What areas to consider? (Atlanta, Marietta: home search, safe neighborhood, to buy)

[Nicksmommy]

Hi everyone. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm relatively new to the Atlanta area, we've only been here for a few years and we are beginning our 2nd home search. We currently live in the Douglasville area of Paulding, and quite frankly it's a bit too rural for our tastes. We are trying to find an area with good to great schools that is a decent commute (no more than 20-25 minutes) between our jobs.

I work in Powder Springs. Hubby works near Dobbins AFB. So far I've come up with Marietta (city), and the zip 30064, as well as extreme northern Powder Springs.

Can you all tell me of an area that fits the following:
1. diverse (we are a Black upper middle class family and we don't want to live in an all black,all white, or all Latino neighborhood.)
2. not overly expensive (we are hoping to purchase a home that is no more than 260K...ideally a 4/2.5
3. good to great diverse schools (our definition of diverse is a school that has a racial mix and is at least 20% black, but definitely not all one race (black, white, etc)...we would like our son to grow up around other races, but at the same time, we'd like him to see people that look like him. Harrison HS feeder pattern is out--last I checked the schools there weren't at least 20% black. Anything in Austell is also out of the question.
4. neighborhoods that have a community feel (we don't necessarily need to be bosom buddies with our neighbors, but it'd be nice to live someplace where our neighbors would notice if something was wrong)

edited to add: 5. relatively easy access to Atlanta...(20-30 minutes on the weekend without traffic)
6. Family oriented. We are in our late 20's to early 30's and would love to be around others with kids.

Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance,
Nick's Mommy

[Skychick]

I am in the market to buy a home in a safe neighborhood. I am a single white woman. I work out of Hartsfield Airport and I need something that is between 30 and 45 mins. away from the airport. I can't be late to work I have to watch where I move because of traffic.
I am into tennis, golf and mtn bike riding. I would like a trendy area, but I want a quiet neighborhood. I would like to be able to walk out in my yard and feel safe.
I am looking south of the airport, but is there anything to do down there? I am not from ATL so it's hard to decide where to live and I still want to be able to meet people and do things of my interest. I am open to suggestions if anyone can help.