Where to Live if Working Downtown or Kennesaw (Atlanta, Decatur: crime, house)

[vsmoove]

I'm mulling over two job offers that will have me relocating from Miami to Atlanta. One of the jobs is downtown, close to the Ritz Carlton. The other is in Kennesaw (not sure of exact location). Priorities are good schools, decent land size and diversity, in that order. So, if working downtown, where should I look? If working in Kennesaw, where should I look? Thanks in advance.

[atlantagreg30127]

If I was working in Kennesaw, then I would simply look for a place IN Kennesaw or perhaps Acworth (just a bit north). Traffic in that area is sometimes kind of hairy. Well, no, all the time VERY hairy. But overall the crime is lower, home prices are a little cheaper than intown, and there's tons of restaurant/shopping options. Just avoid buying a place the forces you to drive on "Barrett Parkway" as that is by far the busiest and most congested area of Kennesaw.

If working downtown I'd try to live close to a MARTA rail station, such as (you didn't mention a budget) the Brookhaven area (north) or parts of Decatur (East). The Ritz is right across the street from the Peachtree Center rail station, so if you live near one further out you wouldn't even have to drive in the traffic to work.

For school ratings, see THIS post: //www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-one-keep.html

[vsmoove]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

If I was working in Kennesaw, then I would simply look for a place IN Kennesaw or perhaps Acworth (just a bit north). Traffic in that area is sometimes kind of hairy. Well, no, all the time VERY hairy. But overall the crime is lower, home prices are a little cheaper than intown, and there's tons of restaurant/shopping options. Just avoid buying a place the forces you to drive on "Barrett Parkway" as that is by far the busiest and most congested area of Kennesaw.

If working downtown I'd try to live close to a MARTA rail station, such as (you didn't mention a budget) the Brookhaven area (north) or parts of Decatur (East). The Ritz is right across the street from the Peachtree Center rail station, so if you live near one further out you wouldn't even have to drive in the traffic to work.

For school ratings, see THIS post: //www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-one-keep.html

Thanks, Atlanta Greg... my budget is no more than $550K. Is Kennesaw itself a nice area or are you suggesting Acworth as a better alternative?

Are the Brookhaven and Decatur areas expensive?

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by vsmoove

Thanks, Atlanta Greg... my budget is no more than $550K. Is Kennesaw itself a nice area or are you suggesting Acworth as a better alternative?

Are the Brookhaven and Decatur areas expensive?

Kennesaw overall is nice, and I think the average home price is around $290k or so for the better ones, so you'd be well within your budget. As I said, the traffic in some parts of it are the only real downfall. The transit system (rapid rail) in Atlanta does not extend to the Kennesaw area. The Cobb County bus system is there but not very extensive, so that's why if you work up there it's best to just live around there, too. Acworth is just north of there and can vary from expensive homes on what's left of the lake, to slightly worse areas, to a few flat-out redneck areas, but a realtor would be able to direct you to the neighborhoods you want based on your criteria.

As far as Brookhaven - more "uptown urban" and more expensive - you'll get closer to your budget limit there, but can still find something at or under $500k there. Decatur varies but again, still in that price range - ask a realtor for the good vs not so good areas around there.

[sahm3]

The schools in West Cobb Harrison High School area are excellent and you would have a ton of choices in that price range ...

[kagmypts]

I think that you would be hard pressed to find a house in Brookhaven proper for $550K. We are looking at buying a teardown/lot in that area, and we cannot even touch land at that price. However, if you include Bookhaven Heights/Brookhaven Fields/Ashford Park/Lynwood Park in the Brookhaven umbrella, that would definitely open up some more options. However, I think for $550K you would be looking at a smaller, older home that needs some work. I have no knowledge of Decatur.

Also, I think that Brookhaven is the best area in Atlanta! It has awesome highway access, and it so close to almost everything. We cannot wait to move back!

[vsmoove]

Originally Posted by kagmypts

I think that you would be hard pressed to find a house in Brookhaven proper for $550K. We are looking at buying a teardown/lot in that area, and we cannot even touch land at that price. However, if you include Bookhaven Heights/Brookhaven Fields/Ashford Park/Lynwood Park in the Brookhaven umbrella, that would definitely open up some more options. However, I think for $550K you would be looking at a smaller, older home that needs some work. I have no knowledge of Decatur.

Also, I think that Brookhaven is the best area in Atlanta! It has awesome highway access, and it so close to almost everything. We cannot wait to move back!

If Brookhaven is out of my price zone, is there any other place close to downtown w/ good schools, diversity and nice land size?

[Bryan Howard]

I am new to this area and was told by someone that they went to west Cobb High School. Is there such a beast?

[chiefs fan]

Originally Posted by Bryan Howard

I am new to this area and was told by someone that they went to west Cobb High School. Is there such a beast?

I've never heard of it, at least in Cobb County School District. There is South Cobb and North Cobb. Maybe they meant Harrison? That is in the West Cobb area.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Bryan Howard

I am new to this area and was told by someone that they went to west Cobb High School. Is there such a beast?

How long ago were they in high school? Many of the high schools I knew in the Twin Cities while growing up are now long gone, for example, and it's only been a little over 25 years.