Dalton and surrounding areas (crime rate, job market, movie theaters)

[gnGracie]

My husband and I checked out the Dalton area a couple weeks ago and really liked the area, and would like some information. I would like to know how the schools are in that area, and jobs. Also, what about taxes (local, state, property, etc.) I'm a Realtor and my husband will soon be a school teacher, so we want to know about the job market and pay in that area. We like that it seems a bit like a small town, but there's still modern conveniences (i.e. movie theaters and 24 hour Wal Mart) and it's close to a few bigger cities. Our kids are soon to be in middle school and high school, so schools are important to us. Thanks for any information.

P.S. I posted yesterday, but didn't get any response, so I'm trying again today hoping to catch some people familiar with Dalton and surrounding areas.


Brandy

[Brewboy]

Brandy,

Dalton is not a town I would raise my kids in!! It is pretty much been overrun with poverty from the carpet factories. Such you have a few nice areas, but for the most part it is not somewhere you want to live. I would look at areas in Cherokee or Pickens county, they both are thriving very strong and have some pretty decent schools and are still like small towns and very close to everything you can imagine.

[gnGracie]

Thanks Brewboy. I'll look into those counties.

Brandy

[em1231]

dalton schools are awesome (from an educator's perspective) pay is great, some of the highest in the state, starting at 36,839 for 0 experience w/ a BS, and the kids are a pleasure to teach, progressive system w/ awesome innovative programs that are quite effective. all but the middle school met ayp and they only missed it in the students w/ disabilities category. large ell population in schools (making that progress even more remarkable), friendly folks, revitalizing downtown, definitely has its poor its rich and its middle areas, though not unsafe even in poor areas, chattanooga, 30 minutes away, is a great city to hang out in but schools aren't nearly as good and pay is significantly less at least for teachers

[AmandaLively]

I live in Dalton. Dalton City schools are probably 80% hispanic by now. I taught at a government funded headstart and it was at least 80% hispanic. Some children there couldn't speak english. Dalton's crime rate and drug rate are much higher than other town's this size. It would be a nice town without all of the illegals. It's difficult to get an office job here. You more than likely wouldn't have a problem getting a teaching job but other jobs are hard to find. A lot of jobs slap on a mandatory bilingual. You must have went in the Wal-mart close to the Rockyface exit. The Wal-mart on Walnut Avenue is complete chaos with illegals at every corner. I'm sorry if I sound a little racist. I used to didn't be, but the illegals are ruining my town.

[CallawayBass]

I used to didn't be, but

This is why our future is going downhill. Our head start teachers don't have proper grammar skills. Not the immigration issue.

[Lar Frot]

I agree with you Amanda! It is an immigration issue!! I have lived in Dalton for 10 years, and its just getting worse with illegals. Jobs are getting harder to find here. Crime rates have definitely gone up because of them.. Our jails are full of illegals. Three illegals tried to rob someone I know and take his car when he stopped at a store on his way to work. They may think twice now before they ever do that to anyone else. They tried attacking the wrong one that day. Stories like this are not uncommon here now. Like Amanda said at the Walmart on Walnut its wrapped up in illegals. I definitly don't plan on staying here.

Callaway Bass - Folks like you are annoying!! Always trying to find fault in someone, because they think they are so perfect, and never make mistakes.