are the Atlanta suburbs more interesting than in-town? (Roswell, Marietta: real estate, neighborhoods)

[rzzz]

I have noticed that when someone asks about finding foreign food, like British crisps or Ghanaian grocery, the answer is always out in the suburbs somewhere. I looked for an australian restaurant, and there is an australian pie shop out in Marietta. I also looked for a japanese bookstore and grocery, and they are out in Smyrna. The big asian groceries and restaurants seem to be out in unincorporated DeKalb (Buford highway?) I have noticed other things like this. For instance, I do weight lifting, and the best weight lifting gyms are in Duluth and Marietta. Is it actually more interesting out in the suburbs? This isn't a troll. I am relocating to the area, probably for longer than I initially thought. Should I be checking out suburbs as well as the in-town neighborhoods I've been looking at?

[cqholt]

He'll no!

[lorilove]

I live in the suburbs and I would say no - InTown is definitely more interesting on average when it comes to shopping, restuarants and night life and arts & entertainment.

The examples you note are true but you will notice that there are one offs in every community. I think to truly take advantage of what Atlanta has to offer, you have to be willing to get in the car and venture to parts of town that are not in your backyard.

[Mal93]

The deal is you are within minutes to most interesting things. I have lived intown for decades and it's not a big deal for me to take 10 mins to go to Smyrna to buy Japanese groceries, 10 mins to Decatur to get Indian food, 5 mins to go south and buy Carribbean/African spices, or 15-20 to go up Buford Hwy / toward Marietta to get Brazilian/Mexican/Salvadorean/Vietnamese/Cantonese/Eastern European/Middle Eastern etc food. You may not be "in walking distance" to everything in ATL, but its not inconvenient. I find that my suburban friends are much less willing to head up 85 if they live up 75, or go north of the city if they are from any suburb south of I-20. Most of my intown friends think nothing of heading out of the city for a few miles to eat a good meal or find specific ingredients.

[FromGA]

If you have kids live in the suburbs. Otherwise, get a Zipcar when you want to visit us in the suburbs.

We do come into the perimeter (Buford Hwy) for Thai/Malysian/Viet .. food, even though we live in Asian central (Johns Creek). Some of the good Indian food is in the Decatur area inside the perimeter.

[Tarzanman]

Originally Posted by rzzz

Should I be checking out suburbs as well as the in-town neighborhoods I've been looking at?

I am going to disagree and say that there are definitely some suburbs worth looking at depending on what your priorities are.

I've spent the last ~8 years in Roswell and the year before that in Smyrna/Vinings.

If, for whatever reason, your priorities include being closer to
1. North GA mountainous/hilly areas (hiking/motorcycling/pleasure drives?)
2. Public Chattahoochee River Rec areas (boating or canoeing?)
3. Shopping for cheap electronics (Fry's, Brandsmart, Wal-mart?)
4. More bang for your buck in terms of real estate (duh)

Then yes, there are some suburbs worth looking in. These areas all have disadvantages as well (far from airport, less centrally located, less activity in some cases), but the burbs can be an easy adjustment if you already have a good social network established.

[Ant131531]

Hell no.

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Hell no.

Agree! I live in Buckhead and do not see the appeal of Johns Creek or Forsyth.

[DaBurgh]

only if you consider sprawl, chain stores and driving everywhere interesting

[rzzz]

Thanks for the opinions. I guess one reason I asked is I feel like I have to drive almost everywhere I go intown, anyway. Mal93 makes a good point that in-town is more centrally located, thus easier to get to all the suburb areas, should i need to go there.