Welcome to Rome!
While finishing up the three-hour drive from Nashville to Rome, my first experience as an official Roman was seeing a shirtless man on a horse trotting down Dean Avenue. Never since have I seen this ghost rider, yet it sure made my entry to Rome memorable. Now, you may not get quite the welcome I received, yet Rome GA with Kids hopes your experience Moving To Rome, Georgia is just as magical.
Neighborhoods
As far as neighborhoods, Rome is interesting, because of the widespread economic diversity and "pockets" of nice or less-nice areas. If I were moving to Rome again, here are the areas I'd not hesitate moving to:1. Between the Rivers (of course, it's historic and beautiful...and expensive!)2. Maplewood area3. Old East Rome4. Southeast: Saddlebrook Downs and Saddle Mountain off of Rockmart Road and Woodfin Estates, Twickinham, and The Reserve (newer homes) just off of Chulio Road all have easy access to town AND Cartersville/Atlanta.5. Horseleg Creek and College Heights are a great location.6. Armuchee, but close enough that you have easy access to Rome. Plenty of neighborhoods off Old Dalton Road and Martha Berry. If it were me, anything south of the airport would be fine.7. There's a cute neighborhood just south of Berry that I can't remember the name of, but I'm not sure what school it would be in. Convenient location.8. West End school district. These are great family neighborhoods, but it's a hike from West Rome to downtown on Shorter.9. Shannon if you don't mind the extra 10 minutes to civilization. (Model school district)10. Garden lakes area has some nice, cute houses, but like West End area, there are a lot of lights you have to go through on Shorter to get into "Downtown" Rome (though Garden Lakes is close to the bypass if you're going anywhere north of downtown.There are several other nice neighborhoods around, so don't only look for these. Many unincorporated places are fine too.
Schools
One thing weird about Rome is that Rome City Schools are in their own school district, and everything outside of Rome is in Floyd County School District. They often hold different Spring/Fall breaks, which is annoying, because I know some families that have children in both districts. If you don't live in the district of the school you want, you may apply for another school and pay a small fee to go to your school of choice if you get accepted.Rome City School District only has one real middle school and one real high school (Rome). They are very big but also offer more academics (AP classes, etc...I heard this from a family that researched all high school options coming from private school). I've really not heard anything bad about most county middle/high schools either, though they are smaller. There are also a few private schools like Unity Christian School, Berry, St. Mary's, and Darlington. Most elementary schools in the area are good, but I've heard the most good about East Central, West End (both in Rome City School District), and Johnson or Model (County Schools). More School info here.Get Involved
I’ve heard countless times that it’s hard for new Romans to feel welcome. Let’s speed things up for you and help you jump right in! Here are a few places moms unite around Rome (also listed under Mom Resources):
Rome GA with Kids Facebook Community
If you’re not already a member of our online community, request to join (must answer questions to prove you live in NW Georgia). We’ll occasionally post play-dates and other fun kid, family, or mom-friendly events, or post your own meet-up! We’ll try to support you.
Kindermusik
Parents of young children attend class with their child. This is a great place to meet other parents with children your same age while introducing music patterns. Bonus: Classes are held on the beautiful Berry College Campus!
Floyd Medical Center New Mom Groups
Join other moms to talk about the joys and difficulties of life with newborns, babies and toddlers. The group meets every Thursday from 5 – 6:30 p.m. at Childbirth Education and Lactation Services, 1013 North 5th Ave., Suite 7, Rome, GA 30165.
MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) Group
Join this group to find a tribe for Christian mothers.
Mom’s Run This Town Facebook Page
Join other running (and walking) mama’s or find a group to run with.
Junior Service League of Rome
Junior Service League is an organization of women whose mission is to foster interest in the social, economic, educational, cultural and civic conditions of the community and to make efficient their volunteer service.
One Community United
One Community United is a 501(c)3 organization composed of citizens working to eliminate Racial, Ethnic, Economic, Sexual Orientation & Religious barriers.
YMCA
Join the YMCA or other Fitness Center with childcare.
Schools
Get involved with your child’s school PTO or preschool. PALS (mother’s morning out/preschool/kindergarten/homeschool programs) offers a discount for parents who volunteer once a month. See how much good you can do!
Churches
GoodNews Christian Magazine publishes a list of churches in Rome each month and free copies can be found at local businesses. Church is a great place to find new friends!
Good to Know
Government – Registration and Official Docs:
DMV
3390 Martha Berry Hwy NE, Rome GA 30165
706-295-6032
Floyd County Tag Office
101 W. 5th Ave
706-291-5150
Rome Police (non-emergency)
706-673-5535
U.S. Post Office
1420 Martha Berry Blvd.
706-295-1860
Utilities:
Scana Energy
1-877-467-2262
Atlanta Gas Light Co.
800-427-2262
Georgia Power
706-802-0722
City of Rome Water Dept.
706-236-4440
Floyd Co. Water
706-291-5132
Allied Waste Services
706-235-8503
City of Rome Trash Collection
706-236-4580
AT&T (phone)
706-780-2355
Comcast Cable
706-291-7288
Home Repair/Outdoor Services/Maintenance:
North Georgia Outdoor Services
Retaining walls, tree removal and trimming, playground installation, fences
706-378-5397
K&D Plumbing
706-802-1050
Frank Purdy Electric
706-331-0812
Murphy’s Appliance Center
appliance repair and sales (new and used)
706-232-2509
Autumn Clene Carpet Cleaning
Greg Rudell)
706-506-0788
Pest Control
Plumbers:
Tim Agan
706-291-0240
Carver & Carver Plumbing
706-35-8996
Clay Service Service
706-234-5983
Advice From Other Rome Parents:
It’s a great small town. Easy to make friends. Lots of kid-friendly activities. Be sure to get a peach pass to go to Atlanta.
Old East Rome is a great neighborhood. East Central, West End Elementary, and Garden Lakes Elem are great schools.
School-wise, I’ve heard the best things about East Central and West End for Elementary in RCS. My kids go to East Central, and we love it. I’d probably prefer Model, Armuchee, or Coosa if going the county route.
Small towns slowly adding more to do. Rivers need cleaning of trash and pollution : ( NOTHING for teens which makes them bored and susceptible to dangerous situations.
I think overall Rome City Schools is a stronger, more competitive learning environment than the surrounding schools. They also offer larger, more diverse, and more developed fine arts programs and athletic programs. I tend to like the East Rome area better than the West Rome area. The housing options seem nicer. Also, there is quicker access to Atlanta and surrounding suburbs from the East side.
The cost of living in Rome is too high. Anything affordable is in a bad area. The crime rate & type of crimes have made our family consider moving. My advice is to move to somewhere more affordable & commute to Rome for work. But you could commute to Bartow to make more money.
Move into the Model/Johnson community. It’s the best part of the county, and you’re still close enough to enjoy all that downtown Rome has to offer.
Armuchee community. Avoid South & North Rome. Avoid motels on Martha Berry because of drugs.
Floyd and Bartow are great areas.
Neighborhoods that I’ve heard are good/safe/family-friendly: Maplewood area, Old East Rome area, College Heights neighborhood area, Horseleg Estates neighborhood, Summerville Park neighborhood, Stonebridge neighborhood, (homes near/behind Lavender Mountain Hardware-not sure of neighborhood name), and some neighborhoods down Burnett Ferry in West Rome that I’m not as familiar with I have heard are nice too. Schools: Rome First School, PALS, First Baptist Preschool, Westminster, Montessori, Berry Preschool, Unity Preschool, Darlington Preschool (that’s little ages, bc that’s what I have and hear more about these days!)
I would recommend staying in the middle of town or the East side. There is more to do and closer to everything.
I would definitely recommend Armuchee because we are very proud of our academic achievements.
I would highly recommend West End Elem.
I would not recommend Pepperell Schools based in scores and stories of friends with children there.
I would recommend Ridgeferry Park, Nortside Swim Center, and the fountains at the Town Green. We enjoy visiting all three. I would also highly recommend the library.
It’s hard to come in as an outsider. Try to get involved to make friends.
I recommend the Silver Creek area. I grew up there and it is nice and quiet and away from the city drama. I would like to move to Armuchee to see if it’s quite like Silver Creek and Cave Springs.
Broad Street has a lot to offer in food and entertainment.
East Central or West End for Rome City Schools
Armuchee or Old East Rome
College Heights neighborhood next to Shorter U is great and super close to everything in town but still very much in the country.
Move into the area based on the school system. We love our neighborhood in Lindale but don’t like the school system. We would move into the Model or Armuchee districts if we moved.
Safe town to raise children, great school system and colleges.
Johnson has great test scores!!!! Try to get that school district.
Don’t move to Rome. You’ll end up driving to Chattanooga or Atlanta all the time To do activities such as Disney store Disney on Ice the mall since ours converted into a mall museum and this place isn’t kid friendly.
The Model is a great community.
City schools are lacking for special education and there are not many resources because of small town Wish there were more things to do with the kids (older) always have to go to Kennesaw, Marietta, Cartersville or Chattanooga.
Make sure to follow all of Rome’s social media accounts, blogs, etc. That is where you can always know what’s going on around town. Be active in your community. There is never “nothing” to do!
We moved from Garden Lakes (after 13 years!) to East Rome and love it!
Find your tribe.
