Neighborhoods for young family, commuting to Perimeter Center (Sandy Springs, Smyrna: apartment, rental homes)

[lastminutemom]

Given that you are a few years off from school and from purchasing a home, I might look in the Dunwoody or Brookhaven area. The ease of commute will allow for some really nice family time....

[netdragon]

At that budget for a 3br (I assume you're talking mortgage/rent, not total budget for the month) then you can afford a 3br home in Sandy Springs, Vinings, Smyrna, Roswell East Cobb and possibly Buckhead. So your options are pretty wide open and these are all great areas and very convenient to Perimeter Center.

I would NOT look at Dekalb county with kids, unless Decatur. That means I would NOT consider Dunwoody or Brookhaven, UNLESS you send the kids to private school (but that'll kill your house budget, and your better off in the Vinings area for private schools - it has the best). The Dekalb school system is in shambles and the county is having major issues financially. Even the best schools there are probably going to fall to pieces.

[lastminutemom]

The original poster mentioned renting and that they had a few years until the start of school.

I am a consistent critic of DeKalb but, in this case, while children are little and they are new to the area, I think renting near work and getting a feel for the metro area might not be a bad strategy.

Whether working at perimeter center inside or outside the perimeter, with the increase of 1000s of employees (from State Farm, etc), and the accompanying construction, I think there could be a benefit to living close to work while learning the complexities of the metro area.

[AtlJan]

OP is going to have to decide between ease of commute vs. walkability. Renting near work for now is one idea. Or renting in a walkable area where you could see yourself eventually living is another idea--and test out if you can stomach the commute. Lastminutemom's idea (of living near work now since schools aren't a big issue yet) makes sense, although not a lot of the area is walkable. Some parts of Brookhaven fit the bill--check out the neighborhood behind the Marta station w/ the new restaurants along Dresden Drive. . .and the mixed use Town Brookhaven development, while kinda tacky!!, looks fun and is walkable--maybe more of a singles place, but check it out.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

Adding 285 or another highway to your commute to and from Perimeter

I-285 connects through Perimeter Center, so you don't need to add a highway. If coming from Cumberland, Vinings, or Buckhead, you don't need to use I-285 on day's it is busy since surface roads are an option without having to go too far (via Aker's Mill)

There's some nice rentals being built in Cumberland, and there's some existing good rental communities along the river on Aker's Mill / Power's Ferry in Cumberland right on the border of Sandy Springs. There's also Cumberland Pkwy and Spring Hill Pkwy just outside of Vinings, along with things in Vinings Village itself. I'd check out Promove at Windy Ridge and Cobb Pkwy since they may be able to get you a good deal.

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by netdragon

I-285 connects through Perimeter Center, so you don't need to add a highway. If coming from Cumberland, Vinings, or Buckhead, you don't need to use I-285 on day's it is busy since surface roads are an option without having to go too far (via Aker's Mill)

Oops, you're right. I was thinking of my own commute to Northridge which is only convenient to 400. Didn't really think about Vinings. I don't know how family friendly it is. I certainly wouldn't go too far east on 285.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

I don't know how family friendly it is.

Vinings and Smyrna are very friendly and the center of both Smyrna and Vinings have a walkable atmosphere. There's plenty of amenities nearby for kids to do including parks (Taylor-Brawner, etc) and places like Chuck E Cheeses, Dave and Buster's, etc. There's the Little Gym in Smyrna center. There's also some really good preschools in the area. The older rental communities (80s and 90s) are pretty reasonable in rent and sometimes these are in areas where you just can't afford a home unless you are rich. You just gotta make sure you are in the right school districts once the kids are school age: King Springs, Teasley, Smyrna Elementary and Nickajack.

[AtlJan]

I used to hate my commute from Vinings to Northside hospital area near perimeter--it took 40 minutes plus, going surface streets or 285. Felt like I was always sitting in traffic.

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by netdragon

Vinings and Smyrna are very friendly and the center of both Smyrna and Vinings have a walkable atmosphere. There's plenty of amenities nearby for kids to do including parks (Taylor-Brawner, etc) and places like Chuck E Cheeses, Dave and Buster's, etc. There's the Little Gym in Smyrna center. There's also some really good preschools in the area. The older rental communities (80s and 90s) are pretty reasonable in rent and sometimes these are in areas where you just can't afford a home unless you are rich. You just gotta make sure you are in the right school districts once the kids are school age: King Springs, Teasley, Smyrna Elementary and Nickajack.

Ah ok. That's one of those areas I'm not very familiar with and generally associate with numerous office buildings. I think my dad has been working in that area of Cobb since before I was born.

[SouthTraveler]

Originally Posted by netdragon

I-285 connects through Perimeter Center, so you don't need to add a highway. If coming from Cumberland, Vinings, or Buckhead, you don't need to use I-285 on day's it is busy since surface roads are an option without having to go too far (via Aker's Mill)

There's some nice rentals being built in Cumberland, and there's some existing good rental communities along the river on Aker's Mill / Power's Ferry in Cumberland right on the border of Sandy Springs. There's also Cumberland Pkwy and Spring Hill Pkwy just outside of Vinings, along with things in Vinings Village itself. I'd check out Promove at Windy Ridge and Cobb Pkwy since they may be able to get you a good deal.

When you talk about rental communities, do you mean apartments? That's one thing we have ruled out. We don't need a big yard of our own, but we live in an apartment right now and we miss at least having a little piece of grass or a patio where we can at least grill out or enjoy a nice evening.