FL newlyweds looking to buy first home in GA! (Atlanta: for sale, house) - Georgia - City-Data Forum

curator08 · 09-11-2007, 12:05 PM

Hello everyone! My husband and I currently live in the panhandle of FL. We are looking to move to GA, sometime in 2008. Any advice on what towns we should look at? I work in a museum and am looking for a similar job in GA (specializing in historic clothing). We have no kids (maybe in 5 years); we do have animals that are coming with us. Family is in North Florida and Tennessee, so GA seems like a good fit if we want to avoid living in Alabama. My husband likes small town, I don’t mind a bigger town. Not sure if we are ready for Atlanta just yet. Are there nice towns outside ATL? We grew up near the beach, so that would be nice too but not a necessity. It also would be great to have a change in scenery….mountains would be nice, but again not a necessity. SNOW and more than 2 seasons would also be great! We really want an affordable 3-4 bedroom house with at least 2 acres of land for our dog to run around. We currently live in Tallahassee and would love to move to another historic town. Something southern, charming , and perfect for young educated professionals and families! Thanks!

dunsandal · 09-11-2007, 12:47 PM

Jasper (Pickens County) GA, is a nice small town, still relatively affordable, particularly if you're looking for a couple of acres or more (the closer you get to Atlanta, the pricier acreage is). It's located at the start of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so has some elevations if that's what you're after, but still very accessible to Atlanta.

However, from your description, it sounds like Dahlonega may be a better fit. Also north of Atlanta (more to the east), Dahlonega is a larger city than Jasper, is home to North Georgia College, is more of a historic community, and offers more cultural opportunities. It has seen some growth in recent years, but if you live further out from town, shouldn't have a problem finding affordable living space.

Hope this helps!

GP2 · 09-11-2007, 12:59 PM

Iwould say Forsyth (Monroe County)....It`s right on I-75 and only about 45 minutes from Atlanta and you could take the interstate the other way and be at the beach in Savannah in just a few hours.....

FFG3 · 09-11-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curator08

Hello everyone! My husband and I currently live in the panhandle of FL. We are looking to move to GA, sometime in 2008. Any advice on what towns we should look at? I work in a museum and am looking for a similar job in GA (specializing in historic clothing). We have no kids (maybe in 5 years); we do have animals that are coming with us. Family is in North Florida and Tennessee, so GA seems like a good fit if we want to avoid living in Alabama. My husband likes small town, I don’t mind a bigger town. Not sure if we are ready for Atlanta just yet. Are there nice towns outside ATL? We grew up near the beach, so that would be nice too but not a necessity. It also would be great to have a change in scenery….mountains would be nice, but again not a necessity. SNOW and more than 2 seasons would also be great! We really want an affordable 3-4 bedroom house with at least 2 acres of land for our dog to run around. We currently live in Tallahassee and would love to move to another historic town. Something southern, charming , and perfect for young educated professionals and families! Thanks!

I live in Savannah, GA and it doesn't get anymore historical than this. We have great culture and charm and near the beach too. Savannah is not to big and is not to small which I like. Sure there are ups and downs to every area and Savannah is not all positive but is an incredible place with alot of upside. You would be able to find the 2 acres that you are looking far in the very fast growing suberbs of Savannah such as Pooler, Rincon or Richmond Hill. You really need to check it out, sounds like it could be a fit.

TheChooch · 09-11-2007, 02:11 PM

We visited Athens this summer and fell in love. You should definitely see it before you make any decisions. The downtown is vibrant, and we liked all the greenery and it's proximity to nature. As a young couple, you would probably appreciate all the restaurants and culture. I think it's about an hour or so to Atlanta. FWIW, we were also charmed by Savannah, but I hear there is a lot of crime. Good luck.

Michelle DeRepentigny · 09-12-2007, 08:57 PM

Athens is 1+- hours from mountains, 5 to 6 hours from the beach, 1.5 hours from the big city of Atlanta and has something going on for everyone. Housing is pretty affordable, especialy if you don't mind a 20 minute commute from one of the adjoing small towns. My favorite pick for small towns near Athens right now is Comer, Ga in Madison County - they have a thriving artist community, coffe shop, Chinese Restaraunt and more in the quaint downtown area.

irishvanguard · 09-16-2007, 08:24 PM

[quote=curator08;1474323] I work in a museum and am looking for a similar job in GA (specializing in historic clothing)./QUOTE]

With your specialized job, I would definitely recommend that you find your job before deciding on your final destination. My bets would be on Savannah if you are not going to ATL metro area. Savannah has a way of casting a spell as you tour the squares that the original town was built around. There is crime, but that is handled the same way you handle it in Tallahassee. Avoid the wrong neighborhoods at the wrong times.

If you don't end up at a museum, SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) has such an unusual atmosphere, with buildings scattered throughout the historic district. And what buildings!!!!!!! How can one institution put together such a collection????? I am amazed and confounded.

You would just have to see for yourself.

irvm · 09-19-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curator08

Hello everyone! My husband and I currently live in the panhandle of FL. We are looking to move to GA, sometime in 2008. Any advice on what towns we should look at? I work in a museum and am looking for a similar job in GA (specializing in historic clothing).

I'm sure you realize that with such a narrow specialization as that, the only way you're going to find something is through personal contacts and referrals. Better start with who you know, and who they know.... etc. and get an offer before deciding where to live. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that, outside of DC and NYC, jobs such as yours aren't very plentiful - you'll be waiting for somebody to die or retire.

NewTampaGirl · 09-19-2007, 03:32 PM

Hello,

My name is Jenni. Augusta would be exactly what you are looking for. It is the 2nd largest city in Georgia, but not as crowded or snooty as Atlanta. It is inexpensive, southern charm, cozy, and I just happen to have a house for sale in North Augusta as well right now. I lived there for 26 years and just relocated to Tampa, Florida with my fiance's job. I could help you find good jobs and get you stats on anywhere within 20 miles of Augusta. Please email me at page.jennifer@hotmail.com, I have lots of time on my hand and would love to help out newlyweds, especially since we are getting married in 3 weeks.

Jenni

RWareham · 11-19-2007, 02:25 PM

If you like Athens, I would suggest moving there. Obviously, it's a college town, but because of this Athens is a vibrant, exciting place to live. I haven't been any where else in the state that has as much culture as Athens. The city is very strict regarding building permits and how new construction is done, but there are a lot of historical type neighborhoods with affordable homes. I spent seven years there and miss it now that I'm in Atlanta. There's always something to do downtown, as Athens has done a great job with the restuarants, venues, shopping, etc. And of course, there are 284 licensed bars to choose from.