Help... Need to figure out which area of ATL to move to! (Atlanta: apartment, rent)

[Xenamy]

Moving to Atlanta and trying to figure out the optimal area to look for housing. I don't want to have to face a commute longer than an hour. Thinking I'll consider Marta if safe. I'm not really a city person... Just got a job offer I can't pass up and so here I am!

1. Budget
Up to $1500 monthly rent.

2. House/Condo/Townhome?
House. I need over 3 BR with a fenced in yard.

3. Employment Status(commute)
I'll be commuting to the Suntrust Bldg- 30303. I haven't quite decided if I Shoul drive or take Marta. Will take any feedback... The drive into downtown during rush hour looks gnarly but I also want to be safe on marta. I've heard mixed reviews.

4. Children(public school vs. private)- N/A

5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two.
Suburban.

6. Easy access to public transit, important or not?
Open.

7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood. Educated. Professional. Open minded. Somewhere I can go for a run/walk my dogs in the evenings without worry.

[flyonpa]

Roswell , Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, SFH's, Suburban, good access to Marta, (Marta is generaly safe) but like any city subway system you have to be smart. But riding durring rush hour should not be a problem. I would take Marta to work,

[lorilove]

Any of the northen suburbs will meet your general needs. As flyonpa noted, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Roswell will give you MARTA access.

f you can't find homes in that area that meet your budget needs, you can also look at Smyrna or Mableton. You won't have MARTA access but commute to downtown is not bad with lots of alternative road options.

Based on other cities I have lived, Atlanta generally pretty dog friendly.

[peachstatehomegal]

Gwinnett has some nice places to offer. Here's a link to transit in Gwinnett. They've got nice bus service that'll take you downtown.

Or maybe Decatur? It's got some nice places and isn't that far from town.

[Xenamy]

Thank you all so much! I need to secure something in 2 weeks and the info is a great start... will be checking it all out this week.

[ATLTJL]

North Fulton. Anywhere that you can get to the North Springs MARTA station. MARTA can get quite sketchy at times in my experience, but it's fine during commuting hours.

Do you have to wear formal clothes to work? The only reason I ask is because MARTA stations are not climate controlled. So if you have an important meeting first thing in the morning, it can be problematic during the summer. You may have been standing on an non-climate controlled platform for 15 minutes sweating before work waiting for a train to arrive. That's what I always hated about MARTA, but I know air conditioned platforms are a little unreasonable to ask for.

[Xenamy]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

North Fulton. Anywhere that you can get to the North Springs MARTA station. MARTA can get quite sketchy at times in my experience, but it's fine during commuting hours.

Do you have to wear formal clothes to work? The only reason I ask is because MARTA stations are not climate controlled. So if you have an important meeting first thing in the morning, it can be problematic during the summer. You may have been standing on an non-climate controlled platform for 15 minutes sweating before work waiting for a train to arrive. That's what I always hated about MARTA, but I know air conditioned platforms are a little unreasonable to ask for.

Ugh! I didn't even think about that! I'm going to be in a suit at all times. Oh the heat! That's unacceptable... I think I just decided to commute by car!!

Someone mentioned CCT as a MARTA alternative? Does anyone know anything about that?

[flyonpa]

Xpress GA - Xpress Home are a option, they go all the way downtown, in AC buses from cumming and many other places.

[ATLTJL]

If I were you, I'd consider Buckhead. It's considered an intown neighborhood, but if you're up in north Buckhead, it's got the feel of a nice suburb.

You probably won't get a 3 bedroom house for your budget, but you never know! It's an old area, so there are still some older homes left that might rent out for about what you're looking.

If I were you, I'd consider a 2 bedroom apartment or townhouse. Most of the intown places accept dogs and there are quite a few parks and green spaces you can go to. The commute from Buckhead to downtown isn't terrible, and it's also close to MARTA for those days that aren't too cold or too hot (rare, but they exist!)

[Xenamy]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

If I were you, I'd consider Buckhead. It's considered an intown neighborhood, but if you're up in north Buckhead, it's got the feel of a nice suburb.

You probably won't get a 3 bedroom house for your budget, but you never know! It's an old area, so there are still some older homes left that might rent out for about what you're looking.

If I were you, I'd consider a 2 bedroom apartment or townhouse. Most of the intown places accept dogs and there are quite a few parks and green spaces you can go to. The commute from Buckhead to downtown isn't terrible, and it's also close to MARTA for those days that aren't too cold or too hot (rare, but they exist!)

Eh... I've done townhouse living for the last few years and not sure it's my bag... I think I'd rather deal with a commute than a bad neighbor that lives right next door. How safe is Buckhead in terms of crime?