Raising kid: Johns Creek, Alpharetta, or East Cobb (Atlanta, Roswell: rental, homes)

[CharlesH]

Hello, we just moved to Atlanta with a 3 year old. I work in downtown Atlanta and my wife is not working, although she might work in downtown too if the commute is less than 25 min. We are trying to find a single family home under $360k for raising up our kid (from elementary through high school). We plan to send him to public schools. We have looked at homes in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and East Cobb County (Marietta), but got confused. Any comparison by local residents will be helpful. It will be even greater if you put your zip code too. Thanks and happy holiday season!

[Mattie]

Well, we're in Milton, zip 30004, but the best advice I can offer is that if you find a home you like, in any of the above areas, grab it. Nice homes at that price point will go quickly, and you would be fine school-wise in any of the cities you mention.

[CharlesH]

Thanks Mattie! If any of the area is about the same in terms of public schools, our choice will depend on commute time. Do you or anyone has recommendations about that? My rental home is about 45 min from my work place (I-85 exit 89) and I really wish to spend more time with my family rather than on the road. Thanks again!

[Marsha33]

Try testing out the commutes. Going from I-75 to I-85 usually isn't a pleasant experience. You could also consider Gwinnett or parts of DeKalb for a better commute. With Johns Creek and Alpharetta, it really depends on access to GA 400 but you'd be hard pressed to get under 45 minutes to that exit.

[CharlesH]

Thank you Marsha! Given the unreliable Google Map commute time estimation, your feed back about GA 400 is really important.

[Mattie]

Charles, I would not want to make that commute from either East Cobb or Alpharetta. Have you considered Suwanee? I'd look there, or the eastern part of John's Creek, but not anything west of 400.

[rianaardis]

We moved here from NY over the summer, and are renting a single family home in John's Creek. We absolutely love it, but my husband works in Alpharetta, and I work from home, so our commutes are definitely shorter than one to Downtown would be! I would say 45 mins would be on a good day from most areas of John's Creek. I would check out the southern Alpharetta areas, as convenient to 400 as possible, and maybe Roswell, which is a bit closer to the city as well. Good luck!

[CharlesH]

Hi Mattie, thanks for the suggestion. I have not considered Suwannee yet, just because it is located further from my office than Johns Creek. But, depending on traffic, being further may not necessarily translates to longer commute, that's why I came here to collect ideas. Currently I am renting a home in Duluth. Google Maps says the commute takes only 25 minutes, but today was the only day that I made it under 30 minutes! Anyone have experience in commute from Suwannee?

[Anivas]

We looked into edgebrook james creek subdivision in cumming. Very close to 400 and great schools.

[CharlesH]

Thanks Anivas and Rianaardis. I will do more work this weekend and see whether I can dig out something close to GA 400.