We are in our eleventh year in Fayette County.

I was in denial for several years, as people would tell me that things are in decline--particularly in the area where we chose to live.

But they were right.

My particular neighborhood has, quite literally, gone to weeds. We are sandwiched between two recent foreclosures. To our right--the most recent--we have a property that went to hell in a handbasket when our good neighbors of several years sold and moved to California. The single woman who moved in seemed not to realize that the structure was surrounded by a lawn in need of care. The indigenous plants that have taken over that yard are now looking at my yard longingly. The house is empty.

To the left, we have a house that is now full of renters who seem not to own a lawnmower.

Two houses to the left is a recent foreclosure. It has already had a series of short-term renters.

Three houses to the right is a house with a history of foreclusre, followed by mysterious occupancy. I once posted on here, asking advice when one suspects a stash house. It still sits empty. Weird.

The house across the street was a foreclosure a few years ago. It is now kept up very nicely. It really is. One reason for this is that there are plenty of people to do the work. Multiple families live there. I suspect it as a kind of staging operation or halfway house for people immigrating to this country.

I have worked hard for ten years on this home. I've put in (real) hardwood floors up and down, built in a self-sufficient apartment in the basement, and landscaped the gorgeous backyard with a pond. I hate to leave here. But I also hate the beating that I'll take when I try to sell. My work will have come to nought.

But I am getting the "H-E-double-toothpicks" out of here as soon as possible.

Where to go?

Newnan is a possibility.

My preference? Somewhere far, far away from the Atlanta Metro area.

Forsyth county is a pretty popular choice for people leaving the southside and relocating to the northside. It really depends on where you plan on working as to where you move.

Interesting.

The ironic twist is that there are many great neighborhoods right downtown in Atlanta. Indeed, as bad as Dekalb County is in general, the area in the immediate vicinity of downtown Decatur is nice.

We've looked very seriously at downtown Newnan--and I mean, literally, downtown in one of the Victorian neighborhoods.

I am tied to a job in the Atlanta area and, in my profession (and at my age) relocation is a very difficult proposition. But if I had my "druthers," I would get away from the Atlanta metro area altogether.

I have a son and his family in Rome, GA--nice town. My daughter and her family are in Asheville--awesome town and area. "Home" for me is the Cocoa Beach, Florida area. But, unless I manage to write the Great American Novel and become independently wealthy, I have to stay where the work is.

Sorry for your misfortune in home location choices! All that in one neighborhood is unusual for Fayette county.
I recall you indicated before you wanted to sell, and mentioned Asheville as something you might like. Just remember that Asheville has some bad winters, and is quite touristy.

If you can, it may pay you to hang on until some of the current housing bust recedes. It is not as bad here however as many places, and some re-sale houses are selling well due to lack of new starts. The more expensive, the better.

Why did you buy in Clayton County? Pull up stakes and move into Fayette County with the rest of us.

Oh... you already live in Fayette County? YIKES! Call out the National Guard. We're in need of some border patrols.

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The Sissy And The Word Defined

I am sure Main can help you sell your house.

Where I live I love it, we don't have any foreclosures, etc. nice neighborhood, I'm going to stay, I love where I live.

As far as schools if Clayton Co. comes and there is a problem, I have sent my son to a private school before, he would not mind to go back, it's the driving back and forth- the job I have will allow me to do this- that's a blessing. I don't mind to pay the money for the school if things get out of hand. I have his best interest at hand- I am going to have a positive outlook on this.

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We Will Stand

But once it becomes so, it will remain so. Wise up folks..the quick fix--big brother can cure all because he knows better than you. Fayette County is a community of successful and intelligent people who have built the system that exceeds state standards. But we may have little say so in this one.