Atlanta or Northern Virginia/ D.C. (Lawrenceville, Duluth: real estate, car insurance, crime)

[payroll]

Which would you choose I see Atlanta home prices are cheaper but Northern Virginia has better schools? Anyone moved from VA/DC to Atlanta?

[Sharon R.]

Yes, yes and yes. And if I could afford NoVa (or DC), I'd go back in a heartbeat! Been here 11 years now. There is a lot more to quality of life than home prices.

The truth is, Atlanta home prices are a LOT cheaper, and the pay is not that much less, so you will get more for your money. However, Atlanta is not the charming, easygoing, friendly Southern town I was hoping it would be. Schools in GA are near the bottom of the heap, but the southern part of the state drags down the average -- metro Atlanta isn't so bad.

However, my brother's house up there has doubled in value in about 5 years. He could buy a couple of houses down here just with the equity! We are going to be moving in a year or so and will be lucky to make $50K on this place -- and we're in Cobb County.

[Georgia]

It's a toss up.
I grew up in Martinsburg, WV not to far from N.VA.
But the home prices and even the gang issues make one go back and forth.

I guess giving the choice I would not mind Northern VA compared to here.

I will admit, after all the places I have ever lived, I have never lived in a place with as much crime as here. Everyday on the news it's the same ole same ole. When living in WV I worked the WV, MD, VA, and S.PA areas and even in Washington DC's Anacostia area did I not check my back as much as I do when walking Atlanta aka Detroit of the South.

[payroll]

So do you make more in NoVa to help in the high cost of living?

[Georgia]

You better hope so. Between Real Estate or Rent. Property Taxes, Car Insurance, etc.
Arlington and Alexandria can put a hurtin on ya.

[payroll]

So would you sat the best choice is a surburb in Atlanta?

[Sharon R.]

If all you're talking about is cost of living, yes, Atlanta is cheaper. But as I said before, I think the quality of life is lower too. Quality of life includes education, IMO. Depends on your priorities. You're basically trading one rat race for another and to tell the truth, this is a bigger one because the Atlanta metro area is huge, and traffic is terrible most of the time, even in the 'burbs. My advice is to get a job close to home -- or vice versa.

[lizziep]

Originally Posted by Georgia

It's a toss up.
I grew up in Martinsburg, WV not to far from N.VA.
But the home prices and even the gang issues make one go back and forth.

I guess giving the choice I would not mind Northern VA compared to here.

I will admit, after all the places I have ever lived, I have never lived in a place with as much crime as here. Everyday on the news it's the same ole same ole. When living in WV I worked the WV, MD, VA, and S.PA areas and even in Washington DC's Anacostia area did I not check my back as much as I do when walking Atlanta aka Detroit of the South.

You have me so spooked! We are going to be moving to ATlanta, Gwinnett County area in the next 30-60 days from WV. We are looking for a diverse area, with little to no racism, please tell me that I am not making a huge mistake!

[jxu66]

If you pick West Norcross, peachtree industrial side of Duluth, Suwanee or Sugar Hill, it is not bad at all. Just avoid some part of Norcross, some part of Lawrenceville and some part of Lilburn.

[gwebber70]

I am in my 30s and have lived here since I was 13. I would not want to live in Gwinnett county. But I don't like busy areas. I like to be further out away from traffic. Gwinnett county is busting at the seems and traffic stinks!!! Traffic is horrendous anywhere in Atlanta basically. The best thing is that it's affordable and there are good schools despite what you hear. Like someone said it's the poorer areas that drag the whole state down in ranking. If you are looking to stay away from racism though, the south is not really the place to be.
I live in Cherokee county and it was beautiful but it's growing way tooo fast! My son's school is busting at the seems and the schools can't keep up with the growth. It's great for my property value but it's stinks for quality of life. I moved here to be away from traffic and the hustle and bustle, but now it's looks like we will have to move again to get away from it. All that being said, it's warm here, housing is affordable and there are a pretty good bit of jobs, and again there are good schools in Gwinnett county area i'm sure. I know that Cherokee county schools are good, just a bit overcrowded right now.
Hope this helps out.