Commuting from Apharetta to CDC - crazy? (Atlanta, Dunwoody: houses, neighborhood)

[ellabellaia]

Thank you everyone for all your advice - I truly appreciate it. You've brought up some valid points. Part of the reason we're making this move is so my husband can be at home more - he works at least 80 hours/week now. There's really no sense in moving if he's going to spend the extra 20 hours per week in the car!

What are the zip codes for Candler Park and Lake Claire? We're heading down next week to look at homes, so I'd like to check out realtor.com.

Again - thank you so much! I'm very nervous about this move and appreciate everyone's assistance!

[meadgrad]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

I understand the rural lure. I've always thought that I could live in the country, or I could live in the city - it's just the burbs I can't take!

well put!

[blackrabbit]

The comute will also cost about the same as buying a more expensive home in monthly payments. Do yourself a favor and live closer in. You can still find a house with a nice garden ITP for 400k. A house ITP is also a much better long term investment. I would be looking in the Briarcliff area and maybe North Brookhaven.

[George Chong]

It is 30307 - but you need to look for the 30307 that is in DeKalb County - not Fulton.

I would also suggest the City of Decatur. Check out the website for the City at City of Decatur, GA. The zip code there would be 30030. Do not confuse a Decatur address and the City of Decatur. Two totally different places and prices too.

Lots of CDC/Emory folks live in Decatur, Lake Claire, Candler Park and such. You can take the back roads and not hit the highway.

Also use this website as a guide for schools too GreatSchools.net Yes - there are good school systems in the City :-)

Good luck and welcome!

[plessthanpointohfive]

YEs, the 30307 that's Fulton is Inman Park and the homes are more expensive there (huge gorgeous victorians and other really interesting architectural styles...wish I has the $$$$).

You'd really love the sense of community, the SHORT commute, and the familiy oriented atmosphere yet with lots of adults-only type of things going on in Decatur, Lake Claire, or Candler Park.

Your kids will like it, too, because they will have easy access to all of their friends...mom and dad won't be stressed because of overlong work or cummute hours and can walk them over to friends houses or to the park.

Candler Park is named such because of the park named Candler Park. Lake Claire is the immediate neighbor to the CP neighborhood (you will see Ski Lake Claire bumper stickers even though there's no lake! ). The park is a wonderful public park with 55 acres, including a 9-hole golf course, pool, tennis, basketball courts, and soccer fields. And there's a fantastic festival every October!

Here's a link:

Candler Park Atlanta Map - interactive map of Candler Park with neighborhood information, schools, business, parks, and churches

And if you search this forum for Candler Park Photos you can see a walking tour I did around one block near my home.

Lake Claire is just as fantastic, too!

Welcome!

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by ellabellaia

My husband has accepted a position at the CDC. We are currently looking for houses in the Alpharetta/Milton/Johns Creek areas, but now that we've made the drive a few times, I'm starting to think we might be a little crazy. Realistically, is this a doable commute on a daily basis?

We're leaning towards the suburbs because we're from VERY small town Iowa and would rather ease into life in a large city. I did live in Chicago for a few years after college, but I think our girls' (5 and 3) heads would spin to go from 360 acres to hardly any grass. But, because we are from a rural area, we're used to driving an hour to get anywhere. It's just that instead of being stuck behind a tractor, we'd be sitting still in traffic.

Under normal conditions, how long would this drive take once we're familiar with the area?

I suggest looking in Lilburn in the Camp Creek Elementary School area. This will be about 17 miles to CDC. You have a lot of alternate routes since you do not have to cross the river like on the commute to Alpharetta. You probably can get a nice house with a half acre lot for under 400K. Mountain Park is the other good elementary school in this area. Please avoid any home that lists Minor or Hopkins as the elementary school.

Camp Creek Elementary School - Lilburn, Georgia - GA - school overview


30047, Real Estate Listings and 30047 Single Family Home for Sale - Realtor.com

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

I understand the rural lure. I've always thought that I could live in the country, or I could live in the city - it's just the burbs I can't take! It used to be that the burbs gave you the best of the country (quiet, land) and the city (convenience). But not in Atlanta. Not anymore.

With all due respect, that's a tremendously sweeping statement to make.

Some of us have actually managed to find all three, and in my case quite recently.

"The burbs" is a term that covers a huge range of communities, and the folks living in such areas might work locally or not that far from their homes ... not everyone commutes downtown as so many ITP folks seem to believe!

[plessthanpointohfive]

It's a sweeping statement that I, personally, found to be true. I don't think many people can find the surburban ideal in metro Atlanta anymore.

And, specifically, this would apply to this particular OP whose husband would be working ITP.

For sure if my job and my husband's job had been in downtown Larryville we would have never moved...

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

It's a sweeping statement that I, personally, found to be true. I don't think many people can find the surburban ideal in metro Atlanta anymore.

We may have to agree to disagree, methinks. That's okay.

And, specifically, this would apply to this particular OP whose husband would be working ITP.

YEs, I agree that the OP should probably look at a shorter commute.

For sure if my job and my husband's job had been in downtown Larryville we would have never moved...

Sounds to me like a specific circumstance was the problem, not the general suburban environment.

[plessthanpointohfive]

I can only really speak retrospectively but I really, really, really pefer urban life than suburban life...and more than just the commute. But I get how others feeldifferently.

I do like the county, though. I have a friend in Winder with farm and I definitely see the appeal....