL]

Still nobody has been able to find the magic intown house that is affordable, in an excellent school district, doesn't need major work, and costs around $250k. Because it doesn't exist.

But at least the conversation has moved in a reasonable direction to making wise choices to live around things you like and to take back your own time.

The ultra hippy discussion about living in a tent city because it is better for the environment was getting ridiculous. I bet for everybody who thinks they made a "green" decision to drive 10 miles fewer every day bought an old house with terrible insulation and burns more than twice the amount of electricity that others do trying to keep the place cool in the summer. If you really want to make an environmental statement, you can't just give up your car. You better give up your HVAC, your washing machine, and your showers too.