Commuting from Blue Ridge to ATL, crazy idea? (Sandy Springs, Gainesville: rent, new construction)

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by arjay57

When I hear Alabama, the first things that come to mind are culture and sophistication.

Absolutely!

[Serabit]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. We visited ATL a few days ago and drove all around various cities and highways to get an idea of commuting times, neighborhoods, lifestyle, etc.

In our short trip, we checked out Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Big Canoe, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Buford, Social Circle, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.

There are certainly many pros/cons to each and, while we are still drawn towards the mountains, we are settling on Milton for the time being. Plan is to rent there for our first year and continue to familiarize ourselves with all other suburbs until we’re ready to buy.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by Serabit

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. We visited ATL a few days ago and drove all around various cities and highways to get an idea of commuting times, neighborhoods, lifestyle, etc.

In our short trip, we checked out Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Big Canoe, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Buford, Social Circle, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.

There are certainly many pros/cons to each and, while we are still drawn towards the mountains, we are settling on Milton for the time being. Plan is to rent there for our first year and continue to familiarize ourselves with all other suburbs until we’re ready to buy.

Milton is an excellent choice.

The schools there feature extremely high ratings and have an excellent reputation and Milton is a highly affluent community that offers direct access to numerous top notch resources for families with children.

And as a North metro Atlanta outer-suburban community that is located in the rolling foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Milton is located only minutes away from the southernmost ranges of the Blue Ridge Mountains… So mountain access should not really be much of a problem when you and/or your family really wants it and/or needs it.

[ATL Golfer]

Originally Posted by Serabit

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. We visited ATL a few days ago and drove all around various cities and highways to get an idea of commuting times, neighborhoods, lifestyle, etc.

In our short trip, we checked out Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Big Canoe, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Buford, Social Circle, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.

There are certainly many pros/cons to each and, while we are still drawn towards the mountains, we are settling on Milton for the time being. Plan is to rent there for our first year and continue to familiarize ourselves with all other suburbs until we’re ready to buy.

But it sounds like you didn't even go there? Kidding.

Plan you driving accordingly. GA400 can be a nightmare. I do a reverse trip from Brookhaven to Roswell/Woodstock intersection quite a bit (King Rd and Cox Rd right next to Milton). Most of the time its OK when you avoid rush hour. Milton is a good area. Just not a lot of character in my book. Just nicer looking strip malls.

[y8tiger]

Originally Posted by arjay57

When I hear Alabama, the first things that come to mind are culture and sophistication.

The pot calling the kettle black.

Those of us who grew up in N GA know quite well the effect that Deliverance had on the N GA Mountains.

[ShenardL]

Milton is nice. You can also take the family to nearby Avalon in Alpharetta on weekends.

[beach43ofus]

Blue Ridge to ATL for any length of tie will wear you, your car, and your wallet down.

I can see doing it for a few weeks, or a couple of months, while you waited for something to happen to end the commute, but otherwise its crazy.....too many miles and too much traffic.

You'd want to leave by 5am to beat the rush, then leave the office by 3:15pm to do the same. If you had flex hours, it woulc be manageable for a while.

[Need4Camaro]

I didn't read the whole thread but I think the OP decided on Milton. Even that is a tough commute to ATL if leaving during peak hours. Whats crappy about 400 is that it can back up going both ways since Alpharetta is a job hub so there is no reverse commute along 400. Unfortunately no MARTA rail to Alpharetta makes this commute more miserable than it has to be.

As for the original topic, Blue Ridge to ATL is a big no no ... but I think that has been debated enough to the point that it's crystal clear that its a terrible idea for a commute.

[beach43ofus]

Milton is doable, especially if you have some flexitime ability.

I did it while I was getting my MBA for 2.5 yrs. So long as I left my office by 3PM in ATL, I could be near Milton by 4PM easily...even if an accident, or other slowdown. I got to work at 7am, and didn't go out for lunch, so my boss was okay w/ it.

[thtguyuknw]

Originally Posted by DoubleZ OTP

I would strongly consider Cherokee County and Forsyth County in the North Atlanta exurbs -- though you'll almost certainly have to forget about those mountain views.

I disagree about "forget about the mountain views". We have some decent, distant, mountain views here in Certain parts of Cherokee, Canton and the Sixes area, has some land on hills that can get a decent view. The Schools here are all highly rated, and with the express lanes it is less than an hour commute to most of Buckhead.