Finally gonna move to Georgia!!

[amyren]

You may love Canton. My cousin lives in Bridge Mill. It is a HUGE neighborhood with adorable houses. Very Wisteria Lane. There are several sections to the neighborhood so there is a big range of house prices. They also have great amenities; golf, swimming, tennis, restaurant etc…
Overall the weather is great here. It does get H-O-T in the summer but I’ll suffer through that to avoid snowstorms. It usually snows 2 or 3 times in the winter. Just enough for the kids to get a day off and build their annual snowman. Oh, one other seasonal phenomenon to mention is pollen. Every spring the entire state of Ga is coated in a fine yellow dust. For me it’s just a pain to clean off of my screen porch and car but for people with allergies it can be pretty brutal.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We live about 1hr 15 minutes south of Atlanta (Columbus/Ft. Benning) and this area is really growing because of all the troops moving to the area from Kentucky. I am actually in Alabama, but right on the state line (almost literally) and it is less expensive to live on this side of the river. I work and shop in Ga. We have alot of different choices of living areas without the Atlanta traffic.

I am one of those that when we go up to Atlanta, I say it is a nice place to visit, but I WILL NEVER live there. We have family in Fayetteville and they love it, but it is not for me.

Suzanne

 

[chellewashere]

Ohh Bridge Mill sounds just like want Im looking for. I have found places that I love in both Dallas and Canton.

I get the traffic we have to drive to Philly daily and let me tell you its no picnic.

And for the heat...yeah every house I have shown hubby has central AC something I dont have here and it has been brutally humid here. But 3 snowstorms a year I am there I dont think any of us have any allergies, but I guess this will help us to find out.

Thanks to all of you so much for all your tips. This has been so helpful. On the helpful note does anyone have a general idea of the summer electric bill on say 2000 sq. ft house? I just go ours for July and it was 325 and we have a small house and 2 window AC units...personally I think it is just outrageous!

 

[ugadog99]

Coweta County (30263, 30265)
20 minutes south of the airport
Beautiful countryside
Small town feel but plenty of activities, shopping, and dining
Very good public schools
Out of the Atlanta craziness but close enough to enjoy the city
Newnan: The City of Homes (one of the few cities to be spared in Sherman's March to the Sea)

 

[dsilva51]

Peachtree City is suppose to be beautiful as well.

 

[taylor3297]

Coweta County (30263, 30265)
20 minutes south of the airport
Beautiful countryside
Small town feel but plenty of activities, shopping, and dining
Very good public schools
Out of the Atlanta craziness but close enough to enjoy the city
Newnan: The City of Homes (one of the few cities to be spared in Sherman's March to the Sea)

I was going to suggest Newnan also. It is in a great location.

Another town you might want to consider is LaGrange. It is further south off of I-85 than Newnan. I lived in LaGrange for 16 years and loved it. It was close to Atlanta so I could shop, go to the theater, go see my Braves without having to deal with the traffice everyday. Also, I could either drive to Atlanta or Columbus when I wanted to go shopping.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I was going to suggest Newnan also. It is in a great location.

Another town you might want to consider is LaGrange. It is further south off of I-85 than Newnan. I lived in LaGrange for 16 years and loved it. It was close to Atlanta so I could shop, go to the theater, go see my Braves without having to deal with the traffice everyday. Also, I could either drive to Atlanta or Columbus when I wanted to go shopping.

Newnan is really growing. LaGrange on the otherhand, is really going downhill, although I have always thought it was rather bad anyway.

Suzanne

 

[olena]

Welcome to Georgia!

Our house is similar to your dimensions and our power bill was a bit over $300 last month. But it was HOT and the AC is still chugging away.

I have lived in Peachtree City and East Cobb. I like East Cobb MUCH better. It's closer to more things I like and most people prefer that proximity. Canton is also fine, but I'd think twice about it if your jobs are in Atlanta and not near Canton. That commute is long enough without traffic complications. If you must commute to the city, try to live close in and near an interstate.

And I also agree with renting before purchasing.

 

[mickeysgal]

Good points. Kennesaw is a great location (sorry I forgot about them.)And the Kennesaw schools are pretty good, too.

Love, love, love West Cobb and the schools in the Kennesaw area. If you're into band/music, Cobb county has some of the best schools for music in the nation.

 

[ilovejack02]

Good points. Kennesaw is a great location (sorry I forgot about them.)And the Kennesaw schools are pretty good, too.

Most of my family lives in Kennesaw , which I think is Cobb county, they are happy with schools. I have a few members that live in Paulina County in an subdivision named Bent Water. I love love love Bent Water, neighborhood pool, golf course and I think good schools.

 

[chellewashere]

Well we are hoping to get the move going soon. Our realtor is coming out next week to tell us what we can do to improve the house and get it on the market by October then fingers crossed we can sell it quickly. We have tried looking into renting homes in the Canton area but so far no luck. I have been doing some job hunting for hubby since that is the most important thing before we move (even if i have to send him down there prior to us - ahh peace and quiet)
I would do some apt. hunting but we have 5 dogs and 2 cats - crazy I know - and that makes it hard to rent an apt. Even though most of them are small little Jack russells.
And price hunting for moving companies....wow I have only done Pods and PackRat so far and well I wasnt expecting them to be that high. figured around 1500 but its looking like a lot more than that right now. Maybe a moving company will be our best bet, since we wont have anyone to help us unload once we arrive there.
I did look in LaGrange and Kenneshaw (sp.) and they are lovely too. Im hoping for a develpment that has a pool and playground. Around here you dont get one of those unless you want to spend a huge fortune for your house.
Thanks again everyone your help has been sooooo awesome!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Well, as I said before, LaGrange is really a crappy little town, everywhere you go is really run down. Just come a little further down the the road to Columbus and you will be all set. There are alot of housing areas like you describe going up with all the troops expected here in the next year or so.

What type of work is DH in?

Suzanne

 

[Disney Doll]

Usually our winters are fairly mild. We get 1 or 2 snows each winter, usually not more than 3 inches. Of course, none of the cities or counties has massive snow removal equipment, so when it snows everybody gets the day off. Cheaper than buying all that equipment. We do get some icing occasionally, but most of the time the temps are in the 40-50s during the day.

Now, last winter was kinda tough because we had some of the coldest weather we've ever had. Not a lot of snow, but it seemed like it stayed cold from November to May. I'm sure it wasn't *that* bad, but I thought I'd never warm up. BUt like I said, I've lived here nearly 29 years and most years our winters are unremarkable.

Oh, and we *do* have 4 distinct seasons here. One of the perks.

I'm from CT. What's your definition of "cold"?

 

[chellewashere]

Hes a fleet manager for a large landscaping company.
We are looking all over the place right now and your town sounds fabulous!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Hes a fleet manager for a large landscaping company.
We are looking all over the place right now and your town sounds fabulous!!

It really is and there are alot of landscaping companies here in town.

I actually live in Alabama (own my grandparents house), but do all my shopping here in Columbus, I also work in Columbus. It is less expensive to live in Alabama, our taxes (property, auto) are alot less compared to Georgia. And with it being in such a central location, you can get to the major cities; Atlanta in 1 hr 15 mins and Birmingham is 2.5 hours. In fact DH and I are taking a couple of his students to the airport in Atlanta on Saturday and we will probably just make a day of it.

A nice house in our neighborhood, which is older and in the better part of town run $100,000 and up. The monthly payment on our 3 bedroom house, including our taxes and insurance, is less than most 1 bedroom apartments rent for each month.

Suzanne

Suzanne

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

We live in Acworth, which is in between Kennesaw and Canton. Our neighborhood is more like Celebration or Seaside and very small but with a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and playground. Acworth was just voted one of the 10 All-America Cities which is a pretty big honor...it is a close knit community, very safe, very affordable and the traffic is the only thing to contend with. We are still in Cobb County which has great schools. Kennesaw is nice too, but a bit larger. Canton is okay but definitely stay away from LaGrange. The landscaping industry in Georgia is hurting because of the economy but I am sure he can find a job.

I love where I live, I just hate the commute to work.

 

[ilovejack02]

We live in Acworth, which is in between Kennesaw and Canton. Our neighborhood is more like Celebration or Seaside and very small but with a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and playground. Acworth was just voted one of the 10 All-America Cities which is a pretty big honor...it is a close knit community, very safe, very affordable and the traffic is the only thing to contend with. We are still in Cobb County which has great schools. Kennesaw is nice too, but a bit larger. Canton is okay but definitely stay away from LaGrange. The landscaping industry in Georgia is hurting because of the economy but I am sure he can find a job.

I love where I live, I just hate the commute to work.

I love Acworth, have family that lives in Bentwater subdivision. If we were to move to Ga, it would be Kennesaw or Acworth area for us for sure.

 

[minkydog]

I'm from CT. What's your definition of "cold"?

"Not as cold as Connecticut." Last winter it stayed pretty cool for months on end, but that's unusual. Mostly, it's about 45-60 during the day, temps going down to 32-45 at night. We get the odd 14-21 days when the temps are below freezing all day, but they usually are spread out. You're heavy coat will last nearly forever.

Fall is about 60-80 daytime, 40-50 at night.Very comfortable once you hit October. And it's beautiful! THanksgiving is usually long-sleeve weather, but we have been in shorts before. I don't usually turn on my heat until it gets down to 55-60 in the house. Christmas can be in the 30s or even in the 20s, but more likely to be in the 40s. Spring starts up in March with cool breezy days. You'll know it's spring when the kids stop having stomach viruses and start with the sinuses and wheezing. In the children's hospital we call it "wheezin' season" and it comes on just about overnite, as soon as the first trees start blooming and goes one until mid to late-May. Then Grass season starts.

OP, good luck to you finding a rental that will take 5 dogs and 2 cats. You're right, an apt will never take you. And most homeowners won't either. It doesn't much matter how big they are. Homeowners will be thinking, "Holy cow, I'm going to have to change all the carpets when they leave." I can't imagine what your pet deposit would be.

 

[amberjack]

Welcome to Georgia! I live in Valdosta, which is no where near Atlanta. It will probably be your last GA pit stop on your way to WDW.

 

[mickeysgal]

I did look in LaGrange and Kenneshaw (sp.) and they are lovely too. Im hoping for a develpment that has a pool and playground. Around here you dont get one of those unless you want to spend a huge fortune for your house.
Thanks again everyone your help has been sooooo awesome!!

Swim/tennis subdivisions are faily common and varied with houses in all price ranges. Keep in mind that there are HOA fees to live in these due to upkeep and maintainance of the ammenities.

Acworth housing tends to be a cheaper than Kennesaw pricing. Even in Kennesaw, the housing prices varies depending on what school your're closest too. Acworth...the Brookstone subdivision for example is a huge subdivision with different neighborhoods (Brookstone 1, 2, 3, etc.) with nice housing prices and feeds two high schools, Harrison (excellent music program!!!) and the new high school Allatoona. So if you're looking to be in the Harrison high school region, just make sure that the Brookstone neighborhood feeds Harrision. Here the school boundaries get a bit confusing. Not as clear cut as other areas we've been in.