Commute times (Atlanta, Marietta, Acworth: home, high school, living)

[Chris_Davis]

I'm am relocating to Atlanta in July and am currently searching for a teaching position; middle or high school history if you know of any openings : )

My wife and I will be living on the eastern side of Atlanta near Piedmont Park. I'm looking at schools in the entire metro area and am wondering how bad traffic would be heading through the city and into Cobb County. How far into Cobb should I look? My wife is from the area and thinks traffic might be a little heavy because of all the business in the area. I'd like to keep my commute to 30-40 minutes maximum. I've got commute times pretty much locked down for all other areas I'm looking for but am still trying to figure out Cobb.

Any thoughts?

[BobKovacs]

The big thing is to stay relatively close to 75. Your commute out of downtown will be somewhat of a reverse commute in the morning, but once you get off 75 you'll get killed with traffic. Coming into downtown in the afternoon could be quite painful as well, so your 40 minute commute in the morning could easily become an hour in the afternoon.

[lastminutemom]

Do you have the credentials to be highly qualified in GA? While teaching positions as a whole are plentiful, history/social studies aren't as easy to get. It is unlikely you would be hired with a provisional certificate in that field.

Atlanta and DeKalb while challenging to work in, might offer easier commutes. DeKalb generally has openings in the schools over that direction. (there is a reason for this-- but it would get your foot in the door.)

[Chris_Davis]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Do you have the credentials to be highly qualified in GA? While teaching positions as a whole are plentiful, history/social studies aren't as easy to get. It is unlikely you would be hired with a provisional certificate in that field.

Atlanta and DeKalb while challenging to work in, might offer easier commutes. DeKalb generally has openings in the schools over that direction. (there is a reason for this-- but it would get your foot in the door.)

Yes I meet the requirements of a "highly qualified" teacher. I have a Bachelor's degree, passed all teaching exams for New York State, hold a NY State certification, and have four years teaching experience. I've applied for and should have my Georgia certification within a week or two.

I do understand that it's a bit tougher to get a job than it would be if I taught science or math but I'll get something eventually.

[Chris_Davis]

Does anyone know how bad a commute would be to the new Allatoona high school in Acworth (zip 30101) coming from eastern Atlanta?

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by Chris_Davis

Does anyone know how bad a commute would be to the new Allatoona high school in Acworth (zip 30101) coming from eastern Atlanta?

You're probably looking at the better part of an hour getting there in the morning and well over an hour getting home in the afternoon- that school is "out there", and there's really only one route from 75 to the school (other than a bunch of backroads).

[plessthanpointohfive]

There might be a good reason you haven't mentioned it but what about Inman Middle or Grady High? No spots open?

You could probably walk to those places....

[Chris_Davis]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

There might be a good reason you haven't mentioned it but what about Inman Middle or Grady High? No spots open?

You could probably walk to those places....

Actually Grady is quite high on my list. I really don't know the area that well and as a social studies teacher need to keep my options open for schools all over the surrounding areas. I was just concerned about Cobb because I'd be travelling through the city and into some fairly busy suburban areas... with Marietta thrown into the mix who knows? Just don't want to spend too much of my day commuting... I've done it before and would like to not do it again.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Try HARD for Grady...good school. Good teacher pay. CLOSE to where you will be living!

Take it from me...I commuted from Mall of Ga to Emory/CDC for 3.5 years...> 1 hour each way. Finally moved to town just because of it...

Good luck.