Relocating from Wake Forest, NC to Suburbs of ATL (Atlanta: low crime, house)

[Flipfit]

Hi! My family and I will be moving to Atlanta area this summer. My husband will be commuting to midtown 3 times a week so we were looking at East Cobb, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta and Johns Creek. Our budget is $450k. We have 2 kids so great schools are important. My question is which of these areas would be best? He will be going during non-rush hours but may be coming back home in rush hour. Any specific neighborhoods that are active and have lots of young school aged kids? Any other areas I should consider? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[Citykid3785]

You've picked all the good places to choose from, so you can't really go too wrong. I live in East Cobb (a huge area, not all equal) and we really love it. We have 2 small children, and the neighborhood is filled with other young families.


Dunwoody - crowded, schools okay but not the best, closer in
Roswell - West Roswell (west of GA 400) is considered the nicer side. A small but cute DT of restaurants. Better schools are on west side. HWY 92 is kind of a pain, it's one of those roads you just try to avoid at all times
Alpharetta - A city in it's own right, more trendy and modern, great schools. Large Indian and east Asian population. A regional job center, but farther out from the city.
John's Creek - Big Asian population, good school, but congested and a bad commute to many places. I honestly know the least about this one in full transparency.
East Cobb - best areas are the Walton, Pope, and Lassiter HS districts. If you are close to HWY 75, you can get to midtown pretty darn fast in non rush hour scenarios. I like that you are equadistant to downtown Roswell, dT woodstock, and Marietta Square, all while having nice schools and retail.

[back2atl]

Yeah East Cobb sounds like a great option for you. I agree with the post from city kid.

I would also pay more attention to 75 than 400 for commute. It’s faster in rush hour.

Lots of great neighborhood options. Put together commute time and school district you’re aiming for, add in house style(s) you like and your budget, and that should narrow it down. I’d also consider a neighborhood with swim / tennis, which is very common in east Cobb. Great for meeting other families and kids.

[PTC Dad]

I'd also consider Peachtree City. From the north side of Peachtree City to Midtown is not that bad of a commute. Peachtree City has outstanding schools, low crime, and tons of amenities for families. Not to mention the 100 miles of golf cart paths.

East Cobb is also a great choice, but you may have fewer options at that price point, especially in the Walton, Pope, Lassiter districts. McIntosh High school in Peachtree City is very comparable to East Cobb schools.

48. Peachtree City, GA | TIME

https://www.ajc.com/news/local/peach...mRC6pREr41OyK/

[citidata18]

Given your budget, I agree with everyone who suggested East Cobb, specifically Smyrna/Vinings.

Decatur is also another option.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by citidata18

Given your budget, I agree with everyone who suggested East Cobb, specifically Smyrna/Vinings.

Decatur is also another option.

The housing stock available under $450k in the City of Decatur is pretty disappointing, especially when you are cross-shopping some of the farther-out areas mentioned. It's mostly going to be homes being sold with the assumption they will be taken down to the foundation, or demolished for new construction after the sale.

[LTCM]

Originally Posted by citidata18

Given your budget, I agree with everyone who suggested East Cobb, specifically Smyrna/Vinings.

Decatur is also another option.

Are smyrna and vinings considered east cobb? I always thought anything west of us 41 was west cobb?

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by Flipfit

Hi! My family and I will be moving to Atlanta area this summer. My husband will be commuting to midtown 3 times a week so we were looking at East Cobb, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta and Johns Creek. Our budget is $450k. We have 2 kids so great schools are important. My question is which of these areas would be best? He will be going during non-rush hours but may be coming back home in rush hour. Any specific neighborhoods that are active and have lots of young school aged kids? Any other areas I should consider? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

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.

[NorthAtlanta]

I strongly recommend Alpharetta.. Really safe, great schools probably the best in the state. Great shopping, dining and entertainment options and very diverse - White, Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic in that order. A job center in it's own. Out of all the suburbs you have mentioned you have a much better chance of finding a job within Alpharetta..

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by LTCM

Are smyrna and vinings considered east cobb? I always thought anything west of us 41 was west cobb?

I would say so.

When I think of West Cobb, I think of Powder Springs.