USVI-On-Line

My son in law has just been transferred from Tampa to Marietta GA. They have two young children so schools would be most important, low crime, convenient location to his job in Marietta (my daughter says close to a drive thru Starbucks is at the top of her list). Does anybody have any imput on this area?
Thanks!

Marietta is in Cobb Co., which has some of the least bad public schools in the state. The education system here doesn't get high marks overall, but in a lot of cases they don't have a lot to work with to be honest.

The Walton High School District has been ranked at or near the top in many categories over the last few years. Harrison and Lassiter are also OK I think.

If they have the means and desire to send their kids to private schools, they could live inside the perimeter near the trendy restaurants and whatnot and have an easy "reverse commute" back north to Marietta.

Gotta be careful in picking a spot. Some areas that were formerly nice and stable went thru a period of rapid turnover several years ago and are now home to an itinerant immigrant population.

Good luck to them, and if they have any specific questions or concerns I'll try to answer. Marietta is on the NW corner of metro Atlanta and I've always lived on the NE side of town but I might be able to help in some way or other.

Dave you make Atlanta sound so appealing! LOL! It seems like every realtor she talks to thinks their area is the best. She heard East Cobb and the Walton High School Area were the better. Her husband want to rent for a while until they get to know the area (probably a good idea) and the company will pay for that. They are only hoping to stay here for a few years at the most. Do you know what the good private elementary schools are in that area? What would be the "trendy" area you were talking about? Thanks!!

Not sure if Alpharetta is too far...I have a friend that lives there and is very happy. She has children in the public schools and they are thriving. She has very high standards.

I am going to guess that public school reputations are similar...there are going to be pockets of incredible schools and pockets of horrible schools. People knock our public schools here in Charlotte, but I have to say there is no doubt in my mind that my kids are getting a top notch education rivaling my friend's children in private schools. Just not as many bells and whistles, but what they are studying and learning astounds me.

Thanks djmom! I'll tell her about Alpharetta too. She is going to bring my grandchildren up here to Boston and leave them with me while she looks at property down in in Atlanta! I'm one Happy Meme!!

I'm a little late to this party, but I've lived in the Atlanta area for 12 years now. Alpharetta is NOT convenient to Marietta - I would highly advise against that. I like the East Cobb area. Vinings and parts of Smyrna are very nice. For good public schools, I'd suggest they stick with East Cobb.

HOWEVER, if the budget allows, many intown neighborhoods have great elementary schools. If they will only really be here for a few years, they don't need to worry about what happens once middle school hits. Suggest looking at Buckhead, Va Highland, Morningside and Candler Park/Inman Park if your son and his wife are more city folk and less suburbanites. Do note that those areas have older, smaller and more expensive homes and a higher crime rate overall. However, you are in the city and near a lot of really great stuff.

Not to late. They actually haven't been able to visit GA just yet and they are more city type people so thanks for those recommendations. I will pass them on.

P-600, Nest Atlanta realty (I have no affiliation) has a good website that arranges home listing by intown neighborhoods. Frankly, my absolute favorite area is Decatur, but it's just not convenient to Marietta. However, if you pass along this link, they can see what's available in Vinings, Morningside, Va-Hi, Candler Park, etc and get an idea for prices. For a decent-sized, renovated home, you are still looking at $350-$500K to buy, but probably closer to the lower end in this market.

http://www.atlhomesearch.com/neighborhoods.html#candler

Thanthese much for the website I shared that with my daughter!