Moving to Atlanta for Flying (Kennesaw, Druid Hills: relocate, condos, rental)

[BRS2ATL]

Hi

Am looking to move to Atlanta this summer and am looking for a nice area to live. I am entering pilot training and will be based initally at DeKalb Peachtree airport in Chamblee but may later be transfered to Hartsfeild. Which would be the best areas to live, looking for a mix of convenience, low crime rate and relative affordability for rental??

On another note: My wife has been accepted onto a program for international teachers and will hopefully be placed a school in suburban Atlanta. She does have some say in placement so, which High schools are good to aim for? I do need to bear in mind the proximity of the school to my work comitments as well.

Thanks for any advice you can offer

[TakeAhike]

There's a very nice older subdivision across from PDK--Clairmont Park--maybe.
Across from the Chamblee library.

Not certain about the noise issues with the airport--hot topic at times in Chamblee. I would check into that.

I think I saw some rentals for $1,000/1500/mo --I know the prices are increasing.

You could look around the Briarcliff/N.Druid Hills/Clairmont/LaVista area--going towards Emory. Older homes/many renovated $1,000/$1800/mo--2 or 3 bdr/1 bath or more. Many with fenced yards.

Is that of interest to you?

There are lofts/condos to rent in Chamblee--very close to the airport.

There are 4/5 school systems in this area. If your wife is employed with DeKalb--Cross Keys High School serves an international population.
Sequoiah High School in Doraville--not sure what is going on right now.
Chamblee High School also has a diverse population.
You can go to GreatSchools.com and locate FYI.

hth

bhs

[LovinDecatur]

The good news is that your job is right in the middle of NE Atlanta (my favorite part of the city), so you've got options galore.
I think bhs119's suggestion of the neighborhood across Clairmont from PDK (it's called Ashford Park) is a good one...it's safe and quiet, well located and you should be able to find reasonable rentals there.

[BRS2ATL]

Thanks for that bhs.

That does look interesting and will be sure to check it out.

What is Chamblee Like to live in? Hows does it compare to Brookhaven or other nearby areas, in terms of crime and everything else?

Have also been looking in a number of areas from East Cobb and Kennesaw to Norcross and Swanee, due to a low crime rates (statisticly anyway ) but am a bit concerned about driving times for me from some of those areas. It all depends on the placement but want to have as much info as possible.

Thanks again for your reply

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by BRS2ATL

Thanks for that bhs.

That does look interesting and will be sure to check it out.

What is Chamblee Like to live in? Hows does it compare to Brookhaven or other nearby areas, in terms of crime and everything else?

Have also been looking in a number of areas from East Cobb and Kennesaw to Norcross and Swanee, due to a low crime rates (statisticly anyway ) but am a bit concerned about driving times for me from some of those areas. It all depends on the placement but want to have as much info as possible.

Thanks again for your reply

I think it must be pretty nice to live in Chamblee--and I also think Doraville is on its way 'Up'. There are problems--serious problems--Chamblee/Doraville--difficult to know where the boundary lines are. There is growth and development in the area.

I was inclined to 'like' the area around Flowers Rd? maybe Chamblee/maybe not --headed toward Peachtree Industrial and Peachtree Corners.

Peachtree Corners is really my favorite area. Suwanee is good, too.

Your wife would be needed in Gwinnett.

If I could I would find a place 'close to the river'.

A place that I like--is Flowery Branch--beyond Suwanee. A long, long drive to Hartsfield --but I liked it. That's just me. LOL.

bhs

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by BRS2ATL

Thanks for that bhs.

That does look interesting and will be sure to check it out.

What is Chamblee Like to live in? Hows does it compare to Brookhaven or other nearby areas, in terms of crime and everything else?

Have also been looking in a number of areas from East Cobb and Kennesaw to Norcross and Swanee, due to a low crime rates (statisticly anyway ) but am a bit concerned about driving times for me from some of those areas. It all depends on the placement but want to have as much info as possible.

Thanks again for your reply

Chamblee is IMO a mixed bag, but good things are happening there in terms of redevelopment (mostly loft-style condos). Brookhaven north of P'tree is very upscale (homes 1MM and up), south of P'tree is gentrifying quickly. There is a major mixed-use development going in there called Brookhaven Town Center...it will have a positive impact on the area when completed.

[ajax general]

Originally Posted by BRS2ATL

I am entering pilot training and will be based initally at DeKalb Peachtree airport in Chamblee but may later be transfered to Hartsfeild.
Thanks for any advice you can offer

BRS2ATL, does the BRS stand for Bristol in the UK? I'm just assuming you're using airport codes .

Are you entering pilot training for an airline you were hired with, or are you just now starting pilot training in general?

The reason I ask, is why would you choose Atlanta for pilot training and not Florida where you have Flight Safety Intl and Embry-Riddle? Not to mention better weather and terrain conditions for student pilots.

[lastminutemom]

Hi. Which international program? Is it one that will allow her to teach next year? If so, she won't necessarily get the best schools to pick from unless her specialty is math and science...

If it is a program that does more training or schooling, then she should be ok.

[BRS2ATL]

Correct! I actually work for BRS the airport at the moment.

I have settled on Atlanta for a few reasons; My wife has been accepted to the VIF program which places teachers in US schools, to do this she will be granted a 3 year J1 visa which (subject to few conditons) will allow me to both train and be employed in the US, somthing that would not be possible for an international trainee pilot under normal circumstances. VIF is however restricted to certain states and areas as well as having to stay with your asigned school for the 3 year term.

So.........With few opportunities for VIF in Florida or California and no chance to relocate, I need to find somewhere with a good flight school and the possiblity of future employment locally. So I am looking at Aviation Atlanta at PDK who has a good reputation and a bridge program to ASA. Still a bit uncertain but hopefully a good place to start. Don't think I could afford FS anyway

Thanks for all your info, have done a lot of homework on this but is no substitiute for local knowledge

[BRS2ATL]

VIF, with hopefully a start on 07/28/08, and she is a science teacher