Looking to move - Georgia area? (Atlanta, Savannah: renting, home, neighborhoods)

[melissa3296]

I currently live in Erie, PA, but am looking to move - just not sure where yet. I run an online marketing company from my house, so work is not really an issue - I can do my job from anywhere. I am looking for a few things though. I have a one year old son, so the school system is a big issue. I am also looking for somewhere close to the city, but not right in the city. I will be looking to eventually buy a home, but renting is fine for the time being if it is easier. I have a dog, so that may be something to take into consideration as well. Since I have lived in a winter state for my entire life, I am looking to live somewhere warmer all year round - I have had enough of the snow. If anyone has any suggestions as to where a good place to raise my son would be, please let me know.

[TakeAhike]

The metro Atlanta area is comprised of 5-8 counties and now includes 5,000,000 people. There are many areas that might be a good fit for you. If you can visit the state and spend some time looking around that would be the best way to get a realistic picture.

Posters could respond more accurately if you provided more details.

You say you would like to live 'near a city/not right in a city'. What size city and which part of the state do you prefer?

North Georgia has some beautiful scenery located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains but you will find more traditional beliefs and less diversity, in general. The same is true for South and Central Georgia--more conservative and less diverse than Atlanta.

The climate is moderate throughout the year--several cold weeks during the winter with temperatures in the low teens, 20's at night and 40's during the day.

hth

[melissa3296]

As far as what par tof the state, I just don't know. I don't know enough about Georgia to know that answer. At this moment, I am just starting my search for a new place. Somewhere to raise my son is basically the ultimate deciding factor - good schools, lower crime, decent cost of living. A huge metor are is not the ansewr. I would like a more rural setting, but something where I could be in the city with a relatively short commute if I wanted to get out for the night, etc. I think more traditional beliefs with less diversity has both good and bad sides to it. As far as the climate - pretty much anywhere I don't have to deal with the harsh winters like it is here.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by melissa3296

As far as what par tof the state, I just don't know. I don't know enough about Georgia to know that answer. At this moment, I am just starting my search for a new place. Somewhere to raise my son is basically the ultimate deciding factor - good schools, lower crime, decent cost of living. A huge metor are is not the ansewr. I would like a more rural setting, but something where I could be in the city with a relatively short commute if I wanted to get out for the night, etc. I think more traditional beliefs with less diversity has both good and bad sides to it. As far as the climate - pretty much anywhere I don't have to deal with the harsh winters like it is here.

A rural setting with a short commute to the city can be found around metro Atlanta. I would suggest Suwanee, GA or Buford, GA--and towns in this area, northeast of Atlanta.

Welcome to Suwanee, Georgia

On the NW side you might find what you seek in Smyrna, Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta.

Here's a thread on small towns across the state>>>
http://www.city-data.com/forum/georg...n-georgia.html

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

A rural setting with a short commute to the city can be found around metro Atlanta. I would suggest Suwanee, GA or Buford, GA--and towns in this area, northeast of Atlanta.

Welcome to Suwanee, Georgia

The Smyrna area isn't that different from East Cobb -- lots of subdivisions, lots of trees, but very little "rural" anywhere. It's suburban.

[LolaMay]

Alpharetta, (north of Atl) is a great place to live and raise a family. Its very diverse with a large population of white, chinese, indian and pakistanians. This helped to make the school system in Alparetta the most sought after in Georgia. Shopping, churches, outdoor activities are all within a short distance. Home prices can be very low 100K+ in nice neighborhoods.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

The Smyrna area isn't that different from East Cobb -- lots of subdivisions, lots of trees, but very little "rural" anywhere. It's suburban.

That's true. I don't actually know what to suggest to this poster.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by melissa3296

I currently live in Erie, PA, but am looking to move - just not sure where yet. I run an online marketing company from my house, so work is not really an issue - I can do my job from anywhere. I am looking for a few things though. I have a one year old son, so the school system is a big issue. I am also looking for somewhere close to the city, but not right in the city. I will be looking to eventually buy a home, but renting is fine for the time being if it is easier. I have a dog, so that may be something to take into consideration as well. Since I have lived in a winter state for my entire life, I am looking to live somewhere warmer all year round - I have had enough of the snow. If anyone has any suggestions as to where a good place to raise my son would be, please let me know.

I'm going to suggest Warner Robins, GA...my sister, who lives in nearby Macon, says that many commuters are relocating to Houston County for the superior school system. It is about 1/2 hour from Macon (if you want to consider that a city) and about 2 hours from Atlanta...probably about the same distance to Savannah.

[matt8325]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

A rural setting with a short commute to the city can be found around metro Atlanta. I would suggest Suwanee, GA or Buford, GA--and towns in this area, northeast of Atlanta.

Welcome to Suwanee, Georgia

On the NW side you might find what you seek in Smyrna, Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta.

Here's a thread on small towns across the state>>>
http://www.city-data.com/forum/georg...n-georgia.html

So you're saying that Buford is a short commute to Atlanta ? That's interesting. Buford is about 40 miles from Atlanta !!!!

[Mawoods]

Don't know why anyone has not suggested Newnan, GA. It is about 30 or so minutes from Lenox Square and is still a small town feeling on the edge of Atlanta. The schools are pretty good and it is really growing. After living in the north metro area for 25 years, I do not miss the traffic. If you are working from your home, etc then getting into the city isn't a problem. There is very little bad traffic in Newnan and there are a number of nice neighborhoods with ammenities that you would enjoy such as pool, tennis. The stores and restaurants are locating down here and there is
alot of good growth. I live in a neighborhood that has people from everywhere and you would fit right in. We also have all levels of housing from the 100s all the way up to 800s.