Family-friendly Christian areas in Gwinnett County... (Atlanta, Dunwoody: environment, apartments, travel)

[brettk]

I recently took a job in Norcross and have moved to Duluth from a suburb of Jackson, Miss. Unfortunately I did not do much research before my move and I am in an apartment off of Satelitte Blvd and do not feel the safest (I keep my gun next to my bed). That said, I am looking to move out of here.

I am recently married, and my wife and I are both church-going rather conservative people, we would like somewhere that fits that and was wondering what areas y'all recommed. I work in Norcross and want to be about 20/25 miles from work. While we don't have any kids yet, we will start a family sometime and would like good schools for resale. Is it possible to find something that fits that description that is more small town or rural. If not where/ how far out would we have to go?

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by brettk

I am recently married, and my wife and I are both church-going rather conservative people, we would like somewhere that fits that and was wondering what areas y'all recommed. I work in Norcross and want to be about 20/25 miles from work. While we don't have any kids yet, we will start a family sometime and would like good schools for resale. Is it possible to find something that fits that description that is more small town or rural. If not where/ how far out would we have to go?

Well, based on the title of your thread alone, I hate to tell you, but this is Atlanta... one of the more divese areas in the entire region. Chances are you won't find a whole area that could be clumped into one generic "family-friendly Christian area" description, unless someone opens a theme park.

If you're talking about finding an entire area where everyone or most of everyone have the traditional (or stereotypical, depends on who you ask), "nuclear family", who practice the Christian faith, who are conservatives, comparible to the Jackson area... well... you might need to go a bit further out. Going North of the area you work - Gainesville, Braselton, Homer, Baldwin, or Dahlonega may give you close to that feel and atmosphere - plus a pretty hefty commute to and from work, too. There may be pockets of it closer in, but it's hit and miss, and may not stay that way for long anyway (per comments below about growth).

Remember that the Atlanta metro region is adding from between 50,000 to 150,000 people per year, ever year. Unless you move WAY out, chances are any rural settings that are closer-in now will be a typical Atlanta suburb within 8-15 years the way the region is growing. It's a completely different world from Jackson here in the entire area, and you may not find a close fit to that old environment in the Atlanta metro area at all - but maybe something similar in those outer suburbs mentioned.

[martarider]

I would say that Dunwoody meets his request and is within his required distance as well. I dont think it is so much a question of how far out to go, but maybe more of how much you can afford.

On a side note this post makes me sad. That area around Satellite used to be pretty nice. (10+ years ago)

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by martarider

On a side note this post makes me sad. That area around Satellite used to be pretty nice. (10+ years ago)

I guess just driving over there for shopping isn't enough to get the experience, but I can't think of any reason for needing a gun next to your head. Maybe it really has deteriorated a lot.

Brett, I'm going to suggest Suwanee. Just go straight up Satellite for 5 or so miles and then turn left at McGinness Ferry and drive around. It's definitely a family friendly area and gets you out of Norcross, but not light years away for a commute. Atlanta might not be Jackson, but you are still in the south and will have no problems at all finding other Christians/churches. With my relatives it seems this are only Christians on the planet

[breeze823]

Originally Posted by atlantamoi

I guess just driving over there for shopping isn't enough to get the experience, but I can't think of any reason for needing a gun next to your head. Maybe it really has deteriorated a lot.

Brett, I'm going to suggest Suwanee. Just go straight up Satellite for 5 or so miles and then turn left at McGinness Ferry and drive around. It's definitely a family friendly area and gets you out of Norcross, but not light years away for a commute. Atlanta might not be Jackson, but you are still in the south and will have no problems at all finding other Christians/churches. With my relatives it seems this are only Christians on the planet

Yes, I have friends in Suwanee and they love it. I'm not a fan of Gwinnett, too big....we live out.

[brettk]

Thanks for some of the suggestions. Braselton actually caught my eye. I looked it up on Google Maps and they says it about 30 miles to my office in Norcross. Essentially a straight shoot down 85. They say its about 45 minutes, does anybody know how long it really is duing rush hours?

As far as where I live and it being dangerous, please read this- Bridgewater Apartments Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Duluth apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com. I thought Bridgewater looked nicer than the other apt's on Satelitte (which I liked at the time b/c of its convenience), but I come out to the parking lot each morning hoping my truck is still there in all its pieces.

[masonbarge]

I really don't know much about the area, but my general impression is that you should be able to find something closer than Braselton. You might not get a whole town, but there should be a neighborhood that fits your bill. Have you checked out the Lilburn and Tucker areas?

[gotjenks]

I live in Norcorss and go to church in Duluth on HWY 120. Since Hwy 120 is full of churches the neighborhoods around there are nice.
Lilburn is a nice area. Snellville (webb ginn road area) is nice. If you want a house cheap I know a nice one in Norcross. (It is my house!!) Suwannee is a nice area as well. There is a subdivision that winds up behind the WalMart that is really nice.
If you work in Norcross north of 85 then you can travel back roads. If you work in the Norcross south of 85 you can travel down L'ville Hwy.
The houses around Norcross are nice as well (the ones on the road where the Forum are)
YES the area is diverse but as a Christian we know that we cannot gate ourselves and that we need to go out and be the lamp.
What church are you going to now that you have moved the the Atlanta area? If you are baptist then I must recommend that you visit First Baptist Church of Duluth.
Whatever church you go to then look for houses near the church so that you have connections to your church family.

[rxlynn]

Originally Posted by atlantamoi

I guess just driving over there for shopping isn't enough to get the experience, but I can't think of any reason for needing a gun next to your head. Maybe it really has deteriorated a lot...

There was a fatal shooting in the Satellite Blvd./Pleasant Hill Rd. area behind the Red Lobster at around 9 pm at night about a week or so ago. I still feel reasonably safe going to the mall area during the day, but I can tell you I won't be going at night anymore. I've lived in this end of Gwinnett County for almost 15 years, and I can tell you from personal observation that the area in some ways has deteriorated remarkably in that length of time. We are leaving as soon as we can.

[Scraper Enthusiast]

I'd say:

Dacula
Grayson
Buford
Sugar Hill
parts of Snellville, Lilburn, and Lawrenceville.

The best, in my opinion, would be the first four I listed.