vtsnowedin
Elite Member
I have a daughter that is looking at a job northeast of Atlanta. The rent or own search has begun. Any advice or pointers from members living there would be much appreciated.
Georgia , good places to live?
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DennisArrow
Platinum Member
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- Sugar Valley, Ga
- Tractor
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Northeast of Atlanta could mean N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Athens, Gainsville, or many other places. A few more specifics would be helpful. One can get the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Sundays and look at the stuff that is available around Atlanta and get a really good idea as to the way things are..........God bless........Dennis
/pine
Super Star Member
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Ditto...It depends on just how far N. and how far E. of Atlanta you're talking about...there is a dichotomy depending...from sophisticated cultural (living) to extreme rural in just a couple hours or less of a drive (N.E.) from Atlanta...
OP
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
The job is inside the beltway but she expects that being from Vermont something a little more rural or at least suburban would suit best.
/pine
Super Star Member
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If she takes the position she can have the best of both worlds...
One tip I can offer is...to get a GA driver's lic. a state certified birth certificate is required...they do not accept certs from hospitals etc...(a passport, even an expired one makes it easy)
OP
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
I'll pass that along. Thanks.
JimRB
Veteran Member
If she gets a job inside the Perimeter then she needs to then decide what commute is the least painful. Coming down 85 is lots of traffic. Coming in I20, north on I285 is lots of traffic. Rural might be hard to find up 85 without a lot of traffic. Rural could be found east on I20 20 miles. Suburban is everywhere. Depends on the cultural mix in some suburban areas.
If it is a great paying job there are lots of nice neighborhoods inside the Perimeter. Some moderate, some pricey and some super expensive. Of course you have to be aware of ridiculous water bills and property taxes.
One annoying thing about Atlanta is there are 4 or 5 counties touching the Perimeter and another 10 or more in the next ring. Only two counties participating in the MARTA transportation system. No will to run light rail to the edges of those counties. No regional public transport means lots of car traffic.
In summary it is probably better to get the job, figure what the housing budget and commuting budget is in time and money, then ask about housing options. Some friends moved out to California in an expensive area. Their salary had to have a huge bump just for housing. On the other hand you can buy a car and drive it 30 years in Atlanta and it will still be solid when you get tired of it.
If it is a great paying job there are lots of nice neighborhoods inside the Perimeter. Some moderate, some pricey and some super expensive. Of course you have to be aware of ridiculous water bills and property taxes.
One annoying thing about Atlanta is there are 4 or 5 counties touching the Perimeter and another 10 or more in the next ring. Only two counties participating in the MARTA transportation system. No will to run light rail to the edges of those counties. No regional public transport means lots of car traffic.
In summary it is probably better to get the job, figure what the housing budget and commuting budget is in time and money, then ask about housing options. Some friends moved out to California in an expensive area. Their salary had to have a huge bump just for housing. On the other hand you can buy a car and drive it 30 years in Atlanta and it will still be solid when you get tired of it.
OP
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
What do you consider ridiculous water and property taxes? And is there a state income tax or sales tax?
Vermont has a six percent sales tax on everything except food and an income tax that runs about twenty seven percent of what you owe the feds so your idea of outrageous and ours might vary quite a bit. Property taxes run 2.15% of the market value per year so a 200K house gets a bill for $4300 plus sewer and water if it is available.
She will probably rent for a year to get settled and take her time looking for something to buy that fits budget to commute distances. Her present car is paid for and still in good shape by Vermont standards so that can wait.
Vermont has a six percent sales tax on everything except food and an income tax that runs about twenty seven percent of what you owe the feds so your idea of outrageous and ours might vary quite a bit. Property taxes run 2.15% of the market value per year so a 200K house gets a bill for $4300 plus sewer and water if it is available.
She will probably rent for a year to get settled and take her time looking for something to buy that fits budget to commute distances. Her present car is paid for and still in good shape by Vermont standards so that can wait.
Beavz
New member
VT...
I'm from Texas, and moved to Georgia 6 years ago. (I work for big "D" down at the airport)
I made the decision that I'd not live south of the airport (80% + of co-workers do,) and have always lived northwest/north of the perimeter.
Yes, Georgia has a state income tax. Wiki North Fulton county.... lots of informative information. The county is very long and narrow. A proposed 17% TAX INCREASE has recently passed, but is being challenged in court.
I'm now in Milton Georgia (formed in '06) about 30 miles from the center of Atlanta. Gorgeous community (horse country & rural farms.... actively aggressive in preserving that atmosphere.)
We purchased 2.4 acres (with a circa '55 small house,) and I consider myself "a chigger on a rich mans butt." I sit on my front porch and watch cars that cost more than my entire property drive by daily.... lot's of "big money" up this way. I'm slowly improving the lot, and hope to build my "retirement home" on the hill behind my house one day (good Lord willin'!)
She should be forewarned..... THE TRAFFIC IS HORRENDOUS! I currently work a 6am - 2:30pm schedule, and leave my house at 5 am to drive directly through the "heart" of Atlanta. It's not bad that early, but builds quickly shortly thereafter. The ride back home is "hit or miss," even that early. It would be a 2 hour commute (each way) during normal "business hours." 285 encircles the city, and is atrocious as well.
I don't know if this helps or not, but it's a "transplants perspective." Feel free to pm if you've got more specific questions.
Best of luck on her venture.
Beavz
I'm from Texas, and moved to Georgia 6 years ago. (I work for big "D" down at the airport)
I made the decision that I'd not live south of the airport (80% + of co-workers do,) and have always lived northwest/north of the perimeter.
Yes, Georgia has a state income tax. Wiki North Fulton county.... lots of informative information. The county is very long and narrow. A proposed 17% TAX INCREASE has recently passed, but is being challenged in court.
I'm now in Milton Georgia (formed in '06) about 30 miles from the center of Atlanta. Gorgeous community (horse country & rural farms.... actively aggressive in preserving that atmosphere.)
We purchased 2.4 acres (with a circa '55 small house,) and I consider myself "a chigger on a rich mans butt." I sit on my front porch and watch cars that cost more than my entire property drive by daily.... lot's of "big money" up this way. I'm slowly improving the lot, and hope to build my "retirement home" on the hill behind my house one day (good Lord willin'!)
She should be forewarned..... THE TRAFFIC IS HORRENDOUS! I currently work a 6am - 2:30pm schedule, and leave my house at 5 am to drive directly through the "heart" of Atlanta. It's not bad that early, but builds quickly shortly thereafter. The ride back home is "hit or miss," even that early. It would be a 2 hour commute (each way) during normal "business hours." 285 encircles the city, and is atrocious as well.
I don't know if this helps or not, but it's a "transplants perspective." Feel free to pm if you've got more specific questions.
Best of luck on her venture.
Beavz
OP
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
Thanks for your point of view. It reenforces what we have heard so far.
When you see a fancy car and have that chigger feeling just think ' he probably has 55 payments left on it and is under water on both cars and the Mc Mansion'.
