relocating-need help: short commute to atlanta and good schools (Roswell: good credit, loan)

[meg'n'z]

Hi Everyone,

My husband might be relocating us to Altanta! I need help figuring out where to look for a home. We have a 3 year old and we're trying for more. We want good schools in a nice community but also a relatively short commute for him to Atlanta; max of 30-45 min, if possible?

We're hoping to allow me to stay home with the kids, so we're not looking for the ultra expensive communities, but we don't want to end up in a neighborhood with less than desirable schools. We live (and grew up) in the suburbs of Boston, so we are completely unfamiliar with the area, outside of business trips to downtown Atlanta we both have taken in the past 2 years.

I have been reading through the different threads and have learned a lot about areas with good schools and areas with better commutes, but they don't seem to always match! Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Megan

[George Chong]

Perhaps what would be helpful would be the following questions answered:

1. Where exactly will your husband be working?
2. What is your price range?

Good luck!

[TakeAhike]

Where/which part of the metro area-- will your DH be working?
What is your price range?

East Cobb County has many excellent schools and there would be a 30-45 minute commute to downtown Atlanta from this area.
We may be moving to the ATL, GA area. What are some beautiful suberbs with excellent schools?

City of Decatur is family friendly, walkable and has an excellent school system with a similar commute time to many parts of Atlanta.
Where to live in Decatur?

We have had a critical gas shortage during the past 2/3 weeks following Hurricane Ike in the Houston area. It really is important to live close to work here.

[meg'n'z]

Hi- thanks for responding!

I am not sure of the address, but it's in downtown Atlanta. That probably doesn't narrow it much; I am thinking of downtown on the scale of downtown Boston (a few miles) and I'm sure downtown Atlanta is larger than that! I'll work on getting the specific location.

As for price range... I am hoping under $300. I am able to find A LOT for that price (via realtor dot com) in areas that seem to be fine according to other threads I've read, but I don't know what's realisitic. I also don't know what the driving/commuting times are for these locations outside of the actual distance from the map.

What would help is if I could start with areas that have good schools AND a somewhat shorter commute to "downtown" Atlanta, and then I'll work through the price issue after.

Thanks!

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by meg'n'z

Hi- thanks for responding!

I am not sure of the address, but it's in downtown Atlanta. That probably doesn't narrow it much; I am thinking of downtown on the scale of downtown Boston (a few miles) and I'm sure downtown Atlanta is larger than that! I'll work on getting the specific location.

As for price range... I am hoping under $300. I am able to find A LOT for that price (via realtor dot com) in areas that seem to be fine according to other threads I've read, but I don't know what's realisitic. I also don't know what the driving/commuting times are for these locations outside of the actual distance from the map.

What would help is if I could start with areas that have good schools AND a somewhat shorter commute to "downtown" Atlanta, and then I'll work through the price issue after.

Thanks!

In the first link I posted 'GF72' provided a great deal of FYI on subdivisions/schools in the northern suburbs--East Cobb, Roswell, Alpharetta and others.

City of Decatur would be closer --good school system, access to MARTA/possibly 20-30 minute commute and some areas have homes in your price range and a more urban environment. There are several other intown neighborhoods that might also offer the lifestyle you hope to enjoy. I believe the links I posted provide more detailed FYI.

[meg'n'z]

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[B Wagner]

[SIZE=3]If you’re going to work in Atlanta look to the northeast and come up to Gwinnett County. In Gwinnett we have some of the best schools in the country, academically and athletically. With the growth over the last decade there has been more and more school involvement with and by the community. Grayson, Brookwood, South Gwinnett, and Parkview along with Greater Atlanta Christian School are some of the best schools anywhere academically and athletically.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The Hwy 78 / 124 corridor is one of the best places to live in the metro Atlanta area with great shopping, commute to work, restaurants, entertainment and local social activities. The grid of interstate and rural highways can put you anywhere on the north side of Atlanta within 30 to 45 minutes. The malls are all within minutes, Gwinnett Place is 15 minutes down Ronald Regan Highway; Mall of Georgia is 20 minutes up Hwy 20; Stonecrest Mall is 25 minutes down Hwy 124; and there is The Avenue at Webb Ginn House in the middle on Hwy 124. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]If you have children they have the best athletic programs in the metro area. These programs swimming, softball, baseball, football, tennis, etc. all feed into the local schools such as Brookwood, Parkview, Greater Atlanta Christian School and Grayson High Schools which have some of the country’s top rated teams along with being rated as the top academic schools in the country this year.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The housing market is full of homes in great subdivisons built after 1990 and right now is the time to buy with interest rates still low and if you have good credit you can buy with a FHA loan with 3.5% downpayment. There is a 10 month inventory and some great buys. Come and see Gwinnett, I believe you will be glad you did. [/SIZE]