Best subdivisions in Alpharetta/Cumming (Roswell, Forsyth: HOA fees, neighborhood, schools)

[flipfloppers4]

Hello,
We are looking to move from SC and did live in the Alpharetta area for a few years. Does anyone have info on larger subdivisions in the Windward/Cumming/John's Creek area that are in the high 200's to mid 300s that are good for a family with younger kids? (pool, access to walking trails, etc.) We school at home, so schools not a major issue. Would love to find an affordable gated community. Thanks for your help!

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by flipfloppers4

larger subdivisions in the Windward/Cumming/John's Creek area that are in the high 200's to mid 300s ...(and) affordable gated community.

Sorry, I snickered, snorted, then fell on the floor laughing.
Pick one or the other.
And, if you use the "search this forum" box you'll find a lot of threads that discuss subd in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and Alpharetta- all of the north Fulton area. Then there are threads for Forsyth/Cumming.

[researchnerd]

Yeah...will be tough to find anything gated in that price range, and I think most of the larger subdivisions are above that as well. Milton, John's Creek and South Forsyth will be especially difficult.

You can probably find a nice, newish, smaller family-friendly subdivision in that price range though. If the Alpharetta area is too pricey, try eastern Cherokee County or the southwest side of Forsyth/Cumming.

Where will you be working? Commute is a huge consideration.

[BobKovacs]

Gated communities are a waste of money unless they're guard-gated, and even then they offer little security. Unless there's a guard there logging the name and plate number of every non-resident, every pizza delivery guy, lawn care company, etc., within 20 miles has the gate code within a few months of the place opening. You're not likely to find a guard-gated community in that price range (the clientele doesn't warrant it), and if you do, the HOA fees will be hundreds more than a similar non guard-gated community.

[livinginbuffalo]

We just bought in a guard gated community. There is no code to get in for any of us. We have electronic devices on our cars that open the gates. Any company has to come in through the guard entrance and must have their name on our list for that day to get in. A friend can come in either that gate or one of the other three gates if they call the guard and then give their name and our name to make sure they are on our list. The other two gates, no device, no entry. I'm not saying it's totally safe and yes, people can just walk in though the guards have a zillion tv screens they are looking at and there are security police cars driving the neighborhood at all times. Our HOA fees are $2000/yr and that includes pool/tennis/grounds/security. I don't think you will find a guard gated in the price range you are looking but was just clearing up some of the false information you just received. No pizza delivery guy or landscaper can just put a code in to come in (there is no code) and every plate for a company is logged into the computer.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by livinginbuffalo

We just bought in a guard gated community. There is no code to get in for any of us. We have electronic devices on our cars that open the gates. Any company has to come in through the guard entrance and must have their name on our list for that day to get in. A friend can come in either that gate or one of the other three gates if they call the guard and then give their name and our name to make sure they are on our list. The other two gates, no device, no entry. I'm not saying it's totally safe and yes, people can just walk in though the guards have a zillion tv screens they are looking at and there are security police cars driving the neighborhood at all times. Our HOA fees are $2000/yr and that includes pool/tennis/grounds/security. I don't think you will find a guard gated in the price range you are looking but was just clearing up some of the false information you just received. No pizza delivery guy or landscaper can just put a code in to come in (there is no code) and every plate for a company is logged into the computer.

You're not paying attention- read a little closer and you'll see that I said the pizza/lawn/pool guy problem occurs in non-guard gated communities, where you just have to punch a code to get in the gate. My point was that to get any real "security", you need to be in a guard-gated community- like yours- and pay $1,000+ more per year in HOA fees than a similar subdivision that isn't gated, which you confirmed. Even then, unless the place is locked down with cameras like Fort Knox, once the people who the owners have put on the daily list are in the development, there's little to keep them from roaming free at will.