Possible Move to Gwinnett from Nebraska (Atlanta, Lawrenceville: environment, apartment complex, condo)

[mrs_a_p]

Hi! My husband is considering a job at Georgia Gwinnet College and I am concerned about us being able to afford the area. I think the salary he would get is in the mid 50's and I am a stay at home mom. This job would be a nice pay raise for him, but I am wondering if we can afford to live in this area. Any advice would be welcome!

Thanks!

[jeweloflight]

I don't know if you want to rent or buy. You will on average pay in the low $200's for something new in Gwinnett as far as a house is concerned. A townhouse will start at $140-$150k. For an apartment, which may be the way to go for six months to give yourself time and space to really feel out the neighborhoods for something you want, a one bedroom in a desirable neighborhood will start in $700's per month, although cheaper apartments in Gwinnett do exist.

The best choice for living in Gwinnett is above Pleasant Hill Rd. off 85N. Sugar Hill, Duluth, Suwanee, Grayson, Dacula, Buford, Lawrenceville, (all neighboring towns) are good choices. Gwinnett is known though for it's congestion and bad traffic, even though it's suburbia. But it sounds like you will live and work in Gwinnett, so it shouldn't be too bad. Don't jump into a home purchase. I do hope you plan to visit first. Good Luck.

[jxu66]

Georgia Gwinnett College is used to GA Perimeter College at Lawrenceville. It is very new school. I believe that fall 2007 is first year that they admitted freshmen.

Anyway, Dacula is closest city to that school. There are a lot of affordable homes near the school. The area as a whole is very new and developing area. Most houses in low 200s. If you guys think that's too high, you can always look for Windor, GA. That's even more affordable.

[mrs_a_p]

Thanks for the advice, I think we will probably end up renting for the first year, since we just don't have time (or Money!) to go down and do an extensive house search. Do you know if we could find houses to rent online? We need at least 3 bedrooms. I would prefer to stay out of an apartment but wouldn't find a townhouse or a condo.

Thanks!

[jeweloflight]

Yes, go to rentlist.com and also craigslist.org, and check ajc.com, the Atlanta Journal Constitution Newspaper classifieds.

[Georgia]

Dacula is close to the new school via 316 and Old Peachtree.
Would be about a 20 minute drive in the AM once you learn the avenues.
As far as pricing in the Dacula area. You will not find to much in the low 200's unless you bought 3 years ago.

For a decent development you will go to the high 200's and up and things here are not getting any cheaper. If you want to rent first then look at the Mall of Georgia area for apartments. There are two nice apartment complexes by the Mall.

[andy8010]

Please dont move to Georgia, for your own sake. Nebraska is a much nicer state. Sure the weather may be worse in Nebraska and it may be the most boring state in the U.S., but the people there are really nice and the schools for the most part are better there than in Georgia. The Atlanta area is nothing but a big sprawling mess that is getting more out of control each day. We are getting to the point where people are starting to leave because of the insane traffic. Schools are also way overcrowded which creates a horrible learning environment for kids. People here just dont know how to plan for growth.... Also, you probably aren't too used to humidity living in Nebraska. The humidity in Atlanta is extremely high for about 3 months and unless you like humidity you will be stuck inside pretty much all summer.

[mrs_a_p]

Originally Posted by andy8010

Also, you probably aren't too used to humidity living in Nebraska. The humidity in Atlanta is extremely high for about 3 months and unless you like humidity you will be stuck inside pretty much all summer.

I appreciate your concern, but you obviously haven't been in Nebraska in the Summer time! I grew up in Louisiana and we lived several years in North Carolina, and I think that Nebraska has humidity to rival Louisiana on any given summer day!

I think at this point it is not really a question of not taking the job in Georgia, it is too much of a step up for my husband.

Thanks.