Cumming v S Fulton - best subdiv for fam w/teens (Atlanta: real estate, house)

[phillykat]

Looking for insight into Concord Farms by Ashton Woods & Evans Farms by McCarr in Cumming and Legacy @ Palmetto Farms and Palmer Falls by Silvercreek in S Fulton. I have 2 teens, so the quality of schools is very important, would like a friendly, racially diverse community. Swim/tennis is a must, and need to stay under $275k max. I'd really appreciate any info as we've contemplated this move now for 2 1/2 years and think that with this buyers market this may be the best time to make the move.

Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!

[cityrover]

South is not diverse. Cumming and most areas in s fulton are a single race on the other end of the spectrum; take your pick which one you prefer better.

Ashton woods are a good builder so that would sway me to go with their development.

i drive by concord farms often and like the area but some might find it rural. .

palmer falls is in douglas county, not in fulton. palmetto farms are also in douglas county.

i suggest you recheck your bearings as it may help your questions.

cheers

[Otis Campbell]

Now is the BEST TIME to buy a house for sure. But it's important to not be too far from work, the drive times can get to be a headache depending on where you live & work.

[phillykat]

Thanks for the reply, the 4 communities I listed were among the 15 - 20 or so that we visited on a 3-day weekend and after a while they all seemed to blend together, so thanks for setting me straight about the 2 in Douglas. From what I've gleaned from other posts ATL may not have any areas that are truly diverse, but I don't want an area where my family may be taunted or made to feel uncomfortable (on a previous trip 2 years ago we visited a nice development in Walton Cty but the drive through saw a few rural homes with giant size Confederate flags posted, which definitely crossed that development off the list).
We weren't able to spend a lot of time in the Cumming area so it was hard to really get a feel for the place, so I was hoping to get some info from others who are familiar with the area.

Again, thanks.

[cityrover]

I would look at vinnings or the better areas of smyrna and marietta. They are probably as diverse as it gets without being snobbish or just run down. It seems location tends to be flexible for you as you are looking all over the place.

Atlanta suffers from a strong here goes the neighborhood disease.. The peripheral counties vary a lot at times and you might want to skip cumming since even if you dont see it outright, i doubt it is what you are looking for from the sound of it.

Have you looked at powder springs? Its worth a look i would say. But definitely check out marietta. It is huge and generally mixed up and affordable, as long as you stay out of the posh east and west areas (can't miss them with the mcmansions everywhere)

[phillykat]

I had not really looked into Powder Springs, that is Cobb Cty, not sure why. I'm not pinned down to any particuler area, because IF the nursing shortage down there is similar to here in the NE, I'm thinking I should be abe to secure employment in any of the areas. (I'm really hoping I'm not wrong on that issue because I do know your traffic down there is horrible and mass transit isn't available everywhere).
I know that Legacy has an community DeFoors Farm I think that's in Powder Springs, we just didn't have the time to go into Cobb. We looked at areas on the drive down that were off 400 and GA20, just to the west as far as exit 36 off 85 (285?) in Douglas and around Campbellton-Cascade-Fairburn (which we found accidentally because we were lost, could not find the subdivs we wanted and just looked at the ones we ran into) and then a few on the drive back to Jersey that were in Lawrenceville.

I digress, but if you know anything about Defoors Farm, or something similar in powder springs, please share. I will have to do a real estate search on Smyrna, Marietta since I know nothing of these areas.

Thanks much.

[moneill]

Cumming has easy access to medical facilities. It is fairly diverse...you will be fine there.

[cityrover]

It is?

http://www.city-data.com/city/Cumming-Georgia.html

cumming city is mostly latino. the rest is all white. population confinement is high.... i go through there at least 4 times a week.

[phillykat]

The area of Cumming you pass through, does it have a gang presence? I recall seeing an episode of "Gangland" on The History Channel that focused on hispanic-immigrant gang activity in Gwinnett I thought, but now I'm wondering was it Forsyth?? I know gangs are everywhere, but I'd like to lessen by chances of living in a known gang area, I do have a teenage son to think about.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by phillykat

I had not really looked into Powder Springs, that is Cobb Cty, not sure why. I'm not pinned down to any particuler area, because IF the nursing shortage down there is similar to here in the NE, I'm thinking I should be abe to secure employment in any of the areas. (I'm really hoping I'm not wrong on that issue because I do know your traffic down there is horrible and mass transit isn't available everywhere).
I know that Legacy has an community DeFoors Farm I think that's in Powder Springs, we just didn't have the time to go into Cobb. We looked at areas on the drive down that were off 400 and GA20, just to the west as far as exit 36 off 85 (285?) in Douglas and around Campbellton-Cascade-Fairburn (which we found accidentally because we were lost, could not find the subdivs we wanted and just looked at the ones we ran into) and then a few on the drive back to Jersey that were in Lawrenceville.

I digress, but if you know anything about Defoors Farm, or something similar in powder springs, please share. I will have to do a real estate search on Smyrna, Marietta since I know nothing of these areas.

Thanks much.

CityKat

The nursing shortage is bad, but I don't think all the hospitals pay the same. In fact, I believe the further you go out from the city core, the less the pay gets. We have friends who moved fairly far out a few years ago and now she comes in to work at Northside several days a week.