Thinking about moving to Atlanta...

[melissaworld]

from Charlotte. Here we have a really strong communitity of "alternative" parents. Does Atlanta have anything like that? I'm really scared to move because I have such a strong support system here. I'd be more willing if I knew that there was such a community in Atlanta.

[melissaworld]

Okay, I just found the Atlanta moms thread. Duh, silly me! Wow there are a lot of you! Good to know!

Now I need the low down on affordable housing! Where will I have to go if I want to live in a decent 3 bedroom 2 bath for $800 a month? My dh will be working in the city and says he is willing to commute up to 40 minutes. I know nothing about living in Atlanta (though dh's mom lives there), so I need some guidance!

[momalah]

well, 4o minutes from atlanta with wanting a rental with 3 bedrooms ....hmnn...have you looked into a town called woodstock? it has some interesting type people, but all in all, it is growing and young families are moving in.
ideally, roswell, dunwoody or alpharetta or canton are the hot spots, but as far as rentals...you are looking at 1500 for a 3 bedroom for the most part.

we just moved from roswell as renters and built a home in woodstock. there are many homes here around the 140,000 range, which is good and cheap for being only 40 minutes from atlanta and the rentals are inexpensive as well. i think that is what you want, right? a rental??????

let me know what you do!

[melissaworld]

Thanks for replying! $1500! Ouch! Yes, it's a rental house we're looking for. Our limit is $825. We've found a little apartment complex in Decatur with a tiny 2 bdrm, 1 bath for about $700 (and a 6 month waiting list), but we really need a yard with 2 little ones (and preferabley more room). After dh starts working in Atlanta (probabably not for another 6 months) and making good money we're hoping to buy. Where is Woodstock? How far away is it from downtown Atlanta?

[momalah]

welp, woodstock is about 45 minutes from atlanta. Basically, your husband would take interstate 75 and then 575 to get home. Woodstock is an area that features smaller homes and young families, along with new developments and subdivisions starting to go in. The people in the town are definitely changing. It is built up as far as strip malls go, which I don't like, and it isn't as cute as other towns, but it does have its charms. One of the things I like is the local history and the parade it has at Christmas. It is chock full of young children and they throw candy everywhere. The town is definitely young family, young children.

I lived in downtown for 10 years and I have lived in Decatur. CUTE PLACE. If you can find the miracle house to rent there for that money, it is a fun place to be. Worlds funner (is that a word? hahaha) than Woodstock, believe me.

Another idea is East Atlanta, which is being renovated by young, hip people and is an up and coming new area downtown. It is surrounded by some rough areas, but overall, the area is improving daily. (it has many artsy people here too)

as far as "alternative" areas, Decatur wins hands down! East Atlanta or college park are both areas being renovated and there are many alternative people moving there and fixing it up. Woodstock is definitely more conservative, but there are young families like me who just can't afford to build a house downtown or even in the northern suburbs. there is an alternative homeschooling site if you are interested. let me know.

i have found in my life that sometimes, you just have to make choices and not everything fits perfectly. i would say, you will get more bang for your buck in woodstock, but you might be frustrated by the suburban sprawl like me. at the same time, you may be frustrated with the lack of space in a rental downtown. you could probably even buy a home in woodstock and have an 850 mortgage.
let me know!!! ):lady