Tell me about Suwanee... (Atlanta, Alpharetta: relocate, foreclosures, property taxes)

[mom2gurls]

So we are visiting suwanee end of this month. We have three small kids 8,3, and 6 months. Just comming there for business for a couple of days.

Not knowing anything about the area, would like some information on how good the schools are, is it a professional area. We like new subdivisions and such. Is it a newly developed area with subdivisions or rural. What about shopping...will there be a mall to keep the kids occupied for a nice stroll.

Anything and everything you can tell me about the town....is it a high crime area..or would say its more upscale. I am looking at it as a scouting mission as well. We would prefer to live in an area that is more upscale in nature, but not snobby. Tree lineds streets, walking trails..a subdivision with perhaps a play park..and schools schoools schools. Those are the most important thing.

Would love to here walk locals have to say about this town and county.

[ajax general]

I'm not a local, but I spend a lot of time in Atlanta throughout the year. My wife and I are hoping to relocate permanently from Florida in a few months, and we have looked everywhichwhere in the Atlanta MSA.
Suwanee is actually at the top of our list at the moment. It is only a few minutes from Duluth which is larger than Suwanee, and is one of the more culturally diverse towns in the area. There are plenty of new and newer subdivisions is Suwanee and single-family homes can start in the low 200s for new constructions and you can even find some foreclosures now on 1-3 year old homes in the high 100s. There are also nicer subdivisions in the area with golf courses and such that go into the 500s and higher.
Depending on which side of the county line you are will tell the school system. The Gwinnett schools are the largest in the state and though crowded are considered good schools. The schools on the Forsyth side, I understand are excellent as well and they just built a new high school in Forsyth county that should keep the overpopulation in check for a while.
Property taxes in Forsyth are also lower than pretty much anywhere in the area at 0.91%.
Crime is relatively low for Greater Atlanta, and I would say the people are mostly Young Suburban Professionals with a median income in the high 40s. But not really snobby in general compared to other neighborhoods (name withheld, but you know who you are).
As far as shopping is concerned, if you can't find what you need at the enormously huge Mall of Georgia (and it's surrounding tributaries) just a few minutes north in Buford on Hwy 20, then you don't need anything. Surrounding the Mall of Georgia you will find places like Target, Lowe's, every restaurant chain in the known universe, etc. I don't think you will be disappointed in the slightest when it comes to that; and bring comfortable shoes for your strolls as there is plenty of square footage to cover. About the same distance to the south (maybe a bit farther) near Lawrenceville you have Discover Mills which is a big outlet mall.

Gwinnett county has a plethora of public parks, and close by you'll find Lake Lanier and the Chattahooche River National Recreation Area with places like Bowmans Park and Settles Bridge where you can hike nature trails or paddle the river.

Overall, I think Suwanee is a very nice, clean, friendly and diverse town that would be perfect for a family with kids. And I am confident that any of the locals on this forum will agree with me. The only caveat is that I-85 going into Atlanta in the mornings and back in the afternoons can be a downright beeotch! And the traffic in Suwanee proper and Peachtree Industrial, can get nasty at times. But that's life in the 'burbs, anywhere you go.

Also, you might want to check out Sugar Hill while you're up there. It's closer to Lake Lanier. And let the Mayor know not to worry, I won't be running for office.

[Twinkletoes]

Suwanee is a low crime area and is considered upscale. It's very family-friendly. There's a walking trail through Suwanee and I often see people pushing stollers, or parents walking and talking while their kids ride bikes alongside. There's a town park with a seasonal farmers market and places to get a hamburger or ice cream. Most of the subdivisions will have a play area and pool. There's a huge amount of retail shopping within a ten-fifteen minute drive. Several grocery stores, pharmacies, and post office are available within a five-minute drive.

[Biggiechri]

Suwanee Forsyth, Fulton or Gwinnett?

[TonyC99]

I live not far from Suwanee...it is one of the nicer suburbs around Atlanta for that distance from the city center...low crime too.

There is a good park system that someone mentioned above...George Pierce Park connects to the Suwanee Greenway, which connects to Suwannee Creek Park (I think it's called). It makes for a pretty good amount of trails that you can walk or ride a bike on.

[chrissiegirl]

My daughter and kids want to move into a rental house in Suwanee. She says; Alpharetta/Suwanee/Johns Creek. Then she adds Cumming/Suwanee area also. Preferred Elementary school Settles Bridge first choice and Sharon Elementary her second.

Can anyone give me an idea on where I go to get the best info on what housing is available with the listed criteria?

[atlantamoi]

I've lived inside the perimeter for 19 years and now that I've started a family I would put Suwanee near the top of my list when you mix in family friendly, nice home for the money and schools. I work downtown and it's easily the number one reason we haven't moved out there yet. I'm still debating if the commute would be worth it.

[goozer]

Originally Posted by atlantamoi

I've lived inside the perimeter for 19 years and now that I've started a family I would put Suwanee near the top of my list when you mix in family friendly, nice home for the money and schools. I work downtown and it's easily the number one reason we haven't moved out there yet. I'm still debating if the commute would be worth it.

That's interesting. When I moved to Atlanta a few years ago, one of the first people I met was a woman who had recently had a baby and she and her husband were pulling up stakes in Candler Park to move OTP -- to Suwanee. It had been the first I had heard of the town at the time. Currently, as an ITP resident, if I had to move to an outer suburb, Suwanee is definitely a town that I would consider based partly on that experience.

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by goozer

Currently, as an ITP resident, if I had to move to an outer suburb, Suwanee is definitely a town that I would consider based partly on that experience.

I like the area. Good trails, parks and a pretty cool little town center that opened recently. Most of the neighborhoods that way are nice as well. I have a feeling we'll end up purchasing a home in Decatur that isn't really as nice as we'd like, but $300k in Suwanee can buy a wonderful house. I've mentioned this before, but if MARTA went up to Suwanee I'd move there tomorrow.

Oh yeah, we also have some relatives that live there. It's definitely another factor.

[Anita Winkler]

I lived right on the Duluth/Suwanee city line for the past 12 years until my employer moved their office and I had to relocate. But, this area is one of the nicest, upscale neighborhoods in Gwinnett County. If you are still looking for a home in this area my home is for sale. As I said, I just recently moved because of my job, but you can view pictures and details of my house online at Costigan Real Easte Group of Atlanta. It is a 4 bedroom, 3 full and 1 half bath home hard stucco traditional. A full basement and second driveway are special features. The name of the subdivision is River Plantation. And at this location you are close to both the downtown/old town districts of both Duluth and Suwanee. You are also close to excellent shopping at both Discover Mills, and Mall of Georgia.