Commute to Buckhead and Airport (Atlanta, Macon: house, rent, travel)

[trish74]

My husband will be based out of the Buckhead office and will only need to go every other week or so for work in the office (meetings) BUT he will fly alot from the Atlanta airport...What do you suggest if we decide to move toward Atlanta? We currently live in Macon where family and friends are and actually his commute to the airport isn't bad and Buckhead has taken about 1 hr 15 minutes but of course there are people who live in Atlanta and sit in traffic longer than that.... My question is would it be better to go to Mc Donough, Peachtree City or go north of Atlanta for travel times? Any help is appreciated! THANKS!

[leavingbyron]

wow, small world...we live in Byron, and my husband is commuting to Buckhead everyday (he works on Morosgo)

Every morning he drives to McDonough, catches the park&ride to the Marta station, and takes the train right to his office...

I'd like to know others opinions as well, as we are selling our home here and moving closer to Atlanta. We wanted to stay on the south side since my mom & sister live in Macon. We are thinking about McDonough, near the Ola school district....

[trish74]

It is indeed a small world....my daughter takes dance in Byron! I have close friends in Byron as well. Anyway, Ola's test scores are good for GA. We looked up there, too. I know it is still a ways from Buckhead but not the airport. Again, people who live close to Atlanta on the north side seem to still have long commutes. So I am just trying to find a happy medium with good schools. If we stay here in Macon, we will be paying for private schools! We looked at Johnstonville road area in north Monroe County but there is NOTHING around...just woods. A realtor said they are building some retail there and a publix at the Griffin exit (205) but i am not sure if that is a given yet. I sure wish Monroe County would build up more.....so the only other alternative seems to be Henry County. Does your husband come out better time wise with his MARTA way rather than driving? THANKS!

[leavingbyron]

I think timewise, it might be slightly longer, however, he says it is soooo much less stressful, and it saves us a ton on gas. Also, he looks forward to the bus ride before he has to make his drive back each day, gives him a little time to relax before having to drive.

Your daughter must take dance at Ms. Patricia's?
I know what you mean about Macon schools, I think Rutland is good, which is out near my mom's house. I myself went to private school (Windsor) before Rutland was ever around.

We were thinking the exact same thing about Monroe County, how weird...
I don't really know much about the public schools there. The only person I knew that grew up there went to Monroe Academy. I figured if I was going to make the move, I'd like to be a little further up to make the commute easier on my husband.

Ola seems to be the best in Henry, or at least, the most sought after school district up in Henry (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
But geez, it is out in the boonies, very rural out that way...
Guess it's not too much different than where I am...LOL

[trish74]

Yes your correct about the dance school. Recital this weekend. I taught school in Monroe County and they are decent much better than Bibb except Springdale and Alexander Magnet II. We grew up here as well (Macon) and you are right when we visited and saw the area for Ola district it is Boonies!!!! I am just used to Hartley Bridge Road area, quick access to I 75 and 475 and Kroger and all. It is so hard to give up convenience HAHA. I wish others would help us out with any other commute variations from other places. Our family is in Macon as well so moving to Henry made the most since. But i just don't know.

[leavingbyron]

World keeps getting smaller, LOL
My mom lives on Hartley Bridge Rd., right before School Rd. (or right after, depends on which direction you're coming from)
My sister lives out in Chelsea Woods off Jones Rd.
I think that south Macon is the best place if you are going to live in Macon, that's for sure. It sure is growing out there. I keep telling my mom to hold onto her house on Hartley Bridge. At some point it will likely be zoned commercial and she could get a nice price for it...

Alexander II is a great elementary school, I went there. After elementary school, we had slim pickings for middle/high school. (Ballard B & Southeast)

Byron Elementary & middle school are really good, too. They can hold their own right up to Houston County schools anyday of the week. They have been tremendous with my son, who is 8 and has Aspergers.
However, Peach County High has alot to be desired. Test score wise, it is good. But that's about the only good thing I have to say about it.

[dougtha1]

smaller, smaller, and smaller. I currently live in West Macon Area (Lizella) and I commute to Atlanta 3 times a week. Mostly Airport Area and Sandy Springs. Im thinkin about moving closer but Id rather stay near Macon. North Macon is really booming but im afraid that I wont be able to afford anything in that area with all of the upscale development.

[trish74]

It is a hard decision. Macon has its good and bad points but no traffic compared to Atlanta. My husband works from home alot but has to go the airport some and when he goes to the office it's in Buckhead. We considered Peachtree City due to proximity to the airport and such wonderful schools. After reading all the posts I just don't think there are any good commutes to or through Atlanta (yet higher paying jobs hence all the traffic). We are considering Monroe County which gets a little closer and we like Peachtree City from visiting. Here we would have to pay for private schools and there we wouldn't but we have lived here forever and have family. I wish I knew more about the communities to live in Peachtree City???????? I know Kedron Elem has great scores does anyone actually know anyone that sends their kids there and do they like it????

[GF72]

In terms of location, I would say Vinings is the best place to be if you have to juggle commutes to Buckhead and the airport. Buckead is nearby and you just follow 285 to get to the airport... you'll want to send you kids to private school though unless you are willing to send them to Smyrna's rather poor schools.

[ptcgirl]

I have a lot of friends that send their children to Kedron and they LOVE it. Kedron is a GREAT school. We currently live in PTC and couldn't be happier. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. Proximity to the airport is the reason why so many pilots and airline prof. live here. It really isn't a bad commute. Good luck!

PS Some of the Kedron Elem. neighborhoods were redistricted for middle school. That might be something to look into. I know there was a lot of commotion about that this year.