Buying in Atlanta for under 100K? (Marietta, Smyrna: rent, houses, transfer)

[misstristyn]

My husband will be starting his PhD program at Georgia Tech this Fall and we're looking to buy our first home within a year or so. I'm a stay-at-home mom with our 2-year-old girl and he'll be earning around $30k a year as a graduate stipend, so when we do buy we'll need a small starter home preferrably under 100K. Is there such a think in or around Atlanta? We would want 3 br/ 2 ba in a safe neighborhood close to MARTA or within some other type of easy commute to GA Tech. We don't mind putting in some work, though a real junker is out of the question, it would have to at least be livable. I've found places that seemed alright in Stone Mountain or Lithonia on the GA MLS but I was wondering what the natives think...

[TakeAhike]

I saw a post the other day from someone who was planning to buy a fixer upper for less than $100,000--around Grant Park, IIRC.

I would be more inclined to do that than search the Stone Mt/Lithonia area.

If I can find this thread I'll post it.

You do know that Stone Mt/Lithonia is 'across town' from Ga Tech? Not what a native would consider a good drive. LOL.

You might also consider the Smyrna/Marietta area. I have no personal knowledge of how things might be going over there--certain there are some deals.
You have to 'Get In Your Car' and Go Look. That is how we live here. LOL

If you know specific addresses/streets sometimes posters can say Yeah or Nay very quickly.

bhs

[LovinDecatur]

A home near Tech and MARTA in a safe neighborhood for that price? No way.
200M-250M might get you into some of the southside neighborhoods that are gentrifying ie East Point or College Park. Otherwise, rent and save for a down payment.

[momof2kids]

I would rent. It is going to be impossible to find what you are looking for at that price. My husband went to Tech and we rented in the Vinings for years. It was a great area and he did not have a bad drive to school.

[mlv289]

I think you are going to have to define what a reasonable commute is for you. Not saying they are not out there, but a SFH 3br/2ba for that price range "near" Ga tech and safe will not be easy. Even finding an area that public transportation will serve will be hard with that criteria. Devloping an idea of commute time that is acceptable to you and your husband should be your first goal. I live in Dallas, GA right now and have a heck of a commute, but I knew when I bought that was what I could afford without fearing leaving my home during the day. If you can sacrifice for a few years on that, your home buying opportunities will expand.

[misstristyn]

I do realize that Stone Mountain is across town, but a lot of the houses there say they're within walking distance of MARTA. So the real question is can MARTA get to GA Tech from Stone Mountain within a reasonable time (for us reasonable is 30-45 minutes each way)

[misstristyn]

Georgia Multiple Listing Service
Georgia Multiple Listing Service
Georgia Multiple Listing Service

These are some of the listings we've been looking at... what do ya'll think

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by misstristyn

I do realize that Stone Mountain is across town, but a lot of the houses there say they're within walking distance of MARTA. So the real question is can MARTA get to GA Tech from Stone Mountain within a reasonable time (for us reasonable is 30-45 minutes each way)

The person who wrote these ads should be punished, jmo.

'Close to MARTA'--no, Stone Mt/Lithonia is not really close to MARTA. Cruel Joke. You would probably have to find a bus--then ride the train--several transfers--something pretty complicated. Not reliable transportation.

There might be a route from Lithonia(which is close to St Mt in some spots) that involves I20--and theoretically on a Sunday AM or holiday you might make it to Tech in that time.

That's what I think. And others may have better FYI.

The poster that suggested renting in Vinings made some good points. If you can come and 'test drive' from these locations I think you will understand.
Vinings involves 75N--straight shot to Tech.

bhs

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by misstristyn

I do realize that Stone Mountain is across town, but a lot of the houses there say they're within walking distance of MARTA. So the real question is can MARTA get to GA Tech from Stone Mountain within a reasonable time (for us reasonable is 30-45 minutes each way)

The MARTA east line deadheads at Kensington station, not far from some Stone Mountain neighborhoods...most of the neighborhoods around it are frankly dicey. I wouldn't want my stay-at-home wife and child living there.

[misstristyn]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

The MARTA east line deadheads at Kensington station, not far from some Stone Mountain neighborhoods...most of the neighborhoods around it are frankly dicey. I wouldn't want my stay-at-home wife and child living there.

OK, that's good to know. Are there any safer neighborhoods in that area. I could always drop him off at the train station. We've shared a car throughout undergrad and we're used to that sort of arrangement. And is the MARTA train commute from Stone Mountain to Midtown (I think that's the stop for the GA tech shuttle) very long?