Help! Family with 6 children! We need out of Clayton County! (Atlanta: for sale, apartment)

[mking6]

We are a large family!! Two adults and 6 small children ages 2-10! We currently live in Clayton County, GA! To make a long story short, we need to move within the next two months. We can't take it anymore.

We are desperately looking for an area that's very diverse. I want my children to get to know children of all different races - not just their own. We need an area that is family oriented. A great school system(we just can't get any worse), low-crime, easy access to the interstate,(both my husband and I are Georgia State University students, and his job is on Buford Highway in Atlanta), and where we can find a nice rental home between $950-$1250.

Is there such a place in the metro Atlanta area? We are in our early thirties and have just had enough of all the mess that goes on here. We just want so much better for our children.

Please give me as much advise as you can on neighborhoods, elementary and middle schools, crime, traffic, and areas with home rentals.
Thanks!

[cmtiger]

I'd look in the Evansdale Elementary district. It is diverse (about 50% white/25% black/10% Hispanic and 7% Asian), has a terrific reputation, feeds into Henderson Middle and Lakeside High (both are terrific schools) and is in Doraville, which should be convenient to your husband's job on Buford Hwy.

I'm not sure what the exact zone for Evansdale is.. but its zip is 30340.

[BobKovacs]

Finding something that meets all of your requests is going to be a challenge- especially for what you're willing to pay for a place that's big enough to legally house 8 people.

[brenbf2]

Up 85 North you'll find Mall of GA exit. Schools are terrific, I don't know % of races but I do know it's diversified. I'm sure you'll find lots to love here and people who share your interests. Lots of rentals, homes for sale, lease with option, etc. You'll find people who share your interests. We have parks, golf courses, of course the Mall and churches of all faiths. Good luck in your search.

[transplanner07]

I agree w/ CM. Look at the Doraville or Chamblee areas. (Also check out Norcross. Despite the reputation, there are are many great nhoods.) In addition to diversity and decent schools, safety, and housing prices, there is also very good access to MARTA rail. This will be helpful for you when you go to GSU. Also, don't forget to look at the Gwinnett County and GRTA express bus route maps. Some of the routes feed right into Doraville station (or go straight into downtown) making it possible to avoid having to drive into GSU or hubby's work on Buford Hwy.

Also, when the housing residents are your own children, it will be legal, so don't even worry about that. Sharing rooms and small spaces builds character and will make your kids more tolerant and patient people. At least that's what happened w/ my husband (1 of 9 kids), and they lived in a 4 BR house.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Finding something that meets all of your requests is going to be a challenge- especially for what you're willing to pay for a place that's big enough to legally house 8 people.

Ditto on that. Many towns in the burbs have passed "person per bedroom" ordinances that limit how many people can live in a house based on the number of bedrooms. Where I live, a maximum of two people per bedroom is allowed in a rental home or apartment. So with SIX kids (and parents) that means you'd have to rent a minimum 4 bedroom home. Not an easy thing to do - and lots of home owners who rent out aren't exactly thrilled to rent to folks with so many kids due to potential damage to property, so expect to put down a hefty deposit where you go.

Wherever you do look, make sure you look into the local ordinances. Even the home owner renting their place out may not have kept up on them. If 8 people move into a home without enough bedrooms if there IS an ordinance, the home owner would face fines, and therefore evict you in order to avoid them, etc etc. So do your homework with local laws rather than just look for a place, too.

[sj73]

I agree that the Doraville and Chamblee area may be your best bet, due to your husband's job location and the diverse population.

[floyd242]

Check around Peachtree Corners. There are some large houses (4brs for ~$1300/mo) and it's pretty diverse and Dunwoody schools are decent.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by mking6

We are a large family!! Two adults and 6 small children ages 2-10! We currently live in Clayton County, GA! To make a long story short, we need to move within the next two months. We can't take it anymore.

It might be a bit of a drive for your husband to/from work, but there are a number of areas in south Cobb County that might fit your description.

[coolyfett]

Naw...I will not take the bait on this one.