Advice on relocating (Marietta, Alpharetta, Kennesaw: work, homes, trailer)

[tkemery]

I have moved to GA from Maine. I am staying temporairily in Alpharetta, but work in Kennesaw. I would appreciate any advice from anyone. I am looking to possibly settle in Dallas. I have heard that is a great area. I do not have children, but want to find a home with a bit of yard, a workshop or garage and I would rather not be right on top of anyone. I came from a small town and love the feel of the small town. I also looking for any advice on living frugally in this area. We still have our home in Maine and trying to do two homes with the price of gas, groceries, etc has been tough.

[LovinDecatur]

I would consider Hiram, which puts you closer to Kennesaw than Dallas. I really like that area.

[wxjay]

Are you planning on having a family? I ask because Paulding County schools aren't super, so Dallas or Hiram might be a little tough for that. If you don't care about the schools, then I would choose Hiram or Powder Springs.

[atlantagreg30127]

Well, it's late and I'm not in a very politically correct mood, so I'll lay it on the table - if you want to be in a somewhat redneck area, pick Dallas. Otherwise, avoid Paulding. This of course opens a can of worms. But I've lived in West Cobb (Powder Springs) for 14+ years now, and while no place is perfect by any means, I can find many more faults with the towns in Paulding than on this side of the County line.

The company I work for is right on the Cobb/Paulding line, and most of my coworkers are from the Paulding area. I hear constant complaints from them about how bad their kids schools are, about neighbors with 5 dogs that bark all day and night, neighbors who get into drunk fights in the front yard, etc etc - and these are in subdivisions with homes in the $200+ range - not trailer park type neighborhoods. There are of course plenty of nice folks in Paulding, but the redneck-to-normal ratio seems to still be higher there still. There is a difference between someone who is "country" and someone who is "redneck"... there are plenty of nice country folk around, but from Paulding Westward you still have a countable number of rednecks. Enough said - I'm giving my perspective as having lived in this area for a while and won't get into fights over it before anyone gets riled up and starts (FYI).

Look in the "unincorporated" West Cobb County area. It's a rather large area, so ask a realtor for help. The closer you get to some areas (The Avenues of West Cobb, Marietta, Kennesaw) the higher the home prices will go, but if you're far enough West or SW of those areas, the prices are still somewhat reasonable - again, a realtor would know best. You won't actually be in a small town per se, but you'll be within reasonable driving distances to Marietta, Kennesaw, Powder Springs, and the shopping area of Hiram should you still venture into Paulding, too.

[ramblinwreck17]

I agree with atlantagreg to an extent...I grew up in Douglasville which is in the county south of Paulding. Part of me enjoys the 'neck in Paulding since I have a little in me but otherwise the area he is describing in Cobb would be better.

[tkemery]

Thanks for all the advice. I dont have children, so the school system is not my concern. The only reason I considered "country", if you will, is my father lives with us and he loves to putter in the workshop/garage and the yard. He is used to a small town so I would like to keep that for him. My work is on Town Park Drive in Kennesaw. The reason I was considering Dallas is someone that also relocated from Maine about 3 years ago recommended it. I would like to stay away from the drunk fighting, stray dog etc of the country.

Also, how do you all frugally shop for groceries etc around here? I am used to bakery outlets, suplus food ("dented can" stores as we call them) and the like.

THANKS Again for all your help and advice.

[BobKovacs]

If it was me, I'd look in Cherokee County around Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, or even Waleska if you're looking for a little space. While these areas are growing (smartly, I might add), there's still plenty of places where Dad could have a nice workshop to tinker around in without annoying the neighbors.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by tkemery

Also, how do you all frugally shop for groceries etc around here? I am used to bakery outlets, suplus food ("dented can" stores as we call them) and the like.

Well, I'm sure there are some "scratch and dent" discount places around still these days here, but I'm not aware of them.

To be honest, like a lot of folks, I buy in bulk from Costco. There is a Costco in Kennesaw which is actually one of the busiest ones in the U.S. You really do save some big $$ on certain types of things there, but of course, you have to have the room to store it all. I get tingly buying 50 rolls of toilet paper - I have no idea why.

P.S. - Here's a link to a text article with a video link in it as well about a guy who owns a restaurant out in Paulding who reguarly makes the news with his signs. Now, he by no means represents all people who live in Paulding, but based on my experience living in this area, you do tend to run into folks with his mentality a little more often out that way than you do some other directions: Click HERE.