What is there to do in Johns Creek area? (Atlanta: real estate, homes) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

Rebound · 01-04-2009, 10:24 AM

My family and I are thinking of relocating to the Atlanta area. We have three young children so good schools are a must. Both my wife and I like outdoor recreation: mountain biking, water skiing hiking, camping. We are looking for homes in the 300k to 500k range. Commuting is not an issue but schools, shopping, recreation and lifestyle are. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Help sell my wife and me on Atlanta.

OhioNative · 01-04-2009, 03:39 PM

There are lots of outdoor activites north of Atlanta. You are about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the start of the AT, along with about 500,000 acres of national forest with many great trails such as the Benton McKaye and Bartram trails. Many areas for biking. There is actually a great mountain biking trail is Hall County, right behind Gainesville College. You are also about 2 to 2.5 hours from the Smokies, along with many acres of national forest in Western NC and Eastern TN. There are also many great car camping areas within about 1 to 1.5 hours (at least from where I live in Suwanee) scattered throughout the national forest. There are also some nice campgrounds around Lake Lanier if you just want a quick getaway - literally minutes from Johns Creek.

atlantagreg30127 · 01-05-2009, 12:44 PM

There's a neat store called the Love Shack in John's Creek that they seem really proud of there. Oh no... wait... never mind.

However, you do have alternatives...

North of that area of the City, you can drive to the small artsy/craftsy down of "Dahlonega". A really neat place with lots of galleries and shops. Just NE of there is the town of "Helen" which is (very loosely) themed after a German Bavarian village. North on GA400 are the outlet mall shops, and North on I-85 is the Mall of Georgia (largest mall in the region).

jln69 · 01-05-2009, 03:37 PM

We just moved to Johns Creek this summer. We love it so far. We have three children. We have never not had anything to do. We haven't even gone into Atlanta that much. I'm sure when we do, we will love it here even more.

The kids and their activities take up most our time but besides that there are lots of parks, the autry mill nature center and the chatahoochee river for recreation. There is the greenway and the coolor for ice skating in alpharetta. There is also the chatahoochee nature center in Roswell.

There is plenty of shopping at North Point in Alpharetta or The Forum in Norcross. 141/Medlock Bridge Road has plenty of everyday shopping.

Most of all of the neighborhoods in Johns Creek are family friendly with activities. Schools are all good. I am very happy and impressed with our districted schools so far. Our neighborhood is Seven Oaks which is in your price range. Some are more but you will have a great deal to choose from in your price range.

Good luck.

average dave · 01-05-2009, 06:24 PM

Don't know about selling you on Atlanta - we have plenty of people already. Johns Creek is virtually all families, with lots of family-oriented activities available as well as the options that other posters have mentioned. It is very safe here. If you say hi, people will say hi back. My neighbors are very nice. As far as lifestyle, people in Johns Creek tend to be image conscious and want you to think that they just wallow in money. Some do. But I think many are just way overextended just so they can maintain this image, which is important to them. This image consciousness will vary by neighborhood, but the more expensive the real estate, the more prevalent it is. Kind of like the "OC" of Atlanta. Could be worse.

Rebound · 01-06-2009, 06:51 AM

Thanks for all of the information. I am thinking of taking my wife out to Johns Creek next month for a visit. Any recommendations for points of interest and places to visit to get a good feel of the area?

billl · 01-06-2009, 11:18 AM

I'm going to be negative. I agree with all the positive things said so far about Johns Creek. But it's not all wines and roses.

There's lots of traffic. I mean LOTS of traffic. Sometimes it can take me 15 minutes or more to drive the 2 miles to the grocery store. Many of the more interesting restaurants have closed or moved away (such as Merlot, Giovannis, Ippolitos, Fuego, Village Tavern, and even Macaroni Grill). The schools are overcrowded although the new high school may improve the situation a bit. Johns Creek is NEAR many things but it actually HAS very few things. It is near many of the amenities provided by Alpharetta, Roswell, Suwanee and Duluth. But only three parks are actually in Johns Creek, and one of them is only in the city because of a "creative" drawing of the boundary with Alpharetta. Many folks here are very image conscious. There are quite a few ritzy gated neighborhoods (such as Country Club of the South and St Ives). Lots of folks who can't afford to live in one of those places like to pretend that they do. My child, who attends Northview, has seen lots of this snooty attitude in the classmates.

Becoming a city has helped improve things. Roads were paved, traffic lights put in, better police and fire coverage. There are plans to create a greenway along the 141 corridor, with eventual bike paths to other places. But lots of that isn't here yet. If you're looking for a home-town feel where you can walk and bike to stuff, or which has a clearly defined central "downtown", you won't find it here. At least not yet.

OhioNative · 01-06-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billl

I'm going to be negative. I agree with all the positive things said so far about Johns Creek. But it's not all wines and roses.

Becoming a city has helped improve things. Roads were paved, traffic lights put in, better police and fire coverage. There are plans to create a greenway along the 141 corridor, with eventual bike paths to other places. But lots of that isn't here yet. If you're looking for a home-town feel where you can walk and bike to stuff, or which has a clearly defined central "downtown", you won't find it here. At least not yet.

Yeah, Johns Creek is definately a nondescript, if affluent, suburb. There is really nothing to distinguish it from Alpharetta, Roswell, or South Forsyth.

Rebound · 01-07-2009, 10:01 AM

Would Alpharetta, East Cobb, or Milton be a better alternative to the negatives you mentioned?

average dave · 01-07-2009, 01:09 PM

Very similar. Homes in Milton tend to have acreage - very pretty and pricey but very inconvenient to the city. All have reputation for good public schools.I am partial to Sandy Springs, especially inside 285, and adjacent Dunwoody. Older, more established neighborhoods that are still predominately families but also well-represented by couples and singles. Bit more savvy and sophisticated crowd. Your kids won't grow up thinking all women over 30 are soccer moms, drive SUV's, and wear baseball caps. Nice selection of restaurants, and good book stores (they actually have to throw out People and Self magazines and yes, Ken Follett has written more than 2 books). Also convenient to Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and the airport.