Family Relocating to Duluth area for a job, where to live? (Atlanta: apartments, townhouses)

[ATLBOUND16]

Our family is moving to the Atlanta area for a job in Duluth. We have a 5 yr old, 9 yr old and 12 yr old. Schools are my #1 priority, however I hear that distance to work also needs to be a factor. He will work near 85, in Duluth. We would like a family oriented area with lots of outdoor activities. Our price range is between 350,000 - 500,000. We have been looking at Johns Creek, Suwanee and Dacula. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Alicia64]

Hi,

I might be of some help. "Might" because we just moved to Suwanee -- practically on the Duluth line -- in late Nov. '14. I have two 12-year-old boys. Any chance your 12-year-old is a boy?

Taking traffic into account is super important. I'm so glad somebody warned me. We found a home just seven mins. from my husband's job -- he's in Duluth near 85 too. I'd recommend Duluth. I actually wished we'd picked a home in Duluth. The old town center is adorable. And if you have a dog and go to dog parks, the Chatapoochie is a great dog park.

If you go into Johns Creek, the commute for your husband will not be great.

I've found a fantastic car repair guy, great hair stylist and more. If you'd like referrals just PM me.

Good luck!

Alley

[Stormhammer]

I'd say just look around Duluth! Suwanee is great as well, and Lilburn is growing if you want a more diverse populace.

[Atl Reb]

Brookwood school district in Snellville/Lawrenceville. Would be a dream commute down Ronald Reagan to Duluth in the AM/PM. Very nice homes at the intersection of Web Ginn and Ronald Reagan.

Is this place hiring? I drive thru there every day in my 1.5 hour commute.

[ATLTJL]

Double that!

Where is he working and can he get me a job????

The part of Duluth by Sugarloaf and Peachtree Industrial is doing well and growing. Lots of new construction, and townhouses being built that will start in the 320s. If you buy before those come online, you should be able to get in much cheaper. This area has been a laggard, not booming with the rest of Atlanta. But it's booming now. My house is finally going up and up and up.

If I had kids, I'd probably be a bit more keen to buy in the Peachtree Ridge cluster, which will mostly be Suwanee mailing addresses. I'm in Duluth high school, which is fine, but it seems to get shafted a little more every time they do redistricting. Peachtree Ridge has Sugarloaf Country Club and more rich folk, so they tend to get their voices heard and keep apartments out of their cluster.

But if you value diversity, you can't do better than Duluth high. It's pretty much 25% white, 25% asian, 25% black, and 25% hispanic. Good kids.

You really can't go wrong anywhere in this general vicinity, and the good news is you can probably get something really nice at the low end of your budget and save a bit of money.

[ATLBOUND16]

My 12 year old is a boy, if you know any soccer or baseball clubs with early sign-ups, I would love info on that. I will PM you, about the referrals, that would be great. Thanks for the helpful info.

[ATLTJL]

I don't know which clubs play there, but I can tell you that Duluth city parks have TONS of sports fields.

Bunten Road park has several baseball diamonds.

You can check out parks & rec here: Parks Recreation, Vision Statement The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation will provide the optimum recreational facilities with quality programs to ensure the standard of excellence for all the citizens of Duluth

I'm not sure if the city actually has its own leagues or just provides facilities, but you can always email and ask. City employees are extremely responsive.

[ATLBOUND16]

Would Grayson be close enough? Is it a nice area?

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by ATLBOUND16

Would Grayson be close enough? Is it a nice area?

Grayson seems nice from what I've seen. It does not seem that different from Duluth except being more rural. While it's not my cup of tea, is there some reason you won't just consider moving to Duluth? It would take a little bit of the convolution out of the equation,.

[ATLBOUND16]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

Grayson seems nice from what I've seen. It does not seem that different from Duluth except being more rural. While it's not my cup of tea, is there some reason you won't just consider moving to Duluth? It would take a little bit of the convolution out of the equation,.

We currently live in a town with 6,000 people. I was hoping to find something similar, but without a long commute, I know that is not possible. Online Grayson seems to have a small town feel.

I am also hesitant to move to Duluth as the schools are not ranked very well. I only know what I see online, so my impression may be incorrect.