A new job prompted Ashley and Jacob Goodin to move from Wisconsin to Georgia. Jacob, an equine surgeon with Georgia Equine Veterinary Services in Canton, wanted a home that was close to work. Ashley looked forward to warmer weather and enrolling two of their three kids — Emma, 10, Eli, 5, and Easton, 19 months — in a good school system. The couple found a four-bedroom home in a Cherokee County swim/tennis community.
Why Atlanta?
Once Jacob, 33, accepted the job, the native Kentuckian was eager to get back to the South where he attended veterinary school at Auburn University. The Goodins looked for a home close to his work because he is often on call and must be available for emergencies. They looked for homes online and worked with Nichole Beroset and Susan Harding with Keller Williams Atlanta Midtown to develop a list of homes to see when they visited Atlanta for two days at the end of May. On the first day of searching, a listing in Canton popped up for a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home with 3,100 square feet within walking distance of the pool and tennis court in Canton’s Falls at Mill Creek, where homes range from the high $100,000s to mid $200,000s. When they visited it the next day, they knew it was the one.
“We looked at houses in Cumming and Ball Ground as well, but we liked the way Canton felt,” said Ashley, 34. “As soon as we walked into the house, Jacob turned around and said, ‘It’s perfect. Let’s buy it.’”
Putting down roots
After they closed in June, the Goodins moved south and adjusted to life in a neighborhood rather than a 50-acre ranch. They enjoy walking to the pool and being located less than a mile away from Avery Elementary School. The kids have developed friendships with other children in the cul-de-sac, who attend the same school and can play together in the evenings after homework. The kids also enjoy their bigger bedrooms where they can store all of their favorite toys.
“It was a big deal to me to make sure we bought a place where everyone is happy living here,” Jacob said. “It’s a big move for us to come this far.”
Relocation tip
When searching for a home in another state, your “must-have” list is key, Jacob said. With only two days to visit and make a decision, the Goodins wanted to make the most of their time and view about 15 homes per day. To fit them in, they were strict with criteria. If they walked in the door and felt unsure, they left immediately and scratched it off the list. At one house, they could tell from the driveway that it wasn’t a good fit and decided not to go inside.
“We initially looked at houses with three bedrooms. but knew we needed four bedrooms to make it work,” Ashley said. “Stick to your criteria and make them as specific as possible.”
About the Author
