Any other females in LA thinking of moving to Atlanta? (Inglewood: fit in, apartment) - Los Angeles - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

december33 · 12-06-2007, 03:08 PM

Hi,

I'm currently living in LA but planning a move to the suburbs of Atlanta. I love LA but I'm now a single mom of two little ones and I'm searching for a good yet affordable standard of living - you know, a decent sized home with a back yard for the kids etc. Getting a 3 bed 2 bath townhome at $1200 is not something that can be achieved out here.

I'm just wondering if there's anyone else out there in a similiar situation who is considering or currently making plans to make the same move - maybe we could exchange notes etc?

Charles · 12-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by december33

....but I'm now a single mom of two little ones and I'm searching for a good yet affordable standard of living....

So now that you have kids you want to leave SoCal. I've read that somewhere.

Why Atlanta?
Have you tried the Atlanta forums?
Where are your folks (for emotional support, help with the kids, etc.)?
Is dad OK with your move to Atlanta?

december33 · 12-06-2007, 04:00 PM

Hi,

Actually I'd rather NOT leave, I love this place! I'm originally from England so the weather and scenery here definitely appeals to me. The emotional support part I have, and their dad is ok with me leaving, he himself is in another state now.

I chose Atlanta because I visited there before and liked there very much. I'm in a one bed apartment in Santa Monica and paying through the roof for it. I'm a single mother just trying to provide the best for herself and children.
I'm looking to: rent a HOUSE (no more than $1300), in a safe neighborhood, with good schools, a culturally diverse place where a woman of color can 'fit in'.

Like I said, I love this place but my dollar is not affording me the accomodation that I want. Any suggestions you may have will be warmly received...

motoman · 12-06-2007, 05:34 PM

I think Atlanta is a great place. I have only been there a few times for work, but was able to see a bit of the downtown area while I was there. I had a great time. I loved the feel of it. Lots to do. Much more affordable than LA. Although you won't escape traffic.

A friend of mine and his wife just moved back to Atlanta a year or so ago for the very same reason you are thinking. They wanted to be able to afford a house, wanted to be able to afford to raise children, etc. They really liked it out here, but even with the two of them making a combined income of $150,000+ per year, they still didn't feel comfortable with the cost of living in LA. They rented a house in Redondo Beach. Insane, isn't it?

Good luck to you.

jessemh431 · 12-06-2007, 05:57 PM

Washington, D.C. is pretty expensive also, but not nearly as expensive as here. There are several people of "color" there as well. It doesn't get as cold as NYC or Chicago, it doesn't snow as much, i don't think ever, and it's cheaper. Houston is good for people of color. It's very cheap there as well. DC is supposed to be a great place and you will fit in since there is a large number of African-Americans there.

TheRealAngelion · 12-06-2007, 06:23 PM

I second the suggestion about Houston. It's big, like LA, more diverse than Atlanta, and still affordable. It also has some very nice suburban areas that would be good for a young family.

A lot of Brits seem to like the desert. Have you considered the Southwest as another option?

december33 · 12-06-2007, 07:23 PM

Hi,
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, actually someone mentioned Houston to me before so I'll definitely do some research on that. When I moved here from England I certainly thought I'd found my little paradise in Santa Monica but now I feel as though I'm just paying for the scenery and can afford nothing else. Down to me I'd stay here forever but as a parent there's gonna times when you may have to make sacrifices when it comes to balancing quality of life with affordability. If the couple who had the house in Redondo beach and $150k income thought LA living was too expensive then me and my tiny income and expense of 2 kids have no chance! (smile) So unfortunately here ends my love affair with LA....

jessemh431 · 12-06-2007, 07:44 PM

My friend living in Inglewood is selling her home for 800k and moving to a suburb of Houston. It is like a suburb of a suburb...that's how far out it is from Houston. But, she is getting a huge 5 bed 3 bath house on an acre of land and she most likely won't even have to work because here husband will make just as much as he is out here, but their new home is only 150k! She is El Salvadorian, so you can see how diverse Houston is. Not as much as here, but better than places like Montana and Oklahoma. JK Montana and OK. OK has a pretty high black population I think, but not Hispanic. Montana, I take that back.

lalagonegaga · 12-06-2007, 11:29 PM

No. No on Houston. I had the misfortune of living there for 10 months to work on a documentary. If you like Santa Monica and you're from England, I reeeaaally think that Houston will be too much of a cultural void for you. I really don't want to start bashing because I completely understand the whole "cost of living" thing. But, when you focus too much on "cost" you can very quickly forget about "quality". I truly think that in Houston you'd be giving up more than you or your children would get.

I love the Atlanta idea. I have family from the area and I've spent lots of time there. It has a lot going for it, but there is also the urban sprawl to contend with. It is getting HUGE. The metro area of Atlanta is getting bigger by the minute, it seems, so finding that sense of community can be tricky, just like here.

But wherever you end up, life's what you make it. I have a good feeling you and your kids will be fine and dandy.

Oh, and I second the Washington D.C. vote. I know from the personal experiences of friends who are in situations very similar to yours and they have FLOURISHED there. My best friend just bought a home throught the HAP program that is 3 bed, 4 bath with a yard and, well I could go on, but she's doing marvelously well after leaving Manhattan for the same reasons you're leaving L.A.

Also, we're "people of color" but my family and friends are mixed (can't tell any of us are related) and multi-culti. Diversity is more than just people of various ethnicities living in close proximity. There's more to it and I think you'll find more actual diversity in Atlanta and D.C.

KerrTown · 12-07-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lalagonegaga

I love the Atlanta idea. I have family from the area and I've spent lots of time there. It has a lot going for it, but there is also the urban sprawl to contend with. It is getting HUGE. The metro area of Atlanta is getting bigger by the minute, it seems, so finding that sense of community can be tricky, just like here.

You want her to be stuck in Atlanta when the water runs out?