What would you suggest for the closest neighborhood w/good schools near the airport/Fort Mcpherson (Atlanta: low income)

[mrs_snarky_britches]

Ok everyone, we are running a bit low on time and need to make some decisions but this is incredibly difficult when we barely know the area!!! We spent a week the end of May visiting Atlanta and quickly realized everywhere I originally wanted to live was not feasible, aka Marietta.

In short, my husband will be stationed at Fort McPherson, I'd like to finish my degree at Georgia Tech, and my kids will be in 4th and 5th grade.

What areas would you suggest closest to the base that wouldn't include murderous traffic but still a safe area with really good schools?

I was hoping that Decatur City wasn't that far? My husband is looking into PeachTree City and Newnan. We will be looking at renting a house or townhome, an apartment if we absolutely have to. I was looking at some of the Decatur City prices, found a place I really liked close to Mary Lin elementary and a highly rated middle school but we can't afford $1600/month. Our budget allows for up to $1300, $1400 max.

I'm really concerned about a safe area with good schools. When my husband deploys to Iraq again I don't want to leave campus worrying about if the traffic will make me late picking up my kids from school, or if I'll be late for my own classes dropping my kids off at school.

[waronxmas]

East Point is your best bet.

It's a less than 5 minute commute to Fort Mac, and about 20 minutes if you take the side streets to Georgia Tech. In both instances you can even forgo car travel to work and use the MARTA subway as both Fort Mac and Georgia Tech have train stations that serve those areas.

Some neighborhoods to check out are:

Frog Hollow
http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...tlanta-GA.html

and

Jefferson Park
http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...tlanta-GA.html


The public schools are run by Fulton County, and while they have a large number of low income students the curriculum is good and the area even boasts the only Performing Arts high school in Fulton County.

[audrey77]

Originally Posted by mrs_snarky_britches

Ok everyone, we are running a bit low on time and need to make some decisions but this is incredibly difficult when we barely know the area!!! We spent a week the end of May visiting Atlanta and quickly realized everywhere I originally wanted to live was not feasible, aka Marietta.

In short, my husband will be stationed at Fort McPherson, I'd like to finish my degree at Georgia Tech, and my kids will be in 4th and 5th grade.

What areas would you suggest closest to the base that wouldn't include murderous traffic but still a safe area with really good schools?

I was hoping that Decatur City wasn't that far? My husband is looking into PeachTree City and Newnan. We will be looking at renting a house or townhome, an apartment if we absolutely have to. I was looking at some of the Decatur City prices, found a place I really liked close to Mary Lin elementary and a highly rated middle school but we can't afford $1600/month. Our budget allows for up to $1300, $1400 max.

I'm really concerned about a safe area with good schools. When my husband deploys to Iraq again I don't want to leave campus worrying about if the traffic will make me late picking up my kids from school, or if I'll be late for my own classes dropping my kids off at school.

A ton of us from Fort Mac/Fort Gillem live in Newnan- in SummerGrove. The drive is not bad at all (20-25 min to the airport) and it's a VERY safe, desirable neighborhood. Good schools too... LOTS of supportive families- you would be able to find a sitter/carpool if you really needed it.

[lastminutemom]

Also, keep in mind that the home rental market is fairly depressed right now in Atlanta. You may be able to negotiate -- simply asking the homeowner if the price is firm -- is probably a good strategy.

However, the previous poster gives great advice. Perhaps figuring out where other soldiers/civilian DOD employees live is a great start.

Good luck!