Westside/Midtown (Atlanta, Marietta, Smyrna: real estate, for sale, apartment)

[nerak31]

I moved to the ATL about six months ago and am now considering buying a place. I'm currently living near Emory, which I like, but I'd love to be in a more walkable community (i.e., avoid the craziness of Briarcliff, have sidewalks). I'm considering townhomes in Midtown (price range around 300k). I've also seen a lot of affordable SFHs in "Westide/Midtown." What do folks think about this area? I haven't toured the streets in that neighborhood, but on the map, it seems a bit industrial. The houses look great though.

Any thoughts on townhomes in midtown or homes in the Westside?

Thanks!

[davesm]

Midtown is a very walkable neighborhood. And 300k for a townhome is reasonable. If you want to be in the middle of it all Midtown is a good destination.

When you say "Westside" do you mean residential areas west of but close to the Connector (I-75/85)? I'm thinking you are either refering to Loring Heights, Underwood Hills, or Home Park area. There is a lot going on west of the Connector all the way to I-285, so some street names would be helpful for more specific feedback.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Also, look in Candler Park and Lake Claire and Inman Park. Those neighborhoods are on the other side of Emory from where you currently are. Extraordinarily walkable. You can even walk to Emory (if you work there). I work at CDC on Clifton and walk to work a lot and I live in Candler Park.

[atlantagreg30127]

I think they're refering to what some of the real estate and apartment books are now calling "Midtown West".

This was an unnamed area when I moved here, but at some point the realtors knew that "West Atlanta" had a bad stigma to it, so they figured that calling it Midtown-West sounds better since Midtown is more trendy. It's kind of like how you can find so many places now in Smyrna that are called "Vinings XYZ", when in fact they're far away from actual Vinings.

If I'm right, although it's spread out, the Midtown West neighborhood is along the area of where Joseph E Lowery Blvd, Northside Drive, Simpson Street, and Bankhead Highway are (SW of Ga. Tech).

[nerak31]

Thanks, pless. I really the Candler Park/Lake Claire area too. I had originally started looking at SFHs in that area, but it's hard to find a nice 2bd/2ba for under 325k.

Amazing that you walk to work -- that's something I would absolutely love to do! I work in Corporate Sq and there are just too many cars on Briarcliff and North Druid Hills.

[nerak31]

atlantagreg, i think you're right about the area.

some streets that thth homes for sale include:

Ellen street (30318)
Marietta Rd
Woodland Hills (map shows that's near Underwood Park)

[IntownHomes247]

Westside still has a very industrial aesthetic. I find extraordinarily depressing, but I'm used to the Emory area, which is so beautifully leafy and green. If I were you I'd look at Decatur. I consider it much more liveable. But go and have a look around the Westside. If you like "gritty" and don't mind telling people directions to your house that include "turn left at the water treatment plant" you might like it. I don't really consider it to have good walkable nodes, but I tend to drive through quickly. ;-)

[pbandj]

The neighborhood on the Westside that has experienced the most growth is Howell Station. It is a great community with old homes and plenty of trees. My wife and I lived on the Westside for two years after living in Midtown for two years, and we both prefered the Westside. You have easy access to Atlantic Station and Publix, and all of the good restaurants are over there - Chow Baby, Figo, Taqueria del Sol, Six Feet Under, Octane, Bacchanalia, and many more. It is a bit industrial, but that is what gives the area its charm. A lot of the old warehouses are being converted into businesses and lofts, and they all have a very creative flair.

[davesm]

30318 covers everything from Buckhead to Bankhead. It has more variety in it than any other zip code in the city of Atlanta. The area you are referring to is right in between the two. Ellen St. is in Hills Park. Woodland Hills is in Underwood Hills. They are both in that ambiguous Bolton Rd/Marietta Area west of Buckhead. There is a lot of development in the area, but it is mostly a residential/industrial mix. Unless walkable for you means walking to a neighbors house or in a park this is not the most walkable part of town. There are some nice developments that way (West Highlands), but they more so resemble subdivisions than intown Atlanta. Comparing it to Midtown is like apples and oranges.

I would recommend going with the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. If you like to be in the middle of it Midtown is great, but if you want to have a suburban feel and still pretty darn close to the city then Underwood Hills/Hills Park will be a good fit.

Don't fall for the Midtown West Marketing gimmick. Over there doesn't resemble Midtown at all. I've always felt that area felt isolated even though when you look at a map it is very close to the city. Many people like it over there for that exact same reason.

[plessthanpointohfive]

nerak31,

Yes, it's nice to walk to work. CDC is 3.5 miles from my house and it takes me just over an hour to walk (I'm short). I just walk through the Druid Hills neighborhood to N. Decatur Rd. It's a lovely walk.

But you're right...it would be scary to walk to Corp Square! I know there's sidewalks but crossing the interstate would be risky.

Keep your eyes open in CP/LC. Stuff comes available. There are a lot of 2/2 homes and many of them you could get a deal on because they need some TLC.