Thinking about relocating to Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah: apartment, lease, condo)

[Sharella]

I currently live in Florida and the cost of living is becoming outrages. My husband and I just had out first son in Dec. Our bills are becoming a stress and I believe this is a time for change. We would like to purchase our first home within the next year or so but, the prices are becoming higher & higher everyday. We currently lease a 1 bedroom condo at $950 per month...homes are being built everyday but they are starting at $300k and condo's frm $200k. We have heard many people say and also I have looked at homes via the internet and have found that you can purchase a beautiful home in GA for about $150k. I have also heard people say that you can rent a home in GA for about $600 per month. My husbands family live in Pelham, GA which is the country. I would like to know some of the best places to live in GA and about the job market there....I am ready to make that move like[/b]not now but right now. But of course I need to be sure that I can obtain a good job and provide my son with the best life that there is....can someone please give me some advice on this please.

[Padgett2]

the job market is going to depend on what you do. Those prices you listed are not for the larger areas like Atlanta or Savannah.

Your husband needs to find employment first. Then start looking for housing in that area. Rent first if you can. I think the housing prices are going to fall even more. That means the taxes should be lower here too.

[William Wagner]

Sharella, You could rent an apartment for $600 a month, but probably not a home in the Atlanta area. Homes in the Atlanta area rent around $1000 a month for a 3bedroom/2bath house. You need to find a job before you come and apply for a mortgage before you move because of what is going on in the mortgage market. Let me know if I can help...Bill

[gahomes247]

Sharella, my first advise to you is to check your credit report to see what you have in there, sience everything is changing with the mortgage companies they are not going to be doing 100% financing and your credit has to be good,so start working in your credit. as far as homes, yes you can find a nice home for 150k and even lower. i have a friend who just put an offer on a home for 111K hopefully they are going to get it, the home needs minor repairs, the home is located closed to downtown lawrenceville, built in 1988 3 bed;2.5 bath. At this point they are just paying closing cost and their payment is going to be $850.00 per month. As far as renting a home for 600 I think that it is a little bit unrealistic, if you try to rent a home in lawrenceville,dacula,buford,duluth you'll pay between 1,000 and 1,300. I think that because qualifying for a home is going to become more diffecult, rents are going to be more expensive. so my best advise is like I said before work in your credit so you can buy a home " It will be Cheaper"
Let me know if we can help further
Make It a Great Day!

[Think (Freedom)]

Sharella - my family moved to GA from Miami about 4 years ago.. one thing to consider is that GA is VERY different from what youre used to down here. What part of GA are you looking into? We lived in Lawrenceville, which is a suburb of Atlanta. I dont know how old you and your husband are, but GA was depressing for me in the lack of activities there are to do. To me, coming from a place like Miami, it felt too much like a small town, even when youre in downtown Atlanta. It may only be a 10 hour car ride from here, but its like another world up there coming from Miami.

You mentioned $600 for a house.. not so much. But you could probably find a 2/1 apartment for around that price. I lived with my friend for a while in Lilburn/Norcross and we paid $650 for a 2/2. Of course this isnt my favorite area to live in, I prefered Lawrenceville. But it all depends on where you want to be and where youre going to work.

What does your husband do for a living? Have you considered Port St Lucie? Housing is a lot more affordable than Miami, and only a couple of hours away.. that is of course unless youre desperate to get out of Florida like we were... then again, we're all here again. Tried to adapt for 4 years, it didnt work.