Husband would have to work in Decatur. Is there a "short commute" and safe place to live for us (18-month-old)? (Atlanta: employment, neighborhoods)

[MelbaToast]

Hi,

My husband and I live are in our early 30's and live in MD and are considering moving down south for a better quality of life and not as much of a rat race feel. We want a better cost of living than MD and hopefully have me be able to work part-time. This is not an option where we currently live.

Due to his employment with the government, he can only work in Durham, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Atlanta (specifically Decatur), Charleston, SC, and Columbia, SC). We are most interested Durham, Charleston, and Atlanta.

We have an 18-month-old son, and would want a safe place to live with good elementary schools. We do not like city living. Of course ideally, we would want a commute of 30 minutes or less to work. Does this exist in ATL? Keep in mind when people say "bad traffic", I picture our horrible Annapolis to DC commutes: complete grid-lock (2+ hours to get around the beltway).

My other question is about water access. As my hubby and I were both born in Annapolis and love the water, is there enough access to lakes or other water recreational areas living around ATL?

Thanks for your info!

MelbaToast

[TakeAhike]

Decatur is a good place for a young family. If you lived in Decatur then your concerns about a commute would not be a factor.

What type of environment do you hope to find in Atlanta?

[MelbaToast]

We would like a surburban type feel. More trees and nature as well convenience to shopping, doctors, etc. I've read some not so great things about Decatur schools and environment on this board. Has that changed?

[TakeAhike]

The schools in the 'City of Decatur' are excellent. Decatur is a diverse, professional community located minutes from Emory University and Agnes Scott College.

Previous Thread>>>
http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...o-decatur.html

Decatur is located in DeKalb County and areas around the City have Decatur zipcodes. There should be several posts in the previous thread which explain this more fully.

hth

[George Chong]

Originally Posted by MelbaToast

I've read some not so great things about Decatur schools and environment on this board. Has that changed?

The City of Decatur has a great school system. I am sure that others will chime in on their experiences with the school system too.

City Schools of Decatur

60 cents of every tax dollar is allocated to the school system. Decatur Real Property Taxes & Fees

[TakeAhike]

As for 'water'--no, I am afraid you will not find much in metro Atlanta. There are numerous lakes 1-2 hours from Atlanta. The Atlantic coast is approximately 4 hrs from Atlanta.

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by MelbaToast

We do not like city living.

Originally Posted by MelbaToast

We would like a surburban type feel.

Decatur is very nice - and it would really make sense to be close to your husband's work - but many would consider it citified rather than suburban. Melba, it might be helpful if you expanded on your anti-city, pro-suburban remarks.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

Decatur is very nice - and it would really make sense to be close to your husband's work - but many would consider it citified rather than suburban. Melba, it might be helpful if you expanded on your anti-city, pro-suburban remarks.

But...Decatur offers very suburban neighborhoods as well as an urban downtown area.

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

But...Decatur offers very suburban neighborhoods as well as an urban downtown area.

Sorry for causing needless confusion.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

Sorry for causing needless confusion.

I'm still puzzled.

Unless the OP wants a swim/tennis community I don't know what sort of 'suburban' environment she hopes to find. A commute from East Cobb or Alpharetta to Decatur is something she didn't want.

<We have an 18-month-old son, and would want a safe place to live with good elementary schools. We do not like city living. Of course ideally, we would want a commute of 30 minutes or less to work. Does this exist in ATL? Keep in mind when people say "bad traffic", I picture our horrible Annapolis to DC commutes: complete grid-lock (2+ hours to get around the beltway). >

<We would like a surburban type feel. More trees and nature as well convenience to shopping, doctors, etc. I've read some not so great things about Decatur schools and environment on this board. Has that changed?>