Anyone from the Northeast moving back? (Atlanta, Alpharetta: condo, house, buying)

[EastCoast2GA]

I've been monitoring these boards for a few weeks now and read quite a bit of threads, both recent and from years ago. Most seem to be about people moving to Atlanta.

But, as someone from the Northeast who is planning to move to Atlanta, I was surprised to see some posts (in the thread "Relocating to Alpharetta,GA" by tanstaafl) where many from the Northeast were talking about moving back away from Atlanta.

So all you originally from the NE, are you planning to go back or do you think you made the right move to Atlanta?

[Mattie]

We didn't really make the decision to move here, it's where the job was, BUT, no we won't go back north. We are originally from NJ, and while we enjoy visiting the area, we don't miss the snow or the taxes.

I doubt we will stay in GA once the kids graduate. The area we are in is heavily family-oriented, which currently fits our needs, but won't in a couple of years.

[wxjay]

I plan on moving back up to New England once I finish my Ph.D. at Georgia Tech. I have just never gotten really comfortable here in Atlanta, and I think areas in the Northeast are more my style. Plus, my family still resides up there.

[PKCorey]

No.

Most of my family and friends are in Baltimore but I doubt I will. I don't miss the snow, high utilities cost and I doubt if I move back, I would ever be able to afford a house for what I could purchase here. Makes no sense.

[darkone]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

No.

Most of my family and friends are in Baltimore but I doubt I will. I don't miss the snow, high utilities cost and I doubt if I move back, I would ever be able to afford a house for what I could purchase here. Makes no sense.

I'm not picking on just you, but I don't think people move from Baltimore to Atlanta because of the little snowfall and marginally colder winters up in Maryland. It is more likely the cost of living for some people. Even New Jersey winters are not that bad, it is more about the cost of living once again.

Now people from Central and Northern New England and upstate New York definitely have a reason to cite the winters as a reason for leaving .. .

[YBF]

Im from NY and Ive been here a little over a year and I am planning to move back as soon as I can. I dont think Atlanta was the right move which is why I will correct the problem by going home.

[kaday]

We moved here for a job from Massachusetts but are NJ/NYers originally. I don't think we will move back unless it is job required. We'd have to seriously downsize our home ...not a huge deal but then also our taxes would be triple or more then what we pay here. Also here our kids have an excellent shot at the Hope scholarship (if it is still around in 6 years or so). And lastly three years in the mountains of Western MA did me in on winter. Shorts are so comfortable and riding bikes in November is fabulous. I think its a good trade off for the things I miss (like Taylor ham).

[Ebck120]

I moved here from NYC last year and am here for a project.....
I'm not going back to the northeast but I am looking into the Pacific Northwest - Seattle or San Francisco.

Also, most of the complaints seem to be about either weather or cost of living. I have no problem buying a condo in any of the Northeast cities so..... no biggie

Atlanta is in my opinion just not "urban" enough for me, I miss living without a car, having people from all over the world around me vs. just black or white (for the most part), and being able to order take out from restaurants representing so much of the world vs. alot of fast food and chain restaurants (for the most part).....

[kdhfrank]

We are originally from the metro Philadelphia area. We are looking to move back to the NE...hopefully PA but we will look at all options carefully. We moved here almost 14 years ago with my husbands job. My thoughts on why we want to move back: family, culture (sorry but I really dont think Atlanta has any) education...when you get to the meat of it! there are not many great colleges here....Hope scholarship or not it does not compare to PA. There are really only 3 above average colleges here...UGA, Tech and Emory...and then it drops off. We live in East Cobb and we want to raise our child with the idea that "diversity" is a great thing and all people are equal. We are Democrats in a school system of Republicans and coservatives...not the values we want to instill in our child. Its your choice whether to move here but the weather and politics dont compare to the NE where there is culture, diversity, skiing, Fall, the "shore" and great schools. Sorry if I offended anyone...we gave Atlanta a chance...never again.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by darkone

I'm not picking on just you, but I don't think people move from Baltimore to Atlanta because of the little snowfall and marginally colder winters up in Maryland. It is more likely the cost of living for some people. Even New Jersey winters are not that bad, it is more about the cost of living once again.

Now people from Central and Northern New England and upstate New York definitely have a reason to cite the winters as a reason for leaving .. .

Minus the blizzards...I don't miss shovling after those storms..

Mostly, the COL is true. I may make more in MD but I'm still end up shelling it out one way or another...

I don't see myself back in the Old Line state...