Random Topics Archives

Top 10 School Districts in Atlanta GA

January 10, 2015 by Thom Abbott

As a real estate broker, I’m often asked about schools. Since I don’t have children (and even if I did) I always advise my clients to do their own research into schools. What may be important to one parent, may not be important to the next, right?

Top 10 School Districts in Atlanta GA

But we found a source in Niche.com and wanted to share it. Niche is transforming the way people make big life decisions. By providing reviews and insight from everyday experts, they make choosing a neighborhood, college, or K-12 school a more transparent process. Founded in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon University students as CollegeProwler.com, they have since grown into one of the largest content startups in the country. Obsessed with providing students, families, and professionals with best-in-class content and deep insight into big life decisions, every year, they help millions of people find their niche and thrive within it.

So exactly WHAT is the Niche School District Ranking Methodology?

Students are very happy with their experience in all aspects including academics, teachers, health, safety, resources, facilities, extracurriculars, sports, and fitness;
District schools are exceptional academic institutions in terms of teachers, students, resources for learning, and student outcomes;
District schools are made up of a diverse population and fosters an accepting, positive school culture;
Students are actively involved in a variety of extracurriculars and sports the district offers.

So……

Top 10 School Districts in Atlanta GA

In the essence of full disclosure, we took this list right from the Niche.com website…so a couple of the school districts are a stretch to be called “Metro Atlanta” but we wanted to list them as they were on their site!

Again, we stress this information comes from Niche.com, and we are simply sharing it. Each parent and student should look at, and do their own research and investigation as to which school system is best for them.

As you look at this list, you can quickly see why the Metro Atlanta suburbs sprawl as families look to live in good school systems, and most of those circle the City of Atlanta!

What Would You Do If You Lost Your 4-Legged Family Member?

January 3, 2015 by Thom Abbott

Not always do I want to write about real estate. You see, there IS another side to that person that can help you with the biggest financial decision of your life! Sometimes, it’s just a picture that spurs the thought.

And this one is near and dear to my heart.

I’ve never lost a pet. They have died and lord, I even ran over one of my own dogs as a kid. (Try THAT grief on for size will you?!?) But the sheer thought of my dog or cat being missing, and not knowing where they are….dead, alive, warm, cold, safe, scared? They may have gotten out of a fenced yard, or an open door. It can happen.

But what is your pet (dog especially) was….gasp….stolen?

Do you think about dog safety?

As the photo says, dogs can be stolen for a number of reasons. And what made me think about this, is the number of times I’ve seen a dog tied up outside the CVS Pharmacy at 6th and Peachtree! The look on his/her face as they stare at the door, waiting for you to return! Imagine, coming out that door, and they not being there!!!

So, the next time you are out for that walk, and think suddenly, “oh, I need some milk, or razor blades…” maybe you could take Fido back to the comfort and security of your condo, and then run that errand.

Just something to think about.

What Midtown Atlanta Restaurants Are Open Christmas Day?

December 24, 2014 by Thom Abbott

So, Maybe you just don’t feel like messing you your condo kitchen?

Is there dining room for Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, etc. in your condo?

Who Feels like cooking?

If you find yourself asking those questions, then maybe you’ll want to Dine out on Christmas Day in Midtown. Now, the question is….

What Midtown Atlanta Restaurants Are Open Christmas Day?

Here is a quick run down of your options in Midtown on Christmas Day. As a quick disclaimer, we had seen a post that Henry’s and Ten Midtown were open, but we did not get a call into these places, so you may want to check for them as an option as well.

Hudson Grill — Peachtree Street Open till Midnight

Cafe Intermezzo – 12th & Midtown on Peachtree Street Open till 1am

Burger Fi –Cresent Avenue Behind 1010 Midtown Open 11am to 11pm

Yep…that is a pretty short list indeed….but some options. We compiled this information on a weekend, and in checking with Midtown hotels, we were often referred to the Sales Department as Christmas buffets are often considered a Catering Event. So, you might check with the Hyatt Midtown, Loews’ and The Four Seasons to see if they have openings for their Christmas dinners…if they have one.

Specifically, restaurants that we contacted that will be Closed on Christmas Day Include:

Gordon Biersch

Fresh To Order

Taco Mac

Mi Cocina

Max’s Wine and Dive

Otherwise, if not listed here, we did not contact them. So if one of your favorites is not listed here, you might want to give them a jingle (no pun intended) and see if they are an option for Christmas Day.

Happy Holidays from MyMidtownMojo.com!

Working with Thom Abbott and MyMidtownMojo.com

December 20, 2014 by Thom Abbott

Real estate is the industry, or business that I work in. My job really is in marketing. Especially for Sellers. But when it comes to working with Sellers or Buyers, I consider my clients my friends. And when you help your friends, you want to make sure they do the right thing, or get the right thing.

In helping my clients find the right home or condo, my joy comes from seeing THEIR joy when we find the “this is it” house, and we make it through the home buying process and they now have a great place to call home.

Such was the case of working with Randy and Sarah. Not only was it a fun process, but I know we will be friends for years to come. Thanks for letting me help you find your perfect first home!

My husband and I just bought our first home with the help of Thom. As you can imagine, our ideas and priorities changed quite a bit as we continued through the search process. He was so patient with us as we figured out what we loved. One of Thom’s greatest strengths is his ability to really listen to his clients and make adjustments to his suggestions based on your priorities. He easily builds rapport, and cares about getting to know his clients on a personal level. It is clear that he always has his clients’ best interests in mind, and is willing to go to bat to protect them if needed. To Thom, this isn’t just a job, he is genuinely interested in helping you find the home of your dreams, and that passion is apparent in every interaction.

Sarah

Comcast Southeast Headquarters Plans Metro Atlanta Expansion

December 11, 2014 by Thom Abbott

Comcast Southeast Headquarters is looking for a new home which might include the addition of some 200 corporate-level positions. The company’s current office location is at Courtyards Drive in Norcross. A Google Map and directions (shown below) shows about a 20 mile commute from Midtown Atlanta to the current office location.

Comcast Southeast Headquarters employees that are looking for a more urban, walkable community will want to consider Midtown Atlanta. While a majority of the housing options consist of condominiums and townhomes, there are single family home neighborhoods close by.

The map below shows an outbound commute time at 6pm, NOT an 8am or so time that you might be headed OUT to Norcross from the Midtown Area. At this time of the evening, your inbound commute from Norcross way still take in the neighborhood of 40 minutes, as you will encounter most of your rush hour traffic at the GA400/I-85 merge coming into Midtown.

If you are looking for condominium-type living closer to the Norcross office location, Norcross will offer townhome communities, but not much in the way of actual condominiums. The future re-development of the General Motors site in Doraville (at I-285 and I-85) will most likely offer some options, but those will be a couple years in the making…at least.

If you are looking for a single family neighborhood close to the Comcast Southeast Headquarters, there will be numerous options for you to choose from!

We look forward to helping you find just the right place to call home when you relocate to Atlanta!

The technology and media company could be scouting for about 150,000 square feet of office space. The Fortune 50 company could also locate a data center and call center operation in metro Atlanta.

Source: www.bizjournals.com

See on Scoop.it – Midtown Atlanta Conversations and Condos

Electric Car Ride And Drive Midtown Atlanta November 22 10-2pm

November 19, 2014 by Thom Abbott

Ever wondered if the hype about an electric call is all it’s….well hyped up to be?

Is an electric car an option for you? How do you charge them? How do they drive?

Hey Midtown Atlanta, hows about an Electric Car Ride and Drive?

This Saturday, November 22, from 10am – 2pm you can stop by the Atlanta Civic Center, at 395 Piedmont Avenue (corner of Ralph McGill Blvd and Piedmont Avenue and find out for yourself!

Electric Car Ride And Drive Midtown Atlanta

The event will have electric cars from BMW, Chevrolet, Nissan and Tesla! You will be able to learn more about the technology, finance and lease options, and current tax credits and dealer incentives. And my all important question, How to get a charging station installed at home.

Back in my days on the Midtown Neighbors’ Association Board of Directors, as all the new condo buildings were being developed, the Design Review Committee (DRC) of the Midtown Alliance would waive the requirement for developers to install electric car charging stations. They were not at all that popular in 2005-2009…..and now here we are! I’ll be doing a follow up on condo buildings and looking to see if the Board’s have any plans to go back and install these charging systems, or if the residents are even asking for them.

Hope to see you” on the road” at the Civic Center on Saturday for the Electric Car Ride and Drive!

Top 10 School Districts in Atlanta GA

Top 10 School Districts in Atlanta GA

What Midtown Atlanta Restaurants Are Open Christmas Day?

Happy Holidays from MyMidtownMojo.com!

Electric Car Ride And Drive Midtown Atlanta

HomeSmart