Atlanta Georgia anyone?

[Kahana-ri]

Myself and another frequent DISer are considering relocating to the Atlanta area. The area seems affordable, considering how ridiculous home prices have become her in Rhode Island. We both have children and spouses and feel we could have a better quality of life.
Any insight on Georgia? Where are good areas to raise a families? Any comments would be appreciated.
When BF fellow DISer and I were talking, she added 'we will be soo much closer to WDW!' As long as our priorities are straight!

 

[dundee10]

On the northside, Cobb and Cherokee Counties
On the east, Newton County
On the south, Fayette County, Henry County
On the west, Douglas County.

All involve a 25-40 mile commute to downtown Atlanta, but are considered Metro Atlanta.

On the other hand, our son and daughter-in-law live "in-town" Atlanta. It has really had a resurgence in recent years.

 

[Puffy2]

It truly depends on what you are looking for . I strongly recommend that you select a place close to your work (traffic is very bad and driving 30 -40 miles to work one way is crazy - but many do it)

Conservative, protestant church life is very important to you, and voted for Bush? Try Cobb and Gwinnett County suburbs. (just to let you know, it's also mostly white)

More liberal, open minded, love museums, restaurants, college lectures? get closer in to Atlanta (Decatur has high taxes, but it a good area for schools, culture). This area is more multi cultural.

Some areas are real racial divides - mostly black, or mostly white, or mostly hispanic or mostly asian.

I guess you can say Atlanta has something for everyone one.

Public transportation is not a strong point here. If it is important to you, go closer in - Dekalb, Atlanta, Decatur, Tucker,

They are considering a rapid rail that would go from Athens GA (University of GA) all the way into Atlanta and connect Emory Univeristy, Five Points Marta Station, and other places along about the line of highway 29. This may or may not become a reality and could take 5 years or more to build if it does.

 

[F1Julie]

I've lived in the Atlanta metro area for 3 years and I love it. I'm in the Alpharetta/Duluth area (North Fulton county). I grew up in Michigan and lived in Minnesota before moving here. You can't beat the weather. The only downside is the traffic. Make sure you live near where you work. And bad traffic is not restricted to highways. Surface streets can be just as bad. I sit in stop and go traffic for 3 miles on the main road just outside my neighborhood every morning. Atlanta housing grew too fast for the roads. Now the area is trying to play catch-up. As for schools, they vary a lot, even within the county. An added bonus - I can get to WDW in just over 6.5 hours and I'm on the Northeast side of town. I could cut that down by almost an hour if I lived south of the city. Good luck whatever you decide!