Buying in East Atlanta (Marietta, Smyrna: renting, condo, violent crime)

[Lolo651]

Hi Everyone,

Young professional recently relocated to ATL and currently renting a one bedroom condo in the heart of Buckhead-looking to get on the market soon to buy my own place. I also work in Buckhead which makes my commute a lot better however I am also craving a bit more space than one bedroom and know that this makes the area is out of my price range.My biggest pain points about my current living situation have been the congestion along Peachtree and the lack of parking options especially for visitors.

So my search has been leading me towards east atlanta area where I found a few small houses/townhomes (garage is important to me) in my range with close access to the freeway which I liked. I know my commute would get worse but I liked the fact that I would be close enough to Edgewood, Inman Park, Little Five Points as well as Midtown. I don’t have any kids and don’t foresee having to worry about school system for a while. Others have suggested looking at Smyrna/Marietta area but I’d like to stay ITP if possible and not get into the suburbs especially since I’m still single and like to go out.

Thanks

[ATLTJL]

Parking is going to be a major issue in all the places you are looking. Unless you are just talking about parking at your actual home.

[citydwelling]

What's the question?

The actual East Atlanta neighborhood is probably a good choice for reasonably priced homes with off-street parking. Garages may be harder to come by, but it depends what your budget is. Places like Inman Park and Reynoldstown are probably out of budget for most folks' first houses, but it depends on how big of a baller you are.

No idea what ATLTJL's point about parking was for. I live in Reynoldstown and I wouldn't say it's a "major issue" unless you're going to a bar along Edgewood Ave or EAV or something in which case, you can get there from eastside neighborhoods in an Uber for less than the cost of most private parking lots. So who cares?

[ATLTJL]

The OP listed parking as a major pain point of living in Buckhead. It's not going to be markedly better in any of the areas mentioned as possibilities.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Lolo651

Hi Everyone,

Young professional recently relocated to ATL and currently renting a one bedroom condo in the heart of Buckhead-looking to get on the market soon to buy my own place. I also work in Buckhead which makes my commute a lot better however I am also craving a bit more space than one bedroom and know that this makes the area is out of my price range.My biggest pain points about my current living situation have been the congestion along Peachtree and the lack of parking options especially for visitors.

So my search has been leading me towards east atlanta area where I found a few small houses/townhomes (garage is important to me) in my range with close access to the freeway which I liked. I know my commute would get worse but I liked the fact that I would be close enough to Edgewood, Inman Park, Little Five Points as well as Midtown. I don’t have any kids and don’t foresee having to worry about school system for a while. Others have suggested looking at Smyrna/Marietta area but I’d like to stay ITP if possible and not get into the suburbs especially since I’m still single and like to go out.

Thanks

East Atlanta
https://youtu.be/b91ovTKCZGU

[Forhall]

If you mean Eastside Atlanta (as in the entire Eastside and not just the neighborhood of East Atlanta), it's definitely a great choice. It's the poster child for gentrification, so most of the neighborhoods have become extremely safe and desirable. The overall Eastside is by far the safest police zone (zone 6) in terms of homicide and violent crime. Traffic is pretty calm most of the time, certainly nothing compared to the constant gridlock of Buckhead.

That said, it is expensive. Inman Park, Candler Park, Lake Claire and Virginia Highland are the most expensive on the Eastside. Then Reynoldstown and Cabbagetown, followed by Kirkwood. Edgewood, East Lake and East Atlanta are probably the cheapest, but even those aren't "cheap". You also have to look more closely street by street in those 3 neighborhoods, as they have some problem areas still.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Lolo651

... I found a few small houses/townhomes (garage is important to me) ...

One solution is the car canopies you can get at places like Harbor Freight and Home Depot. They are very reasonably priced. Granted, you won't have a shop but at least your vehicle will be covered.

[red92s]

What's your budget? I'd look into the Parkview neighborhood of unincorporated Dekalb, sort of tucked between Kirkwood, East Atlanta, and East Lake.

https://www.redfin.com/GA/Atlanta/37.../home/23834445

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by arjay57

One solution is the car canopies you can get at places like Harbor Freight and Home Depot. They are very reasonably priced. Granted, you won't have a shop but at least your vehicle will be covered.

Would they actually allow those? They are a bit unattractive.

[cqholt]

East Atlanta, Edgewood, Kirkwood, East Lake are all accessible to Buckhead via MARTA rail. Stations have Park and Ride lots.