Sandy Springs--the Affluent Bedroom Community of Atlanta

Sandy Springs began as a town in the 1800s but today is Georgia's seventh largest town with around 85,000 residents. As part of the Atlanta-Marietta-Sandy Springs Metro area, it has access to the MARTA rail transportation system, thus ensuring reliable transportation into Metro Atlanta. Its 9 public schools and 12 well-kept parks are just a few of the family-friendly amenities of this town. The city was only incorporated into a city in mid 2005, after a long battle with the state to resist annexation with Atlanta and a call for a referendum. Today the city has a mayor and six Council members. The town experienced serious growth in the 1950s when a housing boom began. Many of the homes in newer neighborhoods evidence that period with ranch-style and modern traditional homes. This small city is one of metro Atlanta's most affluent residential communities and in recent years has seen a trend in high-rise luxury condominium building. Medium income is among the highest in Georgia, with a household making over $60,000 and a family income estimated at just above $80,000. With all this affluence the area is flush with beautiful public buildings, and many national companies locally headquartered here, which means more professional jobs are being created. This is an expensive place to live with the median house value at $345,200 in the year 2000. The dominant employment arenas for the population are in professional, scientific and technical industries.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Sandy-Springs-Georgia.html

Anyone thinking about buying in Sandy Springs would do well to purchase an audio driving tour tape at the Heritage Sandy Springs Administrative Office during regular business hours. It will provide an overview of the city's history and cultural identity. This is a wonderful resource that also can be used to tour the area and get a feel for the neighborhoods and see the civic buildings.

There are 74 homes listed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution from $150,000 to $400,000. Many more homes in the high $300,000 range came up than some ones at the lower ranges below $200,000. I found one listing for $299,000 in Sandy Springs that was the best deal with 4 bds. and 4 ba., backing up to homes near a million dollars and up. However, most of the homes near this price had either 2 or 3 bedrooms. There is very little but condos in prices below $200,000.

Surprisingly, there are 89 properties in the $400,000 to $800,000 price range!
http://homes.ajchomefinder.com/sales/ A 4 bd., 4. ba. townhome is $634,900. It has a master down, breakfast bar, hardwood floors, brick exterior, and even a pool. Another with 6 bd., 4 ba. is listed at $650,000. This home has a heated pool, basketball court, screened porch, hardwoods, 9-ft. ceiling, and masters up and down. Listings above $1,000,000 are increasingly opulent and usually include amenities like guestrooms, hardwoods, high ceilings, walk-in closets and landscaped yards with plush patio rooms or screened decks/porches. There are presently some listings in excess of $1,000,000 in this highly upscale community north of Atlanta.