ITP cost of living vs. Suburban living in Atlanta metro (Monroe: neighborhood, restaurants)

[noah]

For myself I would in a second give up the garage, basement and 4th bedroom. Of course you will not find equal house features and a more in demand location for the same price.

Originally Posted by red92s

Seems like everyone thinks, if they just look hard enough, they can find that one little gem of an area, with excellent schools, low taxes, 4 bedroom homes with basements and garages for $200k, with great walkable amenities, no crime, and a 15 minute drive to the city center. Those areas DO exist, they are just . . . in Boise.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by noah

For myself I would in a second give up the garage, basement and 4th bedroom. Of course you will not find equal house features and a more in demand location for the same price.

Agreed. And I think you can still live the same quality of life (or better) in the city without the garage, basement and 4th bedroom at the same price.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by jsvh

I fervently disagree.

So you'd posture that it's possible to spend similar money closer to the city with equivalent square footage, safety, public schools, taxes, and local amenities?

Things like "quality of life" might be subjective and open to interpretation . . . so if that is what you are fervently disagreeing with, I think you are missing my point. You cannot buy equivalent space and size for the same price closer to the city without sacrificing something. You could argue that you don't need that extra space, but that is a separate discussion.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by red92s

So you'd posture that it's possible to spend similar money closer to the city with equivalent square footage, safety, public schools, taxes, and local amenities?

Things like "quality of life" might be subjective and open to interpretation . . . so if that is what you are fervently disagreeing with, I think you are missing my point. You cannot buy equivalent space and size for the same price closer to the city without sacrificing something. You could argue that you don't need that extra space, but that is a separate discussion.

You are never going to find something that is the exact same between two areas. I am arguing that living in the city involves different factors but you can achieve the same "quality of life". For example you may not get the same square footage but better local amenities. But yes, I suppose "quality of life" can be subjective.

[joey86]

Basically a lot of what is more private in the suburbs is shared in the city. There are more parks since people have less or no land. In the suburbs everyone has an suv(not literally). In the city more people can take the train. Art is another good example that has an effect on quality of life too. You simply can't compare the two just on the price of your home. Urban living comes with a lot more amenities.

[10 feet tall]

Originally Posted by joey86

Urban living comes with a lot more amenities.

The value of amenities are debatable though. Maybe someone enjoys being able to sit in their backyard and talk to a friend without the neighbors hearing the conversation while another enjoys MARTA access. Maybe someone else values being close to bars/restaurants while another person isn't bothered a bit by driving to them. It's all personal preference.

[joey86]

Originally Posted by 10 feet tall

The value of amenities are debatable though. Maybe someone enjoys being able to sit in their backyard and talk to a friend without the neighbors hearing the conversation while another enjoys MARTA access. Maybe someone else values being close to bars/restaurants while another person isn't bothered a bit by driving to them. It's all personal preference.

You're exactly right. It is debatable, if you have the money. Try living in Forsyth without a car. The city is better for people with less money. Services the lower class needs are more readily available. Middle and upper class folk will do fine wherever.

[joey86]

I don't think there is anything "bad" about being suburban, but I do see it as ultimately being a more exclusive lifestyle. It is designed that way on purpose too. The curvilinear street layout is designed to keep pesky poor people out.

[joey86]

Lofty Unit In Heart Of Midtown Asks, Um, $99K - On the Market - Curbed Atlanta

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by 10 feet tall

The value of amenities are debatable though. Maybe someone enjoys being able to sit in their backyard and talk to a friend without the neighbors hearing the conversation while another enjoys MARTA access. Maybe someone else values being close to bars/restaurants while another person isn't bothered a bit by driving to them. It's all personal preference.

I agree. It's worth noting that most people who live in the city proper also reside in single family homes in areas that were developed as suburbs. In terms of land use, there's really not much difference between, say, Kirkwood, Adams Park, Virginia Highland or Peachtree Hills and scads of neighborhoods in the suburban counties.