Young(ish) professional family with kids moving to ATL - Would love some guidance :)

[chimama1]

You can definitely find a house that meets your requirements--and have a large yard and family-friendly neighborhood and great schools for your kids in East Cobb. All of the homes will be older (I'd say 1990 at the newest) and some might need cosmetic updating, but you can undoubtably find one that's been well maintained. I have found this to be true in Lassiter, Pope and Walton high school districts. Commute could be horrible or very manageable depending on where your husband finds a job.

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by chimama1

You can definitely find a house that meets your requirements--and have a large yard and family-friendly neighborhood and great schools for your kids in East Cobb. All of the homes will be older (I'd say 1990 at the newest) and some might need cosmetic updating, but you can undoubtably find one that's been well maintained. I have found this to be true in Lassiter, Pope and Walton high school districts. Commute could be horrible or very manageable depending on where your husband finds a job.

I agree with this.

[Ant131531]

There are plenty of bible thumpers here in Atlanta, especially once you pass the magical barrier that is I-285. It's really the luck of the draw on whether or not they thump their bibles enough to harass you about not thumping yours.

[Nena2007]

Born 2 Roll - Thanks for all of your input. We aren't unfamiliar with living in the suburbs and traveling in to work. I actually expect that. We've been looking around in Suwannee and a few other outlying cities and it looks like there are good schools and affordable housing. I'm guessing the places you listed and were thinking of are closer into town?

Thanks for your help!

[deuk1219]

Originally Posted by Nena2007

Born 2 Roll - Thanks for all of your input. We aren't unfamiliar with living in the suburbs and traveling in to work. I actually expect that. We've been looking around in Suwannee and a few other outlying cities and it looks like there are good schools and affordable housing. I'm guessing the places you listed and were thinking of are closer into town?

Thanks for your help!

Suwanee would be an excellent choice for your family. I think you won't have a problem looking for a home in your budget range, and Suwanee is right off of I-85 so commute should be do-able. The North Gwinnett / Peachtree Ridge school clusters are great as well.

[Nena2007]

Thanks for the info about the religious-zealous (or overzealous), I don't mind a difference of opinion. My husband and I were both raised very religious and now choose not to participate in any specific religion and teach our children more about being open minded etc. I just want them to be in a place that is diverse enough that they won't be the odd ones out.

And thanks for the tip on East Cobb - I'll check that out too

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Nena2007

Thanks for the info about the religious-zealous (or overzealous), I don't mind a difference of opinion. My husband and I were both raised very religious and now choose not to participate in any specific religion and teach our children more about being open minded etc. I just want them to be in a place that is diverse enough that they won't be the odd ones out.

And thanks for the tip on East Cobb - I'll check that out too

I would characterize myself, like you. Raised very religious, but choose not to now.

It isn't really that overzealous, but you will here questions like... Oh, what church do you go to?

Some who are sensitive to that will take it the wrong way.

The big thing is a large amount of social community opportunities happen around churches, especially for kids. Since churches are prevalent, there isn't much demand on the government or private-market to fill the gap for things churches commonly provide.

It is worth seeing if you can find a church you do like, if it is within your beliefs, or spending extra effort for you family socially by other means.

[Heathrowga]

You can get a nice house in Roswell for 300k that meets your criteria. We're right near Alpharetta and the Perimeter area. Love this family-friendly area.

[netdragon]

Smyrna is worth a look. It is a favorite of young professional families. There are 4br 2800sq foot homes to be had for $300k in the desireable Kings Springs, Nickajack, Teasley or Smyrna Elementary districts. Some will be over, some will be under. The commute from Smyrna is great, schools are good, and it's a progressive, safe, family-friendly community. The community is very active, and the City Council are amazing. Market Village is beautiful. Big things are happenign there. The Silver Comet Trail starts in Smyrna. There's lots to do around it, lots of shops, restaurants and the Cobb Performing Arts Center. People aren't going to give a hoot about your religion or lack thereof. I'm not religious either. Commute: About 25-30 min



I'd take a look at Powder Springs as well, since it's cheaper than Smyrna. There's actually a new development going in there that will get you a lot for your money. It isn't a horrible commute and definitely in the 45 min to 1hr range. Schools are good there, and it's not too far from the Silver Comet Trail. Moving to Powder Springs would leave about 80k of your house budget intact.

Marietta is also worth a look.