Both Alpharetta and Suwanee are fabulous areas... I would not rule out Duluth either. And depending upon where in Norcross (the Peachtree Corners side or the 85 side) your husband will be working there may be some other areas that you might want to look into.

The areas you mentioned have excellent schools with some ranking higher than others. A great website to compare schools ishttp:// www.greatschools.com.

To ensure that you accomplish your goals. Once you have found the homes that you like the best, knock on some neighbors doors to learn more about the community and drive in the community when buses are dropping off or picking up so that you can determine if the community fits your needs for your family. Realtors are not permitted to comment on the make-up of a community as it is a violation...that is for the consumer to learn on their own.

This is a fabulous time to buy in the Atlanta area and I wish you the best with your search.

Sat Apr 26 2008, 07:22

Tracy,

I'm a relocation specialist working and living in the North Atlanta area. One of my specialties is working with corporate relocation clients that are buying and selling home due to job changes.

My brokerage works with one of the largest relocation companies in the world, Cendant. I'm very accustomed to helping find families the right home, schools, commute routes, and communities within the timeline they need. In addition I have all the resources needed to make your move a smooth transition such as moving companies, home inspectors, closing attorneys, lenders, and insurance providers.

I also live in the Suwanee/Sugar Hill area and know this part of town very well. I keep in tune with the local market and I'm updated regularly with the latest builder incentive programs for new construction homes so I can help you find the best deals on the market.

I would love the opportunity to work with you and make your relocation one of the smoothest transitions ever.


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

Mon Apr 21 2008, 11:14

Our house is currently on the market in South Forsyth. The neighborhood is Three Chimneys Farm and is very convenient to Norcross. The address is Cumming, but it's more like Suwanee/Alpharetta. My children attend Sharon Elementary which is considered Suwanee in Forsyth County. Three Chimneys Farm is a very family friendly neighborhood with lots of children and activities. Another bonus to being in Forsyth County is lower property taxes. Address is 4215 Arden Way, Cumming, GA 30041 MLS #3677034

Sun Apr 20 2008, 14:11

We just found a great home for a family with 3 children from Dallas, Tx. We are from Atlanta and our family has lived here for over 120 years! We will be happy to work with you. Please call or email us and we will set you up on an automatic email so you see all the homes directly from the listing service that fit your wants and needs. In Georgia it cost a buyer notthing to have representation. Be sure your agent is a Realtor and probably a good idea if they are Full Time.
Thank you,

Sun Apr 20 2008, 09:29

Tracy, welcome to our area! There are so many choices available for buyers now that it can become overwhelming...especially for a relocation.

As everyone else has said, there are fine neighborhoods throughout Alpharetta, Roswell, John's Creek and elsewhere--so your first step should be to carefully look over the school districts and scores...in order to narrow your focus. Then , if your husband is working here already, have him make the drive to/from the areas of interest during rush-hour to evaluate tolerance to the commute. There are many two-lane feeder roads that get quite backed up during the evening drive home, especially from the Norcross area into John's Creek/Alpharetta. I recommend making the "potential" drive to every one of my relocation clients--it really helps, so that when you make your first home-buying visit you can visit areas that are just right for your family and work preferences.

You're in a terrific position as buyers coming into Atlanta--you'll have a great number of choices even when you narrow it down to a specific radius from work. I've relocated my family multiple times with my husband's career and have helped many other relocations find the perfect home...I know how stressful it can be, and how valuable a focused buyer's agent is to help make an easy transition. Take a peek at my website to learn more about being a buyer in Georgia, school scores and information listings, and other valuable relocation tips! I'd also be happy to send you my relocation packet with the latest school guide, maps and other area information to help you get started. Best of luck to you! --Jane O'Connor, ABR

Sun Apr 20 2008, 07:26

Hi Tracy,
Judy is right about John's Creek as far as commute and schools. It is one of the closest communities to Norcross with good schools...yet it still retains that great Alpharetta community feel.
Another favorite choice of ours, and several of our recent Buyers, is Windward. Their schools are also highly rated and very popular. Lake Windward and Creekview are the Elementary Schools. Then there is Webb Bridge Middle School and Alpharetta High. Windward is a huge development ( over 2400 homes in about 43 smaller neighborhoods). Their are a wide variety of home styles and prices to choose from. Windward also has a great choice of amenities that include swim, tennis, sports complex, children's play area and 197 acre private lake with access for any homeowner in the community.

Windward is packed with families and there are kids of all ages everywhere. We found a home for a family in the Bent Creek Community of Windward a couple of years ago. At the time they were looking for a neighborhood with many elementary school children. In just the two streets that make up Bent Creek we found there were 42 elementary school children living there at the time. Our Buyers absolutely love it. There are many more neighborhoods in Windward just like this. They range in price from around $300,000 to over 3 million. Here is a link to current active listings in Windward. http://fmlslistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/PrtB…
Just outside of Windward you can find two very nice recreational areas in Webb Bridge Park http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=219 and the Big Creek Greenway (a 6+mile trail for walking, biking skating, etc) along the east side of North Point Parkway. http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=136 . Windward sits between the new Emory Medical Center in John's Creek and North Fulton Regional Medical center literally 1 mile from the southwest corner of Windward. So you can find just about any type of doctor you need within 5 minutes. North Point Mall is also about a 10 minute drive from Windward. Plenty of shopping and dining choice there. OH and did I mention the brand new Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre just west of the Mall. The first concerts there are in May featuring the legendary Eagles Band. This inaugural season promises about 55 performances from just about every genre of music including The Atlanta Symphony, Foreigner, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, Steely Dan, moe, Bryan Adams, RUSH, Yes and many more yet to be announced. Find out more at http://www.vzwamp.com/ .

As you can see I am biased towards Windward but there are many other great neighborhoods in the area. Some of our other favorites, in no particular order, are The Falls of Autrey Mill, Country Club of The South, Laurel Springs, White Columns, Harrington Falls, Seven Oaks, Glen Abbey, Thornberry, St Ives, Grand Cascades, Park Brooke, Hampton Hall, Deerlake, Jamestown, Belleterre, Wyngate, Doublegate, Shiloh Farms, Park Forest, Brierfield, Stratmore, Stevens Creek, Bridle Ridge, Pennbrooke, Amberleigh, Westgate at Chadbourne, Highland Park, Townsend Creek and Breckenridge.

If you need help sorting this out my wife, Debbie Key, is our Buyer's Agent and loves "shopping" for homes. She is always on top of our local market and can find just what you need. You can reach her by cell phone at 770-906-0317 or email at info@keylocationsforyou.com. To search for properties try our website at http://www.keylocationsforyou.com. I hope this information was helpful. We would love to have you and your family as neighbors.

Regards,

Deryk Harper

Associate Broker

The Key Locations Team

Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta

770-722-6922

Sun Apr 20 2008, 06:03

Hi Tracy,
Given that your husband will be working in Norcross and you are interested in great schools and a tolerable work commute, I would recommend considering the Johns Creek area. It you go tohttp:// www.greatschools.net you can see the rankings of the Alpharetta/Johns Creek schools. Northview Highlschool as well as Chattahoochee High School both rank up at the top. You will see the Elementary and Middle Schools are all extrememly good which is a major part of the appeal of living in North Fulton if you have school age children. Trulia does a school ranking also. There are many fabulous neighborhoods in the area and plenty of extracurricular activities for just about any interest your children have. Welcome to the Atlanta area in advance.....I hope you will love it here.

Sat Apr 19 2008, 21:01

Dear Tracy,
I would like to refer you to a colleague we have great respect for. Her name is Zana Dillard. You can contact her on her cell at (770) 331-0248. You can reach her by email at zanadillard@comcast.net. Her website ishttp:// www.zanadillard.com. Zana is very honest and professional. We are confident in her abilities.
The Schaffer Realty Group
Marian Schaffer
terry@marianschaffer.com
877-886-8388

Sat Apr 19 2008, 20:54