We currently live in SC (Columbia region) and there is a possibility that we may be relocating for a job in Griffin. I know that it's not too far from Atlanta, but I'm not able to find too much information online. I guess I'm curious to know what the area/town is like and any suggestions of surrounding towns we may be interested in taking a look at. If things continue to progress, I am hoping to meet with a realtor/relocation specialist as well but I thought I'd also ask you too!
We're looking for a nice, clean town with safe neighborhoods, good schools, great restaurants nearby as well as shopping (we're willing to drive a little for big shopping, but definitely need places like a WalMart, Target, etc. nearby for weekly grocery shopping).
Where we're at now, is a suburb of Columbia. Granted Columbia is not nearly as large as ATL, but we're in a nice area with fantastic schools, things to do, places to eat, shopping nearby, etc. For the most part, the neighborhoods are safe here (there are a few sketchy areas/surrounding towns nearby but nothing major). The town we're in is pretty active, but not gigantic....there is rural living as well as a lot of subdivisions/neighboorhoods in town. We have a major lake nearby (the largest sport lake in the state) so we do get a lot of people in the area because of that. Downtown Columbia is 15 minutes away and we're about 10-15 min. to the closest mall.
We love it here but obviously we may not have a choice in this. When we relocated here, I had a lot of time to do research, plan, etc. so I knew exactly where we wanted to be. If things go through, I won't have as much time to prepare/research/etc. so I'm trying to do what I can now just in case!
I would be more than happy to provide more information if it helps in you suggesting places we should look at! We would definitely rent a house for a year just to get acclimated with the area and really figure out where, specifically, we want to be!
Sorry for all the info....I appreciate any help you can provide! Thanks!
Re: Anyone familiar with the Griffin area?
So I'll be completely honest and this is just my option so take it with a grain of salt......
I hate to tell you but i'm not sure you'll find what your looking for in or anywhere near Griffin. The closet I can think of is the Stockbridge/Mcdonough/Locus Grove area and since I live there, I can tell you that the schools aren't that good and its definitely not the suburban heaven that I think you maybe wanting. The area does meet your shopping needs and homes are affordable but there are a few areas you want to stay away from completely.
Griffin itself is ...umm.....well not somewhere I would consider living or visiting unless I had to. Unfortunately the surrounding areas are about the same. I live where I do because I have to, not because I want to.
The only place that comes to mind is Peachtree City but its an hour away and is a little too Stepford Wives for my taste.
I can tell you to avoid anything in Clayton County (Jonesboro, Riverdale, etc.)
I'm originally from the midwest so GA was really different than what I am used to and the area in question is nothing like home for me. Its not awful but its not really where I want to settle for too much longer.
If you need any more (way to honest and a little skewed) opinions you can PM me.
I'm not very familiar with the Griffin area but I think you'd like Peachtree City. It's about 30 miles from Griffin so I don't think it's an hour away as pp mentioned. A good friend works for Chick-Fil-A's corporate headquarters which is in Peachtree City and she loves the area. They just recently moved from Peachtree City to Senoia, which is about half way between Peachtree City and Griffin. They have a gorgeous house on 2 acres of land that is way more affordable than what you'll find closer in to Atlanta.
Definitely avoid Clayton County as their school system recently lost it's acreditation.
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Thank you so much, I appreciate it! I'm from MI and just moved to the South last fall, so I'm still getting acclimated to southern living myself! I know that what we're looking for probably sounds a little high maintenance but I know it's available because I've lived in areas like that. Commuting isn't a big deal, although we're commuting 40 min. to work right now and was hoping to avoid that but, it's not always possible! The town that my BF currently works in is nowhere we'd want to live...very unsafe and not very nice. I don't want to be in a super fancy, high-class area (that's not us) but I do want to be in an area that is suburban but also rural too.
I will definitely look into these areas suggested...Peachtree City and Newnan were recommended by someone else as well. I appreciate the honest feedback and would like it because I certainly don't want to move somewhere and be miserable. Again, nothing is set in stone but just trying to get a jump start if anything does happen because it will happen very fast!
Wow. Clayton County hate much? And FTR, the schools did get their accreditation back.
Griffin is going to be pretty country and is not metropolitan at all. That said, you could still probably find a very lovely old home (if you're into that sort of thing). Newnan is nice, as is Peachtree City. There are opportunities near all those areas to have lots of land and get homes built to spec. Newnan and Senioa will have tiny little downtown communities with older homes. Might want to look into Serenbe, too.
I can tell you that commutes within the Metro Atlanta area are, on average, about an hour each way. Even if you lived in East Point (where I am), you could get to Griffin within an hour.