OK so Just moved here 13 months ago and Homes are going for about $605,700 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Is this normal for Alpharetta? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
12 upvotes
17 Replies
Claire H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
John Jimenez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
37 upvotes
Aurora Perez
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Mateo Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Liam Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 34, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Adrian Wright
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
born_greyson38
nah I disagree
17 upvotes
Zoey White
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to safety but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Janet R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
12 upvotes
Theodore Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in West and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
9 upvotes
Nevaeh Stewart
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Liam
thanks for sharing
8 upvotes
Austin Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
7 upvotes
Jameson Harris
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Michelle T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Jack Hughes
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Meadowbrook area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Douglas R.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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