Family needs Atlanta area info (Tucker, Duluth: apartments, rental, house prices)

[TiredofMoving]

Hello folks,

I will be in the ATL area pretty soon for an interview and also thought about looking at places to live. My potential place of employment would be in Duluth. My wife, a biotech researcher, will eventually look for a job once we are settled. We have a 4.5 yr old who will start school this fall.

We currently live in the Northwest. ATL has attracted us due to it being a bigger and diverse city. The warm climate is a huge plus for us. Plus, the employment situation would be far better if we moved to a bigger city. It looks like everything is falling in place, at least I hope. We currently live in a crime-free town and about 10-20 mins commute one way. But job opportunities for my spouse are non-existent. And there aren't that many firms around our town. Yeah, the grass always seems greener on the other side!

So, could someone give me an idea on the following:

1. We will be renting short-term. Should we live in Duluth or somewhere near Emory (that's where my spouse will be targeting her job hunt). I think it would be better living closer to Emory since she won't have much of a drive and I would drive against the traffic. What areas should I look for for apartments? Definitely safety is a huge factor.

2. What are the rents in the Duluth or Emory area? Or other safe areas?

3. I hear that Gwinnett county has good schools? This will be a major factor is us deciding where to live? Not sure if we should live in Fulton county for the schools.

4. Any biotech firms in Duluth/Norcross?

5. How about house prices in areas mentioned in 1 and 3?

Your replies are very much appreciated. Any info is helpful. Thanks a bunch,

ToM

[jxu66]

1. We will be renting short-term. Should we live in Duluth or somewhere near Emory (that's where my spouse will be targeting her job hunt). I think it would be better living closer to Emory since she won't have much of a drive and I would drive against the traffic. What areas should I look for for apartments? Definitely safety is a huge factor.

Yep, if one of you works for Emory U area, it is better live at Emory U. Reverse commuting is wonderful thing. One of my coworker lives in North Druid Hill area because his wife works for Emory U.

2. What are the rents in the Duluth or Emory area? Or other safe areas?

I am not sure Emory area. I am assume that's cost more since it is intown living. In Duluth, expect 800 for one bedroom and 1000+ for two bedrooms.


3. I hear that Gwinnett county has good schools? This will be a major factor is us deciding where to live? Not sure if we should live in Fulton county for the schools.

Emory U area has pretty good school in Druid Hill high. Duluth high has pretty good school as well. Both of them rank top 25 in SAT in Georgia (not to endorse SAT, but just for quick comparsion).

4. Any biotech firms in Duluth/Norcross?

Norcross has relatively large technology center, but I am not sure that's strictly computer related or biotechnology related.

5. How about house prices in areas mentioned in 1 and 3?

Emory U area is very expensive. For 350s, you look at small Bunglow. For Duluth, it is more affordable. Most of existing home sell for 250 and up.

[xxman777]

Here's some recent discussion on rental housing near Emory: http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-doc-live.html

[TiredofMoving]

jux66/xxman777,

I really appreciate your replies. I will take them into consideration when I go down there to check out the area. Will also look into the forum link. Thanks again,

ToM

[TiredofMoving]

I have a safety question for you too. Can you please point out the safe/unsafe areas around Duluth, Norcross and Emory U.? I have never been to ATL, hence, I do not want to end up looking at or driving in unsafe neighbourhoods.

Thanks,

ToM

[vandiver49]

As with any big city, safe is a relative term. But for being within the heart of ATL, Emory is a very peaceful. The most dangerous thing about the area is the traffic.

Duluth would be my second pick with Norcross in third. Thats not to say that Norcross is bad, its just has a slightly higher potential.

[lastminutemom]

You should be fine -- even the most unsafe areas of Norcross or Duluth are ok to drive through.

If you stick with homes in the City of Norcross or Peachtree Corners (which is not a city) or the city of Duluth, you should be ok. In the Norcross area, I would consider homes only in the Pickneyville Middle area -- and you have to decide if you are comfortable with a school like Peachtree Elementary, otherwise stick with Simpson. (I love diversity and hear good things about Peachtree but it has been a long time since I was actually in their building, so you really have to reaearch it yourself.)

Lots of great schools in Duluth.

Finally, the Emory area -- which is in DeKalb. One thing -- you need to check the housing you could ultimately afford to see if it meets your needs - - otherwise renting by Emory will mean moving your child when you buy your house. Kids are resilliant, and DeKalb does a pretty good job with the early grades, so this isn't a bad plan -- just might not be what you envision.

I have no idea exactly what is considered Emory -- but here is my school advice over there -- Lakeside High and most of its feeders (but not Pleasantdale), Druid HIlls High (really only Fernbank and perhaps Briar Vista if you are into Montessori, otherwise the others are too small.) In the Tucker area, on the DeKalb side, and not too far from Emory, I hear good things about Brockett and Midvale.

Overall, though DeKalb certainly doesn't have the best school system.

[TiredofMoving]

vandiver49 and lastminutemom,

Thanks for the great info. I think I will look around the Duluth and the Emory area when I'm there. We have a preference for Duluth since it's not in the city. We are not really city kind of people, more suburban folks

Anyway, this is excellent info that will be help me plan out my trip there.

ToM

[jxu66]

Just a warning. If your wife finds a job near Emory, it will be very difficult drive from Duluth to Emory in the morning. I-85 South is very bad in the morning. So is I-85 North traffic in the afternoon. If you can do reverse commuting, it is better choice, IMO.

Just a quick example, I can drive from Duluth to Chamblee within 15 minutes using I-85 South in the afternoon rush hour. It may take 45 minutes for me drive from Chamblee to Duluth using I-85 North on the same afternoon.

[TiredofMoving]

jxu66,

Do you have any ideas of biotech firms in Duluth, Norcross? I think Novartis is in Duluth. I'll look around Decatur/Druid hills area too. But when we buy a house down the road, we'll still have to move away (since Emory are will be really expensive). So, that's why I thought of just starting out in Duluth. And maybe my spouse can look around for a job in the Duluth/Norcross area (chances are much less when compared to Emory).

ToM