Possible relo to north Atlanta area- Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Buckhead?? (Chamblee: house, neighborhoods)

[robandtaramc]

My husband has a job offer in the Ravinia Office Park area. We currently live in Vestavia Hills (Birmingham area) and would love something similar. We don't know anything about the Atlanta area! We have 4 kids (age 9 and under) and are looking for a family friendly community, close to my husbands work (with 4 kids I want him home ASAP and not stuck in traffic!). What are the pros/cons of Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Buckhead? Are there other areas we should consider? We are probably looking in the $500,000-$600,000 range for a house, great elementary schools, etc. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[kaabye]

In the 500-600k range you have options you could live in town in a more modest home with charm or you could live at the perimter (near ravina) or further out (the farther out you go the larger the house you will get for the same money). Vestavia I believe is in the suburbs of BHam...is that correct? Are you geared towards in town or the burbs?

[RoslynHolcomb]

I lived in Homewood for ten years so I'm familiar with Vestavia Hills. If you want some place similar to Vestavia Hills I'd suggest either Sandy Springs or Dunwoody, not so much Buckhead. Not that Buckhead isn't great, obviously, it's just not as suburbany as VH, also I'm not sure you can get the size house you need with four kids in Buckhead for that price. Maybe others can comment. I can't speak for Sandy Springs, but in Dunwoody in that price range you're looking at either Vanderlyn or Austin Elementary. If you check greatschools.net they're both ranked very high. However, it's my understanding that North Fulton county where Sandy Springs is located has better schools than DeKalb county which is where Dunwoody is. Maybe others will comment.

[gumboula]

We are probably as close as you can get to Ravinia. Just inside the perimeter off of Ashford-Dunwoody. The neighborhoods on either side of Ashford-Dunwoody are quite nice and you can easily find a large house in your price range. Most of the homes are circa late 1960s to late 1970s, but there is plenty of new construction and some newer planned neighborhoods further to the west of A-D, closer to Peachtree-Dunwoody. You will also find newer neighborhoods further south on A-D off of Hart's Mill and toward Brookhaven off of Johnson Ferry.

The nice thing about this area versus Sandy Springs or Dunwoody is that your husband would avoid highways altogether and the overcrowded surface streets that can make both cities rough at rush hour. You could definitely find a place where your husband's commute would be 10 minutes max! All of these areas are zoned for Montgomery Elementary. Excellent school. They are also very close to Kittridge Magnet School which is phenomenal for high achieving kids grades 4-6 (acceptance a combo of test scores and lottery). After that they are zoned for Chamblee Middle and Chamblee High. Also most of these areas are networked into the Murphy Candler Mom's Club. Lots of activities for kids. Also two huge parks (Murphy Candler and Blackburn), very nice public pool, and little league fields in the area.

[lastminutemom]

I would avoid DeKalb County because of the schools. I would look in the Riverwood High School district.

[DunwoodyDad]

Agree with lastminutemom, the Sandy Springs area would be much better than Dunwoody and much cheaper than Buckhead.

[prettyinnj07]

Possible relo from Charlotte. My child currently attends great/prestigious/high quality, non religious private school. Looking for advice on similar schools in the Sandy Springs area. I'm willing to drive up to 30 minutes for the best. Any advice and suggestions on where to start researching is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[prettyinnj07]

Possible relo from Charlotte. Looking for non religious, high quality private school. Willing to drive up to 30 minutes for the best. Any advice and suggestions on which schools to research would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[FarmersInsuranceDerrick]

Public School Riverwood cluster in Sandy Springs is the best value for schools out there. Brand new elementary school, high school being rebuilt and will be completely finished by 2020. Riverside is the closest neighborhood 400 to 750K homes.

As far as private schools, notwithstanding the $30,000 you could save by the fine public schools in the area
Holy Innocence is sectarian but not overtly so. Galloway if you like touchy-feely, Pace if you can't get in to the others, Lovett is the best mix of brawn and brains, Westminster is jock preppy to the max. There are others but those are the best.

[PeteATL41]

There are many private school options in ATL. Admissions season is just about to start so its a good time and to tour schools and ask all of your questions. Lovett, Pace, and Westminster are the main Buckhead schools. Lovett and Westminster have some religious component but are mainly academically focused. Woodward Academy is another good option on the south side of the city with an extensive bus network. There are many other options , but this should give you a start. By the way, the earlier poster's description of Pace is not accurate.