st. marlo country club (Alpharetta, Duluth: relocating, estate, gated)

[taranow]

Does anybody know anything about the subdivision. I have been looking in st. Marlo, Three chimneys, Seven oaks, laurel springs, and st. ives. I was told to stay away from st marlo because it was built in front of a park that blows up rock every wed & shakes the houses so much pictures fall off the walls.We are relocating from Pembroke Pines Fl in July and our looking for a family oriented neighborhood with decent schools as I have a 4 year old & a 21 month old. Any comments would be appreciated

[runnergrl]

Laurel Springs, Rivermoore, and edinburgh's big bear are nice neighborhoods in Suwanee. Dont know much about St marlos's or St ives other than there could be a snoot factor because of the prestigousness. I like Chattahoochee Run, because I have alway liked John Wieland neighborhoods...the entrance however is right at Peachtree Ind and Mcginnis ferry....the traffic can be a bear. I have heard Laurel Springs can be that way too...snoot factor...not saying that you couldnt find nice folks in there, but it being a golf club neighborhood that is relatively new, people are just trying harder to keep with the joneses if you know what I mean. Schools overall seem to be good in the suwanne area...some are in Forsyth county(Laurel springs) and the other half is in Gwinnet county. Seem that most prefer the gwinnet side as seem more family friendly and the schools better.

I lived in Cumming when I did my time there...we have lots of friends with kids who live in Suwanee. Windemere is a huge masterplanned community in between 400 and Suwanee dam rd south of hwy 20. It has a school inside the development, shopping, many developments and golf course too. I believe it would be forsyth county for schools.

[charolastra00]

I've always heard the Forsyth schools are better- most of my friends in high school moved to Laurel Springs and St. Marlo just for the South Forsyth schools.

In any case, most kids I knew who grew up in those neighborhoods seemed to think growing up in a gated community was detrimental to their childhood. At 15, the rent-a-cops in golf carts would follow us walking home from a friend's house or a pool party at night whenever I spent the night in one of the neighborhoods and it was very uncomfortable. Even kids who aren't making any trouble can't just take a walk at night without being questioned. That might be something you want since your kids are younger, but really, there's no need for a gated community in that area of town except for the prestige factor.

There is a quarry nearby but in all my time spent with friends in that area, I never once felt it. If it was that bad, people would not be buying million dollar homes when there's so many other nice neighborhoods in the vicinity.

[runnergrl]

That's really interesting to hear your experience of hanging out with friends who lived in a gated community. I had no idea that they had extra security to keep the teenagers out of trouble.

I dont care for gated communities anyway...people who want to get in, can. Just by putting the gates is alluding the fact that you dont want undesirables in your neighborhood. Plus it is a hassle when you are having friends over or having something delivered, or just getting in and out. I just dont like to be gated in anyway. haha.

[JennySells]

I have lived in the area for 25 years (relocated from Boca Raton, FL) and use to live in Seven Oaks. I am a realtor here and have been in all of those neighborhoods. Seven Oaks is my favorite by far and wished we hadn't sold our home there. They have a very active Swim /Tennis community, a 3 acre park, soccer facilities, gym, etc. I am not a fan of gated communities but in depends on what you are looking for. Also is Golf a big factor? If I had to go and rate them I would put (1) Seven Oaks (2) Laurel Springs (3) Three Chimneys (4)St. Ives (5) St. Marlo. Even though these are all in close proximity the schools are different, different counties and traffic does play into this. If you want to look for homes we have a great map online that allows you to pick the area, price, etc. There are also other areas of Alpharetta/Cumming, unless you want closer to Duluth. The West side of 400 (Hwy that divides the 2) is where we are now and you will find bigger lots and some great schools. We also have alot of horse farms out this way, the Birmingham Alliance is very firm about the development and the appearance of what is being put in right now. Hope that helps some!

[runnergrl]

That's interesting...I am not sure I know where Seven oaks is...how old is it and who developed it?...Is it considered more John's creek area? or is it closer to the windward community? What is your take on the Rivermoore Park community?

[JennySells]

Seven Oaks is in Alpharetta but in the Johns Creek area off McGinnis Ferry/Sareant Rad/Jones Bridge Road area. The homes active in there right now range from $335 - 749K. The WIndward area is also right down the road. Again it depends on the amenities you want and the type of neighborhood. Windward is broken up into many subdivisions that range in pricing for the $300's and up into the millions. Rivermoore Park is located in Suwanne with the nearest cross road being Peachtree Industrial. It is also a great neighborhodd with some pretty amazing homes for sale right now. The prices range from $425-999k

[dkraut]

I live in St. Marlo and Yes, there's a quarry close by but they blast infrequently and it doesn't knock pictures off walls! lol!

I've been in a lot of subdivisions, including all that you listed and St. Marlo is the best of the bunch with Laurel Springs a close second followed by St. Ives in third. It's truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Some of my old golf buddies came up this Summer from Chicago and their comment was, "the most beautiful course/homes I've ever seen". You'd be crazy not to move here, especially right now when they're practically giving homes away in this market. Let me know if you need any specific info. Keep in mind the taxes, St. Marlo is in Forsyth county where taxes are much lower than Fulton County. Advertised prices here at St. Marlo are $600's to $3M+ but there are deals to be had! Another subdivision you should consider if you're interested in bigger lots without the golf course is "CreekStone Estates".

Cheers!

[runnergrl]

where is creek stone estates?

[dkraut]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

where is creek stone estates?

No idea why it says "about me", but click the link for CreekStone Estates location >> About Me

Another link here > Welcome to Phoenix Corporation of Georgia

Homes are very similar to St. Marlo without the golf course, gates and security. Also, the lots are much bigger and you're still in Forsyth county. All depends on what you're looking for I guess...

Cheers!