Moving to Atlanta area from Southern California (Roswell, Marietta: real estate, crime)

[calif2ga]

I plan on moving to the Atlanta area with my wife and two children ages 12 and 4. I was born and raised in Buffalo,NY, but have lived in Southern California since 1977 (Orange/Riverside County) and we are done with this state. We have been to the Atlanta area (Loganville/Marietta/Madison/Winston etc) several times the past few years and really love the area and the people. We have always lived in tract housing here and I guess it is referred to as sub-divisions in Georgia. We are looking for a house that is not in a sub-division has a basement with 2+ acres and has good schools. We like the small town atmosphere. I am in law enforcement and she is an RN. We have checked on the employment options and there are many. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

1. Budget -Would like to stay below 350,000
2. House with 2+ acres
3. Employment Status- will look when we find a place to live
4. Children prefer public school
5. Suburban or rural
6. Easy access to public transit not that important
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood - quiet with good community.

[peachstatehomegal]

Get in touch with a good real estate agent. They can send you info on what's available meeting your criteria, which there's plenty available in the areas that you mentioned.

Personally speaking, Winston and Loganville have lots of 'space' - plenty of homes that aren't in subdivisions. Of course, they are on opposite sides of the city!

And, coming from California, you'll find the cost of living quite a bit different - of course the pay scales may be lower to 'match' as well.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Historic Madison is one of favorite small town main streets. It's so lovely and seems very vibrant.

Overall, my advice would be to start looking in all the areas you mentioned for jobs for both of you, then contact a realtor in the area.

[Newsboy]

Once you ID where exactly you want to be (town, etc) I don't see how you can go wrong. Your careers are in demand, your COL from SoCal to here means you should be able to afford the house of your dreams. Somewhere on the eastside (Loganville et al) would be ideal -- not only would you find the rural areas you seek, but there are tons of job opps in every direction -- Atlanta, Gwinnett, Athens all within 30-45 minutes.

[roxyrn]

How about Milton (north Fulton)? Fantastic schools, rural "feel" yet close to shopping, GA 400 and North Fulton Hospital.

[calif2ga]

Thank you for the quick response and all the good information. We will be checking the Milton and Madison areas. We have checked on the pay scale and it is somewhat lower, but so is the cost of living. How is the crime in these areas?

[mike7586]

Are you a police officer? I'm pretty sure Gwinnett County is always hiring police officers. For you, I'd recommend Loganville, Dacula, Buford, and maybe Braselton/Chataeu Elan area.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by calif2ga

Thank you for the quick response and all the good information. We will be checking the Milton and Madison areas. We have checked on the pay scale and it is somewhat lower, but so is the cost of living. How is the crime in these areas?

In the areas you mentioned and that are being suggested, crime isn't much of an issue at all.

Good luck!

[roxyrn]

Milton is pretty much a low/no crime area.

[Stars&StripesForever]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

How about Milton (north Fulton)? Fantastic schools, rural "feel" yet close to shopping, GA 400 and North Fulton Hospital.

Milton doesn't exactly have a rural feel, as it isn't truly rural. It's too populated and developed to be rural. I'd say that it has a typical suburban feel in some areas, but an exurban feel in others. Only in a few parts does it even look and feel rural, and those areas are nothing but pockets these days, sandwiched in between more developed areas.

Considering that Roswell is to its south, Alpharetta to its east, Hickory Flat, Holly Springs, and parts of Woodstock to its northwest, etc., it's a slightly less developed area surrounded by more developed, typical suburban areas.

I wouldn't expect Milton's less developed areas to last when and if the economy turns around.