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my future roomate and i have been contemplating a move to the atlanta area for a few months now. She will mostly likely work in kennesaw and i would like to work for the same company as she. However, we are both coming from a city up north and we still want to be close to the city. So after doing some research, we have both settled on the sandy springs/dunwoody or doraville/chamblee area. How are the commute times for these places to Kennesaw?
my future roomate and i have been contemplating a move to the atlanta area for a few months now. She will mostly likely work in kennesaw and i would like to work for the same company as she. However, we are both coming from a city up north and we still want to be close to the city. So after doing some research, we have both settled on the sandy springs/dunwoody or doraville/chamblee area. How are the commute times for these places to Kennesaw?
There are several posters who will have more specific FYI for you.
The commute from the areas you mentioned --Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Chamblee/Doraville is definitely possible. There have been recent posts about construction currently in progress on a segment of ??400/nearby main roads that may make timing of commutes to and from work/home critical.
There are some nice apts along Ashford Dunwoody which would appeal to young professionals and put you within relatively easy access to the Midtown/Buckhead area for the nightlife.
I'm just inside 285 on Ashford Dunwoody. It would take about 30-40 minutes in the morning, maybe a bit longer in the afternoon. In the AM, going west on 285 shouldn't be a problem and then heading north on 75 to Kennesaw in the AM shouldn't pose too many problems. Both are going against traffic. Coming home 285 eastbound can get backed up a bit during rush hour. If you do move to this area, try to stay inside 285 as that will put you closer to Brookhaven & Buckhead where there are more singles. Dunwoody is more family and more traffic. Another option to consdier is Vinnings or Smyrna. That would but you closer to Kennesaw but still relativly close to town.
The one thing going for you here is you will be, I think, mostly going in the opposite direction to the main flow of traffic. Although, Atlanta traffic is world-class bad. I would really seriously consider picking out a place to live based mostly on your work location, you will go to work 5X a week, right - and set yourself up to go downtown to play probably using MARTA's train.
This is what I would do, but I'm not a young urban hipster.
You may find the taxes in Kennesaw more tolerable than in Atlanta proper, and don't think real estate taxes are irrelevant to a renter - the landlord pays them and passes the cost on to you. You may even end up with a city income tax, I am not certain.
Which, if you recall your Econ 101, is the only thing the landlord *can* do with the tax costs...but I digress.
I would suggest you try your commute route out before putting money down on a place - Atlanta traffic is world-class bad, it's as bad as Moscow, Russia, for example.
I work in Kennesaw and commute in from the Powers Ferry/Windy Hill area--basically right at the intersection of 285/75. Extremely close to Vinings/Smyrna, and pretty close to Sandy Springs, Buckhead, etc.
From a traffic perspective, living here is maybe the best decision I could have made. It's about a 15 min. drive to and from Kennesaw, even during rush hour. Sandy Springs is def. going to add in more to the drive. I'd recommend looking at this area, too, since everything you could want in Sandy Springs would be 10-15 min. away.
Last edited by K-SawDude; 09-12-2009 at 12:08 AM..
The one thing going for you here is you will be, I think, mostly going in the opposite direction to the main flow of traffic. Although, Atlanta traffic is world-class bad. I would really seriously consider picking out a place to live based mostly on your work location, you will go to work 5X a week, right - and set yourself up to go downtown to play probably using MARTA's train. This is what I would do, but I'm not a young urban hipster.
I would suggest you try your commute route out before putting money down on a place - Atlanta traffic is world-class bad, it's as bad as Moscow, Russia, for example.
Truer words may have never been spoken.
If your daily commute is horrendous then you will not feel like venturing forth to socialize anyway.
Maybe things 'have changed' and the socializing that goes on in Buckhead/Midtown among 20-30 somethings is a lot more 'Fun' these days but when I thought I was a 'young urban hipster' I was somewhat disillusioned at the sort 'Fun' that took place in areas designated as the Singles Scene.
Where I actually had more fun was 'outside'. It didn't take me long to find activities that involved those so inclined. I would give Bicycle South and other groups some consideration. Surely there are many in this area that make weekend trips to the North GA mountains and have social gatherings for members.
That is what worked for me.
Never too soon to learn to simplify one's life in every aspect.
Here's an approximate map of the combination of the areas mentioned above in North Atlanta, which are best as far as commute goes: Smyrna/Vinings/West Buckhead/Sandy Springs
By the way, just out of curiosity, how did your research qualify Sandy Springs or Doraville and not Vinings, Cumberland and Smyrna? Are the apartments you find too pricy in the Vinings area? There are many good deals so I wouldn't get discouraged if you found a few that were really high-priced.
Last edited by netdragon; 09-24-2009 at 02:00 PM..
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