Beate Schueppel arrived in Atlanta expecting high rises and concrete, but was surprised to find a selection of single-family homes surrounded by trees and park-like settings in neighborhoods inside and outside the perimeter.
“I was amazed at how green this town is,” she said.
Why Atlanta?
Beate, her husband Mirko, and their daughter, Isabel, moved from Germany for Mirko’s job with Siemens Corp. The family previous lived in the U.S., in these towns: Boca Raton, Fla.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Cary, N.C.
Putting down roots
The family desired to be within 20 minutes of Atlanta International School in Buckhead, which Isobel attends. They first looked in the Alpharetta area, closed to Mirko’s job, but ended up preferring an inside-the-perimeter location near Perimeter Mall, off Ashford-Dunwoody Road. Mirko could head north on Ga. 400 for about a 25-minute commute, but the location helped them avoid morning traffic heading south on Ga. 400 to reach the school.
The family desired about a 3,000 square-foot home with an open kitchen, eating area and living room. The couple worked with Harold B. Simmons of Harry Norman, Realtors, in Sandy Springs. They looked at about 30 houses, and then Beate returned to Germany. They saw an online listing for another home not included in that search. Mirko, who was still in Atlanta, looked at the wooded, hillside property and put in an offer. The home, built in 1986, has five bedrooms, three full and two half baths, and features including a deck with a hot tub.
The couple, married 22 years, credits the fact that they know each other well for being able to buy without Beate viewing the property in person. Also, they shared pictures taken from different angles instead of relying on those from the listing. Knowing the floor plan - either using one provided by the seller or sketching it out - also helped them determine if and where their furniture would fit, Beate said.
After purchasing the home in 2012, they made a few changes, including adding hardwood floors and replacing the single-pane windows, which were more than 25 years old, with energy-efficient windows.
Relocation tip
Picture how you would live in certain areas, by driving around neighborhoods. “You also want to look around and say, ‘Do I feel warm and comfortable in this area or not?” Mirko said. Also, consider the traffic patterns during rush hour and any certain roads you’ll want to avoid because of congestion.
