Moving from So Cal to Atlanta

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Much of Brookhaven is pretty suburban in feel and probably not exactly what you are looking for. The area around Ashford Park might meet your requirements. Do not buy a home in the Dresden or Woodward Elementary districts, in my opinion. For resale purposes, this will make it very difficult. And if you need to use public school for any reason, you won't be in a good position.

To me, Decatur matches what you are looking for. However, you should use public school if you move there. First, you are paying for it with higher taxes and everyone does.

Decatur simply has so much going for it and has that active feeling I think you are looking for.

Lmm is right in that you really should avail yourselves of the school system if you live in the city of Decatur...after all, you're paying for it. I purchased a 3/2 there a few years ago for $350K. The total tax bill was around $6300; about 2/3rds of that went to schools.
If private school is an option then you have a great many choices intown.
Check out listings in these neighborhoods:
Oak Grove/Sagamore Hills (directly north of Decatur)
LaVista Park
Morningside
Pine Hills
Garden Hills
Peachtree Hills
Peachtree Heights
Peachtree Park
I cite these in particular because they all have reputations for being close knit communities.

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

For starters, I would toss out East Cobb bc it is (as Californians used to say) hella-far from the walkability, night life, festivals stuff that you are used to. It is out, way out, in suburbia. Further, the culture out there is totally different. There is almost NO diversity racially, almost completely heterogeneously white, and almost completely republican. Essentially, the antithesis to California. It is completely different from Cali. Almost 180 degrees.

Further, the only reason that people want to live out there is bc so many of the Georgia public schools suck but those in East Cobb apparently don't but why would you care? Your kid will be in private school. So why pay $$$ to live out in the suburbs with the culture that I laid out above? Makes no sense for you.

Just to offer another perspective on East Cobb, and for future posters who may read this, the above has not been my experience here. FTR I have lived in Philadelphia, Northern CA, North Carolina, Florida, Chile, and Germany and traveled extensively so I do have a basis for comparison.

It is actually not way out--we frequently go ITP to museums and festivals and it is usually around 35 minutes to get most places (obviously not during rush hour). We live 5 minutes from Historic Roswell and there are outdoor concerts and plays and festivals there as well. Due to my husband's job I have had the opportunity to dine at some of the best restaurants in the world, and we do not feel deprived of good food here. Seed at Merchant's Walk is fantastic.

I was concerned about racial diversity, but I would not say it is completely heterogeneously white. My kid in middle school has friends who are Asian, Black, and Hispanic. There are times she has been the only white kid in a group or club. In my small neighborhood we have families from Israel, Russia, Columbia, Lebanon, South Africa, Germany, China, Iran and India. There were even Obama signs during the election (yes, they were greatly out-numbered, but they were there!). I do choose not to talk politics with new acquaintances, but I have not had trouble finding like-minded friends, even though it is predominantly Republican.

Re: schools, they don't just not suck, they are actually excellent. I know everyone manages their money differently, but the people I know who can afford >20k/yr. for private school (possibly more if the OP has more kids) can afford more than a 500k house.

Good luck to the OP, there are lots of great neighborhoods to choose from. I just think it is worth considering East Cobb.

[Pacifico]

Why spend 500k on a home in Atlanta?? This isn't LA or CA for that matter. I'd say you would almost be throwing $ away with that kinda figure in mind. Unless of course you want to. I'm an LA native (Los Angeles, not Louisiana) and currently live in the Atlanta area. I'd suggest north Fulton county where your spouse can access MARTA at the sandy springs location which is exit 5 off of the 400. From there he can take it into downtown for work. Couple days a week isn't bad. You can spend less than 500 g's and still have good education for your child.