How safe is Briarcliff & N Druid Hills intersection? (Atlanta: housing, work)

[sofux]

I will be moving to Atlanta from Orlando.
I have been looking for a new townhouse to buy and I have checked almost most of the new developments. The one I like most wrt design and site is close to the Briarcliff Rd and N Druid Hills Rd.

What do you think about the area?
How safe is it?

Thanks

[goozer]

The intersection of Briarcliff and N. Druid Hills is the site of a huge commercial development, the scale of which has not been fully determined. The plan is to make the area a large live/work/play community. It is a quarter mile from I-85 and there is plenty of traffic in this largely commercial area as it is without the planned development. The area is very commercial, so I don't have a sense of how it would be as a residence, but it is not in a "bad" neighborhood. That said, I am always a little skeptical of communities that sit right next to an interstate due to the easy "in and out" access that a would-be burglar might have.

[AtlantaRes73]

Would you be north of North Druid Hills Road or south of North Druid Hills Road? It seems like the area south of North Druid is safer. That is definitely one of the worst areas in Atlanta for traffic, though. Also, as the previous poster mentioned, it is only going to get worse when they start the new development.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by sofux

I will be moving to Atlanta from Orlando.
I have been looking for a new townhouse to buy and I have checked almost most of the new developments. The one I like most wrt design and site is close to the Briarcliff Rd and N Druid Hills Rd.

What do you think about the area?
How safe is it?

Thanks

Your ? is whether or not it is a safe area...I would say yes.

[atlantamoi]

That area is fine. It's true that the traffic can be pretty bad, but you also have easy access to 85 and also heading into Buckhead (Lenox). I know there is an apartment complex right at that intersection where people have complained about petty theft, but I wouldn't have any concerns moving to that area as far as safety goes.

[spacelord75]

I used to live in apartments right near that intersection from 2000-2003 and really enjoyed it. It's really convenient for getting into town or going out to Midtown or the Highlands. I used to run a 4-5 miler along N. Druid from Executive Pkwy (ie, right next to 85), as well as a bunch of longer runs down Briarcliff down to the Highlands and never felt worried about my safety at all.

There is a nice little single family home neighborhood north of that intersection that a buddy of mine lives in (all one level homes built in the 1950's) and they are priced really well. He's lived there for probably 7 years and loves the area.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by spacelord75

There is a nice little single family home neighborhood north of that intersection that a buddy of mine lives in (all one level homes built in the 1950's) and they are priced really well. He's lived there for probably 7 years and loves the area.

I'm guessing that you're referring to Briarcliff Heights..ITA that it's one of the best values in NE Atlanta.

[JRS_EAV]

We lived in that area for 5 years (2001-2006) and loved it. Everything you need is close by and we never felt unsafe. (But as in any city, be careful). It's a good location, close to Buckhead and interstate.

[sofux]

What do you think about the new commercial development at the intersection?
How would it impact the value of the house?
I have seen lots of oppositions for the proposed plan, but I know there is always objection to change.

[MMANN]

It will definately make land values go up. Since it incorporates housing, offices, and retail into one center district, traffic impacts will be minimal. If anything, it will reduce traffic due to less people having to drive to Buckhead to shop.

Definately a plus. The only people opposed to it were the NIMBYs that do not realize they live inside the perimeter...