Moving to Atlanta surburb (Marietta, Dunwoody: to rent, homes, organic)

[daolag]

We are considering moving from Seattle suburb to Atlanta suburb. We are senior citizen couple. We are of African origin. In ignorance, we are looking at homes in Woodstock, Kennesaw, Cumming, Canton and around the perimeter ( Expensive-Dunwoody). We will appreciate your sincere inputs on racial issues, community activities, non-denominational churches, and Assembly of God or similar churches. Also shed some light on the cost of living, organic groceries, shopping etc. Thanks

[Iconographer]

Racial issues? In Atlanta, I would focus more on your budget and daily needs and desires.
You seem to prefer suburban living, Is access to public transportation important?
COL will be less in Atlanta than Seattle (I've lived in both).
It seems like your search has initially led you to Cobb and Cherokee Counties. My impression is that the African communities seem to gravitate more to Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties in the NE metro (Cobb and Cherokee are in the NW); in particular:

Lawrenceville
Stone Mountain
Clarkston
Lithonia

This came from an old thread (2009), but it still sounds pretty applicable:

"A lot of Liberians and Ghanians live in Gwinnett County and Stone Mountain. Nigerians are everywhere but mainly in Cobb county, and Chamblee is full of East Africans; Ethiopians, Somali people, and Eritrean."

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...s-atlanta.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...ppl-ghana.html

[ATLTJL]

The question is impossible to answer because the suburbs you are looking at all contain very similar amenities, yet have extremely different feels and vibes.

Trying to decide from the other side of the country is a fool's errand. The only thing to do is to come visit each community and determine what you like about each. Even better is to rent for at least 6 months or a year before committing to one.

If being around other Africans is a huge issue for you, then you can take the above advice and look into those communities. However, being African won't be an issue in any suburb unless you feel isolated not having a lot of others around.

[seussie]

daolag, I don't think of any of your choice locations as best for black elderly. But were I to choose anything at all, it would be Marietta, if only because it puts you in close proximity to other things. Every black person you meet will be of African origin, unless you're subtly but unclearly saying you want to be near a certain type of traditional culture. Over and out, things will be cheaper in GA. If you're retired, you might also want to keep up with if the area you're moving to is rapidly developing to a certain price point you may not want to pay 5-10 years down the line. And you'll find far more grocery stores and everyday intangible amenities like skin/hair care east of I-75 throughout Dekalb county.