neighborhood/city ideas (Atlanta, Lilburn, Norcross: apartments, rent, condo)

[admeyerlife]

1. Budget: Max $250k
2. House/Condo/Townhome? House
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) Commute into midtown
4. Children(public school vs. private): public
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two: suburban or mix
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? YES
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood. diverse
[LEFT]
So, I'm thinking about transferring down to Atlanta. It's an optional transfer and I'm more than a little worried about the commute and schools in the Atlanta area.

I currently live in a suburban/urban area, but on a 1+ acre lot and only a 20 minute commute. My husband really wants at least an acre, but I really don't want to drive more than 45 minutes into midtown and would prefer to be somewhere with easy access to the MARTA. Is there any way for us to all get what we want? Oh, and safe. Somewhere I could go jogging around comfortably.

My son is two and we'd prefer to not pay for private school so I'd like someplace with good schools, as well. Basically, I want to have my cake and eat it, too.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[/LEFT]

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by admeyerlife

1. Budget: Max $250k
2. House/Condo/Townhome? House
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) Commute into midtown
4. Children(public school vs. private): public
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two: suburban or mix
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? YES
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood. diverse
[LEFT]
So, I'm thinking about transferring down to Atlanta. It's an optional transfer and I'm more than a little worried about the commute and schools in the Atlanta area.

I currently live in a suburban/urban area, but on a 1+ acre lot and only a 20 minute commute. My husband really wants at least an acre, but I really don't want to drive more than 45 minutes into midtown and would prefer to be somewhere with easy access to the MARTA. Is there any way for us to all get what we want? Oh, and safe. Somewhere I could go jogging around comfortably.

My son is two and we'd prefer to not pay for private school so I'd like someplace with good schools, as well. Basically, I want to have my cake and eat it, too.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[/LEFT]

Kirkwood. Accessible by 2 MARTA stations. Lots of greenspace, neighborhood run/walk club, blossoming downtown area with restaurants and bars. Access to great charter school and rapidly improving public schools.
Historic Kirkwood Neighborhood Atlanta GA

[red92s]

Where are these one acre lots in Kirkwood? Seems like even if you are spending $500k you are getting less than 1/3 of an acre. I don't know that simultaniously exceeding their budget and gutting one of their big requirements really qualifies as a good suggestion. Also, good luck actually getting a kid accepted to that great charter school. Kirkwood is a great neighborhood, but it's not the solution for everyone, as you desperately want to be.

Acreage in your price range is going to be tough without getting pretty far out of the city.

[jeoff]

Unless you are commuting at times where there is zero traffic (graveyard shift?), what you want is not possible.

With a 2/YO and 250K there are going to be few sure things. For right now K-12 and a non-rush hour commute, I might look at Camp Creek Elementary in Lilburn, or Simpson Elementary in Norcross, and maybe East Cobb County--but, if you commute during rush hour, your commute may be twice what you want, or more. Although I agree with Red that CQ paints an overly rosey picture of the school situation in Kirkwood, with a 2Y/O I would still consider it, assuming you can find a house you can live with. 250K on the east side of Atlanta is a pretty good investment as far as housing goes. I would stick it out through at least pre-K, and then decide if you would want to continue at the school (which is improving). In 4 years I think it will be easier to sell in Kirkwood and move to the suburbs if you are not happy, than to sell in the suburbs and move to the city (and you may want to, commuting can go from bearable to terrible in a short time, and while I doubt that good elementary schools will become terrible by the time your child gets to them--middle and high schools are much less of a sure thing.). You also might look at the area zoned for Centennial Place Elementary. I don't know that much about the area, but it is in midtown, the elementary school produces higher scores than Kirkwood's, it is *currently* zoned for arguably the top high school in the city, and has some homes in your price range (and maybe Rivers Elementary too.)

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by red92s

Where are these one acre lots in Kirkwood? Seems like even if you are spending $500k you are getting less than 1/3 of an acre. I don't know that simultaniously exceeding their budget and gutting one of their big requirements really qualifies as a good suggestion. Also, good luck actually getting a kid accepted to that great charter school. Kirkwood is a great neighborhood, but it's not the solution for everyone, as you desperately want to be.

Acreage in your price range is going to be tough without getting pretty far out of the city.

I don't desperately want it to be a solution for everyone. I was simply looking at their answers and giving Kirkwood as a solution. There are no 1acre lots, but that's going to be tough in most areas served by rail transit. There are some 1/2 acre lots.
As far as Drew, it is possible. Luckily Kirkwood is second priority after villages of east lake.

[admeyerlife]

Thanks for your input!

Okay, changing the scope a little (a lot actually) we now think we'll rent for a year. Too many options for buying to want to be rushed into it.

So still no more than a 45 min commute either driving or mass transit (to arts center). No worries about schools or acreage. It would be nice to take this year to enjoy "city life" before moving to the boonies. Maybe walkable to shops and restaurants. Safe for jogging. Close to a Marta station would be nice but not an absolute must. Rent $1200 max. 2 bedroom, 1 bath is fine for a year so we can save more for a house. ETA: no apartments! Preferable single family homes, a duplex or town home with at least a small yard for our small dog.

Let me know what other info you need. Thanks!