Sandy Springs vs Johns Creek vs Vinings (Atlanta, Roswell: relocate, affordable house)

[Philagirl]

I live in Johns Creek. While there is actually quite a bit of ethnic diversity here, unfortunately only a very small portion of it is African-American. However, it is safe, and the schools are phenomenal. When we were looking at the area, we were planning on sending our kids to private school. But after we looking at both private and public schools, we decided to go with public.

I think Johns Creek is a terrible place to live if you have to commute to downtown or the airport. Most people that live here don't -- they work either in Alpharetta, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Dunwoody or Sandy Springs. (And during rush hour the commute to Sandy Springs takes up to an hour.)

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by Philagirl

I live in Johns Creek. While there is actually quite a bit of ethnic diversity here, unfortunately only a very small portion of it is African-American. However, it is safe, and the schools are phenomenal. When we were looking at the area, we were planning on sending our kids to private school. But after we looking at both private and public schools, we decided to go with public.

I think Johns Creek is a terrible place to live if you have to commute to downtown or the airport. Most people that live here don't -- they work either in Alpharetta, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Dunwoody or Sandy Springs. (And during rush hour the commute to Sandy Springs takes up to an hour.)

The beauty of this move is that my commute will be to my basement office, unless I'm traveling back to DC to work. Thanks for the information. My in-laws favor Johns Creek and the home we are looking at are quite nice. We'll see what happens, but thanks again for the advice.

[buckhead mom]

The North Buckhead, Peachtree Park, Pine Hills, Brookhaven and Ridgedale Park areas near Lenox and Phipps are some areas you should look into. The area is upscale and has some diversity (depending on area). Some areas are in the Sarah Smith district. The Sarah Smith environment is great. It is an IB school, has an amazing amount of parental involvement, and has great test scores (one of the highest if not the highest percentage of students exceding standards on Georgia's CRCT tests.) Other areas are in the Garden Hills district and still other homes in this area are in Dekalb County, which has lower taxes than Fulton. (If you go private, you can get some $$ tax savings here. There is some sense in going private early due to the competitive nature of the private schools and getting siblings accepted together. That is an issue you will have to decide.)

Also, these areas are very close to the International School and other private schools. Very important when you consider the commuting time to and from school!

Lastly, these areas are near the Marta lines...so a direct shot to the airport. My husband actually works out of the home and travels on business. He walks to Marta. (Actually, he tries to walk...usually a neighbor is driving by and picks him up!)

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by buckhead mom

The North Buckhead, Peachtree Park, Pine Hills, Brookhaven and Ridgedale Park areas near Lenox and Phipps are some areas you should look into. The area is upscale and has some diversity (depending on area). Some areas are in the Sarah Smith district. The Sarah Smith environment is great. It is an IB school, has an amazing amount of parental involvement, and has great test scores (one of the highest if not the highest percentage of students exceding standards on Georgia's CRCT tests.) Other areas are in the Garden Hills district and still other homes in this area are in Dekalb County, which has lower taxes than Fulton. (If you go private, you can get some $$ tax savings here. There is some sense in going private early due to the competitive nature of the private schools and getting siblings accepted together. That is an issue you will have to decide.)

Also, these areas are very close to the International School and other private schools. Very important when you consider the commuting time to and from school!

Lastly, these areas are near the Marta lines...so a direct shot to the airport. My husband actually works out of the home and travels on business. He walks to Marta. (Actually, he tries to walk...usually a neighbor is driving by and picks him up!)

Thanks... We are aware of the tax implications, but didn't want that to be our deciding factor (which is why I did not mention it in this thread). My wife and I looked at homes in Buckhead, but were scared away by the property taxes and my need to keep my wife away from Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.

My sister in-laws and her coworker are both insisting we look into Dekalb county. Now that you're making the same suggestion (and actually live there), it will be worth looking into before we make our final decision. Another friend keeps mentioning Spalding something or the other. She says since we are such the cosmopolitan couple (her words not mine) we "need" to look there as well.

Could someone please tell me about Spalding. Is it a road, street, neighborhood??? Thanks...

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by DaddyO

Thanks..

Could someone please tell me about Spalding. Is it a road, street, neighborhood??? Thanks...

Spalding is a county on the south side...growing rapidly but hardly 'cosmo'...Spalding is also a rather long road stretching from Sandy Springs out to the Dekalb/Gwinnett/Fulton county get-together near Holcomb Bridge. MANY large houses(owned by major singers, athletes, corporate types and at least one guy who painted his house in Florida Gator colors!). Not sure what your folks had in mind.

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Spalding is a county on the south side...growing rapidly but hardly 'cosmo'...Spalding is also a rather long road stretching from Sandy Springs out to the Dekalb/Gwinnett/Fulton county get-together near Holcomb Bridge. MANY large houses(owner by major singers, athletes, corporate types and at least one guy who painted his house in Florida Gator colors!). Not sure what your folks had in mind.

Probably the latter, but, I'll stick to my previous choices. Thanks.

[Noc]

Hey DaddyO,

You and I are kind of in the same boat. My wife and I with 16/mo baby girl are planning on move to ATL mid 08 as well. I am also looking at the same areas as you are preferably Sandy Springs. We are a black family moving from NY. We've found Sandy Springs very attractive b/c of the location and economically we can afford it coming from NY.

Let me know how you make out.

Noc

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by Noc

Hey DaddyO,

You and I are kind of in the same boat. My wife and I with 16/mo baby girl are planning on move to ATL mid 08 as well. I am also looking at the same areas as you are preferably Sandy Springs. We are a black family moving from NY. We've found Sandy Springs very attractive b/c of the location and economically we can afford it coming from NY.

Let me know how you make out.

Noc

No problem Noc. I'm speaking with a few builders right now and trying to find the best deal possible in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta (I think we dropped Vinings). Anything I find out I will happily let you know. I'm also trying to contact a Jamaican association in Alpharetta to try and speak with some of the parents and attend one of thier meetings during my next visit in December.

[Noc]

Originally Posted by DaddyO

No problem Noc. I'm speaking with a few builders right now and trying to find the best deal possible in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta (I think we dropped Vinings). Anything I find out I will happily let you know. I'm also trying to contact a Jamaican association in Alpharetta to try and speak with some of the parents and attend one of thier meetings during my next visit in December.

I'll definitely send you an email. You have JA ties too it seems, nice. We'll chat more.

Noc

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by Noc

I'll definitely send you an email. You have JA ties too it seems, nice. We'll chat more.

Noc

and Flatbush, BK ties.