Chattanooga and Atlanta Mid-Point to Live (Rome, Cartersville: home, public school, college)

[stellabird]

Any suggestions regarding a mid-way point to call home would be appreciated. Originally from Chicago, I prefer the city and my husband is doing great in Chattanooga. I have lots of opportunity near Atlanta but close to none in Chattanooga. Without going into detail about likes and dislikes and causing a commotion can anyone tell me if people do live between these two cities? If so, where would be a good place to compromise? We went to see Rome, GA but I was told it is like a small Chattanooga. Very confused and need some insight. Would prefer to live in an area where the children could go to public school. Thanks for your help.

[atlantagreg30127]

Atlanta is pretty much it as far as a "city" in North Georgia, if you want city living. Rome is a large town, and one of the larger areas outside of Atlanta you'll find. Some might say it's a little redneckish, but it depends on how you define that and your tolerance level toward a more laid back and more rural attitude by locals.

Overall Rome isn't that bad of a town. It gets a bit more hot and humid in the summer due to geography than some other parts of the metro area, but they do have a reasonably decent little downtown area and some arts stuff going on there. You will from time to time run into that "my wife is my sister" kind of person working at the local KFC, but hey, I can avoid chicken.

Another mid-point would be Calhoun, Georgia. Not as large even as Rome, but it's about midway between Atlanta and Chattanooga, so your commute (in GOOD traffic) would be about an hour to either city - slightly less to Chattanooga than Atlanta, though.

[gamom73]

Or Cartersville...it is midway between Chattanooga and Atlanta on I-75 (but just a tad closer on the Atlanta end)...but time-wise about an equal commute. I prefer it to Calhoun as far as shopping and schools go. Rome is a large town, but it was a bit too spread out for me (it took miles for me to get to either of the two Wal-Marts and it does not even have a Target store). The interstate access proved to be quite a hassle too. One must drive to Cartersville and then south on Hwy 41 for a few miles to access I-75.

[stellabird]

Thanks. This helps. I read something about Calhoun and not accepting outsiders. I know this is the South and that seems to be common but would Cartersville be more "outside" friendly?

[Scraper Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by stellabird

Any suggestions regarding a mid-way point to call home would be appreciated. Originally from Chicago, I prefer the city and my husband is doing great in Chattanooga. I have lots of opportunity near Atlanta but close to none in Chattanooga. Without going into detail about likes and dislikes and causing a commotion can anyone tell me if people do live between these two cities? If so, where would be a good place to compromise? We went to see Rome, GA but I was told it is like a small Chattanooga. Very confused and need some insight. Would prefer to live in an area where the children could go to public school. Thanks for your help.

Calhoun is halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

[Scraper Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by gamom73

Or Cartersville...it is midway between Chattanooga and Atlanta on I-75 (but just a tad closer on the Atlanta end)...but time-wise about an equal commute. I prefer it to Calhoun as far as shopping and schools go. Rome is a large town, but it was a bit too spread out for me (it took miles for me to get to either of the two Wal-Marts and it does not even have a Target store). The interstate access proved to be quite a hassle too. One must drive to Cartersville and then south on Hwy 41 for a few miles to access I-75.

Cartersville is now part of the Metro Atlanta metropolitan area. Yes, it's right above Cobb County, much closer to Atlanta than Chattanooga. Calhoun, well the north end of Calhoun, fits close to the half-way point. Calhoun is in Gordon County.

[DisgustaTruth]

I really think your only two options are Cartersville and Calhoun. Rome is too far away from I75 so it would be difficult to commute to either Atlanta or Chattanooga. Calhoun is more "halfway" but Cartersville probably has more to offer in the ways of shopping and dining.. and it is only about a 40 min drive to Atlanta.

[gamom73]

Originally Posted by stellabird

Thanks. This helps. I read something about Calhoun and not accepting outsiders. I know this is the South and that seems to be common but would Cartersville be more "outside" friendly?

My husband is actually from Calhoun (from age 5 to college age). His parents still live there and well as a brother. I have attended sporting events there and I must say the parents seemed to be very verbal and argumentative at the games. It has left me with a bad feeling about the area. I've got to say I prefer Cartersville. Some of the teams playing Gordon County (Calhoun) were from there and they were much more polite and reserved as a whole. It just seemed more "redneck" in Calhoun/Gordon whereas Bartow/Cartersville left me with more of a friendly and less of a redneck feel. I don't like to use the term "redneck" but I don't really know any other way to describe it. And like I said, the retail is more diverse in Cartersville.

[Yeahitsme]

You will be fine in Cartersville. While it is much closer to Atlanta, since there is no traffic going towards Chattanooga you can still get there quick. Cartersville is accepting of outsiders, some parts of the rest of the county may not be though.

Cartersville has a lot to offer and is now just beginning to really grow. Although growing fast at the time, the city officials seem to be doing a good job of not letting it become one big traffic, big box cookie cutter mess, like many other places in Metro Atlanta.

[clsmith15]

I live near Cartersville and have found Bartow County in general to be very accepting of newcomers. I commute to Atlanta. Cartersville is closer to Atlanta and even with traffic I think it's a shorter commute than going to Chattanooga. Chattanooga is above the ice storm line and I think driving over those mountains in the winter could be rough. I also agree with Yeahitsme on the fact that the city officials seem to be doing a much better job of controlling growth that most other areas of metro Atlanta.