I am looking into buying a house in Georgia. I have found many I like and am in the process of trying to head down there to Dallas, Ga. I have kids, and from what I read the schools are good. I would love any input if anyone knows the area. TIA, andrea

Andrea, I don't know anything about Dallas, GA, but your post got me interested. I had never heard of it and I have family outside of Atlanta. I looked it up and Dallas in about 30 miles south of Rome and that's where my mom lived and my brother lives there now. I also have a brother in Lilburn and a niece in Marrietta. It looks like Dallas is close to Marrietta. My sister-in-law teaches in Rome City Schools and my neice teaches in Cobb County. I'll email them and see what they know about the schools in Dallas. Housing looks real reasonable--of course, I say that after thinking about post-Katrina prices here which are out of this world! Good luck to you! I used to live in Clarkston (near Stone Mountain), and I loved it! It's one of the few places I've lived that actually has four true seasons! Wish I could be of more help--Marilou

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If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space.

I live in Hiram, GA, which is right next door to Dallas. I am in Cobb County, while most of Hiram & Dallas is in Paulding County. Around here, Cobb schools are considered to be better than Paulding schools. It's not that Paulding is bad, it's just that the county is growing very, very quickly (one of the fasting growing counties in all of the United States) and the schools can not keep up. Most, if not all of them are overcrowded and have some students in portable (trailer) classrooms. My mother-in-law is a special ed. para pro at an elementary school in Paulding and lives in Dallas.

Housing in Paulding County is generally less expensive than Cobb County, although the price gap is not as much as it used to be. There are many new subdivisions going in all over Paulding and West Cobb. The price ranges in Paulding are greater -- from the mid-$100s on up. In the better parts of Cobb County, it's hard to find new construction under $350+ for a home (condos sometimes go for less). Property taxes in Paulding are also slightly higher than Cobb.

If you're looking for a large, master planned community in Paulding, be sure to check out Seven Hills. My in-laws are considering buying a new house there and have been impressed with the area. I have friends who live in Bentwater and really like it there too.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Sarah..........

I used to live in Paulding County too

Haven't been there in a few years, believe it when they say it's one of the fastest growing counties! Where we lived, there was subdivision after subdivision, hardly any gas stations, 10 minute drive for groceries, cow pastures, a couple horse pastures. Might have to drive by it again someday to see what's changed!

All I can tell you is to try living near work. Commuting sucks but so many have to. My husband worked in Marietta for a while and it was a 45 minute drive going the "back way" through Hiram, Dallas, etc. Not a ton of traffic, just a long way.... but it beat using the interstates. Now we're moving back to GA, but we're going to live in Alpharetta. I drove down Friday night and it's sooooo nice here! And if my husband changed jobs for some reason (hope not, this job is awesome), there are lots more places he could work at and still live close.

Are you moving due to a job? That might be a good place to ask for advice... people that work there ought to know about traffic, crime, schools nearby.

It all depends on what you're looking for. If you're coming for a job, where is it? If it's in Atlanta or north then you're probably better off up there. If it's at the airport or around that area then you would be better off going south of Atlanta. I do believe the schools are overall better north of Atlanta, although the county I am in (Fayette) is supposed to be very good. Georgia schools overall are reported as being not so great, though! I think they are #47 in the country.

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle