DC to Atlanta move? Smart Idea? Where to live? Help! (Mableton: sale, for rent)

[Forhall]

Originally Posted by K_Chardae08

Wouldn't buying a home in an area based on your commute to work equate to your life revolving around work?Your home is probably more permanent than your job/career yet in Atlanta a lot of us make our home buying decisions based on where we work given the level of traffic in this city. Not saying either way is wrong because my goal is to be within close proximity to work...it's just interesting that a lot of us make housing decisions based on where we work which can change even if you're in a stable field at a stable company. And I wish I worked 9:00 - 4:00 lol. Out of curiosity, what part of town are you on?

I'd say if you work in a part of town you hate, then yes you're right. But if it's a nice area, living close to work gives you time to actually enjoy life post work. I can't imagine these people adding 2 hours to their day commuting. They basically work, eat and sleep.

I'm on the east side, near midtown. I think all the neighborhoods on this side are great, especially north of Memorial Drive and especially north of dekalb avenue.

[Forhall]

Originally Posted by fieldm

Its more of common sense. If your grocery store ran out of pig feet when you got there at 8am and said they would have a shipment in at 10pm would you wait there until 10pm or would you come back at 10pm?

I don't get your anology at all, but if my job starts at 9am and I live in Alpharetta, and I have to leave at 630am and arrive at 730am just to beat traffic, I have just left my house 2.5 hours BEFORE work starts just due to traffic. If traffic means you get home at 630pm after leaving at 5pm, you've turned your 8 hour workday into a 12 hour work day.

That's the recipe for a miserable life. I don't know why or how some people do these just to live in a slight bigger home out in the burbs. You are literally working nonstop, and by the time you get home you just eat dinner, go to sleep, and do it all over. I have a good 6-7 hours post work to enjoy life every day, which keeps me sane and happy and creates a proper work life balance. I'd go crazy if I had 2-3 hours to relax after a 12 hour day.

[Atlwarrior]

I hope you have a friend that can give you advice. After looking at the post, I would be more confused. You will learn that generally it's the same people that know everything and must reply on each thread. I hope you find what you looking for.

[uniquestar06]

@fieldm

We currently live in the alexandria arlington VA area. Is there something similar in Atlanta?

[Vacanegro]

From ATL, live in NOVA.

I would advise looking along the corridor from about 14th street/Midtown to Chastain Area along Hwy 19/Roswell Rd.

Do lots of driving and find an area where you like the feel. Then be prepared to look hard for places to live because the RE market in these locations is booming.

[fieldm]

Originally Posted by uniquestar06

@fieldm

We currently live in the alexandria arlington VA area. Is there something similar in Atlanta?

Demographics wise Smyrna/Vinings is the closest

[uniquestar06]

@Forhall

Thank you for the advice! Convenience to work is definitely important. We are not interested in 40 minute plus drives to downtown. I do agree people make Atlanta seem super cheap but its not as cheap as we thought. Nevertheless anywhere is better than DC. lol. We could probably do more than 400k so if its a good home in a good neighborhood we will go over that budget. Now i'm confused on North Atlanta because I heard it was the better area but also heard thats where the worst traffic comes from. I will definitely check out the east side!

[fieldm]

Originally Posted by uniquestar06

@Forhall

Thank you for the advice! Convenience to work is definitely important. We are not interested in 40 minute plus drives to downtown. I do agree people make Atlanta seem super cheap but its not as cheap as we thought. Nevertheless anywhere is better than DC. lol. We could probably do more than 400k so if its a good home in a good neighborhood we will go over that budget. Now i'm confused on North Atlanta because I heard it was the better area but also heard thats where the worst traffic comes from. I will definitely check out the east side!

Its super cheap compared to DC and most large cities. Maybe not super cheap if you are coming from Camilla, GA. Housing alone is X2 in DC. Dont forget to throw in the red light cameras tickets that will be mailed to you, paying hundreds of dollars monthly for parking, paying "peak on peak" to ride the METRO, etc, etc.


But lets get back on topic. What will be your work hours in Atlanta?

[bhammaster]

Unless you need to get a home in the middle of Buckhead or a gentrified area in town or you require 3000+ sq feet in a good school zone in the burbs 400k will be enough to find something good. Not sure what these people are talking about.

[uniquestar06]

@fieldm Very True! More than likely my work hours will be 8-4 or 9-5.