Pollution and climate (Atlanta: best schools, allergies, live)

[gnGracie]

My family currently lives in NW Florida. We have decided to relocate in the next year or so and GA is one of the states we are considering (also looking at SC, NC, and TN). We will be making several trips before we decide where to move, but I've been hearing about pollution and would like opinions from locals. My mom has severe asthma and will also be relocating with us, so this is a very big concern. Any recommendations about areas with the least pollution (especially in the northern portion of the state)?

Climate is also important to us (i.e. 4 seasons and moderate summers), as well as schools and jobs for school teachers and realtors.

Thanks so much for any help/recommendations.

[dianalee4jc]

The pollution around Atlanta might be a bit much for your mother, but if she has severe asthma the problem might not be "pollution" per se, but pollen. The pine trees here are a problem for people with allergies. If that isn't a problem for her, however, the north Georgia mountains are wonderful! And they are close enough to Atlanta that you can go into the city for concerts or ball games, if that is of interest to you.

The winters can be cold, but we get very little snow most years, and last winter was very mild. If you want snow, look in TN and NC (mountain areas). Even so, the area does not get nearly the amount of snow as states further north.

Schools vary from county to county. Cobb County (northwest of Atlanta) has very good schools. Cherokee is almost as good.

Cheers,
Diana

[gnGracie]

Thanks so much Diana. You're absolutely right about the pollen, that definitely aggravates her asthma ~ we're just looking to avoid compounding it in an area we know to have high smog levels or other pollutants. We love the mountains, so the closer to mountains the better. Also appreciate the input on best schools.

[ptcgirl]

Pollen around Atlanta is pretty bad in the Spring. I've never had allergies until I moved here. The pollution is also fairly poor in the metro area. I would go further north.

[gnGracie]

Thanks PTC Girl.