Advice on Atlanta suburb (Dunwoody, Tucker: credit, buy, best school)

[Mdtransplant]

My family is moving from MD to Atlanta. My husband will be working in College Park and I will be working on Chamblee Tucker Road inside the perimeter. We have a high school aged son. We're looking to purchase for around 350K. What area will minimize both our commutes and provide a good school system for our son? Thanks for your help

[sweettea1]

Basically you are talking a Chamblee/Airport commute. Dunwoody offers good school systems and the commute for your husband will range between 30 minutes to a hour (at worst). You may also consider looking in the Henderson/Briarcliff Districts which may shave off some time for your husband and allow you to do back roads to Chamblee Tucker. Don't know much about Brookhaven High Schools...maybe some others can comment. I'd try and live closer to your job as schools are better there than they are near the airport.

[johnatl]

^Great advice, sweettea1.

Your jobs are basically across town from each other. I'll second the Dunwoody suggestion. Good schools, great area and just minutes to your job. I agree about the commute times for your hubby.

You should be able to find something nice for 350. It won't be a new place, but nice.

Good luck.

[ericsonga]

I also think Dunwoody would be a great location. There is inventory for $350k and under, but not a lot. I just looked up listings for zip 30338, and there are only 41 active listings. But if you can find something you like out of those, that would be awesome!

[lastminutemom]

Brookhaven is Cross Keys High School and that isn't a good choice. How far a long in school is your son and will you be moving mid-year? Is your son on a traditional or block schedule?

[saharaga]

I agree with the previous suggestions and I would also add Decatur, Tucker, and Avondale Estates to the list since it seems to me that proximity to I-285 and/or I-85 would be important. Dekalb county doesn't have the best school system but there are some good schools within Dekalb county.

Georgia Report Card for Parents

[Mdtransplant]

Thanks for the responses. I know absolutely nothing about Atlanta so please be more specific i.e., zip codes, etc. My son is in 10th grade and we'll be moving in approx. 60-90 days. What do you think about intown? I've been looking in Grant Park and Kirkwood; but, I'm not sure about safety for my son in the city. He's an athlete and used to taking public transportation to his practices/games. He's very independent and I don't want to clip his wings given that he'll already be dealing with a big change. As for me, I really love bungalows with architectural details. I'm overwhelmed!!

[lastminutemom]

Grady High School is excellent though Grant Park isn't eligible to attend. Parts of Kirkwood are in the City of Atlanta -- those students can attend Grady. Parts are in DeKalb. Don't buy in Kirkwood in DeK MARTA is ok during the day and evening rush hour. If he is a school athlete though, transportation will be provided for him. If it is not a school sport, you need to make sure there are leagues and facilities intown. While intown has become more family friendly in the last few years, the suburbs are far more oriented towards children and families. Both Kirkwood and Grant Park are still a little rough around the edges.

I am sure you probably realize that moving a high schooler is a big deal. If you private message me his sport, I can possibly give you some specific advice. If it is a high school sport that does cuts, you need to contact coaches before making a decision, some programs may be full.

I am not always a huge fan of using test scores as the only barometer of school quality. However, for high schools I do think that it tells you a bit more.

http://www.gaosa.org/FindASchool.asp...06&StateId=ALL

Finally, MARTA doesn't really go that many places and can take FOREVER if you need to use the train and bus. It isn't very efficient.

I also think you need to check GA's graduation requirements. You need to know that for his grade he willl need the following

- Four (4) credits in Mathematics
- Four (4) credits in English/Language Arts
- Four (4) credits in Science
- Three (3) credits in Social Studies
- One (1) credit in Health/Physical Education
- Three (3) credits in Foreign Language** and/or Fine Arts and/or Career/Technical/Agricultural Education***.
- Four (4) electives

I know this is a pretty routine college prep curriculum but in some states/school districts far less is expected and high school students don't take core courses every year.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by saharaga

I agree with the previous suggestions and I would also add Decatur, Tucker, and Avondale Estates to the list since it seems to me that proximity to I-285 and/or I-85 would be important. Dekalb county doesn't have the best school system but there are some good schools within Dekalb county.

Georgia Report Card for Parents

Avondale High School isn't very good -- so I would elimated Avondale Estates.

[sweettea1]

Look at 30338 (Dunwoody), 30309 (parts of Midtown), 30345 (Lakeside/Briarcliff)