Los Angeles to Alpharetta (Atlanta, Greenville: real estate, insurance, crime)

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by jzizza

I love the Dahlonega area with the beautiful wine country.

I like going to Dahlonega too, but will withdraw my comments on it to the original poster after hearing about his wife's "goober phobias". LOL.

While you won't have to climb a pole to use a phone up there, and there's a certain number of "city folk" who have moved up that way to get away from it all, yeah, you're still gonna run into a handful of goobers, tractors in the road, bible waving preachers here and there during special events, yadda yadda yadda... all that. It's not "Deliverance" (anymore), but there's still a certain amount of gooberisms there.

I still say move intown and move to Virginia Highlands. Link: http://www.virginiahighland.com/

[rcjaber]

Originally Posted by sidlarrie

My wife and I are moving from Santa Monica California to Alpharetta Georgia in Feb 08. Born & raised in Southern California and always loved it here but its changed. The traffic is ridiculous, the illegals are more and more daily, the gangs in L.A. are very dangerous and it is too expensive, I mean WAY TOO EXPENSIVE.. I know Atlanta and the 40 mile radius of Atlanta has bad traffic but besides the Traffic issue, I really love it over there.
The house prices in Georgia are incredible compared to L.A. Homes plus its a lot greener. Can anybody tell me any reason why it would be a mistake for us to make the move. I'm retired and we cashed out our home in California and will buy a home in Alpharetta for Cash. So being retired and not having to work in any particular city or worry about commuting for work, I dont see how it would be a mistake. I read a lot of negative stuff posted about Georgia but I really never saw any of the stuff, maybe I missed it..
I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could post some reply's about anything that would help me or put me more at ease with our move.
Thanks in Advance,
Sid.

Hey Sid, I'm from the Orange County CA area we moved here to get away from gang uprisings that we were seeing in the mid 90's. We lived in Alpharetta for 7 years then moved to the Johns Creek/Duluth area in 2003. Nice thing about crossing over the border to South Forsyth is the lower taxes. They're almost half of North Fulton taxes, plus you if you are of retirement age, you can file an exeption from school taxes (huge savings) I believe there are 3 counties that offer the exemption Forsyth, Cobb Cherokee.I have no desire to move back to CA, Atlanta has a lot to offer beautiful change of seasons, friendly people, and a great down town area, but of course it has it's down fall as well, it's a long way from the ocean, traffic, & air quality. I would also think about moving further north into Forsyth, you'll get more for your money & better air quality, if you still have any kids in school S. Forsyth H.S. has had good rankings nationally. Check it out in Newsweek. Anyway if you need anyhelp with finding property let me know I'm an agent rebeccajaber.jennypruitt.com I know the area very well. Good Luck! Ya'll Come See Us Now

[netdragon]

Being from Santa Monica, do you also like the beach? You mentioned Savannah, but have you also looked at Hilton Head, or Charleston, SC? Hilton Head, for instance, is only about a half hour drive to Savannah and has all the suburban amenities. It gets a bit cooler when you're right on the head islands with their sea breeze.

Anyway, in metro Atlanta, Vinings is also in your price range. Vinings has the advantage of a great tax rate (Cobb County) and is next to two suburbs in the top 5 list for metro ATL (Smyrna and Marietta) and also right next to Cumberland which together with Vinings has a lot of shopping and restaurants. You may also want to check out Decatur and Sandy Springs.

[sidlarrie]

Allright, so here's my checklist of cities to check out: Alpharetta, Sandy Springs. East Cobb, Dunwoody, Dahlonega(stop by floyds get a haircut), Pinehurst, N.C., Lake Norman, N.C., Del Webb's Village at Deaton Creek north of GA, John's Creek/Duluth, Hilton Head, S.C., Smyrna, Marietta, Mayberry, Virginia Highlands... OK, not Mayberry..J/K ... If you think of any others please post them, I really do appreciate your guys help. It will save me from guessing and wasting time...
Thanks, Sid..

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by sidlarrie

Allright, so here's my checklist of cities to check out: Alpharetta, Sandy Springs. East Cobb, Dunwoody, Dahlonega(stop by floyds get a haircut), Pinehurst, N.C., Lake Norman, N.C., Del Webb's Village at Deaton Creek north of GA, John's Creek/Duluth, Hilton Head, S.C., Smyrna, Marietta, Mayberry, Virginia Highlands... OK, not Mayberry..J/K ... If you think of any others please post them, I really do appreciate your guys help. It will save me from guessing and wasting time...
Thanks, Sid..

A few "cultural notes" if I may, sidlarrie...

1) Duluth can be dicey in some areas. Be cautious as in Atlanta, just 'cause a neighborhood looks decent in sunlight doesn't mean it is.

2) John's Creek is a new city. Nice area. Nice homes. But they to this day are still completely freaking out over the fact that a "Love Shack" opened up in their city limits. It's one of those novelty shops that sells love lotions and adult toys, but it's a standard looking brick facade, etc. Their Mayor made it the #1 priority to try to get rid of when they became a new city last year (forgetting things like oh, crime, police, fire, etc). So while it's closer to the city, just be aware that SOME of the mentality of John's Creek is like what you see in the movies about the conservative "Old South"... scarrryyyyyyy. I'm not sure I'd want my tax dollars supporting mixed-up priorities like that (just my opinion).

3) I wasn't aware you were also considering NC - if SO, then check out the city of Asheville. Smaller city, but there's a big thriving arts and cultural scene there. Some hip stores, restaurants, etc. Not like the rest of NC which is "blahhhhhhh". Plus in Asheville you'll only be about 1.5 hours from Charlotte if for any reason you feel you have to go there, or 3 or so hours from Atlanta.

4) Hilton Head: Nice place to visit but... I've actually known a couple who moved there once. They moved out about two years later. They said it's wonderful to visit but once you're there full time you kind of get to the "this is it??" stage at some point. They claimed the full time locals were a bit on the snooty side as well.

[sidlarrie]

Thanks Atlantagreg, I heard Asheville is nice. I have a buddy that just moved to Lake Norman and they looked at asheville also. I just put it on my List.

[netdragon]

Vinings (next to Smyrna) and Decatur (will be the most urban of all areas, but still outside of ATL)

[sidlarrie]

thanks netdragon

[butterfly11]

I just moved back from Alpharetta to Northern CA after my split from fiance. I did like it there, but stay away from Holcomb's Bridge Rd area. The traffic is horrible. You can find some beautiful homes in Alpharetta and Sandy Springs. Just stay away from (400) area. I liked it there and am considering moving back next year. You can get a lot more for your money in Atlanta, but the weather in the summer is humid, smogy and it will be quite a cultural change from LA. Keep looking you'll find the right place!!

[sidlarrie]

Thanks for the info butterfly11