Mainy1129

Hi Folks

My company are close to offering me a role in North Atlanta

I have an array of questions and this may be pushed through really quick so Im now in Panic mode.

Any help would be much appreciated

I have 4 children aged 7 months, 12years, 15 years and 17 years

We are looking at somewhere we can commute in to Atlanta Metro within an hour, we are used to a house in Peak district but are happy to move somewhere less rural but not City, have looked at Suwanee?? thoughts on this?

My older daughters want to study so I need to knnow best option for getting fees lower, on the L2 visa are they classed as overseas students?

Does anyone know average cost of living for family of 6?

I have so many more questions but its a start

Best Wishes

C

Guindalf

I'm about an hour up I985 from Suwannee. From what I can see, it's quite a good area with lots of shopping/restaurants available. You also have the Mall of Georgia on your doorstep which, apart from the shops, has a cinema and an Imax theatre. You're not too far out to go into the ATL for a show or concert, either.

Where I live (between Cornelia and Toccoa) is more rural and is classed as the foothill of the Great smokey Mountains. From Suwannee, it's not bad to get out into the hills!

It's just the two of us, so I can't speak for the cost of living for you, but GA is reasonable compared to a lot of the country.

One thing to consider if the commute is into Atlanta. I85 is VERY busy most of the time, especially during rush hour. There is a toll express lane that replaced the HOV lane recently through Gwinnett County. The rate varies according to traffic and can be as low as a few cents up to $8-10 one way and can only be used if you have pre-purchased a 'Peach Pass'. HOV 3+ people are free if you have the pass.

Ask anything and I'll try to answer. Feel free to PM me if you need to.

The Horticulturalist

Check out city-data.com for more area specific info, you can search on the forums there for the areas you are interested in.

Make sure you have in writing that your company will pay for and pursue green cards for you at the earliest opportunity otherwise your child (particularly the 17 year old would be the most pressing concern) will age out on their visa and not be eligible to stay after age 21 unless they are able to qualify for some other visa.
Read this thread for more info: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=615813

Have you visited the area and driven on the interstates surrounding Atlanta? the traffic is grim at the best of times and I would consider carefully whether you really want to be commuting more than you have to.

Not sure about cost of living really, are you willing to say what salary and benefits (health insurance?)they are offering you? Try and negotiate to keep your UK annual leave if you can as vacation time here tends to be a lot less.

As for college, you might want to start another thread about that for more specific answers from others who have moved with older teens. There may be issues with recognising UK High school qualifications also, but others here can help you with that. A community college for the first two years might be your best bet, it's very cheap. If your kids work hard and get good scores on the university entrance tests such as the SAT and ACT then they will be able to apply for scholarships.

Mainy1129

Thanks Folks much appriciated

If the green card is applied for when she hits 22 would she be considered to stay on this basis?

Yes I hear the commute is bad!

My salary is about $110,000 husband will be $50,000 later in year, we get health insurance

C

The Horticulturalist

Once your daughter reaches 21 on her current visa I believe she will age out (but someone else correct me if I'm wrong) and won't be able to remain here beyond that age, her best bet is to get a green card as part of your families application while she is still a minor.
You need to be applying as as soon as possible once you arrive as it can take a couple of years (or more, or less) depending on various factors for the green card application to be processed.

Salary sounds ok to me, but others may disagree Is insurance over and above that?

civilservant

It really depends (in terms of where to live) what you want for the family, do you want to be close to amenities, or prefer to live somewhere more rural? There are plenty of minor cities just outside of ATL that are nice depending on how far you're prepared to drive.

I would agree with the I-85 disaster comments, the whole of the road system in ATL is pretty much a disaster, although if you are prepared to commute to somewhere such as Chamblee, Doraville or North Springs you can always park and use the MARTA. Of course being right on top of the busiest airport in the world means you will always have easy access to anywhere via air.

Noorah101

No.

Rene

claireUK

Hi, we moved here in 2005 and LOVE the Atlanta suburbs. Great place to live and work. <snip the spammy stuff>

davidsizer

ATL is great. I lived in Buckhead for almost 2 years. Great central location, plenty of great things to do and easy access to the MARTA for down town. Its naturally more pricier than the burbs, but as a place to get you going whilst you figure things out - i would suggest you rent a condo/town home here to get you going.

Vimto

I would agree live close to where you are going to be working , Atlanta traffic can be a b!tch most days

Mainy1129

Thanks hopefully we are going to do a visit soon before the move to look at some areas but Buckhead is also one I have heard to be family friendly, would you agree? We have lived very rural for 7 years so my teens want to be in a community as they have struggled with being miles from the nearest neighbour, I think being in a community will hopefully help them make friends

Mallory

Buckhead is v expensive. I imagine a lot of the kids go to private schools.

Your kids would probably like the northern suburbs a lot better for schools and making friends. Try to not go out too far because of the awful traffic, but obviously the closer in you are the more expensive the housing. I lived there for five years and loved it.

Mainy1129

Thanks, which area did you live? Any recommendations on those Northern Suburbs for good areas?

TheCynick

OP, whereabouts will you be working? I live in Suwanee and work in Norcross, so my commute is very straightforward. Unless I have to visit a customer downtown or go to the airport I stay the hell away from I-85.

BubbleChog

Buckhead is in my opinion more of a young persons place than a family spot. Me and the TAS have recently moved out of Buckhead so we have more space for Mini-chog when it arrives. We're renting just ITP (inside the 285) round Sandy Springs and looking at buying something in the north suburbs later int he year because apparently thats where the better school districts are
Lx