ATL Based, Where to live?

[Griswold]

I'm thinking about moving to ATL, so I don't have to commute the rest of my career. I live in the DFW metroplex and DFW-ATL is a hard commute from what I understand. I have heard about Peachtree City and Summergrove in Newnan. Are those the places to be with a family. Wife is a teacher and we have are first baby on the way. Thanks for your help, I'm just trying to figure out where I should be looking for houses.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

I'm thinking about moving to ATL, so I don't have to commute the rest of my career. I live in the DFW metroplex and DFW-ATL is a hard commute from what I understand. I have heard about Peachtree City and Summergrove in Newnan. Are those the places to be with a family. Wife is a teacher and we have are first baby on the way. Thanks for your help, I'm just trying to figure out where I should be looking for houses.

Yup, Coweta (Newnan) and Fayette (PTC) are the best bang for the buck on the south side. I grew up in Coweta County and currently live in Summergrove so, I am a little biased. Newnan has grown a lot over the years. When I graduated high school forteen years ago the county had fifty thousand people. Now it has almost 100,000.

Summergrove is nice if you don't want land but, I am starting to wish I had more. I grew up in Cannon Gate back when it was mostly farmland and I kinda would like to move back up there. Lots have to be at least 1.6 acres there (out in the county) where as inside Newnan city limits there is no restriction. Most lots is northeast Coweta are probably in the 2 - 4 acre bracket.

As far as you wife being a teacher, my Mom is a teacher in the Coweta district and my stepmom used to be in the Fayette County district. They both seem to like it just fine.

 

[acarpe3448]

I looked all over the area, northside and southside before moving here a little over two years ago! We choose Peachtree City! It is great town! We love it here! It's a great town for families, the school system is one of the best. The alternative transportation system (golf carts) is great! We drive our cart to school with our son, to the grocery store, to church, to the golf course, etc. Be sure to check us out! Good luck in your search!

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Peachtree is nice but Fayette County is on the decline. If your budget allows you to live within the PTC compound you will be ok.
If the south side is where you want to be and you seek a little land go one county further south down to Meriwether County for decent deals on land which will make for a good future invest. The next county past Meriwether is Troup which has seen land prices skyrocket since they broke land on the Kia plant near exit 2 off I-85.

If money were no object and you could stand the commute to the airport your best bet for QOL would be between the I-575 and GA 400 corridor starting at exits 8 on each and going north. The homes in these area are pricey enough the riff-raff will never move in but like I said it will be a traffic pain.

There is a reason north side ATL traffic is 3x's as bad as the south side and that is overall QOL. I live on the south side on 5 acres in Henry and it works only because I don't have children. The building for my family owned business in the City of Woodstock is currently for sale and we will be moving it to Jasper and when it does sell. Then I'll relocate to the GA mountains within 45 minutes of Jasper.

PTC's covenants and Gestapo PD make for a secure and nice setting but once again Fayette is on the decline and many buddies feel Coweta is as well.

Unless you are in PTC be very, very aware of the public school system because this will affect your resale values. My recommendation regardless would be private school because the best public school in GA still sucks when compared on the national level.

Also, many don't realise Atlanta is closing numerous housing projects in the next few years because the land is valuable. They will not be rebuilding but giving them section 8 money to rent in the burbs. Since the south side is economical to live I'll give you one guess where the 1000's are going.

Long term the south side is not the answer and I've lived here since 1986...

 

[twepilot]

its mo-betta in Marietta..

RV

 

[PCL_128]

I don't know how you north-siders can stand it up there. I absolutely despise Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, etc... Too crowded and too trendy.

If you want the south side of town, then I agree with most of the above posters. I live in Newnan now, but used to live in Peachtree City. Newnan is great for the price, but it is a little bit more crowded than PTC, although not even close to being as bad as the north side. The good thing about Newnan is that you can get 25% more house for your buck than you can in PTC. So, if you're living on FO pay, then Newnan is probably a better bet. I do plan on moving to the Kedron area of PTC when I upgrade, though. I just don't think anything else around ATL compares to the PTC lifestyle.

 

[Jmoney]

Look...

You will find great deals in East Point, College Park, and Forest Park.

You will love these areas if Chuck Norris is your roomate. You will also get to explore the more "diverse" nature of such areas. You will get to experience fresh "crank" direct from affable, punctual, and knowledgeable pharmaceutical salesmen-who likely reside in your very own neighborhood. Hard to beat!

An added benefit to this area is getting to experience firsthand the honor of getting "jacked." You will find that a colorful local resident known as a "homie" will greet you while enroute to/from your place of employment. This "homie" will likely display a formidable weapon of some sort for your approval and encourage you to find an alternate means of transportation. Once Mr. "homie" has relieved you of your burdensome old airport car, you later will be able to experience the pure joy of a friendly phone call from local law enforcement officials informing you that Mr. "Homie" thoughtfully has left your car in a back alley, much lighter without the engine and wheels.

Yes, these areas represent the very best the ATL has to offer, colorful people, non-stop entertainment and the adrenaline-pumping excercise which comes from dodging stray bullets. Just contact a local realtor and let the good times roll!

-Woo Dog!

 

[EMBATP]

hey griswold...ex xjet?

 

[BagelBomber]

Moved to Newnan a year ago and we love it. Considered Peachtree City but wanted a newer home. Really liked the Peachtree City area but found more home for the money in Newnan(Summergrove). One thing to consider is the recent ruling from the Supreme Court regarding school zoning. The school districts will be rezoned next year to exclude the city. That will make a big difference...IMO.

 

[Griswold]

hey griswold...ex xjet?

Soon to be, waiting on a class date.

Guys thanks for the advise, I got a good laugh from Jmoney. I think I'll look in PTC and Summergrove.

 

[twepilot]

I bid mornings and it takes me between 37 and 40 minutes to the lot. Not too crowded where I am bro'. BTW, wtf is trendy??

RV

 

[JohnnyP]

.........

Be careful in Peechtree City, they have given out DUI's to a golfcart driver or two in the years past.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Soon to be, waiting on a class date.

Guys thanks for the advise, I got a good laugh from Jmoney. I think I'll look in PTC and Summergrove.

I am also former XJT. I commuted to IAH from ATL for many years. Give me a PM and I will help you out and go a little more in depth than I could on the "pipe".

I have lived here in Coweta County for most of my life and have family in almost all of the major burbs on the north, south, east and west of ATL. My family has been in and around Atlanta since the 1840's. How's that for a resume ?

 

[poor2thecore]

I am also former XJT. I commuted to IAH from ATL for many years. Give me a PM and I will help you out and go a little more in depth than I could on the "pipe".

I have lived here in Coweta County for most of my life and have family in almost all of the major burbs on the north, south, east and west of ATL. My family has been in and around Atlanta since the 1840's. How's that for a resume ?

Or you can bid SLC and move somewhere out west. You want be as sticky in the summer! Southern humidity is terrible!

But... if you insist... look into Smyrna or Snellville. Family in both areas, with small kids and they really enjoy it there. A typical working, middle-class environment with kids all over the neighborhoods, garage doors open on the weekends, people sitting out on the porch drinking sweet tea and watching the race. Minivans and soccers balls! Good stuff for the families.

 

[poppi]

One option which I am doing now is to to rent for 6-12 months. You will have more time to really see what each locations has to offer. I looked down south but decided to give Smyrna a try. A great area is Virgina Highlands but it is not cheap.

 

[ArmadilloJackal]

Another Summergrove guy here. Lived on both sides of town and absolutely love Summergrove compared to the North Side. Wife's a teacher in Coweta county and is very happy with the district. Some of the newer lots in Summergrove are a pretty good size. Kids love the lazy river. 30 minute drive to work is a lot better than the MARTA trek I used to do.

 

[STL717]

It's good you have a wife with a child on the way. You will be allowed into Coweta and Fayette Counties. Singles are only allowed to live in the North Atlanta area!

Yeh... Families south, singles north!:laugh:

Coweta is quickly growing into suburbia. A good selection of homes available.

 

[STL717]

Your mony will go further outside of Summergrove and Peachtree city.

I moved here 3 years ago and will be glad to offer sugestions. PM me for more details.

 

[jetdawg]

another area in newnan is lake redwine. go to lakeredwine.com and take a look. (do not use darrell ruttinger) still in newnan but away from all the hellish traffic that comes with the summergrove area. it may not have all the playstuff that summergrove does but it is a great place and you can have a yard that you may even want a riding lawnmower.

 

[ArmadilloJackal]

Sadly, my push mower is more than plenty, lake redwine is nice. The traffic really isn't bad though if you avoid 34. Very easy to do so to the airport.

 

[Old School]

Take a look at public school test scores. There are great schools on both the north and south sides. Like my son's teacher said last night at Curriculum Night, "I'm here to learn you kid English so he can do good on the state exam." My wife and I thought OMG what have we done?

 

[800Dog]

Atlanta native from the N. side. Cannot stand S. ATL. Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, E. Cobb and even Smyrna/Vinings if you can afford private school. If you are willing to live in S. ATL, you might as well look at Lagrange or even into Alabama.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Atlanta native from the N. side. Cannot stand S. ATL. Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, E. Cobb and even Smyrna/Vinings if you can afford private school. If you are willing to live in S. ATL, you might as well look at Lagrange or even into Alabama.

Typical East Cobb Snob .

 

[800Dog]

Typical East Cobb Snob .

Actually, N. Fulton snob!

 

[General Lee]

I live on top of Stone Mountain. It is a bit windy, but in my Confederate Uniform I can take up to 60kts straight on. Throw in a little rain though, and I am outta there. The wife hates it up there, but the view is nice.

Try Alpharetta too. (We can carpool)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Take a look at public school test scores. There are great schools on both the north and south sides. Like my son's teacher said last night at Curriculum Night, "I'm here to learn you kid English so he can do good on the state exam." My wife and I thought OMG what have we done?

You speak gooder english than me do.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

I grew up in Stone Mountain.... the area has changed considerably for the worse... I'm renting out in Grayson now (near Snellville- where everybody's somebody!).

It's a really nice area and definitely growing..everything is within a couple miles of me...except for the airport.


I flew with a captain that lives at Lake Redwine a couple weeks ago- he spoke very highly of the area and when I look to buy next year it will be on the list.

 

[ksu_aviator]

Think outside the box for just a second...

Chattanooga and Nashville are great places to live and you can fly in or drive in to Atlanta.

PLUS

NO STATE INCOME TAX!!!

Just a thought.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

I live on top of Stone Mountain. It is a bit windy, but in my Confederate Uniform I can take up to 60kts straight on. Throw in a little rain though, and I am outta there. The wife hates it up there, but the view is nice.

Try Alpharetta too. (We can carpool)


Bye Bye--General Lee

Way back in the late 1800's-ish my family owned Stone Mountain. At the time all the land surrounding it was farmland. However, this really big, ugly, useless piece of granite was sitting in the middle of it. So, my family sold it to a beer company. Still considered one of the worst moves my family ever made.

Also, another side of my family used to own a textile mill up in Roswell. They sold it in the late 1800's and became filthy stinking rich. However, the brother that I am descended from squandered all his money. To this day you can go to Roswell and find the folks up there with my same last name and they are still stupid rich. And, I'm still poor!

As far as Alpharetta, I don't see how you people can deal with GA400. The two miles I drive on it to get to Lenox is more than enough for me. Yall have got to be the bravest folks in the state.

Now, I think everyone here talking up their own little corner of Atlanta, putting the rest of us down need to meet at Fat Matt's Rib Shack to fight it out. Why Fat Matt's? Because I'm craving some bbq about now. Mmmmm, bbq.

Now there is an argument to start, where the best bbq in ATL is. Give me some ideas people.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

Don't do it the allergies will kill you