Glenwood Road - the breakdown (Atlanta, Alpharetta: crime, house prices, neighborhoods)

[jdub24]

Hey folks - I have been house-hunting for several months now and have lived in Atlanta for 3.5 years. I am really considering the Glenwood Road area thats north of Glenwood, east of South Candler, south of Memorial, and west of Columbia. I hope that helps describe the quadrant. In that area, Alson Drive, Dusty Drive, Joyce, etc has really shown development in new houses/areas. Some of the prices are also nice.

I have been reading though the forum posts regarding Glenwood, "south dekalb", the schools, crime, etc. I see a lot of people lumping Glenwood Rd as a bad area, although it spans half the length of Atlanta...haha. Surely, not all of it is horrible, right? (I hope haha). The end near 285 is rough, but the residential areas toward Candler seem better, at least to me, when I drive around and see families with children, etc.

I am a single, 27 yr old, white male and am curious what people that live in the surrounding area think about this section in particular. I will also say, I was fortunate to be raised to ignore race so that does not play into my decision to move/not move into that area (not to start THAT thread, but just letting you know about me personally) and I felt fine in the area while looking inside houses.

Also, I know a new Walmart went in, and they do their research on them before plopping them down. So, thats a pro...also, with East Lake building, Avondale Estates building, etc, I feel like it's spreading to the other areas as well.

What are the general feelings on this area of town? Please try to segment this area mentioned above rather than all of south dekalb, etc.

Thanks so much!

[Merin]

A friend of mine put a contract on a house in a new development there, but after they called the police department to ask about crime they canceled the contract. Transitional neighborhoods do not scare me I actually live in one now. yet I would not live in that part of town.
Anyone considering buying a house anywhere should definitely start going to the neighborhood association meetings to see what really goes on there. I strongly reccomend doing this before making one of the biggest financial investments of your life.

[LovinDecatur]

I would say it depends on the amount of 'pioneer spirit' you have...I wouldn't consider the area 'prime' now, but it abuts some really good neighborhoods and may well be a desirable locale in 10 years or so.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Part of Glennwood is in East Atlanta...that part seems fine to me...

[davesm]

That neighborhood is called White Oak Hills. Also, Belvedere Park is the neighborhood right in that pocket closer to Columbia Dr & Memorial Dr side. Of the 2 neighborhoods Belvedere Park gives me a more favorable impression, because it seems more cohesive and less isolated. On the otherhand, White Oak Hills appears to have bigger homes (i.e. newer construction) if that is a preference.

I wouldn't expect to see a starbucks there anytime soon, but a $5 cup of coffee is only a 5-10 min drive away in Decatur.

[kristin30032]

My house is just south of Glenwood, off Candler Rd in the East Lake Terrace neighborhood (I bought it in Feb 2008), but I'm pretty familiar with White Oak Hills, too. The whole area is transitioning for the better and as long as you act intelligently, it's fine. (Don't leave valuables or bags in you car, lock you doors, don't answer the door if you don't know who's there just yell through the door that you've already called the cops.) Vacant houses tend to get vandalized and sometimes houses get broken into, usually during the middle of the day. The police are really good about responding (the precinct is at Candler and Glenwood). The neighborhood associations are really active and the house prices are great, so if you're willing to put up with Mr. Crackhead and the odd unsavoury character, the area is a really good investment and will be a really nice place to live. My advice would be to call the cops on everything that looks even the slightest bit suspicious and let the crazies think you're crazier than they are. Dogs help, too.

[VJP]

I live in this area, on a street off of 2nd avenue in between Flat Shoals and Glenwood. I know several people in this area. I don't know you friend, but I wouldn't cancel a contract based on crime stats in that area.

It is true, there are still stragglers in the area. Not many, but some, there is petty crime, and there is a need to be vigilant with the suspicious persons as my neighbors and I have been. We haven't had much issue, the area is quiet for being so close to town, close to the square, close to the village, and 10 miles from midtown. This works well for me.

I have lived here for about 8 months now so I can offer plenty of information if you have specific Qs.

VJ

[Kasikomono]

The whole of metro Atlanta has changed within the last eight years but so have cities across the country. Having lived in the immediate area for almost 15 years I would venture to say that the crime here is no worse than anywhere else. Safety is relative if you set yourself up to become a victim. I have never had any issues and my extended family, who have never had any problems, has lived less than 10 minutes away in the Decatur area since 1979. If you do a little research you will find some of the older homes in and around the area are very valuable.

With regard to the area you're speaking about...it has suffered the same neglect that a lot of older neighborhoods have gone through. Most of the homes were bungalows or slightly bigger and a lot of people moved further into the suburbs looking for more space but the area has never been transitional. I live near 2 miles from the 285 side, less than a mile from the Avondale Walmart and only the main streets LOOK rough but that's because those in charge have failed to do their jobs. If you venture off onto the side side streets you will find a different story. As to the individual who termed people who used to live there "stragglers" you might want to consider the source.

To your question, I wouldn't cancel a contract unless you have factual information about the area. Opinions are just that and are often skewed based on one's past experiences. Whatever feeling you got was correct. Most people around here mind their business and work everyday but than they break into houses in Alpharetta too...don't they. If you like being 20 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from downtown, 10 minutes from Decatur city and the village of East Atlanta which by the way has several coffee houses, on mass transit, situated between at least three rail stations, several grocery stores, two major expressways and a host of other amenities than buy the house. If not, move on.

[james417]

i just moved to east atlanta and i like the way the older homes have been maintained....its also very diverse.... my neighborhood is prodominately white and i guess i can appreciate that...im black. My neighbors are very friendly and really watches out for the neighborhood.

Now one thing i dont like is the crowdiness in the stores....im not use to it. I lived in cobb county for 15 years and going to the grocery store was a in and out situation. But i went shopping saturday and it was a complete mad house in krogers....so i went shopping in my old neighborhood.

I grew up in atlanta and know that it has really changed on the east side. I dont regret moving here at all.

[james417]

oh and being 15 minutes from my job...oh i love it