Considering buying house in Loganville/S. Gwinnet High district (Lawrenceville: fit in, foreclosures)

[tripleup05]

Hey folks. New guy here. So my wife and I are looking to buy our first house. Highway 78 in Loganville is a perfect balance between my parents and hers (our free babysitters!) and our jobs. I work in Suwanee, she towards Athens. We both enjoy the Grayson/Loganville/Snellville area due to family and friends being here.

Obviously now is the time to buy a house. We have found a house near Old Loganville/Rosebud Road we can get for about 120K, in what appears to be a nice, upkept subdivision. It was originally purchased for 180K in '07. It will take about $5000 to spruce it back up, but all in all, a great deal.

My concern, however, is resale value. I have lived in Grayson my entire life (24years). I have seen it change. It has gone from farmland to subdivisions. And over the last 4-6 yeras I would guess...the subdivisions have become...well, a little more rundown, especially in the price range I am looking at. Even in HOA subdivisions, yards are becoming messier. Houses poorly maintained. 2-3 hooptys per house parked on the curb, and in some cases, in the yard. "Gangsta's" (or atleast wannabe's) roaming around neighborhoods after getting off the bus.

This is not meant to be racial at all...there are offenders of all colors. But yall know what I mean. Do you think it would be a good idea to invest money in southern Gwinnett? It almost seems like it would be hard to lose money at 125K, but I'm really looking for some advice. Our realtor has been helpful, but he's only one opinion. He originally suggested Dacula, Auburn, Bethleman, Monroe, etc but those areas are not quite as convienent.

Oh one more thing...my wife graduated from South Gwinnett in '04. She said it was scary when she started in '00, and down right dangerous by the time she left, due to the culture and attitude of the people moving in. Our first child is 7 days old, and I know for a fact he will not be attending South Gwinnett. I'm thinking we buy the house, he goes to elementary school in the South District (elementary school can't be that bad, right?) we sell the house for a profit in about 10 years, and book it to somewhere with better schools.

What do yall think?

[ericsonga]

While South Gwinnett is not as desirable a school district as most in Gwinnett, I still wouldn't call it 'ghetto'. There are still some very nice parts of South Gwinnett that will always help to make the area more attractive. I wouldn't worry too much about the resale if you are able to buy at such a good price. Just check comaparables in your neighborhood, as I'm sure your realtor has done. Also, talk with your future neighbors. They will be able to provide the best insight for you.

[tripleup05]

Thanks for the advice, Eric. I'm asking as many people as I can as many questions as I can. Buying a first house is quite stressful! Add trying to beat the $8,000 tax credit deadline and its mind-numbing!

The other houses in the neighborhood are listed in the 140's-160's, down from 160's-180's originally. Two have sold at about the price I am looking at, and they were both forclosures. All others have sold 140's and up. The house we are looking at is facing foreclosure, so its at a good price but not as beat up and run down as most foreclosures. Plus I work in flooring, father is carpenter, and father in-law is a plumber. So we're set

Still looking for anybody else who wants to chime in too!

[Mill Creek Mom]

Oh one more thing...my wife graduated from South Gwinnett in '04. She said it was scary when she started in '00, and down right dangerous by the time she left, due to the culture and attitude of the people moving in. Our first child is 7 days old, and I know for a fact he will not be attending South Gwinnett. I'm thinking we buy the house, he goes to elementary school in the South District (elementary school can't be that bad, right?) we sell the house for a profit in about 10 years, and book it to somewhere with better schools.

That's an oxymoron. You don't want your child to attend this high school, but you think you might make a profit if you sell it in 10 years? As long as the schools are bad, resale is going to be bad. Trust me, I know from experience.

[Caltovegas]

Your first priority is the safety of your family no matter the racial group. What are your expectations of the area in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years.

[tripleup05]

Originally Posted by Mill Creek Mom

That's an oxymoron. You don't want your child to attend this high school, but you think you might make a profit if you sell it in 10 years? As long as the schools are bad, resale is going to be bad. Trust me, I know from experience.

I see your point. Gosh, so many factors and variables go into this

[Carolinagal1995]

South Gwinnett has a bad rep. I have friends with kids in the district and they are trying to claw their way out as we speak. Your best bet would be in the Grayson or Archer Cluster. Archer has a Lawrenceville address, but is on the border of Grayson and Dacula. It is about a 5 min. drive from downtown Grayson. Also, the Sugarloaf Extension is supposed to make this area more convenient. There is very little crime in this area and no run-down neighborhoods. I have never seen any "thug" teenagers roaming the streets. If this area is too rural for you, check out the Brookwood District. The better neighborhoods are on the northern side of 78. Hwy 78 is a big dividing line between in Gwinnett(i.e. wrong side of the tracks).

[mrdkb]

Originally Posted by Carolinagal1995

South Gwinnett has a bad rep. I have friends with kids in the district and they are trying to claw their way out as we speak. Your best bet would be in the Grayson or Archer Cluster. Archer has a Lawrenceville address, but is on the border of Grayson and Dacula. It is about a 5 min. drive from downtown Grayson. Also, the Sugarloaf Extension is supposed to make this area more convenient. There is very little crime in this area and no run-down neighborhoods. I have never seen any "thug" teenagers roaming the streets. If this area is too rural for you, check out the Brookwood District. The better neighborhoods are on the northern side of 78. Hwy 78 is a big dividing line between in Gwinnett(i.e. wrong side of the tracks).

This area is down New Hope Road. One of the subdivisions across the street from Archer HS has a Dacula address, so this gives you an idea as to where the cluster is located. It's quiet and home to both Tribble Mill Park and the New Harbins Alcovy Park.

[That_guy]

As of now, I wouldn't buy a house within 15 miles of South Gwinnett nor ever put my kids through that school. Have you driven by that school when it lets out? If not, you should.

[nicnaccali]

Is it that bad?