Looking to rent condo in Midtown (Buckhead, Between: hardwood floors, real estate, foreclosed)

[DBoyd87]

First, I'll answer that checklist that was posted:

1. Budget--Probably max out around $2,000 a month. I'm willing to pay entire lease up front though.
2. Condo-high rise
3. Mostly work from home--not a problem
4. No children
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two= I'll go with a mix?
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? Not, but would be a plus.
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood= It probably won't bother me, whatever it is..but for reference sake: I'm 24. Male. Single. Straight. Not homophobic.


Ok so I've been living in Buckhead for a year+...and really getting sick of it. It just got old really fast--it's just way too "college". Anyways, I'm looking to lease a condo in midtown and hoping I can get a little help on where I can go to find some listings/advice on buildings in the area. I'm told that while rules exist that regulate what percentage of condos are allowed to be leased these rules are rarely followed, and virtually never regulated. However, I'm wondering if such "rules" will make it much more difficult to find listings on condos available for rent--and if so, what can I do to find/contact/and make an offer to an owner of a condo looking to rent? I'm willing to pay the entire amount up front on the life of the lease.


As far as the building--I love 1010, Luxe, Metropolis, Spire...but I wanted to throw this out there and see what came back--I'm a 24 single male heterosexual. I have absolutely no problem with the strong homosexual population that resides in Midtown, and it wouldn't bother me at all to live by, next to, or with a homosexual--before I say this I just wanted to be clear that it's not about being homophobic, or anything of that nature..so basically I visited a condo at Spire that a guy was selling. During the tour he asked me if I was gay--when I told him that I wasn't he said this, and I haven't really gotten it out of my mind since:

"Don't take this the wrong way--I loved living here, and it's great that you're open minded...but I'm not sure why a straight, single guy would want to live here."--so basically my question is this...is the percentage really that overwhelming? Is it just that building? Would I really be that out of place? I mean you can't blame me for wanting to meet some straight people...right?

[cityfilms]

You don't want to pay entire lease up front. YOu never know the unit could get foreclosed upon and you get booted out or the city charges you $2000 for water one month which does happen.

[shivtim]

You really can't go wrong with any of the developments you mentioned. 1010 will be the most expensive, Metropolis is probably the cheapest. Luxe will give you better access to Piedmont Park, Spire/Viewpoint/Metropolis give you better access to the restaurants on Ptree street, 1010 is right by the Crescent street bars/clubs, and Plaza is right above Publix.

I agree that there is no reason to pay $2K up front. You'll probably just have to pay a one-month security deposit. You can find a great 1/1 for $1200-$1700 depending on the size and view. $2K will get you a 2/2 in some of those buildings, or a nicer 1/1 on a higher floor. Just depends on what's available.

Some of those condos are indeed very gay. For example, I would estimate Plaza Midtown is at least 50% gay males. Like you said, if you're not homophobic, shouldn't be a problem. Just don't take your grandmother to the pool on a holiday weekend. You know, unless your grandma likes that kind of thing.

[koko339]

Wow that guy was completely out of line by saying that to you. I'm a gay guy, and even I take offense to that. If gay-friendly straight dudes want to move into the building, who cares? The more the merrier! Testa has a point though - the numbers work in your favor as far as picking up chicks .
Between Metropolis, Spire, Luxe, and Plaza Midtown, I wouldn't be able to say if one or the other is "gayer." I'm sure whichever one you move in to you'll be fine.

Have you thought about contacting a real estate agent? There are rentals listed in the multiple listing service, and you've got a healthy budget, so that might be the best route for you.

[jetter2]

Spire and Metropolis are running you about $1500/mo for a 1/1.

The thing I hated about those buildings is that the bedroom doesn't have a door..just like this 3/4th wall that seperates that "area' from the rest.

I REALLY like the ones over as 1280 west(if you get one that faces East or South) its the same distance from Crecent ave, but its not so deep in the gayborhood, its up north a little more..I hated the south view from the Metropolis...all you see is the Spire and viewpoint..its like looking at tin foil. Doesn't matte where you go down there, its all walkable and very cab-able if your to tanked to walk.

BTW, single 24/m/straight/looking for Midtown Condo as well..I feel your pain bud.

Troll around Craigslist..seems to be the best spot to find rentals.


FWIW, check out the thread I started about this very topic.

Lets Talk Midtown Condos

[DBoyd87]

Nice work here...all very helpful. I agree jetter...that "no bedroom door" thing really is annoying

[koko339]

Originally Posted by jetter2

Spire and Metropolis are running you about $1500/mo for a 1/1.

The thing I hated about those buildings is that the bedroom doesn't have a door..just like this 3/4th wall that seperates that "area' from the rest.

I REALLY like the ones over as 1280 west(if you get one that faces East or South) its the same distance from Crecent ave, but its not so deep in the gayborhood, its up north a little more..I hated the south view from the Metropolis...all you see is the Spire and viewpoint..its like looking at tin foil. Doesn't matte where you go down there, its all walkable and very cab-able if your to tanked to walk.

BTW, single 24/m/straight/looking for Midtown Condo as well..I feel your pain bud.

Troll around Craigslist..seems to be the best spot to find rentals.


FWIW, check out the thread I started about this very topic.

Lets Talk Midtown Condos

Not all of the units are like that, but you do pay more to have a full wall.

[jetter2]

Personally, I found 1280 West to be a great mix. I landed one where they just redid the entire kitchen, bathroom, hardwood floors and carpet as well. I have a SE view so the balcony sees the north end of Midtown buildings, and I have a room with a door. 31st floor, and its less than I would of paid at any of the Big 3 (Spire/Viewpoint/Metropolis).

To each their own, but I really wanted a bedroom and a door..Plaza midtown had a few units like that but they were a bit pricier. I just like having a door..if I have people crashing at my place in the living room I want to shut my bedroom door so I don't have to hear them. I looked at a top floor unit on the 20th floor in the Metropolis and it too didn't have a bedroom door..I will say they have more windows than I got at 1280, but I wasn't impressed with the southbound view of just 2 other buildings.


Different strokes for different folks!

[architect77]

In addition to not having a door, some units have only 1 bedroom and it ain't got a window. 1010 midtown has many $230k units and the master bedroom is basically a dark interior closet with a half wall. Bad layout.