Thinking about relocating (Atlanta, Peachtree City, Madison: real estate, houses, school)

[KathyA11]

My husband is already retired, and I hope to join him in that happy state in a year or two.

We’re New Jersey born and bred, but have had it with the cold and snow, and being cooped up in the house for at least 5 months out of the year. We want to move south at some point soon after I retire. Currently, we’re thinking about (in order) Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.

So we’ve started to look into our options. We currently live in north Jersey, just outside NYC, so we’re used to a high cost of living – something we’d like to be able to avoid in retirement. We currently have a smallish home – a 5-room ranch on a 50 x 100 lot that currently costs $8K a year in property taxes (they’ve more than doubled in the 16 years we’ve owned it -- ouch). No kids, so we don’t care about the school system, but we have 4 dogs and 4 birds, so we want to live somewhere that’s animal-friendly.

We don’t need a large home, but we’d like one with a some property around it so we’re not on top of our next-door neighbors. We also love to garden, which ties into the desire for a home with property around it. We’re looking for a stand-alone home rather than one in a community.

Amenities? We’re not much for nightlife (we’re up with the birds, usually), but we’re used to easy access to shopping, so we’d like to be close to shopping centers (hi – my name is Kathy and I’m a Barnes and Noble addict). The practical side of me would like to be close to a good hospital, too. I’m not looking to work full-time after I retire, but would like the option of working part-time if necessary (perhaps in the aforementioned B&N).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[small town south]

I live in Greensboro, GA - about half way between Atlanta and Augusta. This part of the state is nice - rolling land, lots of farm land still, good mix of hard woods and pines. It's nice here most of the year (70 today), but June, July and August are very HOT! You can still find homes at a very reasonable price throughout this area (including Madison, Watkinsville, Athens). Athens has Univ of GA, so it offers decent shopping and cultural activities without having to go into Atlanta (which, in my book is good to avoid!). Athens also has your required book store and good hospitals.

I recommend searching online with larger real estate firms to check out housing and prices. You might want to plan travel here sometime in summer to see if you like the heat. Of course, you'll have the same issue with most of SC and FL. And at least here you won't need to evacuate for hurricanes!!

[deja-zebbie]

I've been to and through Greensboro several times and think it's a charming town, though I don't know anything about living there.

We find that whole area (Madison, Watkinsville, Athens) very nice--in fact we go to Madison as often as possible. I didn't realize it's still possible to get reasonably priced homes in Madison.

Kathy, if you think you might like that general area, I'd post a separate question pertaining specifically to the area as there are people on this list who seem to know all the nooks and crannies of the area (every tiny town).

I do agree with visiting first -- and an extensive visit if possible, hitting all the small towns. If you stay off the bigger highways and take some of the smaller roads and highways I think you'll discover how beautiful this area is.

BTW, the best time to visit IMHO would be Spring - Fall. Winter can be pretty drab.

All the best,
zebbie

[lbyer225]

Peachtree City was listed as one of the best places to retire in the country. You should google it and see for yourself. There are plenty of areas that have some land around the houses. I live here and love it. If you would like to search for houses, you can visit my real estate website www.lisabyer.com. Good Luck!