[brandydawn]

I have an opportunity to relocate with my company...we are still in the beginning stages but here are my options to consider:

Houston, TX (up towards the Greenspoint area)

or

Atlanta, GA (Cobb County)


My hubby "heard" the Houston area has smog issues, he is worried because he remembers how it was in Guatemala City and he came home sick both times.

Anyone live in these areas and can you give me feedback on why you like living there? We attended presentations last night that were great and both areas are appealing.

Thanks
Brandy

[havensd]

My vote would be for Houston, but I guess I'm biased since I'm an E. Texas girl!

[Annee]

I can't compare the two since I've never been to Houston (but I did live in Austin for a couple of years - loved it!).

I live about an hour from Atlanta and enjoy NE Georgia. It's close to the mountains if you enjoy hiking. Lots to do in Atlanta, and the Giggles from Guatemala group gets together several times a year.

[Bonitabonita]

I lived in DeKalb Co., GA for 11 years (1990-2001) -- City of Atlanta & City of Decatur. (So, I never actually lived in Cobb Co.) Cobb Co. is pretty conservative - the home of Newt Gingrich. When I lived in GA, Cobb Co. enacted specific gay-unfriendly legislation That may or may not matter to you. Apparently, the schools are better in Cobb Co. than in Fulton or DeKalb Cos. (except for Decatur Schools which are great). Cobb Co. was more recently developed than Atlanta proper, so it lacks the strong neighborhoods and cool architecture of Atlanta. The cost of living is generally pretty low in most/all? of Georgia -- my property taxes were incredibly low. In Cobb Co., you are only about an hour from Dahlonega and an hour and a half from other areas of the Appalachian Mountains -- wonderful hiking, camping, kayaking, if that interests you.

I'll let someone who actually lives in Cobb Co. pick up from here . . .

Boni

[Bonitabonita]

Oh, smog issues! Yup, Atlanta-area (including Cobb Co.) has BIG smog problems - ozone alerts during the summer. However, unless you are really sensitive to it, I wouldn't let that cloud (oh geez, no pun intended!) my choice.

[becky]

Atlanta is awesome. The weather is great a good part of the year. Cobb county has very good schools. You have two nice lakes within easy driving, you have beautiful mountains less than an hour away. You have a very diverse population in most parts of the city. Of course we have great sports, arts, etc.

But the best part of Atlanta is that almost everyone who lives here is a transplant. Everyone is SO friendly. Hardly anyone has family nearby so your neighbors become like family (if you choose to let them). We have lived in two different neighborhoods in Atlanta and have made wonderful friends in both. Tons of neighborhood activities for the kids, the teens, the adults. Tennis is played year-round here and even if you have never picked up a racket in your life you can find a neighborhood team to join and you will soon find yourself bitten by the tennis bug.

Can you tell I love Atlanta?

Email me if you want more details:
beckyholmes@adelphia.net

[Heidil87]

Having just moved to the Houston area rather unexpectedly I can say that the people here have been wonderful. We are living to the north of Houston in The Woodlands. Its beautiful here. The schools are great and the public parks, bike trails etc. are fabulous. The shopping is pretty good too! It doesn't have quite the CHARACTER that New Orleans had but it doesn't have as many of the problems either. I have not noticed any smog in this area. Good luck with your decision.

[bekalynn]

Hey there...

I live in the Atlanta area also, and believe it or not, I'm NOT a transplant, which is VERY rare for this area! But that's OK, we love everyone! HAHA

I lived in Cobb County about 4 years ago, and DH and I moved one county over when we bought our house. We hope/plan to move back to Cobb County before the end of the year, specifically to ease our commutes to work.

Atlanta does have a smog issue too, so don't let that be a part of your decision between Houston or Atlanta -- I've never been to Houston, but I've heard it's nice. In the summer, we get "smog alerts" all the time, and they say it's horrible for people who have asthma or other similar health issues. DH has asthma and has never had an "OMG I'm gonna pass out" issue and he works IN downtown Atlanta. <shrug> I think almost all major big cities get yelled at for smog in the summer.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Atlanta. If I won the lottery, I'd stay in the area. Cobb has really good schools, the area is/has BOOMED, and property values continue to rise, so investments are really great in the area.

Like everyone has said, Cobb, specifically, is a pretty convenient location to all the fun things in Atlanta and then just an hour north, you can escape to the amazingly beautiful North Georgia Mountains.

Feel free to PM me for more specifics if you need it!

Good luck on your decision! Scarey and exciting at the same time, isn't it?

[brandydawn]

Thanks for the feedback! I should know more in about a month, have actually applied for both locations as honestly they both appeal to me.

Regards,
Brandy

[candkss]

I would go for Houston But I would look at living in the Woodlands TX it is about 30miles north of Houston. It is awesome and very family oriented.

[JRAYMOM]

I agree that Atlanta is great. We have lived in Cherokee county, which is quite close to Cobb. Now we live in Forsyth county. We love it here. We are also transplants. My favorite times are Spring and Fall. There is nothing more beautiful tha spring in Atlanta. If you like the water then you could enjoy Lake Allatoona or Lake Lanier. All easy to get to from Cobb County. Good luck on your decision. You can't go wrong with Atlanta.
Jill