Suggest area for recent retiree? (Roswell, Marietta: apartments, lease, condos)

[Mattie]

My brother and SIL have sold their home in MA, and are planning on coming down to GA next month. My brother recently retired, but my SIL will work for one more year if her requested transfer to the Buckhead office goes through.

They were intrigued with Serenbe, but the commute for my SIL would be awful. They want to check out Roswell, the city of Decatur, and ?. We've lived here for 7 years, but honestly have little familiarity with intown neighborhoods. They, like so many others, are looking for walkability, bike trails and access to restaurants and bars. They've been to the Perimeter area, and didn't like it.

I will be acting as a tour guide, I was thinking maybe Virginia Highlands? Vinings? Budget isn't a big issue, as they just sold for a huge profit, but realistically would like to downsize to a bungalow or cottage size property. Thanks in advance.

[westau]

Vinings doesn't have a ton of single family stuff, it is mostly condos/apartments. I would think long term something like downtown Roswell, Marietta, or Woodstock would be best for retirees. Nice downtowns that are walkable but without the high cost of living in town.

[BobKovacs]

If she's only working for another year, I'd just suck it up and find a place that suits what they want to do after she retires. If Serenbe is the right fit, she'll be much happier after that one-year stint of driving to Buckhead is over than she will be if she compromises just to make the commute easier.

[CMMom]

Why not rent for a year close to her office and then buy their dream home after they're more familiar with the area?

[deacongirl]

Historic Roswell.

[Mattie]

Originally Posted by CMMom

Why not rent for a year close to her office and then buy their dream home after they're more familiar with the area?

They probably will rent while they look around, but they plan on a monthly lease so they don't have to move their stuff multiple times.

Thanks for the responses, yes, Roswell is on their radar. Am I off base taking them to see Virginia Highlands?

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

I agree with an earlier post that said buy where you want to be once she is retired. I'd look at somewhere near the square in Marietta or near downtown Acworth.

[gtcorndog]

Florida.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

If she's only working for another year, I'd just suck it up and find a place that suits what they want to do after she retires. If Serenbe is the right fit, she'll be much happier after that one-year stint of driving to Buckhead is over than she will be if she compromises just to make the commute easier.

I was thinking the same thing. A year can pass pretty quickly.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Mattie

They probably will rent while they look around, but they plan on a monthly lease so they don't have to move their stuff multiple times.

Thanks for the responses, yes, Roswell is on their radar. Am I off base taking them to see Virginia Highlands?

No, VA-HI is definitely worth a look. It's pretty accessible to Buckhead via Lenox Rd.