Possible Relocation to Alpharetta (Atlanta: transplants, sale, apartment complexes)

[pinkjacket]

I have the opportunity to move to Alpharetta (company located on Windward Parkway) from South Florida for work. The only downside is that the company will not pay any relocation costs. I’ve been reading this forum for about a month and there have been many, many inquiries about relocating to the Atlanta area which have been extremely helpful. However, I still have some questions.

I’m planning on renting in near the office in Alpharetta. Primarily I’m looking at The Preserve at Deerfield. I’m looking at 2-bedroom apartments with a garage. I’m planning to spend no more than $1000/month. Has anyone lived at The Preserve or familiar with it? Is the traffic in the area bad? Is it convenient to grocery store, pharmacy, etc?

To figure out cost of living changes I’ve used several calculators on the web and I’m getting conflicting analyses. Some say that I can make less money others say I have to make up to $8000 more than I do in Florida. I actually make a really good salary by Florida standards so I tend to doubt that I would have to make more than I currently do. One concern would be the state income tax Georgians pay as we don’t have that in Florida. Housing also seems to be less expensive in the Alpharetta-area compared to Florida (you get more bang for your buck). What has been the experience of others who have relocated in terms of cost of living?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help.

[Mattie]

I have no personal experience with the Preserve, but the reviews online are decidedly mixed. I would caution you to check it out. There are back roads to get from those apartments to Windward, and it's not far in terms of distance, but you would have more available in terms of restaurants and stores if you remained west of 400.

We relocated from So. FL to Milton. Housing is definitely cheaper. I think food is too, since you aren't stuck with only Publix. Yes, we have an income tax. Homeowners ins. car insurance, and utilities have been less. Property tax is much lower. Beware the yearly ad valorem tax, which can add up if you have a newer model car.

[Shagbark Hickory]

That's hilarious.
Alpharetta is almost entirely transplants from florida!
I was one of them back when I lived there.
I lived down the street from the preserve @ deerfield.... Back when it literally was a deer field and not shopping centers everywhere you look.

That area has it all. Close to restaurants, publix, etc. The traffic is nothing. And for that matter, compared to south florida, there is no traffic problem at all in atlanta! I know that will spark debate but what people call traffic here is a joke. It's just the problems that arise from having rickety 2 lane country roads in a city with 5+ million. The drivers are not too good though.

My suggestion would be to rent for at least 6-12 months. There are a number of apartment complexes in that area where you should be well within your price range. All apartment managers are turds. That's just life. You're just going to hang your hat there temporarily til you get to the next stage of your life. And there will come a time you will graduate to the next level.

Best of luck and welcome. Don't be afraid.

[pinkjacket]

Thanks for the info. I've been checking out houses from sale as well, but think renting is better since I'm not that familiar with the area. I rather give myself to get comfortable before settling in for good. Like you said, renting is just a temporary spot to hang my hat.

Right now I'm working on how much moving will cost to me to determine if it's economically feasible.

[teacher30004]

Where in South Florida are you coming from?

[Shagbark Hickory]

See there's another escapee, I bet.

There is a mass exodus from the sunshine state. For more opportunity and lower cost of living.