ITP cost of living vs. Suburban living in Atlanta metro (Jackson: homes, neighborhoods)

[gtcorndog]

What about crime rate? Add that into the equation and get back to me with your results.

Some of you try so hard to fight for your beliefs while ignoring realities. It is comical. Cue the "well the crime isn't that bad posts.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by gtcorndog

What about crime rate? Add that into the equation and get back to me with your results.

Some of you try so hard to fight for your beliefs while ignoring realities. It is comical. Cue the "well the crime isn't that bad posts.

gtcorndog - Yes, the neighborhoods I mentioned with $50K homes likely have worse crime rates than than those with the $200K homes. But they are $50K homes, you are making sacrifices to get that price. You are free to do your own research and contribute it to the discussion with actual facts and sources and I can show you examples of in-town areas that can best meet those needs. However if you try hard enough I am sure you will be able to come up with enough different combinations of demands that an in-town neighborhood in Atlanta cannot meet. You prefer the suburbs and that is OK.

[noah]

I HATE the strong willed opinions that are posted in these types of topics that pit one group against another. At the end of the day its great that we have both options. For me personally, the suburban area mentioned is too isolated without things that interest me and doesn't appear to have job centers nearby. I know people out there and from Midtown its a hell of a long haul to get out there and that's during non rush hour traffic. Your budget does get shifted around when you drive 80 miles a day round trip to work and back. Just not for me, but definitely good schools. Maybe a townhouse for $250k in Decatur school district might be a choice I will make but I understand many others want the house and yard first.

It is however something many of us with kids and around the medium income range have to consider as our kids become school aged and we face decisions on what is acceptable.

[westau]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Ok. If we are going by "GreatSchools" Rankings. You can buy houses for less than $50k (less than a fourth of the cost of many of those places you cite in the suburbs) in Pittsburg and Adair Park in Carver which gets a "10" on there.

Adair Park Real Estate & Adair Park Atlanta Homes for Sale - Zillow

Early College High School at Carver - Atlanta, Georgia - GA - School overview

That school doesn't really appear to be a normal public school and is just part of the overall Carver High School(and most other parts are in the 2-3 range on Great Schools). I am not sure how much that counts(although the OP's school of choice I don't believe was just a normal public school people are districted for either).

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by 10 feet tall

As with all of the ITP vs OTP debates, the answer to your question is - it doesn't matter. We are talking about something that is total personal preference. Two people can look at the exact same situation, and one person thinks it is ideal while the other thinks the exact opposite. Its like two people looking at a beautiful view of nature, and one person sees the wonder of God while the other sees the wonder of plate tectonics and natural selection. There is no convincing either one that the other is right.

Or as the saying goes "de gustibus non est disputandum".

Remember, the "cost of living" depends on what you call "living", and "cost" is relative to what you value.

Well said, 10 feet tall.

As always, costs are set by the market. That takes into account a host of factors, including individual tastes and values. Some people are willing to pay a premium to live in swanky neighborhoods like Milton or Virginia Highland, whereas others will say "I can get everything I want for a lot less money right here in good old Cobb county."

Either position is completely justifiable.

Of course it's unrealistic to say "Why can't I live in area _______ for the same price I'm paying here?" That kind of argument assumes that free markets either don't exist or that they have no impact.

We all know that's not true in the real world. I may personally believe that my $20,000 Kia will do everything a $70,000 Porsche will do and I may be right. But that doesn't mean Porsche has to lower the price of its automobile.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by westau

That school doesn't really appear to be a normal public school and is just part of the overall Carver High School(and most other parts are in the 2-3 range on Great Schools). I am not sure how much that counts(although the OP's school of choice I don't believe was just a normal public school people are districted for either).

Yep, I think it is the same sort of thing as "Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology" that I was asked to compare it to, where limited students are able to attend.

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Yep, I think it is the same sort of thing as "Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology" that I was asked to compare it to, where limited students are able to attend.

Do you know any intown area with home prices that compare to prices in regular high schools districts in Gwinett with scores of 8-10 like Duluth High?

30096 Real Estate & 30096 Homes for Sale - Zillow

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by Freeminds

Do you know any intown area with home prices that compare to prices in regular high schools districts in Gwinett with scores of 8-10 like Duluth High?

Nope. None that "GreatSchools.com" ranks as an "8" like Duluth. The best by their rankings is a "7".

[vince217]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Freeminds

You do realize that GCSMS is lottery admission right. As its popularity grows, it will be get more and more difficult to get into. So buying a home in Gwinnett doesn't guarantee you a thing in terms of this school.

lottery admission? does this apply to everyone that wants to go to GCSMS? does this mean one has an equal chance of getting in as another child, or do they give preference to a child that has shown more aptitude / intelligence / etc? are there any special requirements each applicant has to go through?

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Nope. None that "GreatSchools.com" ranks as an "8" like Duluth. The best by their rankings is a "7".

Well, ok. I am in my late 20s not but not really looking to have kids for at least a few more years ( around 30ish) anyway. Hopefully more options are available when I am ready and my kids are school age. It looks like some schools are changing for both better and worst and maybe I wont have to go OTP or at least far OTP for good school districts.