young single black mother moving this summer!-

[bizchick86]

Well since you're securing work first, my recommendation for a neighborhood would be the Chamblee/ north DeKalb area. It's an OTP suburb so it's cheaper than the city but you still won't be in the sticks. I actually went to both daycare and high school in that area. Zip code 30341.

There are *great* backroads to get into the city and other parts of metro Atlanta over there and convenient access to MARTA (our public transit rail system). I would open myself to the idea of commuting by public transit and doing a park n'ride (drive your car to MARTA on the way to work and use their free parking, and drive it back home after work)--it's relatively inexpensive and can save sooo much time on your commute.

And if you want to upgrade eventually, you won't have to completely uproot yourself and your son. There are some nice homes up there and private schools. Even if you don't want private school, Chamblee Middle and High School and Dunwoody H.S. are great public schools. I'm a Chamblee H.S. alum, woot woot, and it's won several national awards for excellence.

That area is definitely diverse--strong Latino presence around the Buford Hwy area, and blacks, whites, and Asians throughout. DeKalb county is one of the most diverse regions in the *country*. At Chamblee H.S., which was very diverse, different races actually interacted with each other. That is unusual in many American cities and one of the best features of my high school experience.

You can get an idea of the market by checking out craigslist. Here's an example of one apt building I found: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/apa/4097021583.html

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by bizchick86

Well since you're securing work first, my recommendation for a neighborhood would be the Chamblee/ north DeKalb area. It's an OTP suburb so it's cheaper than the city but you still won't be in the sticks. I actually went to both daycare and high school in that area. Zip code 30341.

There are *great* backroads to get into the city and other parts of metro Atlanta over there and convenient access to MARTA (our public transit rail system). I would open myself to the idea of commuting by public transit and doing a park n'ride (drive your car to MARTA on the way to work and use their free parking, and drive it back home after work)--it's relatively inexpensive and can save sooo much time on your commute.

And if you want to upgrade eventually, you won't have to completely uproot yourself and your son. There are some nice homes up there and private schools. Even if you don't want private school, Chamblee Middle and High School and Dunwoody H.S. are great public schools. I'm a Chamblee H.S. alum, woot woot, and it's won several national awards for excellence.

That area is definitely diverse--strong Latino presence around the Buford Hwy area, and blacks, whites, and Asians throughout. DeKalb county is one of the most diverse regions in the *country*. At Chamblee H.S., which was very diverse, different races actually interacted with each other. That is unusual in many American cities and one of the best features of my high school experience.

You can get an idea of the market by checking out craigslist. Here's an example of one apt building I found: Unbelievable Deal! Upgraded 2BR! Gated Atlanta Community! Only $829!

Good comments, but with the exception of a very-small portion of the 30341 zip code that lies outside and to the east of I-285 roughly between Chamblee Tucker Road and Evans Road, all of the Chamblee area and almost all of the 30341 zip code lies inside of the I-285 Perimeter.

The Dunwoody area lies to the north and outside of I-285 Perimeter.

(Chamblee = ITP or Inside-the-Perimeter; Dunwoody = OTP or Outside-the-Perimeter)

[bizchick86]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Good comments, but with the exception of a very-small portion of the 30341 zip code that lies outside and to the east of I-285 roughly between Chamblee Tucker Road and Evans Road, all of the Chamblee area and almost all of the 30341 zip code lies inside of the I-285 Perimeter.

The Dunwoody area lies to the north and outside of I-285 Perimeter.

(Chamblee = ITP or Inside-the-Perimeter; Dunwoody = OTP or Outside-the-Perimeter)

Yes yes, you're right! My school was that little edge outside of it, but you're right that most of it is. Even better I guess, she can affordably be an ITP snob haha.