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I have been seriously considering a move to Georgia within the next few years (3-4). I have noticed quite a few forum members are from Georgia. Although I am not interested in living in Atlanta, I am interested in the surrounding suburbs (No more than 30 minute drive from Atlanta because I do like to party sometimes and I like the arts and fine dining). Please give me some insight. What areas should I stay away from? What areas would be safe for a single woman living alone? If you recommend a certain suburb, tell me why. What is the average cost of a 3 bedroom, two bath home in that area. I can afford about 150-200k.
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Re: Geogia on my mind
That's me!Originally posted by Duchesse
I live in Georgia. I live about 25 miles NE of Alanta.
First and foremost, if you are interested in the party area or the fine dining, you more so want to head over to Buckhead. There are some nice clubs in Atlanta and some nice restaurants, but the majority of the nice clubs and restuarants are in buckhead. Buckhead area is located approx. 10 miles North of Atlanta. (Near Lenox Square Mall)Originally posted by Duchesse
Secondly, in Atlanta, you can't judge distance by time. It just is impossible. I live 25 miles NE of Atlanta. That 25 miles equals a 15-20 minute drive on a Saturday morning, but during rush hour it equals anywhere from a 1-2 hr drive. Just thought I'd let you know.
But from your estimated 30 minute drive, I'm assuming you are interested in an area anywhere from 20-40 miles outside Altanta. Pretty much everything within in this range is still officially part of Metro-Atlanta.
Highway 285 circles Atlanta. It is 100 miles around the whole thing. Inside the circle is considered "Inside the Perimeter" and outside of the circle is considered "Outside the Perimeter." (Makes sense, right?Originally posted by Duchesse
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But, I would definitely stay OUTSIDE the perimeter. Inside isn't neccessarily the nicest; unless of course you are in Buckhead.
I've been living in metro-Atlanta for 10 years and have remained in the NE suburbs. So, my knowledge is mainly for this area. Although, I do still know some about the other northern areas.Originally posted by Duchesse
In the area I live in (and many other metro-atlanta areas), the quality in one area can be amazing and then 1/2 a mile away, not so great, and then another 1/2 a mile away, really nice again. It is just the way it works around here in the suburbs.
If you are looking for a nicer suburb, mostly upper-middle class, I'd probably send you to the following areas:
Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwannee, Duluth, Lawrencevile (parts), Nocross
These are listed pretty much in order of distance from Atlanta (Buford being the furthest away). You'll notice that you'll get more for your money the further away you are from Atlanta, or from the major highways.
I listed these because, generally they are all very clean and safe. They all more so have a sense of community to them.
[QUOTE=Duchesse]What is the average cost of a 3 bedroom, two bath home in that area. I can afford about 150-200k.[QUOTE]
Now, this is definitely not my expertise. I've never gone home shopping before. I do know that in the nicer parts of town, the houses are rising in value (and vice versa). I am pretty certain that you should find a nice house in that range. In my neighborhood (which is a pretty nice area, mostly original owners, i.e. elderly) houses are selling for a little over that. However, I live on a pretty decent size lake, thus increasing the value.
I do know that for your price range, finding a house in an area that will REMAIN nice, might be tough. Houses in your price range do tend to fall in neighborhoods that are slowly but surely decreasing in quality. As new owners enter the neighborhoods, many of them don't keep their house or yards up, etc.
So, I'd be sure to do some research on the financial and quality of the houses.
I don't know where you are currently located, but living in the suburbs of a BIG city is actually pretty nice. I grew up in a VERY small town (actually, it was technically just a village) of 1500 people in Ohio. Then I moved from there to BIG city Atlanta when I was 9. It was definitely a change. BUT, I love the convience of it. Everything is near by (although with traffic it still takes forever to get anywhere...hehe just kidding...or at least I'd like to think I was). In Ohio a trip to the store was so rare because it tooko 30-45 min to get there. Here, I have stores, gas stations, movie theaters, 2 malls, etc within 10 minutes. It's very nice.
To close (FINALLY), feel free to PM me or post here if you have any more questions or specifics.
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Re: Geogia on my mind
I visited my dad in Alpharetta, about 25 NE of Atalanta (spooky) in January. A lot of his coworkers had bought beautiful houses in areas they thought were a 20 minutes drive. Eisor is right; they were shocked to find out it was a couple hours at rush hour, which seemed to be from 3 to 7! It was a great area, but I have never seen such bad traffic, and I used to live in san Francisco. I'd recommend driving in from where you are looking to move to where you'll be working to check. Or find a way to go Public Transporation, MARTA, which was actually pretty great.
Eisor: Been to Greenwood's in Roswell?Comment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
Alpharetta is a nice area. I forgot it on my list. It's almost more north than northeast. But, yeah, that might be an area to consider.
And yes, traffic is TERRIBLE. I didn't even start driving until I was 18. Just not in a hurry to deal with all the other drivers. But, you definitely get used to it. (I still avoid the highway though!)
I've never been to Greenwood's. For me, with traffic, Roswell is a good distance a way. I only head out that way maybe a couple times a year. It seems so close, but in reality it is more work that it seems.
But, what is Greenwood's? Should I go there? Hehe...let me know.
Also, with public transportation...MARTA is ok. They are in the process right now of upgrading it. The train only goes two directions; 1) North-South and 2) East-West. So, it is very limited. However, I used it for 1.5 years to get downtown. But, I suggest carpooling and taking the HOV lane. From my house to downtown using the HOV lane takes only 45 minutes during rush hour if there are no accidents. MARTA takes 1.25 to 1.5 hours. It just runs slow. And, I wouldn't really suggest using MARTA's bus service. However, many of the counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton?, etc.) have public transit and they usually have an expres s route that goes all the way downtown without stopping. It's actually very nice.Comment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
Greenwood's is a restaurant.
"The Food
Fresh, innovative fare rules the deceptively simple meat-and-three menu. Sweet, tangy fried chicken dipped in a crunchy honey-pepper batter is cooked to order and worth the 30-minute wait. Boneless pork chops sauteed in sage butter arrive fragrant and tender. Vegetables are the real highlight. Collard greens have just enough of an apple cider-vinegar bite; cheesy broccoli casserole is all homey goodness; black-eyed peas are lovingly simmered in a heady vegetarian broth. Dessert is required. Finish with a massive slice of strudel-like cherry pie and homemade vanilla ice cream."
We didn't wait 30 minutes for the chicken, but it was really incredible. The meatloaf, the sides......Absolutely huge portions. We didn't even lnow we loved meatloaf until we tasted theis. Meals like 12.95, so not cheap, but, great value-you could take home at least half your plate. Nice ambience, some families with kids, some dating couples, homey intimacy that suits a lot of moods. We only went once but we fell in love.Comment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
I live in the mountains of N. Georgia, beautiful Blairsville. When I moved here, we did not even have one fast food place or a stop light. Now we have 3 and the place is booming.Comment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
This place sounds great! Where is it? Also, $12.95 is very reasonable.Originally posted by lrjohnsonComment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
And the housing?Originally posted by Ima saverComment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
makes me hungry!!Comment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
Greenwood's
1087 Green St
Roswell, GA 30075-3608
no reservations, and it is sometimes a long wait; we got there earlier in the evening and it wasn't a problem for usComment
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Re: Geogia on my mind
Oh, I missed the housing, there is lots of houses being built and lots of homes for sale. Everyone seems to want to live in the mountains, so prices are going up.Comment
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