OT: Considering relocation to the Duluth, GA area...Opinions?

[Thomas Rogers]

For those members in and around Duluth (greater Atlanta) and familiar with the area, let me know your thoughts and recommendations about:



- Schools



- Commuting



- Cost for a nice sized, new or relatively new 4 or 5 bedroom house on at least 1/2 acre



Thanks,

TJR

 

[EddieS'04]

This link might help..

Nieghbors tired of ya.. or just wanting to warm up..:lol:

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Fast Eddie...there are some site consolidations looming in the company I am with, the PA office days seem numbered, and my manager who works out of the corp Duluth office has offered relocation and a job with more responsibility, etc.



So, though we LOVE PA and where we live, we at least owe it to ourselves to consider the move...and to make the move on our terms.



TJR

 

[EddieS'04]

I was joking with ya..I hope your able to follow your dreams, for advancement, on your terms.

Best to you and your family..

 

[Dingo]

Duluth is great. I lived there for 12 years.

That being said, you probably don't want to live right IN Duluth. Try Suwanee, Buford, Sugar Hill, or Cumming. They all have great schools and are generally nice places to live. I live in Suwanee, the next town to the north from Duluth.

 

[Scott Doughtie]

I currently live in Duluth and grew up in neighboring Norcross. The area is great, but I would go a little further north to live like Dingo said. Traffic can be a bitch at times, but hey, that's what you get with all of Atlanta. You have easy access to the insterstates and there are 3 malls with 20 miles of Duluth.



BTW...what company do you work for?

 

[KentheREALone Z]

TJR;



Good luck in your decision. I did the same 15 years ago, don't regret it. How's L. Nockamixon these days? Been a long time since I've been on the N.E. Extension, Allentown and Quakertown. If you're into marine stuff, do you know if Gary still owns Quakertown Marine?



That's the toughest part. Family, friends, things you know being so far away. The best part, weather, polite people, low crime, basically lifestyle.



Big decision. As evidenced by your posts, you're an intelligent guy, you'll do the right thing for you and your family.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Thanks, Ken, regarding "The best part, weather, polite people, low crime, basically lifestyle."



Those are all reasons my family and I moved from the NYC burbs to Southeastern PA 9 years ago.



I guess it's all relative, but it's nice to hear that it only gets better the further South you move (which I kind of knew already anyway through my travels).



Scott, I work for: www.ccur.com



Right now my commute is 8 miles (one way) and takes 12 minutes door-to-door via all backroads. But who knows how long that might last.



TJR

 

[Dingo]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the cost of living here, too.

I just put in some basic numbers for you, and I used Lancaster PA and Atlanta GA for the calculator, but look:



<a href="http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html?step=result&current_salary=80000&fromStateMenu=PA&from_city=Lancaster+PA&toStateMenu=GA&to_city=Atlanta+GA&x=0&y=0">

Here</a> is a cost of living analysis.

 

[Fred]

TJR, Just be forewarned, your IQ automatically drops at least 25% when you move to the south. :lol:



Sorry, I don't know about Duluth, but I do wish you the best.

 

[Travis Munday]

Bah. Fayette county is better.



World-class schools, private and public.



Some of the lowest crime in the state, and violent crime is almost unheard of.



Cost of living is a bit higher then other counties, but nice place to live.



A shame Duluth is no where close to me and it'd take close to two hours to commute.

 

[Todd Z]

Will you have internet access there ???? :lol::lol::lol:



J/K



Todd Z

 

[Bill V]

Internet access??? Let's start more basic--will you have electricity there???? :lol::lol::lol:

 

[Chris H 3]

I'm one of those IQ challenged residents of the NE Atlanta area. I live south of Duluth but my understanding is that *most* of the schools are excellent in that part of the county but not all. Do some checking. I'm pretty sure the schools scores are posted.



If you like water sports then Lake Lanier is north of Duluth and Sugar Hill, Buford areas would be good choices. I think Peachtree Industrial isn't too bad for a commute. Lot size may be a limiter.



Also there is a good German restaurant in the same complex as you company. There used to be exotic car shows there back in the day.



By the way, Fred, I resemble that comment. My IQ was only sufficient to manage four years at a local trade school on North Avenue. Maybe you've heard of it? (I'm trying to be funny.)

 

[Dingo]

I went to the same trade school.

 

[Fred]

LOL Chris H. :lol:



I'm from FL, living in NC, so I can point out what the rest of the country thinks about people from the south.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I've already learned that my wife and I would have to seek out the VERY BEST school districts in and around Duluth to begin to approach the school district we are now residents of where we live in PA. Frankly, and no offense, the overall quality of public education in the Southern states doesn't rank as high as the Northern states; and we are blessed to be in one of the top 5 school districts in all of PA.



TJR

 

[Scott Doughtie]

We even have running water...fancy that. We have just started to tinker with indoor plumbing, but it's so much easier to go wherever you feel outside.



Other points to consider...if you are a golfer, you can golf virually year-round here, in addition to there being at least 50 golf courses with 23-30 miles.



If you are a racing fan, not far up the road is Lanier National Speedway (late model, legends, truck circle track), Atlanta Dragway, and Road Atlanta (a renound road racing course)...of course, south of town is Atlanta Motor Speedway.



For pro sports, we have the Hawks (NBA), Braves (MLB), Falcons (NFL), Thrashers (NHL), Force (AFL), Silverbacks (soccer), The Masters is just down the road in Augusta, and The Tour Championship is in Marrietta at East Lake GC.



You are only 3 -4 hours away from both the Atlantic and the Gulf for beaches, and you can get anywhere from Hartsfield airport.

 

[Scott Doughtie]

If you want to be in the best school districts north of Atlanta, you need to be looking in East Cobb County (Marrietta/Roswell), Northern Fulton County (Alpharetta/Roswell), and Southern Gwinnett County (Lilburn), and Southern Forsyth County (Cumming/Alpharetta).

 

[Shelby Crane]

Like Dingo said, check the cities around Duluth. Also check out Decula. You would get a little more for your money for a house (and better schools IMO) if you go a little further out like Winder or Auburn. I live East of Atlanta in Oxford because I can afford a bigger house and I like the country more. Next year I'm going to move closer to Monroe.



Suwanee is a great city, they sell beer 24/7 (except Sundays)

Barrow county has great schools - my mom works in Barrow county schools. (Auburn, Winder)

Gwinnett county has some of the higher property taxes in Metro Atl and over-crowded schools. (Suwanee, Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Decula)



I guess you loose IQ points when you move here. I'm so stupid though, I not notice.



If you do move here, get ready for the traffic. It is everywhere.



Check remax.com for housing pricing. BTW: We have heat pumps here for ac/heat.