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In a thread on the Atlanta forum, a poster made the comment that Alpharetta/Milton/ Johns Creek/ south Forsyth county/ east Cobb connection north of Atlanta is in the starting to intrude on the same tier as Nova, Orange County and other elite burbs. Do you think this is true or does this area only compete with (or exceed) other burbs in the southeast?
In a thread on the Atlanta forum, a poster made the comment that Alpharetta/Milton/ Johns Creek/ south Forsyth county/ east Cobb connection north of Atlanta is in the starting to intrude on the same tier as Nova, Orange County and other elite burbs. Do you think this is true or does this area only compete with (or exceed) other burbs in the southeast?
NOVA and Atlanta’s northern suburbs are very much comparable. However, I would include Sandy Springs and Dunwoody in your definition too. I believe this to be one of the largest uninterrupted regions of $100,000 household incomes in the United States, and I can’t think of another region in the Southeast of this size with this kind of concentrated wealth. We’re talking 300,000 to 400,000 people in my guess.
NOVA and Atlanta’s northern suburbs are very much comparable. However, I would include Sandy Springs and Dunwoody in your definition too. I believe this to be one of the largest uninterrupted regions of $100,000 household incomes in the United States, and I can’t think of another region in the Southeast of this size with this kind of concentrated wealth. We’re talking 300,000 to 400,000 people in my guess.
I would definitely include Alpharetta/Johns Creek/ Milton. I wouldn't include Cumming just yet, but it is definitely shaping up. The other three suburbs have definitely grown and are almost entire independent from Atlanta. Milton isn't considered a suburb of Atlanta. Milton is considered a suburb of Alpharetta. These areas are also home to an extremely high concentration of 100k+ jobs. These are also some of the most expensive areas in all of Atlanta.
Alpharetta https://www.experienceavalon.com/
Google maps is outdated, but Alpharetta has basically built a new downtown. https://popeandland.com/property/northwinds-summit/ https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_n...9d9301eb1.html
What makes NOVA and Orange county "elite"? I lived in NOVA for 5 years and wouldn't describe it as such. It's just a decent suburban area, nothing more nothing less. I'd put it in the same tier as the North Atlanta burbs.
What makes NOVA and Orange county "elite"? I lived in NOVA for 5 years and wouldn't describe it as such. It's just a decent suburban area, nothing more nothing less. I'd put it in the same tier as the North Atlanta burbs.
Having spent a good bit of time in both NOVA and the northern Atlanta suburbs (In-laws live there), I'm trying to understand how the 'elite' tag applies. Both areas are sprawling, generic suburbs with the occasional attempt at new urbanism and awful traffic. Dunwoody? I kind of get. But Alpharetta? No.
What makes NOVA and Orange county "elite"? I lived in NOVA for 5 years and wouldn't describe it as such. It's just a decent suburban area, nothing more nothing less. I'd put it in the same tier as the North Atlanta burbs.
Where in NOVA were you? Because if you were in PW or Stafford County, or Fairfax County south of I-66; east of VA-123, I'd be inclined to agree. Once you go towards Fairfax County north of I-66, Arlington County, and Loudoun County, it's a pretty solid upscale area that somewhat reminds me of an eastern version of Orange County (Irvine and points south) in some ways.
As for this, the concentration of Johns Creek/Alpharetta/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs/Roswell/South Forsyth is definitely a very upscale area and has all the ingredients (high-income demographics, huge employment centers in DunwoodySprings (Perimeter Center) and Alpharetta, good schools, etc.), but not quite "there" yet. There's still a notable lack of public transportation compared to NOVA (OC is bad with this, but has commuter rail and a much more comprehensive freeway system) plus there's more "checkerboard" areas in the southern part of Sandy Springs with pockets of poverty, but there are very upscale areas on the other side. Also, the North Fulton Schools are great, but due to the county system of schools drags those stats down due to how huge Fulton County is and covers a wide swath of demographics and incomes. Also, Georgia is still the South and all the perceptions and stereotypes that come with that and how that affects desirability and appeal to a lot of people.
However, the North ATL burbs are definitely one of the premier suburban area of the Southeast though. And if you don't include Florida, it's definitely the premier area. Charlotte's upscale burbs don't have the massive employee base that North ATL's burbs do, and Florida's upscale burbs cater more to retirees and people who already have money, although Orlando's forays into the tech industry and aerospace give it a cache that other Floridian burbs lack.
I say give it about another 5-10 years, given the number of employers that are already up there, the high-income demographics the area attracts, etc. I think Collin County in Texas near Dallas is a lot more ahead and comparable if we're talking about counties in the South/sunbelt counties that can go toe-to-toe with OC or NOVA.
Yeah there's absolutely nothing "elite" about NOVA. Outside Great Falls McLean and Oakton perhaps. But the majority of is just typical suburban sprawl. Nova isn't bad but it gets overrated on here. The same is somewhat true with OC. I think both areas are in the same tier as the Atlanta burbs just more expensive.
You know everything comparable outside of the Southeast is better than what can offer. Especially desirable things, like suburbs, schools, employment options, QOL, and fancy organizations. If we have “good” someone up yonder or out there has “better”.
Where in NOVA were you? Because if you were in PW or Stafford County, or Fairfax County south of I-66; east of VA-123, I'd be inclined to agree. Once you go towards Fairfax County north of I-66, Arlington County, and Loudoun County, it's a pretty solid upscale area that somewhat reminds me of an eastern version of Orange County (Irvine and points south) in some ways.
As for this, the concentration of Johns Creek/Alpharetta/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs/Roswell/South Forsyth is definitely a very upscale area and has all the ingredients (high-income demographics, huge employment centers in DunwoodySprings (Perimeter Center) and Alpharetta, good schools, etc.), but not quite "there" yet. There's still a notable lack of public transportation compared to NOVA (OC is bad with this, but has commuter rail and a much more comprehensive freeway system) plus there's more "checkerboard" areas in the southern part of Sandy Springs with pockets of poverty, but there are very upscale areas on the other side. Also, the North Fulton Schools are great, but due to the county system of schools drags those stats down due to how huge Fulton County is and covers a wide swath of demographics and incomes. Also, Georgia is still the South and all the perceptions and stereotypes that come with that and how that affects desirability and appeal to a lot of people.
However, the North ATL burbs are definitely one of the premier suburban area of the Southeast though. And if you don't include Florida, it's definitely the premier area. Charlotte's upscale burbs don't have the massive employee base that North ATL's burbs do, and Florida's upscale burbs cater more to retirees and people who already have money, although Orlando's forays into the tech industry and aerospace give it a cache that other Floridian burbs lack.
I say give it about another 5-10 years, given the number of employers that are already up there, the high-income demographics the area attracts, etc. I think Collin County in Texas near Dallas is a lot more ahead and comparable if we're talking about counties in the South/sunbelt counties that can go toe-to-toe with OC or NOVA.
Even if we don’t always get along, always enjoy your insights.
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