jobs in alpharetta, where to move (except alpharetta)? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: real estate, houses)

[sv102]

Me and my wife currently live in Dallas, TX and are moving to metro Atlanta area. Our jobs are in Alpharetta, and we're looking something within 20 mile radius to north from Alpharetta. We don't like suburban living and therefore we don't want to move into Alpharetta. We are looking for something which has a bit more character, sort of like hometown feel. Good schools and safety are extremely important to us. Our budget is up to $300k. Any suggestions on areas we should look into?

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by sv102

Me and my wife currently live in Dallas, TX and are moving to metro Atlanta area. Our jobs are in Alpharetta, and we're looking something within 20 mile radius to north from Alpharetta. We don't like suburban living and therefore we don't want to move into Alpharetta. We are looking for something which has a bit more character, sort of like hometown feel. Good schools and safety are extremely important to us. Our budget is up to $300k. Any suggestions on areas we should look into?

~~~~
You need to visit the area and see for yourself--lots of growth and I am certain there is an area that you would enjoy. Maybe Canton? I get very lost in this area--lots of new development underway.

Here's a map--

http://www.google.com/maps?q=Alphare...i=map&ct=title

SLS

[jxu66]

I used to live in West Plano. I hate to say that 300K is not going very far in Atlanta. Apparently, Atlanta is favor transplant location for New Yorkers and Northeast folks. They push real estate up quite a bit.

If you want more characteristic home, Roswell, Dunwoody/Sandy Spring outside of Perimeter offer more. Also, Druid Hill inside of perimeter is very nice. In fact, there are a lot of small neighborhoods in Atlanta has a lot of characteristic. Unfortunately, all of them are very expensive.

[LLD]

speaking of alpharetta -- does anyone know why so many technology companies are located there? It seems very far from Atlanta to me and also on the total opposite side of the airport -- many technology professionals travel a lot! I know, I'm one of them. And it seems very odd to me that there are so many technology companies "north" of Atlanta, and especially as far out as Alpharetta.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by LLD

speaking of alpharetta -- does anyone know why so many technology companies are located there? It seems very far from Atlanta to me and also on the total opposite side of the airport -- many technology professionals travel a lot! I know, I'm one of them. And it seems very odd to me that there are so many technology companies "north" of Atlanta, and especially as far out as Alpharetta.

~~~
The explosion of growth in Atlanta is in the North---that is where the land is and it is the prestigious area.

JMO, but 'Someday' --perhaps it is planned that will be the location of the Power in the city. Sandy Springs just incorporated into a city after struggling to leave Fulton County for years---somebody should be able to interpret the implications of this better than I.


SLS

[backfist]

Originally Posted by LLD

speaking of alpharetta -- does anyone know why so many technology companies are located there? It seems very far from Atlanta to me and also on the total opposite side of the airport -- many technology professionals travel a lot! I know, I'm one of them. And it seems very odd to me that there are so many technology companies "north" of Atlanta, and especially as far out as Alpharetta.

Many metro areas have a "Tech Center" that attracts folks like Oracle, Intel, Sun, etc. They don't need to be downtown proper, and prefer a rather self-contained, suburban/ex-urban locale. Alpharetta reminds me of the Denver Tech Center. In a short time, it'll probably be a favored destination of new business to Atlanta, as downtowns have become more passe.

[LLD]

Yes, Maryland has a tech center north of DC but you can take the metro in to National airport -- and Northern Viriginia's tech center is on the toll road to Dulles airport. Houston's huge airport is north of town and also a huge tech center there (but several other tech centers around Houston -- Houston is hugely spread out like Atlanta) However, Houston has Beltway 8 -- an outer loop going all around it so you can get to the airport and also there is another smaller airport on the south side. San Diego's tech center doesn't seem far from the airport either.

When I think of London -- two huge major airports Heathrow and then Gatwick south of London and even another smaller airport intown. And the LA area has OC and LAX.

I'm thinking Atlanta needs another airport north of town. :-) A smaller one like Love field in Dallas or Hobby in Houston. That would certainly alleviate the craziness at Hartsfield-Jackson too.

I guess if this Milton County gets formed, maybe they will put in an airport.

[jxu66]

I wouldn't call Alpharatta tech center of Atlanta. When I at school ten years, it was favor spot for telecom related companies. Nortel, Cingular, Lucent and etc.

I think that's belongs to Midtown still. Also, I hear a lot of companies (IT or not) start moving their presence from downtown to midtown/buckhead area.

In general, Atlanta IT is not very strong. I think it ranked around 15th in the country the last times I check.

IT places is very spreadout but mostly in the north suburbs. Norcross technology center area has some IT companies, so do area around Perimeter Mall and Marietta.

[Russ_in_Atlanta]

I would have to agree. Atlanta not a very strong High Tech City but it's getting better. I moved here a while back from Austin, Tx. We had about every HI Tech company u could think of.

Alpharetta is a nice area. Dont know if you've had a chance to visit Atlanta but one difference are the tall 75ft+ trees. You can actually be in the city and it doesnt feel like it. There are a few houses in the sub. of Alpharetta in the price range that you're looking for, so u shouldnt have much of a prob. at all!

[LLD]

I wouldn't call Alpharatta tech center of Atlanta. When I at school ten years, it was favor spot for telecom related companies. Nortel, Cingular, Lucent and etc.

It does seem like there are several tech companies and other companies 8in Alpharetta though and it just seems a very long way from things to me for doing business and going to the airport etc. Although I agree that I have seen some tech companies all over -- Google is in midtown and I saw several other software companies out in the various burbs -- mostly Gwinnett county.