Buying in Atlanta for under 100K? (Smyrna, Mableton: real estate, crime rates, house)

[misstristyn]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

The thing is, renting is sometimes better than owning in today's market because when you rent, the apartment complex takes care of all maintenance, all yard work, etc. You pay rent and that's it.

Is that so? Not according to 99% of the apartment reviews I've read about Atlanta apartment complexes. Reports of unresponsive management refusing to take care of maintainence issues or requiring months of harrassment to finally fix things abound. Frankly all the places that we can afford sound like absolute slums to me. As far as it's being so much cheaper, well another graduate student we know who moved out to Dallas six months ago with his wife and four kids pays less for his mortgage than he would be spending on rent. I'm sorry, I'm still not convinced that renting is the way to go long term.

So historic West end is still a pretty dicey neighborhood. That's what I figured. I'm really interrested in the Lithia Springs / Mableton area but my research indicated that though it has enjoyed a reputation for low crime, that may have changed in recent years. What's the story Georgians? (BTW I'm living in Utah, so I won't be seeing any of this in person until July probably, help!)

[BobKovacs]

Lithia Springs and Mableton may be a little bit of a step up from West End, but you won't find anything there for 100k. You're either going to have to go 70 miles out of town somewhere, or end up in a marginal area.

[misstristyn]

Actually I've found many listings in my price range in and around Mableton and Lithia Springs... what makes you think there aren't any?

[misstristyn]

Georgia Multiple Listing Service

[misstristyn]

or try this one....
Georgia Multiple Listing Service

[misstristyn]

I like this one too
Georgia Multiple Listing Service

[ABM]

Originally Posted by misstristyn

or try this one....
Georgia Multiple Listing Service

You "might" want to stay North of Veterans Memorial Dr.

Just sayin'.

[misstristyn]

Now that's the kind of advice I need. So is South of Veterans Memorial a bad part of town? THANK YOU someone for saying something more useful than "it can't be done, just rent"

[misstristyn]

how about this one?
Georgia Multiple Listing Service

[ABM]

Originally Posted by misstristyn

Now that's the kind of advice I need. So is South of Veterans Memorial a bad part of town? THANK YOU someone for saying something more useful than "it can't be done, just rent"

Not necessarily "bad", per se, just relatively unincorporated (I take it you're a woman and NEED your stores! ). The closer you can get to the East-West Connector, the better. Problem there, is, the prices beging to rise accordingly. Nonetheless, if you could "settle" for a 1 bathroom home, that would help your cause immensely.