working Norcross/living west or east of 85? (Alpharetta, Duluth: crime, townhouses)

[vidguru]

just recieved a job in Norcross. Married, a senior in high school next year. Looking for a good place to live. 200,000 to 300,000 range. West of 85 or east of 85? Hoping to get some ideas before going down, at least I'll know which area to start at. Thanks for your input.

[lastminutemom]

Hi.

Where are you moving from and is the senior your only child? What kind of student is he/she? What kind of expectations do you have for schools?

[salatheel]

What is Norcross like? Ia it a safe area????????

[Merin]

Norcross is very inexpensive, I think some of it is safe. I used to work off of Jimmy Carter and I remember all the resturants had been robbed there in broad daylight. Go west of 85 to Alpharetta, the schools are better there. You will be fine if you can spend 300k.

[jxu66]

West Norcross and historic city of Norcross are very expensive. Those areas at least 350,000 for existing home. I saw several townhouses sell at downtown Norcross startng at 500,000. Gwinnett Village (unincorporated part of Norcross) is inexpensive. Most of crime you hear are from unincorporated part, not from city of Norcross.

Same for Duluth. Most of crime (including the information on this web regarding Sexual predators) are not in the city of Duluth, but in the Gwinnett place cid area, unincorpoated part of Duluth. But due to postal code Duluth, many people unfamiliar with area think that that's going on the Duluth. In fact, city of Duluth has one of lowest crime stat in the Metro.

I don't mean to rambling on. In Gwinnett area, it is preferable to live within city limit, even though it costs extra in tax. Gwinnett county polices and other services are just understaff and overworked.

As for OP question, John's Creek, Duluth, Berkeley Lake, Suwanee are all good choices. In John's Creek, you are looking at mininum
300k for existing home. But it has best school in Northview high. Duluth and Suwanee are cheaper. You are looking 250,000 for exisiting home. Duluth high, peachtree ridge and North Gwinnett are good enough school that they send quite a few students to UGA and Tech every year.

If you like new home, North Gwinnett and South Forsyth are next booming area.

[vidguru]

He is my only son coming with us. I have a 23 year old staying in Michigan. We lost our 21 year old in September, so finding some place with good schools and safe is my only concern. Thank you

[lastminutemom]

I am so sorry about your loss, is your son wanting to make this move? Moving before your senior year is tough. In Georgia, all high school students must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Exam in writing, language arts, science, math and social studies. They are given 5 opportunities, but 3 of those are in the junior year. I am certain that they make testing accomodations for new students in terms of chances, but not in terms of taking the test and passing it -- to receive a high school diploma.

You can read more about it here:

http://doe.k12.ga.us/curriculum/testing/ghsgt.asp

You also need to check into graduation requirements in the systems you look at.

http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-i...256EEB005A19A2

http://www.fultonschools.org/dept/cu...ghHandbook.pdf

NorthView HIgh school has the highest SAT average in the state -- but it is huge.

Starting this year (or last?), all high schools in Georgia are required to have Graduation Coaches -- I would pick up the phone and call one in Gwinnett and one in Fulton and talk to them about transferring your child in. You may also speak to a counselor at the schools about the same thing. My neighbor's step-daughter wanted to move in with her father for her senior year last year from out of state and couldn't because she wasn't on track with graduation requirements in DeKalb.

I guessing that your family needs a clean start -- have you considered private school for him? It might be an easier transistion, and be easier to get involved -- the schools in the areas that you are looking at are so very large.

Some schools you could contact are Greater ATlanta Christian, Wesleyan, or maybe Landmark

[vidguru]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

I am so sorry about your loss, is your son wanting to make this move? Moving before your senior year is tough. In Georgia, all high school students must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Exam in writing, language arts, science, math and social studies. They are given 5 opportunities, but 3 of those are in the junior year. I am certain that they make testing accomodations for new students in terms of chances, but not in terms of taking the test and passing it -- to receive a high school diploma.

You can read more about it here:

http://doe.k12.ga.us/curriculum/testing/ghsgt.asp

You also need to check into graduation requirements in the systems you look at.

http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-i...256EEB005A19A2

http://www.fultonschools.org/dept/cu...ghHandbook.pdf

NorthView HIgh school has the highest SAT average in the state -- but it is huge.

Starting this year (or last?), all high schools in Georgia are required to have Graduation Coaches -- I would pick up the phone and call one in Gwinnett and one in Fulton and talk to them about transferring your child in. You may also speak to a counselor at the schools about the same thing. My neighbor's step-daughter wanted to move in with her father for her senior year last year from out of state and couldn't because she wasn't on track with graduation requirements in DeKalb.

I guessing that your family needs a clean start -- have you considered private school for him? It might be an easier transistion, and be easier to get involved -- the schools in the areas that you are looking at are so very large.

Some schools you could contact are Greater ATlanta Christian, Wesleyan, or maybe Landmark

I knew you would be the one that would help me. He is ready. You are right about a new start. Such a private thing when so public is very hard. Thanks so much

[lastminutemom]

I hope you have been able to find some information that is helpful to you. Many of the schools that would be convienient to Norcross were in the top 25 high schools based on SAT averages last year. (Though I am not a fan of judging high schools or states on SAT scores -- even College Board says that is a bad idea, it may tell you what kinds of schools they are.)
http://www.gadoe.org/pea_communicati...ode=1&obj=1239

Is you child headed for college? Has he had good grades, thus far. If so, you should research the Hope Schlolarship...

http://www.gsfc.org/hope/ (broken link)

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.