OT: Moving to Atlanta

[Tobias Funke]

I am considering landing close to a Marta stop. haven't researched it much, but there is a stop right near my office

 

[Lou_C]

I am considering landing close to a Marta stop. haven't researched it much, but there is a stop right near my office

That would be an entirely different type of area from the places you were talking about. The two northernmost Marta stops are North Springs and Doraville. North Springs is basically right on the 400. You might find a nice place to live near there, but not the kind of place you were looking at in Johns Creek at a similar price.

Doraville is probably not the kind of place you were looking for.

That said, because of the area you were targeting, I've been assuming you've got a family with youngish kids, concerned mainly with schools, lawns, safety. If you're a single guy or couple, or something like that, then I'd definitely consider something closer in and on the Marta. But if I was doing that, I'd go much further in at that point.

Now, theoretically, you could live in the area you're talking about, and drive to one of the northern Marta stops, but I doubt that would save you any time. It's probably 30 minutes minimum to the Doraville station, and maybe less to the North Springs, but you would be in 400 traffic. You're probably not saving any time, but if you just hate being in the car, that might be somewhat easier.

 

[Lou_C]

I just reread your office location, the marta station near you IS the North Springs stop, it doesn't go any more north. So that's not going to help you if you want to be in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek area.

That's really not a terrible office location for where you want to live. Unless you live right next door from your office, you're going to have about that long a commute.

Just for the heck of it, I looked at if you worked at Perimeter Pointe, and lived near the intersection of McGinness Ferry and 141. You can do that in about 35 minutes on 400, or about 45 minutes on surface streets. I just ran google maps on the way I would do it, and it's saying 45 minutes at 4 pm, which is definitely rush hour in Atlanta on Friday. To me, that's how I would go, because the chance of saving a few minutes on the 400 is not worth the good chance that it ends up being 90 minutes. If you live more a little south of there in John's Creek, you can cut it down to about 40.

So, 40-50 minutes is probably a realistic commute in rush hour on a day to day. Everyone has their own tolerance levels for commutes, but that's within mine. If that's not within yours, you probably need to move within 3-4 miles of your office, or not move to Atlanta.

The nice thing is, you've got a lot of options if you don't take 400, for different roads and cut-throughs so if there's an accident or something you can strike off on a different way, and eventually work out what works best in your commute time.

 

[javadoc]

Looks like if all goes as planned, I'll be renting a house in Alpharetta near Windward Parkway and Main St/Alpharetta Hwy. A bit further north than where I lived last time I was here, but nice location and a good elementary school. And to be honest, just finding a place that fit our profile, and would allow pets, was nerve-wracking. Not being local so you can jump on new listings immediately is a huge problem.

 

[Tobias Funke]

I just reread your office location, the marta station near you IS the North Springs stop, it doesn't go any more north. So that's not going to help you if you want to be in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek area.

That's really not a terrible office location for where you want to live. Unless you live right next door from your office, you're going to have about that long a commute.

Just for the heck of it, I looked at if you worked at Perimeter Pointe, and lived near the intersection of McGinness Ferry and 141. You can do that in about 35 minutes on 400, or about 45 minutes on surface streets. I just ran google maps on the way I would do it, and it's saying 45 minutes at 4 pm, which is definitely rush hour in Atlanta on Friday. To me, that's how I would go, because the chance of saving a few minutes on the 400 is not worth the good chance that it ends up being 90 minutes. If you live more a little south of there in John's Creek, you can cut it down to about 40.

So, 40-50 minutes is probably a realistic commute in rush hour on a day to day. Everyone has their own tolerance levels for commutes, but that's within mine. If that's not within yours, you probably need to move within 3-4 miles of your office, or not move to Atlanta.

The nice thing is, you've got a lot of options if you don't take 400, for different roads and cut-throughs so if there's an accident or something you can strike off on a different way, and eventually work out what works best in your commute time.

Thanks Lou. I did look and you are right on with the Marta.

 

[SU2NASA]

You misspelled 'Hotlanta'.

 

[TexanMark]

I'm on the expensive side of McGinnis Ferry.

I'm just east of 141 in Johns Creek. Fortunately, my new place of employment is only 2.5 miles away on Johns Creek Parkway.

That is worth thousands of dollars in transportation savings and not to mention time...nice!

BTW, Atlanta is just too damn big now! I would hate to live there and commute more than 5-10 miles.

 

[Tobias Funke]

So i landed on a place in Johns Creek right near Jones Bridge Rd sand Mcginnis Ferry and the move was pushed back until around Thanksgiving. Thanks for all of the feedback, i have down the commute both ways at rush hour to test it. Looking forward to getting together with a good group of fans come basketball season, or dare i say bowl season.

 

[javadoc]

So i landed on a place in Johns Creek right near Jones Bridge Rd sand Mcginnis Ferry and the move was pushed back until around Thanksgiving. Thanks for all of the feedback, i have down the commute both ways at rush hour to test it. Looking forward to getting together with a good group of fans come basketball season, or dare i say bowl season.

Great area. You're about 8 miles from my current rental.

 

[Tobias Funke]

Great area. You're about 8 miles from my current rental.

Yeah we are happy with it. The subdivision seems great, and being from Massachusetts we don't do the swim/tennis community thing, but it seems like a great place for the kids.

 

[TexanMark]

Tobias...so what type of commute do you figure?

 

[wfschrec]

I'm further north ... above Buford ... during rush hour my commute would be in excess of 2 hours for a 25 mile drive ... which is why if I have to go into the city I leave at 5:30 or 10 AM ... its insane.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

There are many things that I miss about Atlanta. Driving the connector, Georgia 400 or 285 are not any of them.

 

[wfschrec]

There are many things that I miss about Atlanta. Driving the connector, Georgia 400 or 285 are not any of them.

OH but 85 has the Peach Pass now LOL

 

[Tobias Funke]

Tobias...so what type of commute do you figure?

Looking at about 30-35 in as I expect to leave before 7. Longer for the ride home but I will be leaving work around 4:15 most days so probably 40-50 it is an 17 mile drive.

That is best case scenario. Some days will just be out of hand, and my airport trips will be a nightmare.

 

[Jeepers]

Note to self: Never move to Atlanta.

 

[javadoc]

Looking at about 30-35 in as I expect to leave before 7. Longer for the ride home but I will be leaving work around 4:15 most days so probably 40-50 it is an 17 mile drive.

That is best case scenario. Some days will just be out of hand, and my airport trips will be a nightmare.

Also, within the next year or two they're going to start restructuring and rebuilding the 400/285 interchange. It just passed federal clean-air checks and is moving on.

http://www.dot.ga.gov/Projects/activeprojects/StateRoute/Pages/I285SR400.aspx

 

[wfschrec]

Looking at about 30-35 in as I expect to leave before 7. Longer for the ride home but I will be leaving work around 4:15 most days so probably 40-50 it is an 17 mile drive.

That is best case scenario. Some days will just be out of hand, and my airport trips will be a nightmare.

Just use the MARTA train from Dunwoody ... runs right to the Airport and its a deterministic trip ... no crazy traffic dependencies.