Atlanta--should we move there?

[sabrosina]

My husband, one son, and I currently living just North of Raleigh in Wake Forest, and we're considering a move to Atlanta. I'm wondering if those of you that live there could give me a little insight on the 'crunchiness' of the area, schools, availability of organic, free-range foods, good parks, interesting things to do with the kids, etc.. etc..

Are there more progressive areas to live--areas that are extremely conservative that you'd avoid--all that. And more. Anything you'd like to share would be very helpful to us and we're most appreciative of any help.

Thanks so much!

[CathToria]

My biggest advice is to live near work or near dh's work. traffic/daily commute should be a huge factor when you select a place to live in Atlanta.

[zenproofstella]

MY OPINION of the areas:

ITP (Inside the Perimeter)

Buckhead - Conservative. Wealthy. Older. There is actually a term 'Buckhead Betties'.

Virginia Highlands - CRUNCHY CONS? A bit crunchy, but in a Whole Foods, 2.5 kids, everyone has a BOB and a golden retriever, and LOTS OF MONEY kinda way. Very nice area, lots of street shops, restuarants, everyone bikes, this is a very popular area to socialize. Younger. (30's - 40's)

Decatur, Lake Claire - Liberal. Great homes. Great school district, extremely high taxes, quaint, hard to find a 3/2 for less than 400k, very diverse. Very close to the DeKalb County Farmers Market (which I love, but SMELLS horrible - making everything you bring home from there smell - like when you go out for fondue!).

Oakhurst - Liberal. Younger (20's-30's). More mix of singles and families. Very diverse. Neighborhood is DEFINATELY turning - we wish we had bought here (in retrospect). Great little downtown area. Close to Decatur - great location. Home prices - much more of a selection here in the 300 - 400 range.

Avondale Estates - Becoming very liberal.

This is where my husand and I live. This area is 90% owner occupied. A mix of ranch houses and older 1920's homes. Homes are priced anywhere between $275 - $700k here. It is almost to the perimeter. Area is very canopied with trees, beautiful. Used to be older more conservative community - now becoming MUCH more diverse. Very gay/lesbian friendly...most have small children. Everyone around here walks/bikes around the neighborhood because its very safe. Avondale is its own city and has its own police patrol. They are always around. 2 miles to the Farmers Market! Close to Decatur and Oakhurst.

These are the areas I am most familiar with - that I would reccomend. I would NOT RECOMMEND LIVING OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER (the interstate of 285 that circles Atlanta), if you or your partner will be working inside it. The commute, as the other person mentioned is HORRIBLE. Traffic is by far one of the biggest issues Atlanta has. The infrastructure can barely support the volume of people here.

There are tons of great suburbs outside of atlanta. And MANY people make the commute daily. You just have to decide whats important to you.

Please PM if you have any other specific questions. I'd be happy to help out.

I don't know much about the schools because we have no children yet. WORKING ON IT! But Decatur is the only 'hood, I know has a reputation for good schools. Lots of kids around here go to charter schools.

I know Avondale does NOT have a good school district.

[magpiedee]

We live in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, or OTP/Outside the Perimeter. And we love it. I grew up here, and if your or your partner can find a job OTP, it's a wonderful place to live. I can vouch for Roswell, Alpharetta, Woodstock, East Cobb, Canton.

Yes, you do have to drive everywhere. Public transportation is pretty sad, and it's 5 miles to the nearest grocery store. But the schools (N of ATL) are excellent. There are lots of public parks, trails, dog parks, and greenspace. Lots of classes, playgroups, kid-friendly restaurants. And it's really, really safe. I am almost crippled at driving into Atlanta proper because the highways are terrifying, and then you have to drive through scary neighborhoods to get to the good ones (from my suburban understanding and the directions I'm given). Also, all the main grocery stores (Publix, Kroger, Target) offer lots of organic choices, and there is Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, too.

I'm guessing the 'burbs are more "conservative" than the cool n'hoods of Atlanta, but I think you see the good and bad everywhere. When I go to our local public park, it is very safe, parking is safe, and we see people of all ages, races, and partnerships, and i've never seen anyone give anyone else trouble. There are plenty of LLL groups, MOMS groups, our local ICAN chapter, babywearing groups (www.koalamommas.com), and even the Atlanta Cloth group for cloth diapering.

Hope that helps, and if you have any questions about the northern 'burbs, i'd be happy to help.

[zenproofstella]

Originally Posted by magpiedee

We live in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, or OTP/Outside the Perimeter. And we love it. I grew up here, and if your or your partner can find a job OTP, it's a wonderful place to live. I can vouch for Roswell, Alpharetta, Woodstock, East Cobb, Canton.

Yes, you do have to drive everywhere. Public transportation is pretty sad, and it's 5 miles to the nearest grocery store. But the schools (N of ATL) are excellent. There are lots of public parks, trails, dog parks, and greenspace. Lots of classes, playgroups, kid-friendly restaurants. And it's really, really safe. I am almost crippled at driving into Atlanta proper because the highways are terrifying, and then you have to drive through scary neighborhoods to get to the good ones (from my suburban understanding and the directions I'm given). Also, all the main grocery stores (Publix, Kroger, Target) offer lots of organic choices, and there is Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, too.

I'm guessing the 'burbs are more "conservative" than the cool n'hoods of Atlanta, but I think you see the good and bad everywhere. When I go to our local public park, it is very safe, parking is safe, and we see people of all ages, races, and partnerships, and i've never seen anyone give anyone else trouble. There are plenty of LLL groups, MOMS groups, our local ICAN chapter, babywearing groups (www.koalamommas.com), and even the Atlanta Cloth group for cloth diapering.

Hope that helps, and if you have any questions about the northern 'burbs, i'd be happy to help.

I get PANIC ATTACKS on the interstates around here - it makes me INSANE.

I avoid them at all costs - I HATE atlanta interstates. My anxiety has quadrupled since living here. Strangly, I'm perfectly fine on regular rodes - but I become paralzyed with fear on the interstate. FORGET 285. Its a madhouse.

Ahhh..if we could just sell our house and move to MONTANA....or....OREGON. I'm so tiring of this overpopulated city!!!

I want some space...some land....TO BREATHE. ack.

[philomom]

Honestly, we moved from there. The crunchy spots are small, The traffic insane and the race issues are in your face constantly. I'm thrilled to be gone from there, though it had its charms some days.

[sabrosina]

Will have to look into the areas you've all mentioned later on when I have more time. Thanks for the info so far--be sure that I'll have more questions, about schools especially.

I'm canning tomatos and need to get back to them.

Keep the thoughts coming. Cannot have too much information.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

FWIW, if you do live OTP, there's this option:
http://www.xpressga.com/

My mom used to drive from Conyers to downtown Atl every day for work. She now drives once a week and takes the bus the rest of the week, and she says she's saving $500 a month. Not to mention the free time (which I would use to knit ).

Atlanta interstates don't bother me. AT 16 I was driving myself & my sisters from my mom's in Conyers to my dad's in Norcross every other weekend so I guess I'm just used to it.

There are lots of crunchy areas, and also pockets of crunchiness in most areas of Atlanta & the burbs. You have to be careful in Atlanta. I had a friend who bought a nice house in an area being revitalized. Her house and those to the right of hers were nice, clean, taken care of (nothing fancy). Those to the left were..not. There was a crack house 2 doors down from her. She was single, no biggie. Not something I'd want to do w/ kids though.

[rcr]

My DH works there and we have an apartment there because it is 2 hours away from home (a situation that hopefully will not last too long). We do not like ATL. I wouldn't move there unless you absolutely have to, or if you like driving and sprawl. The city is one giant suburb. I guess there are pockets of crunchy coolness, but you would have to drive to them and fight traffic to get there

[thorn]

I guess it all depends on where you live now. I am from detroit and atlanta is a million, trillion, zillion times better than detroit.

I don't mind driving and used to drive pretty much anywhere all over the metro area (right now I'm a slave to my 11 month old's naps)

I'm sure there are really bad areas of town but again - all of detroit is a bad part of town - so I think atlanta is a very safe, alive city. and we live in the suburbs mostly because of cost issues, my DH works in buckhead and the drive is not that bad, although he does have flex hours so he doesn't go during rush hour.

if they'd just extend the MARTA train up to N. Point Mall we would be super happy campers!

also it is hilly, full of trees and gorgeous here. the weather is HOT during summer but awesome the rest of the year (NO SNOW! NO ICE! NO AWFUL GREY SUPPRESSIVE WINTER CLOUDS! and it stays light until 6pm even in the dead of winter!)

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I went to visit my in-laws with my husband, when we were dating. They lived in the Arizona desert. I remember flying back into Atlanta, so freakin' happy to see something GREEN. I am a New Englander at heart (though I've lived here almost my whole life) but I really do like it here, overall.

[pigpokey]

Originally Posted by zenproofstella

MY OPINION of the areas:



Decatur, Lake Claire - Liberal. Great homes. Great school district, extremely high taxes, quaint, hard to find a 3/2 for less than 400k, very diverse. Very close to the DeKalb County Farmers Market (which I love, but SMELLS horrible - making everything you bring home from there smell - like when you go out for fondue!).

A friend can't sell her 1948 updated 3/2 ranch on a nice sized corner lot for more than about $240K It's on a nice street and about to go under contract but if you want to be my neighbor let me know. Good bus service. .9 to MARTA, very safe, walk / bike to shopping and restaurants. Good street.

[ThatLinGirl]

We just moved from Atlanta a few months ago (hi, guys! ).

I miss the people. There are lots of ways to meet crunchy mamas and Atlanta is home to some of the most wonderful mamas I've ever met. I miss them, a lot. You'd be moving into a great MDC crowd.

I don't miss the palmetto bugs (you are probably north of them up there?), the urban sprawl, the more conservative political/social climate (from a diversity and religion perspective, mostly, which I saw more in my neighbors than I'd have preferred if they all just kept to their own business -- don't mind people having their own views, of course, but in our particular area ITP, lovely otherwise, there was some of that direct pressure from neighbors in wacky ways) -- but hey, I'm from California originally, what can I say?

[zjandosmom]

We live ITP, in Candler Park (next to Lake Clair) and we lOVE it. My dh works from home so commuting is not an issue for us. We can walk/ride our bikes to a lot: MARTA, school, shops, library, etc. We are seeing people moving in from the 'burbs and that is changing the 'landscape' a bit but the rest of the people here are really nice and interesting! our elem school is top=rated and while we are having crowding issues we still have small class sizes. My 2nd grader has 11 kids in his class!! I love the idea of all the space you can get in the burbs but we really love living in-town. Pricey but worth it.

Forgot to add...we live about 5 miles from Your Dekalb international Farmers Market which is amazing! Great prices and every type of produce you can imagine. I got brave an rode my bike there last week! Hard but fun.

[Isarma]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

There are lots of crunchy areas, and also pockets of crunchiness in most areas of Atlanta & the burbs. You have to be careful in Atlanta. I had a friend who bought a nice house in an area being revitalized. Her house and those to the right of hers were nice, clean, taken care of (nothing fancy). Those to the left were..not. There was a crack house 2 doors down from her. She was single, no biggie. Not something I'd want to do w/ kids though.

Completely agreed. Trendy ITP locations seem to mostly fall into 2 categories:
-Perfect everything, but super expensive.
-Lovely homes, with a smattering of crack houses or similar, and affordable.

I lived in one of the 2nd, before having kids, but since - no thanks! I'd love to live in some of the first, but we can't afford it. I have friends who tried the 2nd, with kids, and ran for the hills -- more than 1 set of them. I love Marietta. We're OTP, but not as far as as many. The schools are fantastic. Marietta Square has it's own charm. We have a fabulous park right across the street. Safety has never been an issue. The kids play on the street!

[lovingmybaby]

What school is this? Montgomery Elementary? What is the class max?
Thanks

Originally Posted by zjandosmom

We live ITP, in Candler Park (next to Lake Clair) and we lOVE it. My dh works from home so commuting is not an issue for us. We can walk/ride our bikes to a lot: MARTA, school, shops, library, etc. We are seeing people moving in from the 'burbs and that is changing the 'landscape' a bit but the rest of the people here are really nice and interesting! our elem school is top=rated and while we are having crowding issues we still have small class sizes. My 2nd grader has 11 kids in his class!! I love the idea of all the space you can get in the burbs but we really love living in-town. Pricey but worth it.

Forgot to add...we live about 5 miles from Your Dekalb international Farmers Market which is amazing! Great prices and every type of produce you can imagine. I got brave an rode my bike there last week! Hard but fun.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I love the Marietta Square. I wish I lived there!

Hey, Sarah-everybody I know homeschools. How do you find out what school your kids will go to, and if it's any good? How do you even evaluate that? Ummm..PM if you want, that is WAY OT.

[heart-n-bones]

I live ITP and agree with what others have posted about the negihborhoods ITP. Zenproofstella had a pretty good summary. I live in a small community in the East Lake neighborhood that is SUPER crunchy. We just moved there from Kirkwood which is another liberal neighborhood near Candler Park/Lae Claire. I used to think of it as the gayborhood. I could hardly walk down the street with out running into at least one other gay person. Parts of it are still transitioning, but I always felt very safe there.

I love living in Atlanta and have really come into my crunchy, liberal self since moving here. I find it pretty easy to find like minded folks here. Yes, traffic sucks, but you find ways to avoid it and when you live ITP, it's not that hard to learn to work the public transportation.

[rcr]

Originally Posted by thorn

I guess it all depends on where you live now. I am from detroit and atlanta is a million, trillion, zillion times better than detroit.

I guess it is all personal, I grew up in Detroit (West side, in Cass Corridor near Wayne State), and I replied that I don't like ATL. I biked everywhere in Detroit, and there was no traffic unless you went out to the burbs (yuck!). ATL is not walkable or bikeable, and has nothing unique about it, IMO. Detroit was not the best city, it obviously has its share of problems, but at least you could leave your house without poking more holes in the ozone layer.

[sabrosina]

Wow--thanks for the replies. My next step is to get a huge map of Atlanta, tape it to the wall, and start scribbling notes.

OK-- about schools-- I did a search on greatschools.com (.org or whatever) and discovered that overall Atlanta Public isn't so good, but that there are several good schools that rate better than the private ones do. Smith, Jackson, and Brandon Elementary schools are all top rated and all have IB programs. Anyone have opinions? If the overall school system isn't so great, dare we try our luck at one that is? Are things changable in Atl Pub Schools?

My son is currently in a private K school in Raleigh, NC and we LOVE it to death. Its a positive discipline, teach the whole person not just academics sort of program that consistently scores at the top when tested even though (because they don't) teach to the tests. Do any of you have suggestions of private elementary schools that are NOT religious and take a kinder, gentler stance toward everything in general (people, earth, politics, etc..)?

As for neighborhoods--THANKS for the suggestions. We're fortunate in that depending on the money offered for the new position, we should be able to afford 400 for a house. Probably more, since we're simpletons otherwise. I'd just rather spend money on the house than spend time in a car, and $ on gas.

For the record--I moved to Raleigh from Chicago. So I get traffic. And I get how to get around it. I'll have to look into MARTA to see how extensive it is. One of you mentioned extending the line to somewhere--are there plans? Public transport stops will have a significant impact on our home location. There is apparently a stop a 5 minute walk from my husbands office somewhere in Perimeter Park/Dunwoody(ish). So if we could live somewhere along the line that gets there--that'd be ducky.

I'd like to know more about this Decatur Market. Any links? Is that an area that would be good to live in?


WHEW! I need to breathe for a little while. This is making my head spin. But keep the thoughts coming--every little idea helps point me in the right direction.

MWAH!