Relocating to Cobb County for Wife's New Job (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: lease, condo)

[Chris625]

My wife has a job opportunity/promotion with her company that would have us relocating from the Baltimore, MD area to Austell, GA where her new job is based. We would rent at first to get familiar with the area, but would be looking to buy after the 1 year lease is up. The question is where in Cobb County (or Douglas County) to buy?

Some info:

1. Budget? - $200K
2. House/Condo/Townhome? - House
3. Employment Status (commute/work from home)? - Commute (her), Work from Home (me)
4. Children (public school vs. private)? - N/A
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two? - Suburban (I want a decent yard)
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? - Not important
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood? - We're Black (African-American). We've lived in predominately White, predominately Black, and diverse neighborhoods. Not really a concern as long as the area is safe and has low crime.

I've been looking at Austell, Smyrna, Vinings, Marietta and Lithia Springs. I work in IT and my company based in Maryland is allowing me to stay on and telecommute, so how far (how bad) the commute is for my wife to Austell will determine the distance. I'm sure she'd prefer to commute 30 minutes or less. If I can't stand working from home with no human contact for an extended period of time my company has branch offices in Sandy Springs and South Atlanta that I may be able to work out of. In this case we could split the commute time (her going South, me going North or South).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[lorilove]

For the first year while you are renting, I would stay closer to Austell in areas like Mableton or Powder Springs. But if you think there are odds you will end up commuting then you options are much less.

Mableton and Smyrna are great areas and provide the best commute options but at $200,000 you won't get a big yard unless you get an older house.

[Chris625]

Originally Posted by lorilove

For the first year while you are renting, I would stay closer to Austell in areas like Mableton or Powder Springs. But if you think there are odds you will end up commuting then you options are much less.

Mableton and Smyrna are great areas and provide the best commute options but at $200,000 you won't get a big yard unless you get an older house.

I see what you mean, Just looking at Zillow it looks like we'll be able to get newer houses (built in 2000+) for under or around our budget. I understand the area had a pretty bad flood in 2009 and hasn't recovered from it. Should we be concerned as far as resale?

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by Chris625

I see what you mean, Just looking at Zillow it looks like we'll be able to get newer houses (built in 2000+) for under or around our budget. I understand the area had a pretty bad flood in 2009 and hasn't recovered from it. Should we be concerned as far as resale?

That flood was so extraordinary that it caught people off guard. You can probably find flood risk maps somewhere and make a better decision. Most of the area is fine. It's near the rivers and creeks you have to worry. The issue back then was that it flooded where it never had (in memory) flooded before.

With no kids, somewhere in Douglas county would suit you just fine I think. It's nearby and not expensive.

[Chris625]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

With no kids, somewhere in Douglas county would suit you just fine I think. It's nearby and not expensive.

Thanks for replying. Aside from Lithia Springs what are some good areas to look in Douglas County?

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by Chris625

Thanks for replying. Aside from Lithia Springs what are some good areas to look in Douglas County?

Well Douglasville dominates the county north of 20 (and large parts south). I think most of it is nice enough. My grandma used to live out there til about 10 years ago. Spent many a years going out to visit her as a child. I think the areas south of 20 and away from the commercial areas. But, it has been awhile since I've been out there. I know there's someone that lives near Austell that probably can tell you much more.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Chris625

I see what you mean, Just looking at Zillow it looks like we'll be able to get newer houses (built in 2000+) for under or around our budget. I understand the area had a pretty bad flood in 2009 and hasn't recovered from it. Should we be concerned as far as resale?

Parts of Austell were hit pretty hard because of the convergence of three creeks and 21.03 inches of rain in 24 hours to the west (upstream), but I think the areas that were hit can be identified using something like this:

FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Search By Address

Most of the rest of that part of the county was not hit that hard. I-20 and Six Flags was underwater, and I-285 above the Chattahoochie was underwater south of Atlanta Road. I think much of the rest of Cobb had local flooding but not devastation.

It will depend on location, and on how well businesses around the home have recovered. I know a lot of restaurants and things like BJ's on the E/W Connector were closed do to the economic hit in the area.

[ElleKaye]

You could also consider Powder Springs or Kennesaw. I'd probably more likely look at Marietta where while the houses won't be brand new, they will likely be higher quality built.