How far would our income go in Atlanta?

[gumboula]

Originally Posted by lilachu

Thanks for the feedback and well wishes, VJP! If we were willing to sacrifice size of home for location, do you think we might be able to afford to live in town, even with kids? We'd honestly be happy with a 1500 square foot, 3 bedroom home, or something similar. We don't need big.

Do not worry, you will be able to find something intown, even if you end up at the bottom of your income range. Start looking for other posts on the following neighborhoods:

East Atlanta
East Lake
Grant Park
Kirkwood
Oakhurst
City of Decatur (Oakhurst is part of Decatur, but it has its own character)
Lake Claire
Candler Park
Virginia Highlands
Morningside

Since you don't know exactly how much you will be making and only you know what your debt load is and how much you have to put down when you buy a house, these neighborhoods run the gamut of housing prices. They are roughly ordered from the least expensive at the top of the list (East Atlanta) to the most expensive at the bottom (Morningside). There are public school options in all of the these neighborhoods, but the strongest will be in Decatur/Oakhurst, LC/CP, and VA/Morningside. Crime rates will be lower in these neighborhoods as well (minus Oakhurst I would say, but those may be fighting words). ALL are very good, in-town, liberal, neighborhoods. All have some degree of walkability (none nearing NYC standards), lots of parks, and other amenities.

[lilachu]

Thank you, Gumboula -- this is very useful and I appreciate it.