Scared to Live in Atlanta! (East Point, College Park: estate, foreclosure, income)

[peanut33]

So I am thinking of going to school at Emory but it seems like Atlanta is crime ridden and everyone who lives there thinks the city is crap. Is this generally true? Safety is pretty important to me so even though this would be a great place for a person in my field, I'm a little terrified at the prospect of moving there. Any opinions would be appreciated!

[PeteyNice]

Emory isn't in the City of Atlanta. It is in unincorporated Dekalb County. Thousands of people go to school at Emory. If it was really unsafe that wouldn't happen.

[agradstudent77]

I go to Emory, so let me put your mind at ease. The area around campus is safe safe safe. You'll be fine. the only thing I'd warn you about.....parking garages are dicey but they are dicey everywhere. don't be alone in them at night. Other than that, I really have walked all over Decatur and Emory by myself at all hours (and I'm a young woman) and I've never had a problem. you shouldn't be careless but you're not facing certain death, either.

As for the rest of Atlanta, there are neighborhoods you'll want to avoid but that's true everywhere. In general, north and east are better than south and west although that's just a rule of thumb. There are lots of areas all over the city that are great. Atlanta suffers from urban sprawl and if you can avoid a commuting, you should do that. As an Emory grad student, I'd look for a place in Decatur or as near emory as you can or at least on the shuttle route. Parking at Emory is expensive and it's a real pain. if you can use the shuttle or walk, it's worth it.

We live in university heights (about three miles from Emory and on the shuttle line). We used to live in Decatur. I've also had friends who lived in morningside all the way over the virginia highland, both of which are safe and virginia highland is pretty cool. other friends found cheaper housing in little five points, which is pretty safe--maybe some petty theft but it's a very cool neighborhood--and you can get to Emory easily by bus from there.

atlanta does have problems and people complain, but that also doesn't mean everything about the city is utter crap. There are some hip areas, there's plenty of diversity, cool local music. It depends on what you're looking. I can steer you if you want to say more about what you're interested in.

[plessthanpointohfive]

I am raising my family in a neighborhood near Litte 5 Points (3.5 miles from Emory) and we have never felt threatened. Sure, we lock our bikes up in the backyard.

But we walk everywhere. You'll be fine and if you move into one of the areas agradstudent77 mentioned you will probably enjoy yourself.

I'd recommend the Little 5 Points (L5P) or Virgina-Highland (VaHi) areas for a young person. Lots of fun things to do...

[pdadda]

I will begin post-doc work at Emory starting in June. I checked out L5P when I was visiting, and it seemed like a really interesting place. Is it possible to buy a 2 or 3 bedroom house in a safe area of L5P for under $200K?

[netdragon]

Emory is in a nice area which is essentially North Decatur. Atlanta also isn't very dangerous in my perspective. Most of the stuff that happens is in certain lower income areas between locals. The rest is just like any big city. Just avoid South Dekalb, College Park, South Atlanta and East Point if you don't know the area. What there are a lot of is car thefts and stuff in those areas more than anything.

[MiriL]

I'll agree with everyone else who posted. The area around Emory is just fine. I'm a grad student there as well, and I second the idea of living on the shuttle line. I live close to Avondale Estates (just on the other side of Decatur from Emory) with my husband/kids, and we love it and feel completely safe and completely entertained. One bad part is that, even though I'm only 5 miles away, traffic is a bear both ways. It often takes me more than 30 minutes to drive -- without traffic, it's 12 minutes.

Trust me, you have lots of safe options near Emory, and I'm not sure who would tell you that the entire city of Atlanta is unsafe and will lead to ruin in no uncertain terms. Hyperbole will save us all!

[Atlantasfinest]

Originally Posted by pdadda

I will begin post-doc work at Emory starting in June. I checked out L5P when I was visiting, and it seemed like a really interesting place. Is it possible to buy a 2 or 3 bedroom house in a safe area of L5P for under $200K?

Not unless it's a foreclosure(Which will get snapped up quickly) or it needs TONS of work. That area has taken off alot and it's hard to find good deals anymore unless you search the area south of The Edgewood Shopping Center.

[bonnie23]

Originally Posted by pdadda

I will begin post-doc work at Emory starting in June. I checked out L5P when I was visiting, and it seemed like a really interesting place. Is it possible to buy a 2 or 3 bedroom house in a safe area of L5P for under $200K?

Check out East Atlanta Village, about 3 miles east of L5P. The neighborhoods are a little more transitional, the houses not as big or nice, but it is also a fun / funky neighborhood and is much more affordable.

East Atlanta Village

http://eaca.net/

[Georgia]

Emory University is a good school in a good area. As stated before, it is not in the City of Atlanta and well secured. Outside of the area you will need to be aware of your surroundings.