East Cobb (Ward Meade Farm) or Brookstone in Acworth? (Atlanta: middle-class, 2009)

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by watkinsfive

Thanks for all of the info. The Brookstone home would go to Ford and Harrison. Not sure about the middle, but they're both good. I am a little worried about the snob factor in East Cobb, as I live in a great subdivision in Cypress, TX now with no social pressure or snobbishness whatsoever. My husband is used to an hour commute to downtown Houston, and he would leave the Brookstone home at 6:30 a.m. I have heard that it's a 45 minute commute to Midtown. Is that correct? What about if he leaves downtown at 4 p.m.? How horrendous would the commute be? What would we contrast that with for the Ward Meade Farm commute? Is that around 30 minutes? Thanks for the responses, you are most helpful!

If your other option is Brookstone in the Harrison High district of West Cobb, I would not have the "snob factor" of East Cobb be a concern.

The Harrison part of West Cobb is the most affluent part of West Cobb (and the most comparable to East Cobb...but with a longer commute!).

Moreover, Ward Meade Farm is in the Wheeler district...definitely East Cobb, but more down-to-earth and welcoming. The "snob" issue of East Cobb has more to do with the Walton High area, and to a lesser extent in the Pope and Lassiter districts (however, a large part of the Sope Creek Elementary district feeds into Walton...but, Ward Meade Farm is in the part that feeds into Wheeler).

I think you will be happy with WMF...the great elementary of Sope Creek, combined with the welcoming/non-snobby atmosphere of Wheeler/East Cobb Middle.

[im2bob]

We moved to East Cobb 10 years ago as our kids were in 5th and 7th grades. They went to Sope, Dickerswon, Walton and both received academic scholarships to out of state schools. That's why we moved here.

Now that they are out of the house, we are looking to get OUT. This is based mainly on the snob factor. We moved from low key Louisville KY and were really shocked at how people are in this area...specifically East Cobb. There are certainly diamonds in the rough, but by and large, the people are out in la la land. Many kids drive nicer cars than I have. I would say most couples are single income with the men being doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc... The women stay home, take care of the kids, play tennis and complain about things. I'm not kidding. My wife and I have served on the board of our neighborhood tennis and swim club and it is just amazing what people will complain about. Oh, and I will just say that this is area is extremely conservative. Have gay friends? Be prepared to hear comments about how the gays are taking over, etc...

Now, that said, I would never live up in Ackworth. The commute is horrible. I am sure the people up there are more down to earth but the mix is going to be a little on the blue collar, rednecky side vs. the more liberal side. Not that there is anything at all wrong with that.

Also, I will say that East Cobb is great for the nice grocery stores, shopping, ease of getting around and especially the schools. The Johnson Ferry traffic that was mentioned is not really that bad unless you hit it at the exact wrong times. They are also - right now - widening Johnson Ferry on the other side of the river and this is going to help a LOT.

With our kids out of the house, we are currently looking to move ITP.

Good luck and welcome!

[Merin]

Im2bob- is it really that bad? I always thought my husband and I would have to move out there once we needed to start thinking about schools. I don't mind kids driving nicer cars, and people really complain ITP also. But please tell me more about this snob factor. If you just say "hi and bye" to your neighbors can you avoid it? If you had to guess, what percentage of women would you say worked?

[RainyRainyDay]

In response to the last few posts:

1. To the OP - it's important to understand that your East Cobb housing option is in the Wheeler, not Walton, high school zone. East Cobb snobs don't even consider Wheeler to be an East Cobb school. aries4118 seems to think you'd be comfortable in the area you're considering.

2. To Merin and Bob - I reside in what's generally considered (I think) the less snobby far northern segment of East Cobb, in the Lassiter H.S. zone. I'm afraid that while Bob's description might be a bit over-the-top for my area, cough, there's a lot that rings true to me in it. We moved here from British Columbia (culturally very similar to Washington/Oregon/California) and I couldn't quite believe the local culture when I arrived. All those tennis playing non-working moms, with their executive/lawyer type husbands who are never home in daylight on weekdays. And they all have very conservative social views.

Since this is the only place in the US we've ever lived, husband and I still have trouble persuading ourselves that American culture and East Cobb culture are not necessarily exactly the same. It's hard to believe the folks who write The New Yorker magazine, for example, actually reside in the same country.

[Merin]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

2. To Merin and Bob - I reside in what's generally considered (I think) the less snobby far northern segment of East Cobb, in the Lassiter H.S. zone. I'm afraid that while Bob's description might be a bit over-the-top for my area, cough, there's a lot that rings true to me in it. We moved here from British Columbia (culturally very similar to Washington/Oregon/California) and I couldn't quite believe the local culture when I arrived. All those tennis playing non-working moms, with their executive/lawyer type husbands who are never home in daylight on weekdays. And they all have very conservative social views.

Does the same ring true in the Walton zone? This is where we would most likely move. Hardly any of my male bosses, wives work either. But they are all so nice when I see them.

[watkinsfive]

Thanks for the info. Do you know if many OR any kids live in Ward Meade Farm? I saw no signs of kids and am not sure. We're used to playing with neighbor kids all the time, which is extremely convenient!

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by im2bob

We moved to East Cobb 10 years ago as our kids were in 5th and 7th grades. They went to Sope, Dickerswon, Walton and both received academic scholarships to out of state schools. That's why we moved here.

Now that they are out of the house, we are looking to get OUT. This is based mainly on the snob factor. We moved from low key Louisville KY and were really shocked at how people are in this area...specifically East Cobb. There are certainly diamonds in the rough, but by and large, the people are out in la la land. Many kids drive nicer cars than I have. I would say most couples are single income with the men being doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc... The women stay home, take care of the kids, play tennis and complain about things. I'm not kidding. My wife and I have served on the board of our neighborhood tennis and swim club and it is just amazing what people will complain about. Oh, and I will just say that this is area is extremely conservative. Have gay friends? Be prepared to hear comments about how the gays are taking over, etc...

Now, that said, I would never live up in Ackworth. The commute is horrible. I am sure the people up there are more down to earth but the mix is going to be a little on the blue collar, rednecky side vs. the more liberal side. Not that there is anything at all wrong with that.

Also, I will say that East Cobb is great for the nice grocery stores, shopping, ease of getting around and especially the schools. The Johnson Ferry traffic that was mentioned is not really that bad unless you hit it at the exact wrong times. They are also - right now - widening Johnson Ferry on the other side of the river and this is going to help a LOT.

With our kids out of the house, we are currently looking to move ITP.

Good luck and welcome!

Remember, im2bob lived the the "lion's den" of East Cobb snobbishness: Sope Creek-Dickerson-Walton. Mt. Bethel-Dickerson-Walton and Timber Ridge-Dickerson-Walton are also "lion's den." Not all of East Cobb is a snob army...there are plenty of great, non-snobby areas in which to live.

East Cobb is a big area...with many options.

As a person who grew up in East Cobb and as an educator who knows about these things, Walton would not be the highest on my list for various reasons (but Walton is definitely a good school...I just think people should look at things with a well-rounded eye! )

If I was choosing East Cobb, based on many factors, I would choose the districts in this order:

Wheeler
Sprayberry/Kell
Lassiter/Pope
Walton


Moreover, if one is still looking for a comfortable blend of "very upper-middle class-ness" (old and new neighborhoods) without the snobbishness, I recommend that people look in these East Cobb areas (based on elementary school districts...the various middle+high schools they feed into are, of course, good):

Kincaid
Addison
Mountain View
Sedalia Park
Eastvalley
Keheley
Murdock
Nicholson
Blackwell
Chalker (is marginally "East Cobb", most of the district is considered "North Cobb"...however, has many beautiful, great neighborhoods without the snobbishness...feeds into Palmer or Daniell, and then Kell or Sprayberry)


I hope this helps...helps someone, at least.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Merin

Does the same ring true in the Walton zone? This is where we would most likely move. Hardly any of my male bosses, wives work either. But they are all so nice when I see them.

Why Walton over the many other great high schools in East Cobb and Metro Atlanta?

Just curious...maybe could offer you some feedback.

[im2bob]

Originally Posted by Merin

Does the same ring true in the Walton zone? This is where we would most likely move. Hardly any of my male bosses, wives work either. But they are all so nice when I see them.

The Walton zone is probably the "worst". But hey, I've lived here 10 years and my kids made great friends. I'd say about half the women work and half don't. As with anywhere, there's always good people to be found. But most of the people around Walton are what I would call ultra-conservative.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by im2bob

The Walton zone is probably the "worst". But hey, I've lived here 10 years and my kids made great friends. I'd say about half the women work and half don't. As with anywhere, there's always good people to be found. But most of the people around Walton are what I would call ultra-conservative.

Agreed.