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Old 02-20-2018, 06:24 PM
 
Location: Atlanta,GA
2,685 posts, read 6,398,193 times
Reputation: 1232

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This has been brought up at dinner a few times lately. My wife and I have been in GA for years now. We moved to Marietta (rented for a short time, then purchased/renovated our home). We love our area, the kids' schools (they were in private initially, but once we purchased our house, we switched to public and are highly satisfied). Our oldest daughter will be going to college next fall. Our sons are still in middle and elementary Cobb County Schools.

The drive home has been a "chore" for the Mrs. recently . Commuting to Piedmont Hospital from Marietta is not that long, but the wife's been singing a different tune lately. I feel she wants to enjoy close to town amenities and activities. I have been and still am reluctant to move. I did tell her I'd be open to look at areas closer to town. We looked at Decatur (near Lavista area), Tucker and it's relative proximity to Buckhead. Our realtor took us to Smoke Rise recently, which I like (really nice older neighborhoods). I'm not saying I'm giving up on Marietta, but keeping an open mind, just in case.

How are the schools in both Tucker and Smoke Rise? From my online research, I am personally not impressed with school stats. They don't seem to be as diverse either in my opinion. I don't see the reason to pay higher property taxes, sub par public schools (The kids might end up having to go to private again ), just to save maybe 5-10 minutes in commute time. Does anyone live in either of the two areas? And can someone give me real life opinions/perspectives on these areas? Traffic in the AM? Shopping? Schools? Activities? Demographics (more than a realtor is legally allowed to say)? Stats are just that. I do it for a living, but there's something to be said with anecdotal evidence. Real life examples might help me steer her in the right direction. I'm not convinced yet. Anyone care to opine?

Any reasons why these areas make more sense for the family based on the single issue (which is honestly a perceived shorter commute)? I calculated the route via Google Maps (it won't be 100% accurate, but gives a good enough idea). I show her data, and she still thinks it would be beneficial to consider these areas. I don't see it. Nice homes, and perceived shorter commute are the only two pros that she can come up with. I don't have issues. I work from home 3 days and fly to NY/FL often. Airport drive is not bad for me. Atlanta traffic doesn't affect me like it does her, but not considering her commute and feelings is also a bit selfish. But again, the difference in commute times may not be worth selling a house, moving kids to a new school district/county, and start over. (I don't want to do any more major repairs in my spare time either).

Any one?
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Old 02-20-2018, 06:50 PM
 
Location: Blackistan
3,006 posts, read 2,607,889 times
Reputation: 4531
My parents live there. Smoke Rise is one of the few places I can think of where tony neighborhoods do not translate to good schools. It's a very nice area with decidedly mediocre schools. Not really much in the way of amenities outside of your basic shopping, but Decatur and the east side of Atlanta are relatively convenient via Hwy. 78.
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Old 02-20-2018, 07:01 PM
 
Location: East Side of ATL
4,586 posts, read 7,666,018 times
Reputation: 2158
Long time, no see.

Quote:
Traffic in the AM? Shopping? Schools? Activities? Demographics
Depends but Lavista/Hugh Howell usually heading towards to 285 in the morning and towards 78 in the evening.

Shopping, you have quick access to Tucker, Norcross, or Lilburn.

Schools are pretty average or below. Most people support the HS but the elementary and middle school seems to be majority private school hence the low scores.

Demographics seems to be a decent mix for the most part. Lilburn has more Indians and such. Most of Smokerise would lean to being a majority white area though.

I don't see how you would save any time though. Maybe if you choose Peachtree Corners or that area of town.
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Old 02-20-2018, 07:23 PM
 
16,627 posts, read 29,288,455 times
Reputation: 7550
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterNY View Post
This has been brought up at dinner a few times lately. My wife and I have been in GA for years now. We moved to Marietta (rented for a short time, then purchased/renovated our home). We love our area, the kids' schools (they were in private initially, but once we purchased our house, we switched to public and are highly satisfied). Our oldest daughter will be going to college next fall. Our sons are still in middle and elementary Cobb County Schools.

The drive home has been a "chore" for the Mrs. recently . Commuting to Piedmont Hospital from Marietta is not that long, but the wife's been singing a different tune lately. I feel she wants to enjoy close to town amenities and activities. I have been and still am reluctant to move. I did tell her I'd be open to look at areas closer to town. We looked at Decatur (near Lavista area), Tucker and it's relative proximity to Buckhead. Our realtor took us to Smoke Rise recently, which I like (really nice older neighborhoods). I'm not saying I'm giving up on Marietta, but keeping an open mind, just in case.

How are the schools in both Tucker and Smoke Rise? From my online research, I am personally not impressed with school stats. They don't seem to be as diverse either in my opinion. I don't see the reason to pay higher property taxes, sub par public schools (The kids might end up having to go to private again ), just to save maybe 5-10 minutes in commute time. Does anyone live in either of the two areas? And can someone give me real life opinions/perspectives on these areas? Traffic in the AM? Shopping? Schools? Activities? Demographics (more than a realtor is legally allowed to say)? Stats are just that. I do it for a living, but there's something to be said with anecdotal evidence. Real life examples might help me steer her in the right direction. I'm not convinced yet. Anyone care to opine?

Any reasons why these areas make more sense for the family based on the single issue (which is honestly a perceived shorter commute)? I calculated the route via Google Maps (it won't be 100% accurate, but gives a good enough idea). I show her data, and she still thinks it would be beneficial to consider these areas. I don't see it. Nice homes, and perceived shorter commute are the only two pros that she can come up with. I don't have issues. I work from home 3 days and fly to NY/FL often. Airport drive is not bad for me. Atlanta traffic doesn't affect me like it does her, but not considering her commute and feelings is also a bit selfish. But again, the difference in commute times may not be worth selling a house, moving kids to a new school district/county, and start over. (I don't want to do any more major repairs in my spare time either).

Any one?

Where are y'all currently located in Marietta? Which cluster?
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Old 02-20-2018, 07:41 PM
 
Location: Downtown Marietta
1,323 posts, read 1,299,215 times
Reputation: 2147
I can't see any of the eastern suburbs of Atlanta providing a better commute to Piedmont Hospital than Marietta, unless you are in far West Cobb or North Cobb. East-West commutes through the city at rush hour are pretty terrible.

Were I in your shoes, unless you wanted to go into the City of Atlanta proper, I would move as close to I-75 and/or Marietta Square as possible, giving you easier access to the amenities and dining/entertainment options of both Atlanta and the Square as well as an easier commute, while remaining in a good school district.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:41 PM
 
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,305 posts, read 43,756,586 times
Reputation: 16413
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pemgin View Post
My parents live there. Smoke Rise is one of the few places I can think of where tony neighborhoods do not translate to good schools. It's a very nice area with decidedly mediocre schools. Not really much in the way of amenities outside of your basic shopping, but Decatur and the east side of Atlanta are relatively convenient via Hwy. 78.
This sums it up well.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:42 PM
 
761 posts, read 895,576 times
Reputation: 948
I don’t think the commute would be much better from Smokerise unless you’re on the extreme north or western side of the Marietta zip code. You’d also have a slightly longer commute to the airport. Smokerise is a nice area, but as mentioned, it doesn’t translate into good schools. I think you’re better off in Marietta vs. Smokerise. The Lavista area or Tucker might offer a better commute, but the schools are hit or miss in Tucker.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:45 PM
 
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,305 posts, read 43,756,586 times
Reputation: 16413
Quote:
Originally Posted by PTC Dad View Post
I don’t think the commute would be much better from Smokerise unless you’re on the extreme north or western side of the Marietta zip code. You’d also have a slightly longer commute to the airport. Smokerise is a nice area, but as mentioned, it doesn’t translate into good schools. I think you’re better off in Marietta.
If schools are a concern, most definitely.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:50 PM
 
Location: Lake Spivey, Georgia
1,990 posts, read 2,337,053 times
Reputation: 2348
Isn't the "Lavista area of Tucker" in fact in the much sought after "best high school inside the Perimeter" Lakeside High district instead of the Tucker High district like Smokerise and other "just outside the Perimeter" places further east? That may solve the poster's school problems and the Oak Grove Road area has VERY nice homes, too, just without the acreage of Smokerise.
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Old 02-20-2018, 11:08 PM
 
Location: Atlanta,GA
2,685 posts, read 6,398,193 times
Reputation: 1232
First off, thank you all for the insightful replies. Keep em' coming.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aries4118 View Post
Where are y'all currently located in Marietta? Which cluster?
We're in McNeel farms. Cheatham Hills/Lovinggood Middle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PKCorey View Post
Long time, no see.



Depends but Lavista/Hugh Howell usually heading towards to 285 in the morning and towards 78 in the evening.

Shopping, you have quick access to Tucker, Norcross, or Lilburn.

Schools are pretty average or below. Most people support the HS but the elementary and middle school seems to be majority private school hence the low scores.

Demographics seems to be a decent mix for the most part. Lilburn has more Indians and such. Most of Smokerise would lean to being a majority white area though.

I don't see how you would save any time though. Maybe if you choose Peachtree Corners or that area of town.
I lurk from time to time. Hope all is well. Long time indeed. Isn't Peachtree Corners closer to Duluth? Gwinnett side? Not sure I want to move to Gwinnett though. Commute to the airport.

Quote:
Originally Posted by evannole View Post
I can't see any of the eastern suburbs of Atlanta providing a better commute to Piedmont Hospital than Marietta, unless you are in far West Cobb or North Cobb. East-West commutes through the city at rush hour are pretty terrible.

Were I in your shoes, unless you wanted to go into the City of Atlanta proper, I would move as close to I-75 and/or Marietta Square as possible, giving you easier access to the amenities and dining/entertainment options of both Atlanta and the Square as well as an easier commute, while remaining in a good school district.
We're not that far from Marietta Square to be honest. I'm not complaining, she is.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayton white guy View Post
Isn't the "Lavista area of Tucker" in fact in the much sought after "best high school inside the Perimeter" Lakeside High district instead of the Tucker High district like Smokerise and other "just outside the Perimeter" places further east? That may solve the poster's school problems and the Oak Grove Road area has VERY nice homes, too, just without the acreage of Smokerise.

If I have to give up Marietta (serenity, good schools, good amount of land, lower taxes), it better be well worth it. So far, I just can't see giving it up. I suggested she look for work in Marietta/Kennesaw if she feels the commute is that bad (I don't see the benefit in leaving Cobb to be honest). She's a RNP. I'm sure she can find something closer. She just loves Piedmont/her staff etc. Someone's gonna have to make concessions.

I'm ok with driving to Atlanta, and enjoying the amenities the city of Atlanta offers on weekends, even weeknights if something comes up. I'm a city boy by birth, but love the outskirts/burbs way more. The space, the serenity (we're on 2 acres), no neighbors so close to us. I refuse to go back to daily hustle and bustle. The sound of Cicadas make me happy at night. (Weird to some maybe ) But I love it.

As soon as I get to Hartsfield-Jackson, all I look forward to, is my drive back to Marietta.
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