Commute to Downtown Atlanta (Roswell, Smyrna: sale, real estate, house)

[sarhenty]

Hello everyone, first time posting and I hope you can help, thanks in advance!

My husband is considering a job opportunity in Downtown Atlanta, CNN Center to be exact. We are a family of four, two little boys. We went down about 3 weeks ago for the interviews and loved all that we saw although it wasn't much. We saw Buckhead, Smyrna, Dunwoody, the perimeter area, Roswell and last but not least John's Creek. We really loved the John's Creek feel and it seems to be right up our alley, budget wise.

Now by now you know where I am getting at, right? Yes, commute. I hear its horrible, dreadful, the worst but thats all I've heard (haven't heard details). So is it REALLY true? Realistically speaking, what is the commute time? Whether its driving, taking the xpress bus or driving to the marta? Which method would save him the most time? What are the pros and cons?

Sorry for the barge of questions but I could really use the help...

[lastminutemom]

lot of your options in controlling commute will be determined by your housing budget and what you want for your dollars. Will your husband have traditional hours or will he be doing shift type work at CNN?

[sarhenty]

thanks, lastminutemom for getting back...

but his commute would definitely be the "traditional" 8-5 shift...

as far as housing budget we are looking at the high 400's to mid 500's (depending how big our loss would be on the sale of our current home...

also, we are willing to consider other areas, just looking for your average nice and quiet suburban feel and obviously a really great school district...

i guess my only issue with location/homes is being right on top of each other... i'm not too crazy about being able to see your next door neighbor's bedroom from my own!

[billl]

Originally Posted by sarhenty

Hello everyone, first time posting and I hope you can help, thanks in advance!

My husband is considering a job opportunity in Downtown Atlanta, CNN Center to be exact.... We really loved the John's Creek feel and it seems to be right up our alley, budget wise.

Now by now you know where I am getting at, right? Yes, commute. I hear its horrible, dreadful, the worst but thats all I've heard (haven't heard details).

Everything you have heard about that commute is probably true. My wife works at CNN Center and we live on the north edge of Johns Creek (along Sargent Road). It is 32 miles from our house to CNN Center. If there was no traffic you could make the drive in 45 minutes. She leaves the house at 8:10, drops our daughter off at Northview High school, and is typically not at work until after 9:30. She can't get to a 9 am meeting unless she leaves by 7:30. In the afternoon, leaving at 5 pm to come home pretty much guarantees a 70 to 90 minute commute. If it is raining then add about 30 minutes. Her route is Hwy 141 or Peachtree Industrial to I-285 to I-85 to the Spring Street exit. The XPress bus doesn't really save any time, only stress. There are no HOV lanes on that route for the bus to use, so it is stuck in the same traffic everyone else is. And the schedule intentionally avoids the rush hour peak, which is probably the time of day that best fits your schedule. XPress links up to Marta at the Doraville station, so after the long bus ride you still have to sit on the train for another 30 minutes. When I worked at CNN many years ago I drove to the Chamblee station and took the train. But it actually took longer. The worst of the commute is the drive to the station. Once you're that far you might as well keep going.

You could cut down on the commute some by living on the south end of town, like somewhere along Old Alabama.

My wife's commute is so bad that we are moving next summer to Woodstock. Still a long way out, but it has easy access to I-575 and should shave at least 15 minutes off her commute. If you haven't looked on that side of town you should look at Woodstock. We really liked the area and there is at least one new neighborhood going in close to the center of town. PM me if you want more info.

[billl]

I forgot to mention the most annoying thing about the XPress bus: no parking! There is no public or commuter parking for the bus anywhere in Johns Creek. The closest commuter lot is in Norcross near Spalding road. That's not very helpful when you live up this way.

[warrenmom]

Sarhenty, Did you move? If so, where are you living and how is commute? We're in the same situation, my husband will be at CNN Center as well.

[waronxmas]

Here's the easiest way for your husband to avoid a bad commute:

1. Take 400 south to the North Springs Train Station exit (i forget the number)
   
2. Take the Southbound train to 5 points station.
   
3. Walk up stairs and take the Westbound train to CNN/Omni/Dome Station (1 stop)
   
4. Walk upstairs.
   
5. He's at work.

[billl]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

Here's the easiest way for your husband to avoid a bad commute:

1. Take 400 south to the North Springs Train Station exit (i forget the number)

Although I'm sure the OP has moved on at this point...

Your suggestion might work for people who live in Alpharetta and Roswell, with easy access to 400. It doesn't help those who live in John's Creek, where it can take 20 to 30 minutes in the morning just to get to 400. Then of course there's 400 itself to deal with: it is usually a parking lot during rush hour.

But if you're going to drive 400 to North Springs, you might as well drive to the closest park-n-ride lot (Mansell or Windward Parkway) and take a bus from there to North Springs.

[pellur]

Originally Posted by billl

Although I'm sure the OP has moved on at this point...

Your suggestion might work for people who live in Alpharetta and Roswell, with easy access to 400. It doesn't help those who live in John's Creek, where it can take 20 to 30 minutes in the morning just to get to 400. Then of course there's 400 itself to deal with: it is usually a parking lot during rush hour.

But if you're going to drive 400 to North Springs, you might as well drive to the closest park-n-ride lot (Mansell or Windward Parkway) and take a bus from there to North Springs.

Depending on where you live in John's Creek, commute to Winward Park and ride can vary between say 10 minutes to 30 minutes. I would agree with your view on taking the bus to MARTA station. I do that every day and my morning bus commute time is less than 20 minutes (before 7AM) and about 25-30 minutes between 7:30 and 9PM. I get a nap or relax and my mind is relaxed when I come in to work.

[kaabye]

Sure fire solution to your traffic concerns....Take 400 south until you get inside 285 "the perimeter" go a few exits inside and then take an exit ramp. Buy a house one once get off the exit ramp. we call this traffic solution "ITP" or inside the perimeter (285). If you are working down town then you should try to live in town. The real estate is pricey but you can find more affordable alternatives (you won't get a 10X20 walk in closet) but you will be able to keep your sanity by not spending 1-3 hrs a day of your life trying to get to and from work.

moving