gay couple moving to atl (Atlanta, Alpharetta: cul-de-sac, home, neighborhood)

[matt8325]

Cumming is not even a suburb of Atlanta. It is considered an exurb. I wouldnt consider any exurb of Atlanta to be gay friendly.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by matt8325

Cumming is not even a suburb of Atlanta. It is considered an exurb. I wouldnt consider any exurb of Atlanta to be gay friendly.

Suburbanites can be a lot cooler that you seem to give them credit for. I have some close friends (gay male couple) that moved from intown Tampa to Valrico (sort of Tampa's version of Cumming). They were nervous when they first moved there, but the neighbors have been great to them and now they love it there.

[matt8325]

I agree that some suburbanites can be accepting of gay people, but im talking about exurbanites. Cities such as Cumming, Cartersville, Villa Rica, Covington, Griffin, etc.

[atlantagreg30127]

Let's put it this way - I've lived in Atlanta since 1984 and have known and worked with a lot of gay people in that time. I have never heard from them, nor seen a news story, of a gay person's home being burned to the ground or their cars firebombed in any suburb of Atlanta. At the best in some areas, you'll be accepted into a neighborhood with open arms as part of the diversity. As a novelty in others, you'll be "trendy" (white upper-income couple bragging to their friends, "Oh, yes, we even have a gay couple on our street!"). At worst, you'll get angry stares from people who say, "Gawdamnit, those f***s are moving from Midtown up this way now!!"... but even with that, there shouldn't be "dangers" to worry about.

That being said, I've also worked with lots of people from the Cumming area. When I moved here, Cumming was considered wayyyyyy out there. Lots of chicken farmers (literally - and there still are some there). The kind of folks who did indeed sometimes scare you as you think you can hear a faint sound of a banjo in the background. Some of those folks are still in that area - many of the rest are what I'd at least label as "rural suburbanite nuclear family" types. Whether that's something you can handle if up to you. If you're a quieter assimilation type of couple who tends to blend in to your surroundings, fine. If you want to hang a rainbow flag on the front porch, I'd say you might be pushing it up there.

Another to consider is your job - while the real estate market in Atlanta in SOME of the neighborhoods is stronger than in some parts of the U.S., the outer suburban areas are doing worse as gas prices go up and people want to move closer in. Place like Dunwoody, Smyrna, Vinings, Roswell - they're still clipping along fairly well. Suburbs that are more rural and further out like Dallas, Cumming, Calhoun, Social Circle - well, they're not doing quite so well in the real estate game, and again, aren't quite known for being the most accepting of a very diverse neighborhood setting in some spots.

Whichever way you decide to go, it's always a good idea to RENT for the first few months in the area you're thinking about first here, before deciding to buy.

[matt8325]

I agree with atlantagreg, I would think that with the high gas prices and the economy being the way it is, areas further out like Cumming wouldn't be a great real estate market.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by matt8325

I agree with atlantagreg, I would think that with the high gas prices and the economy being the way it is, areas further out like Cumming wouldn't be a great real estate market.

Well, these areas are good if you want to BUY a place at a deal now, and don't mind some commutes to work. But in a particular case of a realtor who might want to work reasonably close to home, it wouldn't be the hottest choice to hit the rural burbs now for work in that field.

[jjordan]

I wouldn't do it but if you must Vickery is the only place I'd consider. That's still not enough for me but...YMMV.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by jjordan

I wouldn't do it but if you must Vickery is the only place I'd consider. That's still not enough for me but...YMMV.

What a lovely suggestion? They look very upscale and well-built! I personally have not been in Cumming in a few years, not bad! Perhaps these guys could make a lot of $$$ marketing those properties!

[kerryinatlanta]

Metro Atlanta is a true melting pot and I think that you will be fine wherever you decide to live. If you like to go out socialize quite a bit, I would suggest that you head south -- to the City of Atlanta or North Fulton county. If you are more of the "homebody", then Cumming would be a good choice-- and you get a lot more house for your money!

I'm also a real estate agent and the "intown" Atlanta market (inside the 1-285 perimeter) is still very strong. The northern counties are still holding their own, so with a little bit of hard work, you should do very well.

Good luck with your house hunt!

[relaxedandsmilin]

thank you