Job in Tucker,GA. Suggestions for where to live? (Atlanta: real estate, rental)

[betty cracker]

Hello, we have a job offer in Tucker. We have elementary aged children, so excellent schools are the first priority. Looking to keep commute under 20 minutes and plan to purchase a home in the $275-$350 range. Those are the priorities, but the other "fluff" wants are beautiful neighborhoods with large yards. Love the Georgian style homes (older homes ok too). Any suggestions for neighborhoods or surrounding communities/cities? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Brian_M]

My wife and I lived in Tucker for 4 years while she went to Mercer, this was the first half of the 2000's. For the last 2 years we lived right behind the Emory Hospital just off Lawernciville Hwy, 285 and Stone Mtn Fwy. 10~11 miles from home to school for her and "bad" commutes were in the 40~50 minute range. Average was in the 20~30 and fast was ~15. Traffic has Absolutely gotten worse in the decade since, so I'd say that if you pick a "must have commute under 20 minutes" as the top item, you're going to be looking within a 10 mile radius of work.

Back then we lived in a rental house, a single family ranch with a HUGE back yard, tons of mature trees and on a dead-end road (Canadian Way). It was very much a typical suburb setup, at that point there was no crime to speak of, kids playing in yards, people who were friendly but basically minded their own business. We both look back to our time living in Tucker fondly, it was a very good experience. For reference, at that point I had already lived in Seattle, DC, Boston, and Phoenix (for large cities, I grew up in Wyoming) and had a fair bit of experience in all sorts of living arrangements. Looking at real estate listings though, I get the feeling you'd turn your nose up at the area since the homes sell for ~$150k.

I have a Very strong suspicion that you're going to have to relax some of your wants, the main one being commute time (as in, you'll probably need to get into the 40~60 min one way range) to get the rest of what you want.... depending on where your job is located. To further help you could start watching Google Maps for traffic issues at your normal commute times to see if there's any one direction that is Consistently worse and then don't shop for homes there.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by betty cracker

Hello, we have a job offer in Tucker. We have elementary aged children, so excellent schools are the first priority. Looking to keep commute under 20 minutes and plan to purchase a home in the $275-$350 range. Those are the priorities, but the other "fluff" wants are beautiful neighborhoods with large yards. Love the Georgian style homes (older homes ok too). Any suggestions for neighborhoods or surrounding communities/cities? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I can think of one option that will fit all this criteria.

Gwinnett County, Parkview HS district. I would specifically recommend Cedar Creek ES. Look south of Killian Hill anywhere with easy access to Five Forks, Arcado or Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road. You can easily drive to US78 at Hugh Howell or take a few back turns and take Hugh Howell into Tucker with less traffic.

You might go a few minutes over 20 minutes if you work near Northlake Mall as traffic will pick up going through Tucker and on LaVista Road.

There are other options within Dekalb County, but schools and home prices are a mixed bag. There are some really good elementary schools, which you have to carefully hand pick. Then you must be careful when they get older and see if your child can get into a magnet program or something similar. Home prices can also get quite high where the good elementary schools are.

If you're willing to expand your commute 10-15 minutes more, also consider the Brookwood HS cluster in Gwinnett. Your budget will work well in both areas of Gwinnett, but you won't be able to afford the newest neighborhoods.

[gasol1]

I can think of one option that will fit all this criteria.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I can think of one option that will fit all this criteria.

Gwinnett County, Parkview HS district. I would specifically recommend Cedar Creek ES. Look south of Killian Hill anywhere with easy access to Five Forks, Arcado or Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road. You can easily drive to US78 at Hugh Howell or take a few back turns and take Hugh Howell into Tucker with less traffic.

You might go a few minutes over 20 minutes if you work near Northlake Mall as traffic will pick up going through Tucker and on LaVista Road.

There are other options within Dekalb County, but schools and home prices are a mixed bag. There are some really good elementary schools, which you have to carefully hand pick. Then you must be careful when they get older and see if your child can get into a magnet program or something similar. Home prices can also get quite high where the good elementary schools are.

If you're willing to expand your commute 10-15 minutes more, also consider the Brookwood HS cluster in Gwinnett. Your budget will work well in both areas of Gwinnett, but you won't be able to afford the newest neighborhoods.

I agree with the Parkview suggestion--although I think you meant " Camp Creek Elementary" (not "Cedar Creek")--the schools are very good, but huge-- homes with larger lots will probably be from the 80s or earlier. I would suggest looking at subdivisions off Miller Road between Cole Dr and Garner Rd, and maybe the Cherokee Woods subdivision off Cole Dr. The Cherokee Woods homes will be mostly well below your budget--the Miller Rd homes will mostly on the middle to low end of your budget (I think).

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by jeoff

I agree with the Parkview suggestion--although I think you meant " Camp Creek Elementary" (not "Cedar Creek")--the schools are very good, but huge-- homes with larger lots will probably be from the 80s or earlier. I would suggest looking at subdivisions off Miller Road between Cole Dr and Garner Rd, and maybe the Cherokee Woods subdivision off Cole Dr. The Cherokee Woods homes will be mostly well below your budget--the Miller Rd homes will mostly on the middle to low end of your budget (I think).

Yea, you're right... I didn't get enough sleep last night and I have been making all sorts of typos! Thanks for that catch.

There is a large neighborhood in the area called Cedar Creek. The elementary school is Camp Creek and my brain just did a mash up.

Prices have gone up options are down, since the post-recession bargains. I'd say Miller Road is exactly their budget range. Existing homes (circa 1980's) have lows in the low $200s to the highs in the low $400s with new, nearby infill houses in the $400 to $700s.

[GRS86]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I can think of one option that will fit all this criteria.

Gwinnett County, Parkview HS district. I would specifically recommend Cedar Creek ES. Look south of Killian Hill anywhere with easy access to Five Forks, Arcado or Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road. You can easily drive to US78 at Hugh Howell or take a few back turns and take Hugh Howell into Tucker with less traffic.

You might go a few minutes over 20 minutes if you work near Northlake Mall as traffic will pick up going through Tucker and on LaVista Road.

There are other options within Dekalb County, but schools and home prices are a mixed bag. There are some really good elementary schools, which you have to carefully hand pick. Then you must be careful when they get older and see if your child can get into a magnet program or something similar. Home prices can also get quite high where the good elementary schools are.

If you're willing to expand your commute 10-15 minutes more, also consider the Brookwood HS cluster in Gwinnett. Your budget will work well in both areas of Gwinnett, but you won't be able to afford the newest neighborhoods.

Good suggestion. I concur!!

[sedimenjerry]

Ditto on Parkview cluster. Or right next door in the Brookwood HS cluster. It's a little farther but stick to the western part and you'll only add 5-10 minutes. Childs play compared to other Atlanta commutes.

[betty cracker]

Thank you all for the input. We feel much more equipped!

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by betty cracker

Thank you all for the input. We feel much more equipped!

Oh, and if you want to put your kids in soccer--the GSA fields are right accross from Parkview HS/Camp Creek Elementary. (one of the things we miss since moving Intown is a really nice rec soccer league).