We asked readers to tell us why they moved to Gwinnett, what problems they are encountering in their neighborhoods and the county at large and how they feel about Gwinnett schools. They also talked about the county's quality of life, its options for shopping and dining and whether they stay in Gwinnett or head to Atlanta for a night out. Here are some of their responses:

"[I] moved to Gwinnett in '95 from Charlotte. It was close to family, I could buy more house than in North Fulton —- and [Gwinnett County Public Schools] had (and still have) a good reputation."

STEPHEN BURNS, Lawrenceville

"Had one weekend to look for a house, found this one and bought it, and have regretted it since."

BARBARA LIGHT, Dacula

"Over time, lowering standards of excellence among homeowners tend to be a drag on the entire development. While basically opposed to rigid standards enforced by zealots, I am coming to see the value of setting high standards for home appearance.

VERN HERR, Norcross

"Kids with not enough to do. Our basketball court has a 12-foot-high fence and key card lock but was constantly being entered via jimmying the door lock or climbing the fence, causing damage to the facility. We decided to close the basketball court, although I didn't agree with that decsion, but the kids now just hang out in the parking lot."

ARTHUR SHELDON, Duluth

"You become very suspicious of people in your neighborhood. Crime and vandalism make residents feel vulnerable. You just don't have a 'good' feeling about where you live."

JOSEPH GILKEY, Lawrenceville

"I don't think people really take time to get to know their neighbors anymore. Everyone's too busy."

GLENN HOWELL, Lawrenceville

"The neighborhood is not a friendly one. I leave for work before 6 a.m., and it is 5:30 p.m. or later when I get home, so there's not much time for socializing. I think a lot of the neighbors are in the same boat as there's not a lot of camaraderie."

ROBERT SAMPLE, Loganville

"What used to be a peaceful, quiet part of Gwinnett County, the Centerville area, is no longer a place where you can leave your doors unlocked. Eighty percent of the people who were here when we moved here have left.

HOLLY GRYTA, Snellville

"It is true, I believe, that we have in Gwinnett a 'world class school system.' My daughter and I both teach. Our kids may be at a low socioeconomic level in our Title I schools, but they are receiving a quality education. The one big lesson lacking is simple respect —- respect for themselves, their classrooms and school equipment and authority."

THELMA HEYWOOD, Lawrenceville

"I think the school system has improved in the last five years, but we have not cured the trailer-in-the-parking-lot syndrome. In addition, all these new schools require a learning curve for the new teachers and supervisors, so we are never going to catch up and just teach our kids."

GARY VON BEHREN, Lawrenceville

"The school system, in an effort to appease the "diversity" activists, has succeeded in "dumbing down" students to the lowest common denominator. It's not excellence anymore, it's tolerance."

ROBERTA CROMLISH, Stone Mountain

"Gwinnett continues to be innovative and continues to raise the bar."

JOAN PRICHARD, Grayson

"People from Forsyth and Fulton need to stop cutting through Berkeley Lake going 50 mph! Also, they really need to stop speeding down Peachtree Industrial Boulevard through Duluth. People cannot even get out of their apartment complexes without being in accidents. The city of Duluth Police are doing their best though to sit on Peachtree Industrial. I do give them credit!"

ALLISON RODGERS, Duluth

"Gwinnett made the investment in major (four-lane or larger) roads that make the commute easier. Schools are (in general) good quality. However, unrestrained growth in transient, high density (townhomes and apartments) housing threatens the quality of life."

RANDY HORENSTEIN, Lawrenceville

"I pay half the real estate tax on my Gwinnett house as I do on my Hawaii house. The Hawaii house is assessed at 10 times what the Gwinnett house is. Do the numbers. They say that Hawaii is a tax hell. I'd say that Gwinnett beats them five to one!"

MARGARET AURAND, Sugar Hill

"Gwinnett is a growing community that provides great services. [The] new ballpark and pro team will increase the value of the community, [but] jazz spots are few and far between."

ROBERT BERLON, Buford

"With crime, traffic and taxes on the rise, it's certainly not a 10. But it does carry with it the opportunity to get more of a better life away from the city, better schools and a bit cleaner air quality, I think!"

RICK ROWE, Snellville

"House prices are overvalued, and sales are not moving. Crime has become an issue —- especially drugs and gangs.

TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC!"

APRIL COLEMAN, Loganville

"The Avenue [Web Gin] is a plus —- keeps me from hitting the mall area, which is worse with traffic."

CYNDI DAVIS, Snellville

"We like to experience new restaurants that are not part of chains. We especially like the selections in downtown Buford."

SHELLIE HUTCHENS, Suwanee

"There is very little in downtown Atlanta that is compelling enough for me to fight the traffic, parking and crowds associated with it!"

MATTHEW JANIAK, Norcross

ABOUT VOICE OF GWINNETT

Voice of Gwinnett is an online panel of readers who volunteer to answer questions on local issues. This questionnaire was answered in February by 153 Gwinnett residents. Although it reflects the opinions of many in Gwinnett, Voice of Gwinnett is not considered scientific because the sample is not random. Surveys are instituted and analyzed by Marketing Workshop Inc. in Norcross. To sign up for Voice of Gwinnett, go to ajc.com and sign up for Voice of Atlanta.

What's the main issue in your neighborhood?

> Speeding/traffic: 21.6%

> The economy/housing values/foreclosures: 21.6%

> Covenants, codes are ignored or violated. Neighbors don't keep up their houses with mowing/painting etc.: 16.3%

> Crime/vandalism: 13.1%

> Covenants codes are too rigid or unreasonable: 3.9%

> Other: 15%

> Don't know: 7.8%

> No answer: 0.7%

Why do you live in Gwinnett?

(Multiple responses allowed; total will not equal 100%.)

> More home for dollar: 35.9%

> Schools: 35.9%

> Family: 25.5%

> Job: 22.9%

> Taxes: 11.8%

> Other: 23.5%

> Don't know: 4.6%

How would you rate the quality of life in Gwinnett with 10 the highest and 1 the lowest.

> 10: 1.3%

> 9: 7.8%

> 8: 30.7%

> 7: 28.8%

> 6: 10.5%

> 5: 9.2%

> 4: 5.2%

> 3: 3.3%

> 2: 2%

> 1: 0.7%

> Don't know: 0.7%

What are the biggest problems in Gwinnett as a whole?

(Multiple answers allowed; total will not equal 100%.)

> Traffic: 73.9%

> Crime: 39.9%

> Home values: 16.3%

> School quality: 16.3%

> Economy/lack of jobs: 13.1%

> Taxes: 8.5%

> Other: 28.8%

> Don't know: 0.75%

How would you rate Gwinnett Public Schools with 10 being excellent and 1 being poor?

> 10. 7.2%

> 9. 11.1%

> 8. 21.6%

> 7. 15%

> 6. 9.2%

> 5 5.9%

> 4. 4.6%

> 3 4.6%

> 2. 2%

> 1. 0

> Don't know: 18.3%

> No answer: 0.7%

What is your favorite leisure activity in Gwinnett?

> Hanging with family or friends: 18.3%

> Dining: 17.6%

> Visiting a park: 15.7%

> Watching kids' activities such as sports, music events or other: 10.5%

> Exercise or athletics: 7.2%

> Movies: 6.5%

> Shopping: 5.2%

> Music in clubs or at arena: 2%

> Other: 10.5%

> Don't know: 5.2%

>No answer 1.3%

What is your favorite cuisine when you dine out?

> Italian: 22.2%

> American: 17.6%

> Mexican/South American: 15%

> Asian: 13.1%

> Continental: 7.2%

> Indian: 0.7%

> Other: 17.6%

> Don't know: 5.9%

> No answer: 0.7%

How would you rate entertainment options in Gwinnett?

> Excellent: 9.2%

> Good and getting better: 42.5%

> Average: 31.4%

> Sub-par: 7.8%

> Dismal: 4.6%

> Don't know: 3.9%

> No answer: 0.7%

How well do you know your neighbors?

> Very well: 10.5%

> Fairly well: 41.8%

> Not well: 26.8%

> Hardly: 14.4%

> Not at all: 5.2%

> Don't know: 0.7%

> No answer: 0.7%

How often do you do things together with your neighbors?

> Frequently: 7.8%

> Occasionally: 14.4%

> Sometimes: 34.6%

> Never: 41.2%

> Don't know: 0.7%

> No answer: 1.3%

How often do you attend church, synagogue or other religious place?

> More than once a week: 13.7%

> Weekly: 27.5%

> At least once a month: 6.5%

> At least twice a year: 19.6%

> Never: 28.8%

> Don't know: 0.7%

> No answer: 3.3%

How often do you eat out each week?

Never: 0 -

Less than once a week: 27.5%

Once or twice: 47.1%

Three or four times: 17.6%

Five or more times: 7.2%

How would you rate shopping in Gwinnett?

> Excellent: 30.7%

> Good and improving: 39.9%

> Average: 20.3%

> Awful: 3.9%

> Don't know: 3.3%

> No answer: 2%

When you seek nightlife, do you usually go to Atlanta?

> Always: 5.9%

> Most often: 23.5%

> Sometimes: 37.3%

> Never: 22.9%

> Don't know: 5.2%

> No answer: 5.2%

When you seek nightlife, do you usually stay in Gwinnett?

> Always: 4.6%

> Most often: 25.5%

> Sometimes: 39.9%

> Never: 20.9%

> Don't know: 3.9%

> No answer: 5.2%

* Percentages are rounded and may not total exactly 100.