moving to Atlanta - need advice on neighborhoods (Decatur, Druid Hills: crime, buying a house)

[movingfromdallas]

My husband and I are relocating to Atlanta from Dallas. I will be working at the Children's hospital on the Emory campus and my husband recently accepted a job in downtown Decatur. We are looking to buy a house with a Max budget of 400K. It is important that I have an easy commute to the hospital - under 10-15 minutes. We really want a house with a yard (we have a dog and like to grill during the summer). We currently do not have children, but will likely in the near future, so school ratings are definitely on my radar of important information when buying a house.

We currently live in a neighborhood where we can walk to restaurants/bars, but are finding that neighborhoods like this in the area are out of our price range. We were initially looking in the Decatur area, but it seems that our budget is a little too tight for most of those houses. An area that seems to fit our commute requirements and budget is the Decatur area of Druid hills (zip 30030 but outside of the Decatur school district) as well as some parts of Atlanta area of druid hills (zip 30307). (also I am very confused by the unincorporated Dekalb areas in general)

On the crime maps, the area looks generally safe (all green at least). And when we have driven through the area, it at least feels like I could go for a run alone with my dog during the daytime without problems. The lots also seem a little larger where we would have more space. I have read mixed reviews on the Fernbank elementary school, but at least seems like it would be above average for the metro area school (correct me if I am wrong) and has a 9/10 rating on the great schools ratings.

My biggest concern, is that it seems like the houses sit on the market for a prolonged period of time and many have had to do price reductions (compared to some of the other areas we have considered where houses are selling in less than a week). Is there something that I am missing that makes this area less desirable? I may have to relocate again in 4-5 years, so having something that is re-sellable is important.

Any information would be helpful!

Also I apologize if this kind of question already exists, but couldn't find it when I searched the forum.

[Ant131531]

Druid Hills is a really nice area of the metro and borders the really booming and hot Eastern neighborhoods of Atlanta and Decatur. Prices will probably continue to increase in that area over the years and with that, schools will naturally get better.

Decatur is so expensive because it's so desirable, great location,walkable, and it has arguably the best public schools in the state.

[Atlanta_BD]

Druid Hills/Toco Hills.

[lastminutemom]

The area you are speaking about is in unincorporated DeKalb County. DeKalb County government and the DeKalb County School system are both kind of a mess and I think some (many?) potential buyers are sometimes hesitant to buy in DeKalb.

That said, a young family member and her husband just purchased in the Hawthorne Elementary district and houses seem to be moving there. Like you, they don't have children yet and figured two things -- if the school won't work, they will either move or use private.

You could also consider the Grady High School district, lots of Emory folks there. (this is in City of Atlanta)