Moving to Georgia

[hjorth1]

I am 99% sure that I will be moving to georgia with my family for a new job.

I live in Utah currently, so this is a big move.

The office will be out of Duluth.

I've heard Duluth is not a great place to live, so where do we live that has the following.

Great Schools (5 Kids - ages 14, 11, 8, 5, 3)

Great Community (safe)

Strong LDS faithful close

Commute time isn't too long (45 min or less)

anything else I'm not thinking of?

Please help. I've lived in Utah all my life, this move scares me, but If we can find the right area we will be fine.

[skippy740]

I served my mission in the South (Tennessee, not Georgia).

You WILL get a culture shock.

At least there's a temple in Atlanta.

As far as distances could be concerned (this part is kinda off-topic). One of my areas, it was 60 miles to get to the Stake Center - one way. That kind of distance, you can probably imagine the level of activity.

Those that ARE faithful, are really faithful. Every able member is needed in the South.

Also, there are still a lot of misconceptions about LDS people out in the South. You should find your faith and testimony a strength for you since you'll stand out for it. You will find it challenged! Just be aware.

I'd recommend touring the area and visiting the wards you may attend. Ask the local members about the area. Ask the missionaries too!

Good luck on your move.

[sixpacktr]

I wish I were going with you. I lived in the Atlanta area for 6 years. We will retire there. It IS God's country. There are 8 or 9 stakes in the Atlanta area, so quite a few members. And Duluth wasn't that bad, as I remember it. If you want a good commute, and you're working in Duluth, there is no such thing unless you live in Duluth. Atlanta traffic is horrendous. The 285 loops the city, with 5-6 lanes in some areas, and it is a parking lot from 3-7 in the afternoon and in the morning rush.

And the thing about the South that you will find, and may be the biggest culture shock for you from Utah, is that there aren't many alternate routes to places. If there is construction, you can't just jog over 1 block, drive a couple of blocks and then jog back over to your street. The roads meander and often the 'shortcut' takes you a lot longer. I lived 35 miles or so east of Atlanta in Walton county, and you could take the 78 into Atlanta (the most direct route, but also congested) or meander all the way up and around to get to the 85 and down into Atlanta (also congested).

My personal opinion (and that is just what it is) is to live east of the city and go in. It will be more affordable. Snellville is a good place, but more expensive than say Walton County, or up around Winder, etc. But you'll pay in time to get to things. But you get used to it.

I envy you. You're going to love it there.

[seeking_peace]

I live in Duluth and I like it here. I love the cultural diversity. The teenagers in our ward go to 5 different high schools, all of them make Newsweek's "Top 1,000 Schools" issue every year. Of the 5, Duluth High School is probably viewed as the least desirable, but I've been very happy with it. If you want a school with less cultural diversity and a little more affluence, look in the John's Creek area. It's just over the county line.

Our ward is awesome. It has a really strong youth program. PM me if you have any specific questions. I'd be happy to answer them or even give you my phone number so we can talk.

Edited August 6, 2011 by seeking_peace

[hjorth1]

Thank You to everybody.

As I know more I will ask more questions. I really appreciate it.

[hjorth1]

Ok, this is going to happen.

My office is in Duluth like I mentioned.

I will first be living with a friend in Lawrenceville.

So my quesiton is which is a better area to look for permenant house for my family.

My wife and I and our 5 kids

Boys ages 14, 11

Girls ages 8, 5, 3

We want GREAT SCHOOLS and safe areas to live with good wards.

My wife likes what she hears about Roswell.

Lawrenceville

Buford

Sugar Hill

Suwanee

Roswell

Duluth

Alpharetta

Big Creek

or further out?

Thanks

[Gwen]

I've never lived there so I can't say what area to live in. I do live in the south, my first temple trip was to the atlanta temple. My advice..... Once you start to get over the culture shock you should try some boiled peanuts, you have to buy them from a fruit stand on the side of the road if you want good ones. :)

If you go expecting UT you will hate it, if you go expecting to experiance something new it will be a blast. Have fun.

[gtg166v]

I have a brother in law in Jones Creek. While I've never been there, they say it's awesome. A really nice neighborhood. 

Edited August 18, 2017 by gtg166v

[seeking_peace]

I had to mapquest Big Creek because I had never heard of it. Other than that, all of the cities that you mentioned are good. Both Duluth and Lawrenceville have good areas and bad areas. Like gtg166v mentioned, John's Creek is awesome, but a little pricey. Roswell, Duluth, John's Creek, Alpharette, and Milton are all in my stake and they are all really good wards.

I know a lot of people in the Sugar Hill Stake and they all seem happy with it. That would encompass Buford, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee.

One thing to know is that traffic is horrible here, so if you don't want a long commute, you don't want to go further out. Where in Duluth is your office?