Oconee County?? (Atlanta, Watkinsville: fit in, how much, neighborhood)

[cmtiger]

Our current school system is making us crazy so we are considering a move to Oconee County. In particular, Malcom Bridge Elementary, Malcom Bridge Middle and North Oconee High look interesting.

We have three children, the oldest of whom will enter 6th grade next year.

Does anyone have an opinion of Oconee County schools and Oconee County in general? Would a quirky, but easy going, gifted eleven year old girl fit in, or are the cliques set in pretty tightly by then? Do the schools have a good gifted program? How does gifted work in elementary, middle and high?

My younger children would adjust easier, but the oldest will have a fit about moving, and we don't want to scar the poor kid for life.

What's life in Oconee County like? We live in intown Atlanta now. We are pretty moderate politically no extremes either way - guess you could call us "swing voters." We'd look forward to the relative sanity that is found outside Atlanta but we do enjoy some of the divergent views and interesting people that we run into "intown." I'd think that Oconee County would have some of that also since it is close to Athens. Also we like some access to cultural venues. Does Athens provide some of that?

Thanks for any info that you have. We are trying to make a good decision.

[Justride]

We have two kids at MBES and we are happy living in Oconee. My wife and I are Atlanta natives and after an exhaustive search and some serious sacrifices we decided to move here. We could not be happier.

Athens is about 13 mins (or a cab ride) away and Watkinsville is about 10 mins away.

The plusses (IMHO):
Athens is a very nice place if you value eclectic restaurants and ideas.
5&10 was just rated the best restaurant in the state and I would agree.
The UGA library is one of the best in the Southeast.
The Classic Center and other venues offer some of the best live music and live performances in the nation.
UGA athletics (football, baseball, equestrian, swimming and diving, etc.) are great events for the family.
The schools in Oconee are far better than the public schools we left in Atlanta.
The people are very nice.
Great places to ride bikes.
Quick access to 316 - we can be in downtown Atlanta in about an hour depending on traffic.

The minuses (again, IMHO):
Subdivisions are growing like weeds. It's uncertain how much longer growth can continue without serious consequences.
It is conspicuously religious (we are not church goers)
There is not much diversity in the schools.
Water might be a problem in the future.

The truth is that Oconee is a way to "live" in Athens without having to deal with the problems (traffic and poor public schools) of Athens. If Athens had quality public education, we would seriously consider living there.


Re your “swing voter” comment, my wife and I are in the same camp and we have found that most people in our neighborhood are also. However, this is a conservative district and you will be in the minority if you hold close to certain liberal views.


Good luck and I'm sure that you would be happy here.