Relo from Portland Oregon to the Atlanta area - cities? (Sandy Springs: renter, condo)

[DLJ67]

Hello,

I plan to relocate from Portland Oregon to the "general" Atlanta area in June 2011. I have been a renter all my life and hope to purchase a home. I have family in both Douglasville and Cumming, and would like to live within 1.5 hours +/- to both towns. I do not want to live in Atlanta proper, but a north suburban smaller city / town.

Me: single white male, 40's, no kids, no pets, work from home and I do not need a new job when I get there (and no commute worries).

Wants: stand-alone house with some land (1+ acres), 3 bed/2 bath, low property taxes (less than $1200/yr), interesting and not generic/boxy. Again, within 1.5 hours +/- of Douglasville and/or Cumming. Southern, bungalow, Cape Cod, and mid-century modern styles suit me. Max $125k but closer to $115k is more comfortable. Neighbors are OK but I don't want to see them out my kitchen window every day. Must have broadband internet for work. Those are the basics; the rest of my desires are trade-offs.

I saw a fantastic-looking place in Dalton on zillow.com, but input by others made it seem like a dump. And it's further north than I might want to be. I have seen places in Woodstock that looked nice as well. Thing is - I don't want to live too close to family - but close enough to visit every week or two.

I do not mind racial diversity - I have lived in Chicago, Florida and Wisconsin and have lived with all kinds - no problem for me - as long as it's safe.

I read posts here and people seem to concentrate on getting a new job/unemployment, schools, and commute times - regardless of what the original poster asked about. So, to reiterate, no kids, I already have a job no matter where I live, and no commute.

Just looking for a nice smaller city / town, where I have a good chance of finding the type of house & property I want, reasonable cost, decent quality of life, things to do on weekends and within a 2-hour drive (I love exploring new towns nearby).

All suggestions are welcome, and thank you in advance.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by DLJ67

Hello,

I plan to relocate from Portland Oregon to the "general" Atlanta area in June 2011. I have been a renter all my life and hope to purchase a home. I have family in both Douglasville and Cumming, and would like to live within 1.5 hours +/- to both towns. I do not want to live in Atlanta proper, but a north suburban smaller city / town.
Me: single white male, 40's, no kids, no pets, work from home and I do not need a new job when I get there (and no commute worries).

Wants: stand-alone house with some land (1+ acres), 3 bed/2 bath, low property taxes (less than $1200/yr), interesting and not generic/boxy. Again, within 1.5 hours +/- of Douglasville and/or Cumming. Southern, bungalow, Cape Cod, and mid-century modern styles suit me.

Max $125k but closer to $115k is more comfortable. Neighbors are OK but I don't want to see them out my kitchen window every day. Must have broadband internet for work. Those are the basics; the rest of my desires are trade-offs.
I saw a fantastic-looking place in Dalton on zillow.com, but input by others made it seem like a dump. And it's further north than I might want to be. I have seen places in Woodstock that looked nice as well. Thing is - I don't want to live too close to family - but close enough to visit every week or two.
I do not mind racial diversity - I have lived in Chicago, Florida and Wisconsin and have lived with all kinds - no problem for me - as long as it's safe.

I read posts here and people seem to concentrate on getting a new job/unemployment, schools, and commute times - regardless of what the original poster asked about. So, to reiterate, no kids, I already have a job no matter where I live, and no commute.

Just looking for a nice smaller city / town, where I have a good chance of finding the type of house & property I want, reasonable cost, decent quality of life, things to do on weekends and within a 2-hour drive (I love exploring new towns nearby).
All suggestions are welcome, and thank you in advance.

Somewhere between Dalton and Woodstock, Douglasville and Cumming--north of metro Atlanta?

Price range $115-125, 000.

I cannot offer the name of a specific town but Cherokee county might match your criteria.

[koko339]

I would say the city of Canton/Holly Springs might work for you. Cumming can be reached via Hwy 20 in, I dunno, maybe 45 minutes? Also, you can take Hwy 20 to Interstate 75 which is a straight shot to Dalton. Again, not too close but close enough for family . It's not the most interesting place to live (especially coming from Portland), but there are plenty of places within a 2 hour drive that will keep you exploring.

[bbkraics]

I lived in Atlanta for 11 years...in Dunwoody (rented apt), Sandy Springs (rented apt), Buckhead (owned condo) & Kennesaw (owned house)...just saw my old neighborhood & houses are listed for $120s. Kennesaw is a great town north of ATL off I-75. Cobb county.