In search of culture, schools, and a unique house and neighborhood - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

lastminutemom · 08-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Consider Serenbe

Serenbe Community - A 900-acre sustainable living community in Palmetto Georgia

though the commute might be a killer...

aries4118 · 08-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmenomen

You seem to have a bit alternative lifestyle with lots of options, at least from what I am reading. What about Newnan (Coweta County)? That is probably at least 30-40 miles (probably closer to an hour commute) from Hampton and you would use state roads. There are some beautiful old homes there that are not in traditional neighborhoods. I would go to GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community and check out the better public schools in that area (South Side), the selection of good quality private schools on the southside is limited to be quite blunt, given your religious preferences.

You might want to try McDonough or even Locust Grove (Henry County). There are some nice older homes there, too, but the public schools have mixed reviews. Other places: Senoia (Coweta) or maybe Griffin (Spalding County), but the public schools there generally are not considered top notch.

Also, Peachtree City (Fayette County) doesn't sound like your cup of tea at all so I would avoid it given your description. And avoid Clayton County entirely since you are considering public schools as an option.

Personally, I would try to locate the best public schools and work my way finding a nice house revolving around that. Fayette County has the best reputation for the entire South Side. You could try some of the semi-rural areas there, but it is more monied and conservative on the surface.

Given that you are not very familiar with Atlanta, I would explore and I would rent first in case you are not happy with the public schools. You have time and low prices on your side so you have some definite advantages. Most suburbs and exurbs in Atlanta are conservative and typical bedroom communities, not too much to mention in the alternative vein except for City of Decatur, but that would be a very far commute for your husband.

I don't have a real estate agent recommendation for you for the South Side (often dubbed as the Southern Crescent). I used to work with a few, but I would not recommend the ones I know really well. Good luck to you, I only wish I were in your shoes for some great change and opportunity ahead.

I was thinking along the same lines. I recommend looking at some of the historic towns/suburbs on the Southside. Most have good/great public schools and you could take back roads/state highways to Hampton.

I also had a friend who lived in Hampton when I was living in Decatur/Emory area. I personally don't think it would be that bad if one was to live in "Southern In-Town" areas and then commute to Hampton. A lot of the "southern in-town" areas have great public school options as well.

Here are areas I recommend:

Historic Southside Towns/Suburbs:
-McDonough
-Locust Grove
-Hampton
-Griffin
-Newnan
-Senoia (film industry!)
-Fayetteville
-Jackson

"Southern In-Town" Areas:*
-College Park
-East Point
-Hapeville
-Grant Park
-Ormewood Park
-East Atlanta
-Kirkwood
-East Lake
-Oakhurst

*for the in-town areas--with College Park and East Point you may want to consider private school options for the lower grades, however Tri-Cities high school is decent and they have a great arts program; Hapeville has a decent elementary school and a good charter middle school. Hapeville also goes to Tri-Cities High (decent); Grant Park, Ormewood Park, and East Atlanta have excellent K-8 charter school options, however the high school is so-so; Kirkwood and East Lake have great elementary and high school options, however the middle school option is not so great yet; Oakhurst--great schools at all levels!

artfesto · 11-27-2009, 01:16 PM

I know I am a bit late but the replies to this post baffled me. EVERY suburb outside of the perimeter is garbage with absolutely no culture at all. You husband will be commuting against traffic. You have to stay in-town, unless you want to be living in red-state hell. Try Inman Park, Cabbagetown or Grant Park. All of these neighborhoods are really great.I think Inman Park would be the best for kids.