Los Angeles to Alpharetta (Atlanta, Savannah: smog, tornadoes, apartment)

[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.

[BobKovacs]

The only thing I would say is that you should look further out than Alpharetta. If you don't need proximity to downtown for work, why deal with the constant traffic in Alpharetta- the area is too built up. You could go out to Cherokee or Forsyth County, buy even more for your money, and not have to sit in stoplight-to-stoplight traffic just to get the morning paper.

[atlantagreg30127]

Do you want to get away from it all as in "all"? A rural retirement? Or do you want big city ammenities without quite all the L.A. crapiness that's happened there?

Atlanta DOES get the name "L.A. of the east" for a reason. Our traffic is second to L.A., and the crime rate is several times higher than some other larger cities (think pre-Katrina New Orleans, only larger in size). You'll also see your share of official "smog alert" days here, and while you'll give up earthquakes, you'll gain tornadoes. In general, you'll lose much (but not quite all) of the plastic- "me! me!" L.A. mentality (but also much of the liberalism, too). It's a bit more religion-oriented here, but in general, friendlier as well.

Alpharetta is in one of the fastest growing areas of the metro area. In order to get to Atlanta you'll have to travel on GA400 which is also one of the more congested roads in the metro area, too. Once you get fairly close to the city though, you CAN park at a MARTA rail station and take the train the rest of the way in if you want to do the sightseeing and tourist stuff. Alpharetta does however, have some of the nicer neighborhoods, and lower crime rates in the metro, too. You'll also have a handy shopping area around the Northpoint Mall section, too.

If you just want the "occational convenience" of Atlanta but can handle a more rural atmosphere, try going about 45 minutes North of Alpharetta to a small town called "Dahlonega" (duh-lawn-eh-gah). It's a small 1800s gold rush town that is now a town square filled with artists and crafts galleries and a gold museum. Overall it's a bit of a conservative area but with so many artists and city folks moving further out it's not too harsh. Just South of Dahlonega you have a whole Outlet mall, plus all the basics that are new (grocery stores, Walmart, some regular retail, etc). So you can live in a neat little artsy town, but only be 45 minutes or less from the Alpharetta shopping area, 15 minutes from outlet malls, or 1.5 hours or less (in good traffic) from Atlanta. Just a suggestion.

Of course, if you're gonna be rolling in bucks from that L.A. home sell, you could always live in the city in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood. Village type atmosphere where you can walk to boutiques and restaurants, etc. Sorta expensive homes though (average $500,000).

[netdragon]

What's your criteria? There must be some reason you're thinking suburban Atlanta and not more typical retirement destinations. If you're retired, why aren't you looking at Savannah, Hilton Head, Lake Lanier, Lake Acworth or the N. Georgia or Smoky mtns? Why Alpharetta and not another part of the metro?

[sidlarrie]

Thanks for the reply's guys. We are renting an apartment in Alpharetta first so that way were not committed in case we dont like it after all. I dont know if my wife can handle the total rural living. I mean if she see's Goober drivin the tractor down the street and she's gotta climb up a telephone pole to answer the phone, she will freak out big time..
We've been to Savannah and it is boiling hot over there and its nice for a couple days or so. I want the modern conveniences of a city but not be IN the city, if that makes sense. I am writing down the places you guys have recommended to me and will check them out in February. If you guys could post like 5 or 6 more choices of towns that you would live in if you were to spend 500k-700k on a single family home.
It can be Rural or not Rural or anything. I will write them down and spend a day in each one when I get down there. I dont really know anybody down there so I really appreciate your help.
Thanks Again,
Sid.

[kwr]

For starters, here are some options for the price range you identified:- Johns Creek- Alpharetta- Duluth- Suwanee- Buckhead- Vinings- East Cobb- Dunwoody- Sandy SpringsI'm sure other users will give more options.

[jzizza]

I love the Dahlonega area with the beautiful wine country. Check out Del Webb's Village at Deaton Creek north of GA -- best of both worlds. Traffic gridlock tends to spoil trying to plan anything within Atlanta. Glad to hear you are renting first to get a flavor of all that traffic. So much to enjoy in the Atlanta area, but they have serious issues right now with the drought and the everpresent gridlock. Not sure why coming from L.A. you want more of that for retirement. Why not check out Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC. A great source of reliable information is the Where to Retire magazine.

Good luck!

[shuysamen]

Moving from LA is a big change,hahah. I moved from Cape Town, South Africa to Alpharetta 9 Years ago and it took some time to get used to it, Cape Town is very simliar to LA on a smaller scale. 9 Years later and I love Alpharetta!!! I live in the Windward area and everything is very convenient,clean and very safe. I would definitely recommend Alpharetta. Check out my website if you decide to buy or have any question or suggestions www.fultonliving.com

[atl1221]

You made a great descision by renting. It is always good to rent here first to decide what area is best for you. Alpharetta is different from the LA suburbs I've been to (except traffic.) I think you will like it, but you have to see for yourself.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by sidlarrie

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.. .

replace L.A. with Metro Atlanta and you've just described Metro Atlanta, with the exception of the homes.

I have a buddy that lives in Santa Monica, his rental house was just appraised two years ago, $10K for the home itself, $750K for the lot, well I wouldn't call it a lot, probably like 1/16th of an acre, but it wasn't much of a home either...

I'd look towards Charlotte for what you're looking for...