Joel, search HomeScenes.com for virtual tours of thousands of homes for sale and agent all around the Metro Atlanta area. Hot Tip for living in HOT Atlanta...get a map and learn the back roads! Good Luck and Welcome to Atlanta!

Wed Feb 20 2008, 17:44

Joel, if you've started doing your research on the Atlanta area, you'll realize there's 2 things for you to focus on - traffic and schools. You'll want to find the best school districts within a reasonable commuting distance in your price point. Typically, people moving from Virginia actually find the housing more affordable here, which will be nice for you.

When looking at school districts, I'd also focus not just on the elementary, but the entire feeder system through high school. As a resource, you can check out the site below which ranks the top elementary, middle and high schools as well as the entire feeder system.

Wed Feb 20 2008, 08:41

Joel,
Neigborhoods not mentioned also include Brookhaven and Ashford-Dunwoody area, both within Atlanta. However, you may want to look at finding a home around the Roswell/Crabapple area. Sweet Apple Elementary is fantastic and the homes in the area are not nearly as costly as what you would find in the Sarah Smith neighborhoods. Knowing your price point would help me to narrow a bit more, as well as knowing what you are looking for in your neighborhood.
Speaking of Gwinnett county, I'm not a fan I am sorry to say. I know there are wonderful pockets of fine places to live, but the traffic is deplorable. I hope that in time that changes, but I can only hope. And, I fear your commute would be a nightmare from Gwinnett to Dunwoody.
Good luck and best wishes. Let me know if you need further help.

Melissa Morgan
Keller Williams Premier Atlanta
404.444.5263

Sun Feb 17 2008, 07:16

Welcome to Georgia, Joel. Many of my fellow real estate pros on this posting have already given you some excellent advice, recommendations and resources. You may also want to consider the Buford City Schools in Buford GA since they are also some of the best in the state. Do not overlook the possiblity of sending your children to private schools as well. Based upon what limited info you have provided, may I suggest Suwanee GA as a possible place to call home? I would be delighted to share more with you on this subject if you are not already committed to working with a buyer's agent. The Atlanta Business Chronicle puts out an annual school guide that you may find useful. As a free service, my team can prepare a relocation package full of helpful information including a copy of the most current school guide. Just send us an email or give us a call. Warm regards - Ted

Fri Feb 15 2008, 19:10

Hi Joel -

Like everyone has said, traffic will be your main concern. You didn't mention a price point, but I'd look in and around Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and into Roswell. Dunwoody / Sandy Springs will give you the best in terms of convenience. Most homes here will be a bit older, but you'll likely have larger lots in more traditional "neighborhoods". Roswell is just north and has more of the planned communities, good service and support facilities and easy access. Both areas have good schools - which is a relative term in GA....

Gwinnett County has had such explosive growth that I think the shine is off it's apple. Crowded schools, disasterous traffic and a too many headlines for the wrong reason. Let me know if I can help -

Hank Miller, SRA, ABR
Associate Broker & Certified Appraiser
REMAX Greater Atlanta
hankmiller@remax.net

Fri Feb 15 2008, 18:24

Joel,

Gwinnett, South Forsyth, or North Fulton would be excellent choices for you. That doesn't sound like it narrows things down much for you, but working with an agent like myself who knows North Atlanta and has the ability to key in on your style and preferences quickly I can have you a short list of great homes in no time!

There is an abundance of inventory to choose from right now and searching for homes can become a daunting task. Feel free to contact me and I'll be sure to get you on track to finding the perfect home, schools, and community that you will truly feel at home in.

James Dudley
ERA Sunrise Realty
678-781-7418
james.dudley@era.com

Fri Feb 15 2008, 17:39

IF you're working in Dunwoody, Roswell and Gwinnett should really be your only choices. Gwinnett Schools are known as the best (please verify this as one poster miscorrectly posted Cobb - Tammy posted a great resource in GreatSchools.net). Cobb County schools are AWESOME too! North Fulton County, Roswell & Alpharetta have great schools as well.

As Tammy mentioned, Martins Landing is very kid friendly. It features mostly older homes, but does have parks, a lake and swim and tennis. I

In terms of price, Gwinnett is the more affordable of all the ones mentioned, except for West Cobb. West Cobb is actually quite affordable. Gwinnett County has many NEWER homes as well and has the most parks of any Metro Atlanta county.

Fri Feb 15 2008, 14:54

Hi Joel; I live in west Cobb county which is on the north side of Atlanta. The commute to Dunwoody would be a drag but the schools out here are fabulous! Another place you might be interested in is in Roswell called Martins Landing and it has several price ranges of homes. It is very park like in its setting, is right near the Chattahochee river, has bike paths, and good schools as well. tis a big development with older style homes but they are nice and some are priced low enough where you can buy then and totally renovate them more to your tastes. I have sold homes in Gwinnett and all my clients who live out there love it...and they are mostly school teachers who moved there from Paulding county to work just for that school system. Tryhttp:// www.greatschools.net to learn more about the each individual school system. Feell free to contact me if you need further info or visit my website at the link below.

Fri Feb 15 2008, 13:24

In most cases the education systems is the major driver when people are moving into and around the Atlanta area. The Cobb County Schools systems are by far the best with the Alpharetta and Roswell Schools a close second. Cobb county has easy access to I-75 and 400 Toll Road into Buckhead and Downtown. Traffic is a major issue in our area, it is important to understand the interstate systems and interchanges around the city. Home prices vary a great deal from area to area based on the quality of the school systems.

Fri Feb 15 2008, 13:22

If you’re going to working in Dunwoody the commute from Gwinnett can be a nightmare for you because you’re be inching with the traffic into Atlanta. Roswell & especially Alpharetta have top rated schools. A complete school report can be found on my website. I would be more than happy to discuss the schools with you & any other concerns.

John J Reinhardt
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
678.784.4440
www.InFrontMarketing.com

Fri Feb 15 2008, 12:49

Hi Joel,

No. Fulton and Gwinnett are great areas for families but you might want to consider Cherokee County also. Cherokee lies just to the west of No. Fulton and has good proximity to major interstates for commuting, great schools, and good home prices. The city of Woodstock is a growing area that many find to be a refreshing retreat from the inner city hustle.

Fri Feb 15 2008, 12:41

Hi Joel. You are correct about Gwinnett County. Not only is it safe but Gwinnett County schools are one of the best school systems in the state. The Duluth area could be a good choice.

I will be happy to discuss the entire Gwinnett area with you and get you information about the schools, communities, shopping, parks and recreation. Feel free to contact me.

Fri Feb 15 2008, 12:36