Making the move from ITP to OTP; a case for the suburbs!

Our family relocated to Atlanta from San Antonio, Texas several years ago. At the time, we were a small family of three; Ryan, me and our 6-month-old daughter, Taylor. We initially moved to Virginia Highlands because we loved the vivaciousness of the area, the walkability, and the access to restaurants and nightlife. Our 2400 square foot home on a busy urban street was palatial, so we thought.

Virginia Highlands is a small, vibrant neighborhood inside the perimeter (ITP) of Atlanta. It is close to Emory University and filled with beautifully renovated bungalows. Most of the restaurants and shops are within walking distance.          

Three years, a new job and 2 more babies later, our family officially moved OTP (outside the perimeter). We are now living the suburban dream in the Johns Creek area. While we once loved exploring swanky bars and downtown neighborhoods, we now love finding family-friendly events to attend, and restaurants that open at 5 p.m.

We have sacrificed much of the walkability and convenience of many ITP neighborhoods, for us, the juice is worth the squeeze. Trips into the city for dates to certain restaurants or adventures to the zoo and aquarium are made. But, crossing back over 285 brings us a sense of calm. As our priorities have shifted, so have our interests. Life in the suburbs has given us the opportunity to enjoy family activities more intentionally.

We have learned that waking early on a Saturday to watch the fog rise off the Chattahoochee is worth giving up the extra hour of sleep. Enjoying a bottle of wine while the kids are playing in the yard tastes just as good as a cocktail at the nicest bar city life can offer. Our dogs bark a lot less at the deer in our yard than they did at pedestrians in the city. We can count the stars in the sky without the blur of nearby city lights. We loved our little home in the city but for us, for now, OTP life gives us just what we need.