Atlanta?

[Kat77]

Kat77 - Read that Cummings area has gang issues, have you experienced this?

Sorry, I am not a local, my SIL lives there. Cumming is a rural area so that seems weird (to me). Maybe nearer the city? Ga. towns are very spread out.

 

[Pixie Princess]

I live out in the sticks north of the metro, but worked in Duluth/Suwanee for years. I often thought of moving there, but have my support system out here in the country so here I've stayed. Anyway, I agree with the other posters, traffic is brutal. I was in more than I cared to be in, and was very thankful I was able to exit I-85 when I did. So locating close to your job is crucial.

Many of the people I worked with lived in the Gwinnett/Forsyth area. I was always partial to the Hamilton Mill community myself, but work with several that live in Morningview in Suwanee and love it. I can see why, it seems secluded compared to other developments in the area. Many of the people that came from Forsyth county lived in Windemere, and I had a good friend that lived in Astoria Lakes.

Many of the people I worked with lived in developments around Chateau Elan in Braselton.. the Gwinnett county part. The schools are good, and there is supposed to be a new high school going up to serve that area of the county. It is just a tad further out than Suwanee, Buford or Duluth, but is a lovely area. And it is developing, but not a break neck speed. There's a new hospital and an amazing sports complex is supposed to break ground this year.

If you want to live with some of the "real housewives" try St. Marlo in Suwanee. I think one actually packed up to "downsize" to Chateau Elan. The estate in the Chateau is still a million dollar property. I think I could deal with that sort of downsizing That development has a wide range of price points.

Good luck with the move and house hunting. As other posters have said, there's a lot of what you are looking for in all parts of the metro and at every price range.

 

[jessica52877]

I meant to add that I live in Winder, 6 miles off the Chateau Elan exit. I don't think it is what you are looking for, a bit too country still but at the exit is Cheateau Elan and 5 miles closer in is Hamilton Mill. Neither would be too far to commute although probably more then what you are used to. Pretty common for folks to work in Duluth and live in those areas.

 

[Pixie Princess]

Kat77 - Read that Cummings area has gang issues, have you experienced this?
Camkiss - Great idea on visiting and staying by mall. Tell me more about Hamilton mills? What is price range of home.
Kimberly - sent a PM
Aestapa - Thanks for the information will have to check out cobb area and look at drive time.
Any one know about Sterling on the Lake in Flowery Branch?

Can always count on my fellow diser's to pull me through at times like these!

Flowery Branch is a developing area. Very nice and quite. There is a Sterling development out by me and it is very nice.. gated. Flowery Branch was one the areas I considered moving to several ago, but it was just too out of the way, for me, to coordinate child care when I traveled for work.

I have a friend whose kids go to Forsyth Central and I remember her saying something about some gang issues at the school. From what I recall there was no actual violence going on, just groups of kids not getting along and getting loud with each other.

I understand from colleagues there are similar gang issues in the Mill Creek system in Gwinnett county which is the system that the Hamilton Mill development falls in. Maybe someone in that district can shed some light on it.

 

[jessica52877]

Kim o - Thanks for area's to look into. I will check them out Sugar Hill seems quite expensive.

nj- Don't know much about Dunywood. Are there planned communities with amenities and decent area schools?

Anyone know about Flowery Branch area? Would that be a far drive?

Thanks!

Flowery Branch is right near Hamilton Mill. Not a bad drive at all.

Kat77 - Read that Cummings area has gang issues, have you experienced this?
Camkiss - Great idea on visiting and staying by mall. Tell me more about Hamilton mills? What is price range of home.
Kimberly - sent a PM
Aestapa - Thanks for the information will have to check out cobb area and look at drive time.
Any one know about Sterling on the Lake in Flowery Branch?

Can always count on my fellow diser's to pull me through at times like these!

My aunt lives in Cumming, Polo Field. No issues with gangs near her. Her son is a senior in HS now.

 

[Jenn]

Hi there!

We are in Cumming too and we love it here. We moved here 4 years ago from the Boston area for cheaper living, better weather and got that plus a whole lot more. We love the friendly people, great schools, and there is tons to do. We have made wonderful friends and our kids have blossomed here. My husband's job is technically in Norcross, but he works out of the house and only travels to the office once a month or so for meetings. I'm able to stay at home with our kids now, which we could not afford up north. Oh, no gang activity that I have heard of in Cumming.

 

[skw444]

I live in Sugar Hill and can give lots of information. I'm not sure what price range you are looking at but here are some of my favorites. Feel free to pm me and I can give you more info.

Wild Timber in Sugar Hill...we have friends here...nice neighborhood, good schools.

Hidden Falls in Buford

Morningview in Suwanee...we have friends here and it's a nice neighborhood.

Windermere in Cumming (this is just across the Gwinnett County line in Forsyth County but taxes are much lower here)

Grand Cascades in Suwanee

The Lakes at Sugarloaf off Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth

Sterling on the Lake...beautiful neighborhood...depending on where in Duluth your dh will be working, this might be a good neighborhood to look at.

St. Marlo...we have friends here too...but it's very pricey.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Sterling on the Lake is a nice place. The company dh worked for builds in there. Nice area.

Hamilton Mill is a nice place too. It is the Mill Creek district and yes, there has been a surge of gang activity lately.

What part of Duluth would he be in? I can (and the others as well) can help you a little better if we know closer to what part of Duluth he'd be in.

Keep in mind a 30 min commute distance wise can be a lot longer due to traffic here. I lived in Duluth and commuted a 20 min distance but because of traffic, it took me over an hour, on a good day.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Just re-reading your OP. Other than Hamilton Mill, there are a few more communities like you are in now. Reunion is one. It's close to Sterling on the Lakes. Reunion is very similar to what you are describing you are living in now (as is Hamilton Mill).

I will be honest about the schools in that area, the wouldn't be my first choice. It's Hall county and not where I'd want to put my kids. Just my opinion.

We live in Jackson county and have a great school system and love it out here. It's not far from the Duluth area, depending on what part of Duluth his job is in.

 

[tinkertastic]

Hi!
I live in Cumming. THe community that I live in is called Windermere, it's very beautiful. There are no gang problems. As a matter of fact, it's a very quiet, safe town. Nothing really ever happens here.

We moved here 2 yrs ago from Miami. Now, i must tell you, if you are from a big city, Cumming is certainly an adjustment. I do love the people here, everyone is very nice and laid back. My problem is that it's just too far away from city life, nice restaurants, meuseums, theater, nice malls, etc... It's also VERY far from the airport! Be prepared for a 45-50 minute commute to the airport (that's without traffic)

As nice as it is here, it's just not for me. I am hoping that we will be able to move in the next five years or so.

Good luck to you and your family.

 

[arjones31]

Hi! Congrats on the job! I lived and taught in Duluth for several years. With children, I would suggest, as many pps have done, moving a little farther out into the suburbs. First of all, the closer into the city you get, the smaller lot you get for the money (as a general rule, there are always exceptions). Since I have 2 small children, I know that a decent sized yard would be high on my priority list. Also, the schools in the newer developed areas will most likely be brand new. In the years I taught there, Gwinnett County schools went from 12 high schools to 18 - all of the new ones were well north of the Duluth area. I still miss Atlanta a lot and have considered moving back there many times. It is a fabulous place to be. Good luck with the hunt!

 

[minnie2]

Kim o - Thanks for area's to look into. I will check them out Sugar Hill seems quite expensive.

nj- Don't know much about Dunywood. Are there planned communities with amenities and decent area schools?

Anyone know about Flowery Branch area? Would that be a far drive?

Thanks!

Flowery Branch is a developing area. Very nice and quite. There is a Sterling development out by me and it is very nice.. gated. Flowery Branch was one the areas I considered moving to several ago, but it was just too out of the way, for me, to coordinate child care when I traveled for work.

I have a friend whose kids go to Forsyth Central and I remember her saying something about some gang issues at the school. From what I recall there was no actual violence going on, just groups of kids not getting along and getting loud with each other.

I understand from colleagues there are similar gang issues in the Mill Creek system in Gwinnett county which is the system that the Hamilton Mill development falls in. Maybe someone in that district can shed some light on it.

This is making me miss home!!! I lived in Atlanta for 10 yrs my kids were born there and I miss it so much!
I lived in Grayson. DH and I looked around not to long ago and fell in love with Sterling on the Lake. We actually said when we move back that is the 1st place we want to look.

Hamiltom Mill is another place we thought about too.

Good luck and enjoy Atlanta!

 

[ilovejack02]

Love Acworth, my family all lives there. They live in Bentwater which is a very large subdivision that also has a golf course. You dont have to join the golf course to live there.

http://www.bentwater-hoa.com/bentwater/outside_home.asp has a list of the amenities for the area.

 

[nursegirl]

We live in the South Forsyth County area also, we've lived here for about five years and love it. Suwanee was named one of the 10 best places to live a couple of years ago by Money magazine - the schools are excellent, lower taxes in Forsyth. My only complaint would be that for a big city, the public transport into Atlanta from the burbs is lacking. We would love to take our boys to the Children's Museum or aquarium more often, but trying to fight the traffic means its not even worth it, even on a week day.

Otherwise, it has been great. We live in a golf course community as well, so if you want to send me a personal message, I could give you more details if you're interested.

Welcome to the neighborhood, anyway!

 

[Kat77]

We moved here 2 yrs ago from Miami. Now, i must tell you, if you are from a big city, Cumming is certainly an adjustment. I do love the people here, everyone is very nice and laid back. My problem is that it's just too far away from city life, nice restaurants, meuseums, theater, nice malls, etc... It's also VERY far from the airport! Be prepared for a 45-50 minute commute to the airport (that's without traffic).

Truthfully, a week in Cumming leaves me stir crazy but I am a city girl! SIL seems happy in Cumming though and no one ever wants their kids to attend an inner city school... (not even me, we live in the burbs.)

 

[MMluvsWDW]

We're in Suwanee, came from rural America in the north. Two things I've learned in the last 5 yrs. Know exactly where your DH will be working and come down and drive at rush hour. Traffic is a mess down here and while distance may seem short roads may dictate different. Also, with Duluth being the city you can really choose if you want rural or city living. There is lots to do in the area and GA is a beautiful area of the country. Please let us know if you have more questions!

 

[Dsnymouse]

Thanks to all of you for the overwhelming response. We move often and knew nothing of Georgia. I have some great ideas now. Just waiting to see how this all plays out for Dh's job. I do have to say if this move transpires we need to set up a DIS meet so I can meet all of you!

Will keep you posted....