Cumming - schools and home prices (Atlanta, Alpharetta: apartment, houses, to buy)

[ashokbhatt]

Hi all,

I have a question for the folks on this forum.

I just moved to Atlanta and am in an Apartment in Alpharetta. We are planning to buy a house soon and looking at Alpharetta vs. Cumming. People keep saying this:

Cumming:
Pros:

• More house for money – not my priority
• More capital appreciation in the years to come – very interested
• School

districts – OK now, but improving and will be the next Alpharetta in 6-7 years

Cons:
Feels more country-like


Alpharetta:
Pros:
Houses are

• already expensive. Future capital appreciation limited
• School districts – one of the best
• Closer to MARTA

if going to downtown.

Cons:
More school taxes/ property taxes


I’d really appreciate it if people could validate that is to some extent true. And other considerations like safety, crime, hospitals, etc. would be great to hear.

Thanks
Ashok

[Dd714]

I don't have an answer but you brought up an interesting question for the readers. In the more expensive or overpopulated areas in Atlanta - do you see future home appreciation limited? Have they topped out? Aside from a housing market bust, could they actually depreciate?
This compared to cheaper areas such as Cummings.

[Forsyth-Online]

Look at South Forsyth and the increase in home values. I think they will continue to rise and unfortunately if you are on the east side of 400 and south of 20 not much of a county like feel. They are already going to town with the new Avenue shops of Forsyth and also there will be a very upscale mall located off of McFarland with high end shops.

Schools rival Alpharetta, but for some reason Forsyth County is never included in the comp data with Atlanta metro schools.