Is Alpharetta, Georgia a good place to live? (Atlanta, Lawrenceville: best suburbs, insurance)

[AndrewT1224]

My fiance and I are thinking about moving from Clearwater, FL to Alpharetta, GA and any other bordering cities. I am an insurance agency owner and want to move my agency up there as other agency owners of this insurance company are doing exceptionally well up in the Atlanta area.

My fiance is white and I am Vietnamese so I am worried about how we may be perceived if we move up there. We have no children; we are looking for a nice/beautiful place to live that is quiet and welcoming. What drew me to Alpharetta besides the business aspect are the houses are much more beautiful and there is more land with every property. Also we are looking for a place that is very dog friendly as we have 3 German Shepherds.

So for all of you who live or know about Alpharetta, can you provide some input? Is it a safe and nice place to live? What are the people like up there? Being I am asian and am in an interacial relationship, will I/we have a hard time being accepted? Is there a lot of racial issues up there? How is the weather like? Would you recommend living up there? Anybody have any experience with my location and Alpharetta? Would you move?

We are looking at property that maxes out at about $700,000.

[sedimenjerry]

Yes, it's one of the best suburbs in Atlanta, really all of N Fulton is nice. Atlanta has a significant asian population (Korean may be most notable). It's generally concentrated northeast of Atlanta towards Duluth, Suwannee and Johns Creek. It's not like the rest of Georgia which is mainly white and black. You'll have no problem getting a decent home in a great school district (even if you don't have kids, best areas in the burbs have the best schools anyway) with that budget.

[ATLTJL]

The Asian population is centered around Johns Creek/Suwanee/Duluth in the northern suburbs, but that doesn't mean anybody will care about you being Vietnamese in Alpharetta (they won't).

It just means you'll have to drive 10-15 minutes to eat at one of the bazillion pho restaurants in this area.

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

The Asian population is centered around Johns Creek/Suwanee/Duluth in the northern suburbs, but that doesn't mean anybody will care about you being Vietnamese in Alpharetta (they won't).

It just means you'll have to drive 10-15 minutes to eat at one of the bazillion pho restaurants in this area.

Truth. As a Vietnamese-American and a third generation Georgian, north Fulton is a fantastic place for Asian-Americans. Gwinnett, Lawrenceville and Chamblee are also pretty good.

[nanhi]

I am in Alpharetta . moved here locally and very happy. It is safe .

[hatgirl007]

Alpharetta might be the right area for you. I would suggest before you up and buy something to first see if Georgia is where you want to live. Give yourself time to acclimate to the city and get a feel for the state.
I will tell you the truth. The south is still the south (racist, closed minded to what is different, and requires you to operator on their terms.) Research the laws: "Right To Work" "Stand Your Ground" and the New GA Gun Laws

If you are determined to live in Georgia, Alpharetta area would be a great location.
Wherever you decide to live please take into account the nationalities present. In an ideal area you would want a good mix of many cultures. White, black, latino, asian, etc. You don't want a place that is so heavily black and white, especially in the south, as you and your fiance might encounter bad experiences.

When you move make sure the state works for you. If you like to mountain climb or job along the beach, determine if these activities are available. If you enjoy a cultural mix then research how many festivals occur within the state.

Moving always requires adjustment but where you live directly effects a portion of your joy if it doesn't fit so make sure it fits for you. Everyone else's expectations are not yours, including mine, LOL. You only have one life to live and your experiences are yours and require no one else's validation. Good luck with the move, try before you buy.

[Born 2 Roll]

Alpharetta is a great suburban community with lots of amenities, great schools, low crime and a very high quality of life overall (maybe except if one has to commute down Georgia 400 to work closer to and in Atlanta every workday).

Alpharetta is a progressive suburban community with a population that is growing increasingly diverse so you and your fiancé should not have any problems or negative feedback in regards to your interracial relationship.

If you like Alpharetta and North Fulton County, I say go for it!

[jpk1292000]

Originally Posted by hatgirl007

Alpharetta might be the right area for you. I would suggest before you up and buy something to first see if Georgia is where you want to live. Give yourself time to acclimate to the city and get a feel for the state.
I will tell you the truth. The south is still the south (racist, closed minded to what is different, and requires you to operator on their terms.) Research the laws: "Right To Work" "Stand Your Ground" and the New GA Gun Laws

If you are determined to live in Georgia, Alpharetta area would be a great location.
Wherever you decide to live please take into account the nationalities present. In an ideal area you would want a good mix of many cultures. White, black, latino, asian, etc. You don't want a place that is so heavily black and white, especially in the south, as you and your fiance might encounter bad experiences.

When you move make sure the state works for you. If you like to mountain climb or job along the beach, determine if these activities are available. If you enjoy a cultural mix then research how many festivals occur within the state.

Moving always requires adjustment but where you live directly effects a portion of your joy if it doesn't fit so make sure it fits for you. Everyone else's expectations are not yours, including mine, LOL. You only have one life to live and your experiences are yours and require no one else's validation. Good luck with the move, try before you buy.

It really surprises me how people say that Atlanta is backwards on race relations. I have half a dozen friends who moved here from other large cities (Boston, St. Louis, Dallas) and say that Atlanta is more harmonious and has as much, if not more opportunity for minorities than those cities, particularly for African Americans.

[k374]

How are people so loaded these days?? Every thread I read on here goes like this... I am moving to ATL and am looking for a home around 700-800k range... has everyone won the super lotto?

[AndrewT1224]

Originally Posted by k374

How are people so loaded these days?? Every thread I read on here goes like this... I am moving to ATL and am looking for a home around 700-800k range... has everyone won the super lotto?

Lol, to be honest with you the insurance business is actually quite a financially fulfilling career especially if you own your own agency. If you do everything right you should be coming close to doubling your last year income dur to renewals and new business. On average new agents working for the insurance company I franchised with make about 80k to 140k a year.

But my fiance and I have been saving for a few years now as well.