Moving to GA to go to school at Kennesaw (Atlanta: houses, condos)

[slasher52]

Greetings all,
I've been accepted at Kennesaw, and plan to move to Georgia in July. Here is our laundry list of questions...

1) We (wife and 2.5 year old) are looking for a decently priced home in the vicinity of Kennesaw (130K and less). Areas west of Kennesaw seem great, like Dallas, Hiram, and even a bit north like Acworth. Any suggestions?

2) What might the commute time be from Paulding county to Kennesaw, or into Atlanta?

3) My wife is looking for job leads. She's been a stay at home Mom since my kid was hatched, but she has prior experience in the admin/clerical field. She is also near a bachelor's degree in child psychology. She would be a good fit for a day care position, too.

4) I am prior military on a scholarship to KSU, but I won't be receiving active duty pay. I will do ROTC at GA Tech. Any insight?

5) My little girl will be 3 on Halloween. Is she eligible for pre kindergarten this school year? Can she take some kind of test to prove she's a "quick" two year old? Any suggestions on preschool, or at least a daycare?

6) I'll need a part time gig too, after my wife gets a job and we get day care or pre-K for my kiddo. It'll need to fit somewhere between a full load at KSU, ROTC at GA Tech, and, well, life. In otherwords, flexability is key. But, as I mentioned, I'm prior military, so I could be a good fit for security, or admin stuff.

7) I appreciate any and all help. We are looking forward to this move, scary as it seems now. I've heard nothing but good things about Georgia, and I can't wait to see it for myself.

Thanks
-SH

[lastminutemom]

To be eligible for Pre-K, your child actually needs to be 4 on or before Sept 1 -- so you have two more years before you are elegible for public pre-k. Sorry.

However, most of the day cares will serve children that age. Depending on income, you may be eligible for Head Start. Once you know where you are living, you can check further into that.

[Butterfli_Bleu]

We are kind of in the same situation. My husband will be taking a job somewhere around June 1, 2008. My daughter will be 4 on July 30th, 2008 and I (too) am interested in finding out about pre-K.

[graywolf73]

Sorry, but you aren't going to get much of a house in that price range. Decent houses start in the $300's and go up. You would probably be better off with a condo or townhome. As far as schools, your daughter has to be 4 by Sept 1st, there are no exceptions. But if you want to make a move based on school districts you can check out this site: Georgia Public Policy Foundation - www.gppf.org Even though she isn't school age yet, they grow up quick!

[LovinDecatur]

Why buy? Your situation sounds pretty transient right now. The area around KSU is fine and has reasonable rentals...focus on the areas where the best schools are and find a rental situation.

[Westward]

You also may have a hard time finding room for your child in the 4yo pre-k program, unless they've done something I'm not aware of to actually make room for everyone. Years ago they had waiting lists. Kids already in a care center that is licensed to provide the preK usually get the spot.

There are lots of new condos/apartments on Barrett Parkway near KSU. It would not be a good idea to buy without living in the area first. Commuting can take a lot of time, especially if you need the freeway from out yonder. Which you will, if you need to run down to GA Tech. Fortunately, there are more jobs just off the freeway in the Town Center area near those condo/apts and KSU.

[tsihddub]

Riverstone Montessori Academy takes children starting at 2.5 and goes through Middle School and it's in West Cobb near Dallas Hwy/The Avenue. They also have an office position open your wife might apply for and she could be where your daughter goes to school.