Is East Cobb the nicest/safest area to raise a family?

[gigi1966]

Wow, right wing christian...just what I am trying to get away from here. Thanks for letting me know. How do you survive?

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by gigi1966

Wow, right wing christian...just what I am trying to get away from here. Thanks for letting me know. How do you survive?

Hah, sometimes more easily than others. I am a Christian myself, but of the left-wing variety, which is pretty rare around here. In fact, it's quite annoying how in the South it's mostly assumed by the media, etc. that Christian = right-wing.

If we'd had any inkling that different parts of the metro area were so culturally distinct in this way, I think we'd have tried to find a home somewhere more like Decatur or Candler Park, although maybe we couldn't have afforded it anyway. Glad to be of service in heading you off from East Cobb, anyway.

[gigi1966]

I think we have pretty much ruled out GA for now. I appreciate all the non judgemental replies. But if we reconsider, I will look into Decaur.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by gigi1966

I think we have pretty much ruled out GA for now. I appreciate all the non judgemental replies. But if we reconsider, I will look into Decaur.

I think this thread turned into a total roller-coaster ride! I hope that you'll reconsider GA, it's more diverse than you might think.

[gigi1966]

We are not basing or decisions on these threads.....it's just another way to get info.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Just about any suburb in the Atlanta metro which offers quality housing and otherwise provides a quality living environment also has an acceptable public school system, true?

Assuming the above is generally true, why care so much about the quality of the schools? Why not instead focus on overall quality of life for the family, and on the ability of your kids to actually do well on their own?

Most schools are going to excel in some areas and be deficient in other areas regardless of their overall merit, and your kids' experience is going to be a very subjective experience due to peers, specific teachers, etc. So why be so anal about the specific institution? A year or two from now, the info you obtained about schools might all be irrelevant anyhow. Teachers retire, new ones come in, school boards change, etc.

Colleges generally aren't going to care what school a kid comes from. They're going to want to know GPA, test scores, external activities, etc. But specific school? Unless Georgia is really different from other parts of the country, which is possible...

Well said, rc.

Also, many people still don't realize (but it has already been mentioned on this forum) that colleges actually look a little more favorably on students that come from schools with more socio-economic diversity.

So, if UGA is looking at two identical students with the exact same numbers, activities, etc. and one is from Marietta High and the other from Walton High...they will more than likely pick the Marietta High student. Why?
1. There are a higher numbers of students attending UGA that went to Walton.
2. They will see the Marietta student as having a more unique, diverse, worldly perspective...thus adding more to the class make-up.

Many people mistakenly believe that diversity only means race/ethnicity.

I know a former Decatur High student (upper middle-class) who won a major scholarship (based on an essay). She attended Oberlin. The essay topic was about opportunity, etc. Her mother was convinced that she won the scholarship because of the unique perspective she had due to the fact that she had attended school with public-housing children since she was in kindergarten.

[aries4118]

Yes, gigi...if you do consider Georgia/Atlanta again, I think you will be very happy in Decatur.

Good Luck.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

Hmm, Gigi, I think you might be happier in Decatur as suggested by LovinDecatur. I'm in East Cobb and the schools are the best thing about the area, so far as my family is concerned. However, I wouldn't call it a tolerant community. The vast majority of the population is strong right-wing conservative Christians.

Smyrna is much more diverse and cosmopolitan than East Cobb. I'd consider it as well if considering those factors. I'm not Christian or any other religion (I believe in a universal oneness of all things) and I get along fine with my neighbors.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Well said, rc.

Also, many people still don't realize (but it has already been mentioned on this forum) that colleges actually look a little more favorably on students that come from schools with more socio-economic diversity.

So, if UGA is looking at two identical students with the exact same numbers, activities, etc. and one is from Marietta High and the other from Walton High...they will more than likely pick the Marietta High student. Why?
1. There are a higher numbers of students attending UGA that went to Walton.
2. They will see the Marietta student as having a more unique, diverse, worldly perspective...thus adding more to the class make-up.

Many people mistakenly believe that diversity only means race/ethnicity.

I know a former Decatur High student (upper middle-class) who won a major scholarship (based on an essay). She attended Oberlin. The essay topic was about opportunity, etc. Her mother was convinced that she won the scholarship because of the unique perspective she had due to the fact that she had attended school with public-housing children since she was in kindergarten.

My oldest child did something similar because he once wrote an essay expressing so much compassion for children who didn't have things. I believe immensely that it hasn't hurt my children one bit to attend schools that are diverse.

About UGA -- last night I was with a bunch of moms like myself. What we think is happening is that UGA is basically taking 10 percent of each of the Metro area's classes (if that many apply), so if Walton has a graduating class of 400 they are taking 40 more or less and if Lakeside has a class of 180 they are taking around 20. It even seems to apply to most private schools Fulton County is scheduled to open a new school next year (09-10)to relieve Northview and my friend intends to move her child for her senior year), hoping that she will be better able to get into GA from there (since seniors will have the option of staying at Northview).

Anyway -- very unscientific at best.

[CartersvilleTownies]

We moved from Cobb County over a year ago, primarily due to the issues with the school system.

We relocated to Bartow County and all three of our children are thriving academically.

I resided in East Cobb as child with my parents. Then, it was a decent area. Now, not so much.

I realize this is only my personal experience, but for what it may be worth- I thought I would share.