Anybody know about Roswell? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: equity, maintenance, apartments)

[Smithman]

I'm considering a job opportunity at Georgia Tech, and thinking about finding somewhere to live near Roswell on account of a church being up there that I like. Anybody know anything about Roswell or areas between there and Georgia Tech? How long do you think the commute would be?

[BobKovacs]

Depending on where in Roswell you're starting from, the commute to Georgia Tech could be +/- 30 minutes during off hours, or closer to 1.5 hours during rush hour.

[wxjay]

You might consider driving to North Springs and then taking MARTA to Tech.

[tdatl]

Any idea what area of the city you'd likely live in? Roswell is mostly an E-W city, so the worst part of your commute could be getting to 400... I wouldn't really sweat the freeway portions to the 17th/14th/10th st. exit, since you'd be going against traffic any place south of I-285. I do this several times per month and don't mind the freeway bits. But Holcomb Bridge can very frustrating.

[spacelord75]

I live in the northern part of Dunwoody, right on the Dekalb/Fulton line, so basically just a 10 minute drive to downtown Roswell and I work right across the street from Tech...it takes me exactly 25 minutes to commute in the morning (if I leave at 7am) and 35 minutes in the afternoon to get home (leaving work anytime from 3:30 - 5pm....uh, except Fridays of course!). If I were you, I would look into Sandy Springs...there are a lot of apartments, condos, and townhomes that are pre-owned and can be purchased on the cheap and it would allow you to pick up 400 at the Abernathy exit pretty well. It is also an easy drive up to Roswell.

Of course since you will be spending more time at Tech (every day or so) versus church (once a week, I guess?) you may want to look at areas closer in - obviously Midtown would be nice, but pricey. Maybe also Buckhead?

Are you single or have a family? Are you looking to buy or rent? All of these will narrow your selection, of course.

[Smithman]

Hey, thanks much for the Roswell info! Thanks for the tip on Sandy Springs. That might be a good middle spot to live between work and church. Any suggestions about nice neighborhoods there? It's just my wife and I. We're empty nesters with a son away at college. Someone also mentioned Midtown and Buckhead. I'm assuming Buckhead is just northwest of Tech. Is that correct? What kind of neighborhood is it? And Midtown, I can't find on a map. Can someone give me some street names that might define the Midtown area?

[spacelord75]

How much are you willing to spend? Sandy Springs can run you anywhere from $300k's (the area around Abernathy/Roswell Rd.) up to $1m+++, if you look for a fixer up townhome/condo, you can get something cheaper in the Glenridge area also. Over where I live (off Dunwoody Club Drive, near Spalding Dr.) you could find a fixer upper in the $400k range, but one street over is new construction in the $1m range. The whole area is pretty old, so prices range. I would personally stay away from Roswell Rd. Do a search on zip codes 30350, 30328, and 30327 (I think those are all Sandy Springs).

I personally am a big fan of Dunwoody (I'm a homer - raised and just moved back after being gone for 10 years), but unless you're rich ($600k+, rich to me anyways) or willing to suffer through renovations, you won't find anything there. We bought a total P.O.S. and have been slaving on it for almost a year now with sweat equity, as that was the only way to afford to get into the neighborhood.

Buckhead is pretty good, but very pricey. You're probably only looking at condos, and likely only old ones at that.

Midtown would basically be from 17th street to the north down to the Tech campus (more or less). Unless you are rich, you will only get a condo in this area.

Without kids, you get to avoid the worst hangup about the Atlanta area, which is the horrendous public schools.

[RadiatorSprings]

I think Roswell is very nice. It is a safe bedroom community.

Depending upon what you are looking for, I know that John Wieland has a nice townhome community that offers a great amenity package and there'd be no maintenance for you. It's off 92 and Hardscrabble. I've been in the townhomes, they look like houses to me. Very spacious. There are all types of people in this community from empty nesters to families. Very close to conveniences.

If you are looking for a house, there are plenty of nice communities, a lot with swimming pools and tennis courts if that is of interest.