good areas to live below 20? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: condo, rental, job)

[julialynn]

Hey all,

I've lived in Atlanta for over the past 2 years. I've lived mostly in the northern area - in Buckhead and in Dunwoody. I ended up in Buckhead because PROMOVE told me the area next to my graduate school is "too dangerous" for a girl living alone. Then ended up in Dunwoody because of my husband's job.

However, my husband and I are looking to move into a house soon, and now I'm not sure where all to look. I *think* I know what areas to look into in northern Atlanta. We've been looking in mainly Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Decatur. However, I've been thinking of maybe looking in Mableton/Lithia Springs, Norcross, Tucker, Doraville/Chamblee.

In any case, I don't know where to look south of 20. I read something in here about West End not being bad, and I think someone said East Point is good too. Are there any other areas south of 20 (but not TOO far from downtown Atlanta, maybe 20ish or so miles out) that we should look into?

My husband and I are in our later 20s, kind of getting comfortable in our homey ways, but not makng tons of money, so we'd like an area that's nice but not really expensive (we're trying to keep rent at around $900/month).

Any suggestions or opinions on the areas we're looking in would be greatly appreciated!

[Atlantasfinest]

If you want great access to city life you have to stay above the southern arc of 285 if your looking to live below I-20. There are alot of neighborhoods where you can look, check out the Lakewood area off of University Ave & 166 Lakewood Freeway, Downtown/Historic College Park, areas near downtown East Point, Hapeville, West End, Westview, Capitol View. All of these areas are still relatively inexpensive, up and coming and you can find great deals and since you don't have to worry about schools you should be fine for the next several years. All of these areas offer great highway and street access into the city which is very important. Hope this helps .

[netdragon]

Sandtown/South Fulton (outside the West perimeter AND outside of Camp Creek Parkway) is the only area I'd touch South of 20 without using a long pole (however it's mostly single family homes) -- beware, inside the perimeter on Camp Creek is a dive and North of Camp Creek is sketchy at best (that's where ATL took place). I've also heard all the stuff about Grant Park, but I just don't like the area when I look at it and I really don't like anything from East Point over until Conyers/Covington. But that's just me

I'm curious why you aren't looking at Smyrna/Vinings but considering Mableton? There isn't much to rent in Smyrna/Vinings but if you avoid the commercial establishments (which will run you too much), there are places that are less than $900. I'm going to be renting my condo in Smyrna out for $825 and I already have multiple people lining up once I find a bigger place to move to and let someone sign a lease. Take a look on Craigslist.

[julialynn]

Atlantasfinest, are there parts of College Park we should look into and parts to avoid? For some reason I was under the impression that the area around the airport was supposed to be unsavory.

Originally Posted by netdragon

I'm curious why you aren't looking at Smyrna/Vinings but considering Mableton?

Actually, we're looking at Smyrna too, but it's so (relatively) close to Marietta I didn't bother mentioning it. Seems like so far the best deals I've been finding have been in Marietta/Smyrna. I'm more inclined to stay in north Atlanta honestly since my husband's job is in Dunwoody, but I figure if we find something amazing elsewhere we're certainly open minded.

Thank you both!

[davesm]

There are plenty of nice areas south of I-20, but different people have different definitions of nice. Some people like Coltrane others like Kenny G, and neither can understand why the other doesn't like what they like. For example Netdragon doesn't care for Grant Park, but apparently likes Conyers/Covington. I feel the exact opposite. I like old intown neighborhoods w/ some crime over new OTP subdivisions that pretend to have no crime. And lets be real... There are more people that are victims of domestic violence in the nicest of neighborhoods then there are people of random violence the worst of neighborhoods. People are victimized by people they know in most instances. Where ever you live if you use common sense you will be ok. That being said there are quite a few nice south of I-20 ITP neighborhoods. It just depends on what you are looking for. I have no idea what the rental market looks like, but Grant Park, Ormewood Park, E. Atlanta, Adams Park (along Cascade), College Park (Historic Area), and E. Point's older neighborhoods are all nice. These are areas I would let me sister live. There are more, but I'm just not familiar enough to recommend. However, since you are renting why not rent close to job?

[Tdiddy0027]

r u talking about inside the perimeter or in the southern suburbs, because I have a wealth of info on the latter