Looking to move from LA, where should I go? (Atlanta: crime, attorney)

[outacali]

Hello Georgia,

Ok, I have a family of 4 in LA. Tired of paying through the nose for everything (Private School, Utilities, Gas, etc.). Thanks to Cali's housing market I HAVE EQUITY! I'm ready to cash in and split. We are considering Georgia, No.Carolina, TX (Houston or Plano).

What's important? Employment (within 20 min. commute, HR field and Graphic Design field)Schools (free, blue ribbon), Quaint Neighborhoods (like Pasadena or Santa Barbara in Cali), Shopping Gallore(more than one mall choice!), land (1/2 acre), Price: $450-$600K, Stuff to do for families, safe (of course), light traffic, Multi-cultural, good weather( I'm spoiled but can manage a little flux- no tornadoes). Looking for a place to raise a family, live nicely, and grow old.

Heard about Buckhead but I hear the traffic is like LA.

Where should I consider and why?

[avalugg]

I think you would love Alpharetta. It gives you all that you are looking for, and a lot of employers are in that area which will make you commute lighter.

[atlantagreg30127]

Ok, well, some people call Atlanta the "L.A. of the East" (for better or worse).

THE GOOD: If you like malls, you'll like it here. Numerous large malls, though they are spread out some. Some other unique shopping areas like a large outlet mall up off of GA. 400 north of the city, and a few small towns in North Georgia with touristy stuff/shopping in them. Atlanta is "retail paradise" for shoppers. Housing is going up, but still cheap compared to other large cities (though the gap is closing). Make sure you have a home inspected before buying.. codes here are LAX compared to some other areas of the country and not all new construction is top grade. Job market is strong here.

THE BAD: Taffic is bad. In a few areas, rivals L.A. Try to find a stable job first, THEN find a home... too many people here move on opposite sides of the metro area that they work in, making "one hour each way" commutes more common than not. "Smog days" are numerous and we have increasing "code red" smog alerts during the summer. Crime - yes, it's a problem (compare to DC, Detroit, Oakland, etc). While Atlanta proper is fairly diverse as far as attitudes go, you may find the overall attitude of the region (SE) to be somewhat repressive compared to S. CA. (as in Baptist, conservative, etc etc).

Other places to consider: Portland, OR (yes, we know, lots of L.A.ers already live there, but it has lots of what you ask for). Charleston, SC... job market not quite so strong, but lots of shopping, beaches, historic areas, "quaintness". San Antonio, TX.. growing, strong economy, jobs, and cheap housing.

[Figment 07]

Originally Posted by outacali

Hello Georgia,

We are considering Georgia, No.Carolina, TX (Houston or Plano).

good weather( I'm spoiled but can manage a little flux- no tornadoes).

Hello, California.

Look, you can't be guaranteed never to experience a tornado warning in the states you mentioned. In fact, if you live here for a few months, I can almost guarantee that from time to time you will experience at least a couple of watches and warnings.

Just do what many of us do to cope: buy a weather alert radio (with batteries!) and make sure that the house you buy has a nice, dry basement.

At least with tornadic activity, unlike earthquakes, you usually get adequate warning to take cover.

[atlantagreg30127]

Ohhh.. I didn't see that "no tornadoes" part.

As Figment said, you're gonna get them here sometimes. It's the South - the South gets tornadoes. Typically, the larger "big ass" ones (as in F4, F5) hit over in the Alabama and Mississippi thru Texas areas. Georgia RARELY sees one that large. 95% of the tornadoes we get in the Atlanta area are F0 or F1, with a rare F2. In the metro area there have been a couple of F3s, but they're very rare. Unlike out west, ours usually don't stay on the ground for miles and miles - they "skip" and do less damage than what you see in the West.

Still, as Figment also said, having a nice basement isn't a bad idea by any means, and weather radios are a good idea here. The local news is very good about updates when bad weather hits as well. In some areas (Cobb where I live, not sure where else) they have extensive tornado siren coverage, while in others it's more sparse.

[outacali]

Say,

Thanks for the advice. Now about the job hunt. I heard that Atlanta is run by temp agencies and for new comers that don't come there with a job, it is hard to get an interview direct. Is this true? and besides the regular job boards (careerbuilder, monster etc) what other advice do you all have about job hunting (Professional/Management Level) there?

[marvettecritney]

mmmmmmmm. I just sold a house to a family that is relocating from LA, and i'm currently working on finding an investment property for an attorney in LA that has to do a 1031 exchange??? Here is my two cents. 90% of atlanta metro is great and you would like all the areas.... If you are willing to be 30 plus minutes outside of Atlanta, then I like the grayson area.... good schools, not congested as of yet.. nice homes.... and a nice mix of homes...neighborhoods where you know your neighbors.... I also like Conyers for your price range.... you can get an incredible house on a nice size lot and be downtown in about 30 minutes....taxes are still low.... If you want to be with the creme de la creme, then north fulton just doesn't get any better.... but don't sleep on sugarloaf