Retired Air Force in northern GA (Atlanta, Marietta: rental, hotels, townhouse)

[thepeacefulone]

hello all. Just retired from the air force after 20 years. I'm looking to find a good community in northern georgia. I am african american, with a wife and two year old.

I am a former army brat, too, so this is a completely new life for me.

I am looking for an area that is really laid back and quiet, without being surrounded by a lot of sickos. the wife and I are looking to buy into a franchise next year. until then, I will be working part-time in anything that I find interesting, whereas she will be transferring to her job.

For now, we are looking at Cartersville (which I like a lot), Douglasville, and Marietta (which I am liking quite a bit, as well). I am looking at a few houses in Marietta, namely in the the Hollydale subdivision. Does anyone have any info on that subdivision? I have been there a few times, and it seems fairly quiet and like a decent neighborhood. the wife would have to transfer to a store in austell, which I hear isn't that great of an area.

I would even think of the Kennesaw area, from what Ive been reading here on this forum the last couple of days.

I would not like to go any further south than Warner-Robins, or any further east than Athens. Oh yeah, Rome is out of the question.

I am open to any suggestions/ideas/comments.

Thanks in advance.

[Yeahitsme]

I can't tell you much about Douglasville but if you are looking for a laid back and quiet community you will find many of them in Cartersville, Kennesaw, and Marietta. The only difference in the three are the distances to Downtown Atlanta, traffic, and prices of home. Kennesaw is a VERY NICE area BUT it has a lot of traffic, Marietta is right next door to Atlanta, and has a very nice downtown. Cartersville also has a very nice downtown but it is a good 30 - 40 minute drive to downtown WITHOUT traffic. But Cartersville is growing at a great pace right now and would be a great place to open a new franchise so...

All of the towns are friendly and have plenty to offer so you will be okay in whatever decision you make. Neighborhoods in Cartersville to check out are Four Seasons, Carter Grove Plantation, The Waterford, and a few more that I can't think of the name right now.

[thepeacefulone]

Thanks for the info. I spent a lot of time in Douglasville and Cartersville today. I saw parts of both cities that I haven't seen in the month I've been here and living out of hotels.

A lot of you folks on here that have moved to the area and rented are spot on with your advice. If I had visited here for a couple days last year, and based my decision on that and what I have read online, I would be living in a part of Douglasville that I would not be happy with. So, we have decided to go the rental route for at least the next six months while we do a lot more research before buying.

[Yeahitsme]

You're welcome! I don't know if you got to see it but there are a few areas of Cartersville you might want to avoid as well. Most of them are around downtown Cartersville.

Here is a link to the Carter Grove Plantation Community. If it is out of your price range let me know I can give you more information on houses that more affordable.
Carter Grove Plantation

[thepeacefulone]

Originally Posted by Yeahitsme

You're welcome! I don't know if you got to see it but there are a few areas of Cartersville you might want to avoid as well. Most of them are around downtown Cartersville.

Here is a link to the Carter Grove Plantation Community. If it is out of your price range let me know I can give you more information on houses that more affordable.
Carter Grove Plantation

well, a year of agonizing is over. we have decided to reside in Cartersville. Found a really nice place outside the city, off of hwy 113 towards Rockmart.

I did get to see a lot of the parts of Cartersville that I should avoid. What sucks is, up on the hill where MLK boulevard is, there is a townhouse subdivision that somewhat overlooks the city. It's definitely a nice view, but I was told that really isn't a place I'd want to live.

But, after all these weeks of driving around and living from hotel to hotel, I feel relieved.

If anyone's interesed, i'll give updates as things progress. maybe I can help someone looking into moving up this way if its possible.

[rettogo]

Originally Posted by thepeacefulone

well, a year of agonizing is over. we have decided to reside in Cartersville. Found a really nice place outside the city, off of hwy 113 towards Rockmart.

I did get to see a lot of the parts of Cartersville that I should avoid. What sucks is, up on the hill where MLK boulevard is, there is a townhouse subdivision that somewhat overlooks the city. It's definitely a nice view, but I was told that really isn't a place I'd want to live.

But, after all these weeks of driving around and living from hotel to hotel, I feel relieved.

If anyone's interesed, i'll give updates as things progress. maybe I can help someone looking into moving up this way if its possible.

Hey there,
my husband and I are getting out of the AF next month. Although he's not retiring, we were only in 4 years. We are still trying to decide where to reside as well. I was leaning more towards the Marietta area as I'm trying to stay in the Federal system with my job. We are going to rent for 6 months too before we buy. Are there any areas that you would say "Absolutely NO!!"?

[johncobb]

Byron Ga is quiet, has a lot of potential for growth, and is convenient to Robins AFB for your retirement benefits...