Differences between zip 30096 and zip 30097? (Atlanta, Duluth: rental, new home, neighborhood)

[bostonbaby]

Ok here is the deal, our friends from Duluth where here this weekend, they have one of this zip codes, I believe the other one is Johns Creek? (I'm not sure) our friends love it there, how far away is it Johns Creek from Duluth? they used to be the same, but in distance?
Our friends have sworn that you are only 20 minutes away from downtown!
and they said you put your kids in any school in the area regardless the zipcode?
We are in love with Buckhead, but once I get there we are still going around and checking out other areas, we might change our minds! and Johns Creek seemed lovely beside the distance from the city, could distances be relative? ha ha

[jxu66]

30097 is very wealthy neighborhood but it contains about half of Johns Creek (the other half of Johns Creek is in 30022 zipcode) and large portion of city of Duluth. A lot of famous country clubs are within its zipcode (St Ives, Sugarloaf CC, Atlanta Athletic CC). It was dubbed as Orange county of Atlanta by ajc. Not sure I agree with that. But the average income household is well exceed 100,000.

30096 is more middle class neighborhood. Average income is around 60,000. The area contains Gwinnet place mall (which is aging mall) and is more commerical area, IMO.

During the weekend, you could go to midtown/buckhead within 30 minutes. But during the traffic, that's not really possible.

[bostonbaby]

Thanks, I was just wondering since our friends are in one of this zip codes and it seems once you change one number even the schools get better!
Definetely we have to check into the real timing for commuting! I can't imagine a traffice being worse than Boston traffic or Miami traffic.

[TimH1955]

I just read your questions regarding the differences between 30096 and 30097 and I was wondering if you ever moved to either of these zip codes (Duluth, GA)? I live in 30097 and there's a big difference in 30096 and 30097. Most of the newer homes are in 30097. The 30096 is the older sections of Duluth but many of the older homes in Duluth are going through complete renovation and are very nice. If you have children in schools, you can't beat the Gwinnett County Schools as they are as good or better than private schools. You can not put your children in any school you want too as the Gwinnett County schools are in clusters and have defined guidelines for which schools your children would attend. As far as the Atlanta traffic, it's TERRIBLE!! I work in downtown Atlanta which is 22 miles from Duluth. It takes me an average of an hour to an hour and half to make the commute during rush hours (6:00 - 8:00AM and 4:00 - 6:00PM). That's the worse part about living in Atlanta. I moved here seven years ago from Washington DC and prior to that I lived in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA and it's by far the worst traffic of any of those cities. You will be pulling your hair out some days wondering why the traffic is so backed up.

Anyway, you may have already made a decision but if not, I hope that helps.

[mrpanda]

I have a rental property in the subdivision called Willowstone right adjacent to Sugar loaf country club. I've notice that the surrounding areas including Brentwood of Sugarloaf, Lakes of Sugar Loaf, Cresswell has had a zip code change from 30096 to 30097 except for my subvision. All the schools feed into Peachtree Ridge. Willowstone is considered to be a higher end subdivision where new homes were sold in the mid $500s in the 2006 - 2007. Is there any reason why the Willowstone subdivision was left out in the zip code change?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by mrpanda

I have a rental property in the subdivision called Willowstone right adjacent to Sugar loaf country club. I've notice that the surrounding areas including Brentwood of Sugarloaf, Lakes of Sugar Loaf, Cresswell has had a zip code change from 30096 to 30097 except for my subvision. All the schools feed into Peachtree Ridge. Willowstone is considered to be a higher end subdivision where new homes were sold in the mid $500s in the 2006 - 2007. Is there any reason why the Willowstone subdivision was left out in the zip code change?

Isn't that a question for the post office?

[mrpanda]

30097 is very wealthy neighborhood but it contains about half of Johns Creek (the other half of Johns Creek is in 30022 zipcode) and large portion of city of Duluth and 30096 is more middle class neighborhood.

My point is that i would disagree that 30097 zip code in itself is a very wealthy neighborhood. I will agree that Johns Creek, 30097 is, but not Duluth, 30097 with exception of St. Marlo and Sugarloaf CC. The Duluth 30097 address also extends to east of Bunten and north of 120. There are many homes under $200,000 within this region of the 30097 zip code. Both Duluth 30096 and 30097 feed into Peachtree Ridge High and the future property values will depend on how this new school does. Does anyone have any information about the quality of this school?