Want to move to Atlanta but confused (Sandy Springs, Marietta: sale, 2014)

[apbaker85]

I hate to start another housing/apartment thread, but I havesearched for a while and I haven’t been able to find a thread for exactly whatI’m needing. I also have done a ton of internet searches and I’m more confusednow then at the beginning. So your help is much appreciated and needed. Oneperson says a certain neighborhood is safe and then another describes it as Fallujah.I work in the criminal justice system so I understand that people havedifferent perspectives and definitions of safe, but I am just looking for alittle clarification. I understand that some of my confusion is just because I donot know the area and what the “boundaries” are for certain areas, so any helpis much appreciated.

I found a company I like with offices around the country.They currently have an opening in Atlanta and I am thinking about applying, butbefore I apply for a position I like to thoroughly research the city. I was in Atlantain November and really enjoyed the city, but I just keep going in circles whenresearching apartments.

I am looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment between $700-1000a month. I would like to stay towards the lower end of that budget to help payoff student loans, but I’m not willing to sacrifice by being in a less than desirablepart of town. The job will be downtown close to Five Points so I really wouldlike the apartment to be close to a Marta station. Either within walkingdistance or driving distance if the station has parking. I am a single male anddo not participate the bar scene so that is not important. I am very low maintenance.I would love to be close to the new Braves ballpark, but I see Marta access as more important. I do enjoy sports so that kind of just reiterates that I would like to be closeto a Marta station to get downtown for the other sports, but the most important part is a nice/safeneighborhood in that budget. I do not really want to drive downtown everyday so public transportation is probably a must.

In summary is it possible to find a 1 bedroom apt for around$800-900 in a safe neighborhood with Marta access? If so please throw out a fewapartment complexes or point me in the right direction as to whichexact neighborhoods I should be looking for an apartment. I am willing to provide any additional information you might need to help guide me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

*Edit - I am reading that the commute from Smyrna isn't terrible. Would that be an option in my budget with a 45 minute commute to the Five Points area? Once again how safe is the area?

[afdinatl]

Check out areas around North Springs, Sandy Springs, Doraville and Chamblee Marta Stations.

Go a search on the Xpress Bus and check out the map..www.xpressga.com It will take you directly into downtown with no stops. I would recommend either finding a place near Marietta Transfer Center or Indian Trial. I think Indian Trail might be better because 85 has a HOV/Hot lane and the bus travels in that lane which would make your bus commute faster. Marietta has a HOV lane but it begins inside 285 which means the bus will have to sit in traffic outside 285.

Do a general search on apartments in those areas. Also contact Promove.com because they may be able to help you narrow down an apartment

Would you have a flex schedule or would you have to be at work at 8am?

[apbaker85]

I do not know the exact hours but it should be around regular business hours. Around 7-5 weekdays.

[afdinatl]

The drive from Vinings/Smyrna isn't bad. Going south around 7:30 am traffic clears up at West Paces Ferry Rd generally and it gets back heavy at 75/85. Also if you drive from that area you can take back roads and bypass the traffic and get on at West Paces Ferry Rd.


First I would look at apartments near North Springs and Sandy Springs. Can't find anything then search for apartments near Doraville and Marietta Marta Stations. No luck then check out apartments near Indian Trail. Still no luck check out apartments near Marietta Transfer Center. Then look into Vinings or Smyrna if you don't mind driving but the traffic can be horrible if you get off after 4:30pm but manageable

[LovelySummer]

Isn't there developmt online for the Five Points area, everyone? Why not Five Points or downtown? If GSU is in th err area and students are living there, I imagine it must be a perfectly fine place to live. There is tons of student housing in the area, right?

To the OP: do you know anyone in Atlanta? I ask bc you are likely to then be able to obtain feedback from ppl that you know have the same outlooks on what safety means. On these boards, as with anywhere else in the country, some ppl will tell you to stay in the suburbs for "safety" while others will recommend areas in the city proper. Then some will point you to the areas that have only certain ethnic/racial demographics for "safety" while others won't. Until you find someone who thinks like you, you will be hard-pressed to find a recommendation that is definitely on point with your perception of "safety."

[andy1324]

sandy springs will give you good marta access and is a pretty safe area, but will push the top end of your budget. Smyrna will likely be cheaper but the commute is longer and no marta access. Still, smyrna to downtown is a decent commute for atlanta standards.

I wouldn't even think of living near five points. I went there once and got right back onto the marta... area looked terrible to me.

[BeyondInfinity]

Originally Posted by andy1324

sandy springs will give you good marta access and is a pretty safe area, but will push the top end of your budget. Smyrna will likely be cheaper but the commute is longer and no marta access. Still, smyrna to downtown is a decent commute for atlanta standards.

I wouldn't even think of living near five points. I went there once and got right back onto the marta... area looked terrible to me.

The Five Points area is about to receive a major overhaul with the sale of Underground Atlanta and the redevelopment of the Five Points MARTA station (Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Sale of Underground Atlanta | Downtown Atlanta); (http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/...d-you-can-help).

[David1502]

The secret commute from the Smyrna/Vinings area is to take Atlanta Rd. south (it becomes Marietta Blvd. after crossing the Chattahoochee River and entering the City of Atlanta) and continue to the intersection with Marietta St. take a left and after a couple of miles or so, you will intersect Peachtree St. at Five Points. When I have taken Atlanta Rd. from Smyrna to the Georgia World Congress Center, it has taken a little over 20 minutes, which for the Atlanta area is an easy commute.

For safety concerns, the more you spend on rent, the safer the complex should be. That being said, you should expect to pay at least $800 a month in Smyrna. Also, I would recommend a gated community. Another possibility is to rent a garage apartment or basement apartment in a single family home. You won't have the pool and amenities of an apartment complex, however, you can often rent in a quiet, expensive and safe neighborhood of homes.

[Newsboy]

Smyrna / Vinings / Cumberland / Akers Mill

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by BeyondInfinity

The Five Points area is about to receive a major overhaul with the sale of Underground Atlanta and the redevelopment of the Five Points MARTA station (Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Sale of Underground Atlanta | Downtown Atlanta); (http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/...d-you-can-help).

In 10 years it may well be one of the hottest areas in town.
Good recommendations here. I would add the North Druid Hills neighborhood to the list, particularly the Sheridan Road area.