Help with Possible move to Atlanta

[Rafael Brown]

Hi all, I'm looking for some good feedback as to the best areas to move to in Atlanta. Schools (public) are the most important thing. The schools of interest are Alpharetta High School, Milton High School, Chattahoochee High School, Walton High School, Northview High School, Johns Creek High School.  We really want the "resort" style of living if possible but we don't want to be far away from activities, malls, restaurants (like 5-15 mins).  Any suggestions? Does anyone know a realtor that's familiar with both the suburbs and the areas closer in? 

Lastly, since this is BP I'm also interested in the sub 50K market in ATL as well. What are your thoughts? Are there any good areas? 

Thanks,

Rafael 

[Brad Woodall]

Are you a "city person" or a "suburb person"?

There is a lot going on in Alpharetta and the GA400 corridor for that matter. Especially now with the Avalon development on Old Milton pkwy. I have worked in the Alpharetta area for years but live just north in Cherokee county due to lower property taxes and housing is a bit cheaper. Forsyth county is also similar in pricing & Taxes to Cherokee. If you don't care about taxes much then stick with North Fulton county if you want to close to the action.

The Milton (Milton high school) area is going to be more "rural" compared to the rest of the communities in the North Fulton county area. It's mostly large estates & equestrian country and most of the developments/subdivisions are priced in the $600k+ range with the bottom almost creeping into the 700's lately. As you go south down GA400 (roswell & sandy springs) and east of GA400 (headed towards johns creek & gwinnett) of Milton it starts to get more populated and you enter into a broader array of housing prices & amenities. Also, the further south you go, the housing stock starts to get a little older. But there are still new construction developments all over the place if you're looking for new construction. We have a rental property down in Sandy Springs/Roswell/Dunwoody.

Obviously in Atlanta (like major most cities) traffic gets worse and worse as population density increases.

Another town to look at is downtown Woodstock. Their downtown area is really cool and there are some higher end developments right downtown if you like the "city style" of well appointed homes but very close together with courtyards and such. You also have a relatively new outlet mall with all kinds of shopping within a mile or two of downtown Woodstock. Lots of local restaurants and activities in downtown Woodstock (no chains). Plus it's in Cherokee county so your property taxes aren't going to be as expensive as Fulton County.