Relocating from Wake Forest, NC to Suburbs of ATL (Atlanta: townhouses, school districts)

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

You're always going to pay a premium for new construction, especially in East Cobb where some of the housing is getting long in the tooth. And besides, where are there lots in East Cobb? It's pretty well built out in all but the farthest to reach areas.

If there's a premium for new construction, that would imply a discount on existing, and the dwelling would depreciate as it ages? I thought real estate was an investment?

[PTC Dad]

Originally Posted by Flipfit

I did look in this area too online but wasn’t sure the schools were as good. I’ll definitely have to check it out and see if we like it. We would love to have an acre or so but seems the schools do go down outside of Peachtree City.

The Starr's Mill district goes outside of Peachtree City, and is an outstanding district as well. Whitewater is also highly rated.

Here is an example of some neighborhoods in the Starr's Mill district just outside of the PTC limits. Houses in Woodcreek have 1.5-5 acre lots that sell in the 350k-550K range, and the gates is a newer development with some homes around 450K, but in general I would stick to the north side of Peachtree City.

Woodcreek

Communities - Chris Gibson Homes

As for schools in Peachtree City, McIntosh usually scores higher than Pope and Lassiter, and just behind Walton on the SAT. Last year McIntosh was #5 in the state for SAT scores and Walton was #2, Lassiter was #8, and Pope was #15. This year I think McIntosh was 9 or 10.

Also, schools drop significantly in East Cobb outside of Walton, Pope and Lassiter. Sprayberry and Wheeler are good schools but don't rank as highly as the first 3. Also as a school system, Fayette ranks much higher than Cobb.

SAT rankings:
https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regi...0g9EQNfFa4gxH/

Here's a good site to view rankings.

https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/d...30/search.aspx

https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/d...90/search.aspx

East Cobb and Peachtree City are both good choices. Just depends on your preference. We like the golf cart paths, masterplanned community feel, less traffic, and close proximity to the airport. Also, our kids can drive a golf cart to school. With all that said, the Northside of Atlanta offers more shopping and dinning options.

[Flipfit]

What about Woodstock or Canton? Would those areas be a horrible drive? I also wanted a place that has all activities in close proximity. I’ve been spoiled in Wake Forest by having everything we need and do be in a 10 minute radius except the mall but I don’t need that. I’m talking grocery store, kids activities, doctors, dentists, my work. Any places similar to that?

[Flipfit]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

FWIW I had a coworker from our Atlanta site (North Point Pkwy) say that he liked it better in Raleigh, and the schools are better.

I'd crunch the numbers of both higher home price and good public schools and lower home price and entertaining private school.

Raleigh is a great city! I really don’t have any negatives about it or the area we live in! The schools are good here but where we live I’d say East Cobb HS’s and Alpharetta/Milton are better.

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by Flipfit

What about Woodstock or Canton? Would those areas be a horrible drive? I also wanted a place that has all activities in close proximity. I’ve been spoiled in Wake Forest by having everything we need and do be in a 10 minute radius except the mall but I don’t need that. I’m talking grocery store, kids activities, doctors, dentists, my work. Any places similar to that?

+1 my director commutes from Woodstock to W Peachtree St NW in Atlanta and has been for the past several years. Not enough to make him quit or move yet.

[Flipfit]

Originally Posted by PTC Dad

The Starr's Mill district goes outside of Peachtree City, and is an outstanding district as well. Whitewater is also highly rated.

Here is an example of some neighborhoods in the Starr's Mill district just outside of the PTC limits. Houses in Woodcreek have 1.5-5 acre lots that sell in the 350k-550K range, and the gates is a newer development with some homes around 450K, but in general I would stick to the north side of Peachtree City.

Woodcreek

Communities - Chris Gibson Homes

As for schools in Peachtree City, McIntosh usually scores higher than Pope and Lassiter, and just behind Walton on the SAT. Last year McIntosh was #5 in the state for SAT scores and Walton was #2, Lassiter was #8, and Pope was #15. This year I think McIntosh was 9 or 10.

Also, schools drop significantly in East Cobb outside of Walton, Pope and Lassiter. Sprayberry and Wheeler are good schools but don't rank as highly as the first 3. Also as a school system, Fayette ranks much higher than Cobb.

SAT rankings:
https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regi...0g9EQNfFa4gxH/

Here's a good site to view rankings.

https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/d...30/search.aspx

https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/d...90/search.aspx

East Cobb and Peachtree City are both good choices. Just depends on your preference. We like the golf cart paths, masterplanned community feel, less traffic, and close proximity to the airport. Also, our kids can drive a golf cart to school. With all that said, the Northside of Atlanta offers more shopping and dinning options.

The Gates would be awesome! Are there a lot of gold courses to play? My husband is a big golfer! We used to own a golf cart when we lived in Birmingham, AL but sold it when we moved because we didn’t have the space but it was fun to ride around the neighborhood. Is it the same amount of traffic whether you are coming from East Cobb vs Peachtree City?

[PTC Dad]

Originally Posted by Flipfit

The Gates would be awesome! Are there a lot of gold courses to play? My husband is a big golfer! We used to own a golf cart when we lived in Birmingham, AL but sold it when we moved because we didn’t have the space but it was fun to ride around the neighborhood. Is it the same amount of traffic whether you are coming from East Cobb vs Peachtree City?

Peachtree City is built around 4 Golf Courses and 3 Lakes. You can drive your personal golf cart not only to the course, but anywhere in the city. Grocery stores, restaurants, Churches, Schools, parks, and amenity areas are all connected by golf cart paths.

There is also a world class Tennis Center, an Amphitheater, Skate Park, nature preserve, and numerous other parks and ponds throughout Peachtree City.

As for traffic, the commute from the southside might be easier as long as you are on the northern end of Peachtree City. The commute from Woodstock or Canton would be brutal.

Also, for Golf, Clubcorps is the way to go. 4 Great courses for less than $200 a month.

Flat Creek | Whitewater | Planterra | Braelinn


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tV2b6rpBYk

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

If there's a premium for new construction, that would imply a discount on existing, and the dwelling would depreciate as it ages? I thought real estate was an investment?

Yes, there is a discount on existing homes, and, yes, the dwelling depreciates as it ages. The land (usually) appreciates. For older homes in East Cobb--the value is in the land, esp since many were built in the 70s when construction quality was at a low point.

[architect77]

There are a lot more & fancier townhouses in Atlanta metro than Raleigh in all price ranges. Something to consider for the niceties you're accustomed to.

You'll soon realize that traffic is a huge factor living here, and East Cobb has a lot of traffic at least through the Powers Ferry Rd. corridor, in my opinion.

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by architect77

There are a lot more & fancier townhouses in Atlanta metro than Raleigh in all price ranges. Something to consider for the niceties you're accustomed to.

You'll soon realize that traffic is a huge factor living here, and East Cobb has a lot of traffic at least through the Powers Ferry Rd. corridor, in my opinion.

Some of the town homes near Lenox are absolutely better than what you can find in Raleigh. Raleigh goes from city blocks and apartment buildings to small houses on city blocks. There's not really much of a higher end market for them, since most are not located near city-center.

Most will be found in Brier Creek, Lynn Rd, and off Glenwood Ave