Relocating for job at Emory ASAP, Advice Appreciated (Atlanta, Buckhead: real estate, apartment)

[movingonout2011]

Husband is starting a new position at Emory next week and we will be moving with our three kids, ages 9,5, and 5 mos as soon as we can find a place to live.

Looking to rent a home (not apartment) for $1250 or less.
Really want to keep husband's commute to less than an hour.
Need good public school for kids. Hoping for racial diversity.
Not opposed to urban lifestyle if it is safe and has activities for kids.

Thanks for any help you may give!

[peachstatehomegal]

Find yourself a good real estate agent that's familiar with the area - they will be a world of help with regards to all your needs/concerns. That would be your best bet in an ASAP situation!

There are several areas that would provide what you're looking for. It would be nice if you had a visit before making a 'commitment' as to where to live - you might find you like one area better than another.

Take a map and draw a circle around Emory that encompasses probably no more than 20 miles or so - that would be an estimate based on traffic. (It can be horrendous in some areas!) Then do some checking around and see what you find in those areas.

removed (sounds awfully close to an ad)

[cwkimbro]

There is good access to Emory from the East down US 78 (the stone mountain freeway). The freeway dead ends a few miles from Emory and at the Gwinnett Co. line, so it doesn't get too congested, but once the freeway ends on both sides it does. This makes central/southern portions of Gwinnett County really accessible for Emory. Generally speaking Gwinnett has good schools and some diversity, but you do need to do your research on the schools carefully. Some are really good, some are ok, and a few are not as nice.

Generally speaking the north side of Atlanta is nicer than the south side.

To go on the 20-mile circle peachstatehomegal was talking about... I would make it a little smaller towards the north and northwest, since you are commuting with and past others going to Midtown and Buckhead.

I would try recommending some nice areas closer by, but with 3 kids, need for good schools, and a $1250 house rental budget... no area really close to Emory comes to mind.

[jematl]

Cwkimbro is right. Many Emory employees live out Hwy 78 because of the easy access. Look in the Parkview cluster in Gwinnett County. The schools are very good and you can definitely find a rental there in your price range. There are other nice areas with good schools closer to Emory, but you are not likely to find anything in your price range.

[IntownHomes247]

You can find homes very close to Emory in your price range if you're willing to live in a 3 bedroom home instead of a 4 bedroom. If you need 4 bedrooms, then Gwinnett is probably a good choice.