Looking for Atlanta, Georgia info, opinions, etc.

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

My husband was contacted today about a job opportunity in Atlanta. Strangely, this unsolicited opportunity came the day after he found out that the small family owned company we currently work for lost hundreds of thousands of dollars last year and if they can't get their ducks in a row soon, the company will be out of business in a year. Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone had any info about cost of living, good schools (daughter is 9 years old), best moderate income neighborhoods/suburbs, housing prices, fun things to do and any other info you think a possible newcomer would want to know. Also would like to know any bad things. Thanks!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

DH went to law school in Atlanta.  It REALLY depends on where the company location is.  For better schools, I would do Alpharetta or Marietta.  However, keep in mind the daily commute from those areas could be 1-1.5 hours each way (ATL traffic is pretty bad).  But, the company might be on the perimeter of Atlanta. 

For inside Atlanta, the Buckhead area is nice.  But it is pretty pricey and I am pretty sure you might want to do private schools if you were in that area.  Another more affordable area, which is still in ATL limits (not suburb) is North Druid Hills. I think houses are more in the 300K range, but again, not so sure about public schools.

Those are just my opinions....all in all, i think cost of living is good. Where do you live now, though?

I like Atlanta but it is a BIG city - 12 lanes of highway - biggest in the Southeast.  But I always find myself missing it - used to go there every month to visit DH for 3 years!

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

I live in Lawrenceville which is a suburb of Atlanta.  I moved here when I got married in 1987  and really like it.  It is a large city with the problem associated with same.  However, I lived in Houston for years and find Atlanta to be a typical of a large metro area.  It is hot during the summer but you do get seasons (I missed that in Houston).  The winters are pretty mild but we do get some snow/ice at times. It is a good central location.  The mountains and the beach are within driving distance.   However, (except for last year), it's gone in a day or two at the most.  My son (who is now in college) went to private school k-12 so my knowledge of the schools is only what I've read. 

As for things to do, too many to count.  Atlanta magazine is a good resource for the city and this is the link to the on-line version http://www.atlantamagazine.com/.  This month's copy happens to talk about schools.  On location, I like Duluth, Alpharetta and Johns Creek.  Until the housing market started to fall, one of those is where we planned to move when our son left for college. Median price is hard to tell but go onto Remax/coldwelll banker, etc and look in those areas for an idea.  I've also attached the link for the major newspaper http://www.ajc.com/ which will give an idea of what goes on.  Probably the worst is the traffic but, again, part of living in a big city.   Hope this helps. 

[Frannie & Callie]

Hey Jennifer - I have lived in Atlanta for the last 18 years and I love it! I don't have kids myself, but most of my friends do, and some good areas for schools are Roswell/Alpharetta, Marietta (east cobb area, otherwise is a bit of a mixed bag), Dunwoody, and the west side (this is the area I live in, and Morris Brandon is one of the top public schools in Atlanta). Traffic CAN be a bear, depending on your commute, but other than work, people tend to "live" in their areas (it's not like you have to drive far to get to a grocery store, gym, nail place, hair salon, restaurants, etc...each area has these). I agree with both Allyson and Cyndi on it being a great place! Lots to do for adults, kids, and families. Right now, you can still buy a home cheaper than you can rent one...the housing bubble is definitely in shards right now, and it's a buyer's market!

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Thanks for the replies so far.  Currently we live in Traverse City, MI.  (Small city in Northern Lower Michigan.  Hold up your right hand, palm facing you---we are at the tip of your pinky.)  We've lived in large cities before-Cincinnati and Charlotte but moved home about 10 years ago to take care of my mom.  She passed away about 5 years ago, so there is really nothing keeping us here except our daughter's school and we'd have to sell our house.  My husband's job opportunity is actually as a manufacturer's sales rep covering GA, TN and AL but they prefer he live in the Atlanta area.  He would be working from home so office location and daily commute won't be an issue for him but depending on where I found work as an Occupational Therapist, it may be for me. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

But as Callie said, the suburbs are like mini cities - not like you would have to do therapy work in the actual city. I would look into the areas she suggested.  I really think cost of living is good in Atl in relation to other large US cities. 

[Katie and Sophie]

I can't believe you live in Traverse City!  I was born and raised there and just moved away in August to Orlando.  Always nice to hear of someone from there!

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

I was born and raised here too!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

My son lives in Atlanta and just bought a tri-level townhome.  He has a wonderful real estate person if you need a contact.  He is living in Midtown, Atlanta, after renting in Dunwoody where Frannie lives.  The traffic wasn't so bad in North Atlanta  but is a pain where he lives now.  Fabulous places to eat, a lot of good concerts, Frannie, Debbie and Nina are all there.  Lots of doggie parks.  I love to visit there.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Let's see, Michigan ... Atlanta, I'd have a moving van in the driveway!  :o) 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Actually Traverse City Michigan is pretty darn nice....now if you were talking the bottom half of Michigan, I am with you all the way.

[Katie and Sophie]

I can't believe you live in Traverse City!  I was born and raised there and just moved away in August to Orlando.  Always nice to hear of someone from there!  And Traverse City is beautiful!  I agree on central/lower Michigan though.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hey Katie ... I recently left Orlando!  (after 10 years).  Where abouts are you in Orlando?