SMACKDOWN: Candler Park vs. Decatur (for sale, house, college)

[plessthanpointohfive]

I didn't mean to say Decatur didn't have good parks. I only meant that CP has a pretty large park for such a small neighborhood and it's not overrun by outsiders (like Grant Park).

Lake Claire has the Land Trust (I think Oakhurst has one, too, or maybe it's just the community garden).

I should note that the vibe from all these neighborhoods is very similar. They don't smack each other down. More like they hold hands and skip while singing "You are My Sunshine"....

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

More like they hold hands and skip while singing "You are My Sunshine"....

If that ever happens here, I'm moving

[cmtiger]

I'll speak to schools. Candler Park is Mary Lin, Inman and Grady. Decatur is Clairmont, Oakhurst or Winnona .. then Glennwood Academy then Renfroe then Decatur High.

Pedagogy.... Candler Park's schools are more traditional. I believe that Mary Lin is still a Core Learning School (right p-less?). Decatur schools are more nontraditional. Their K-3 schools are Expeditionary Learning Schools and grades 4-12 are in various stages of becoming International Baccalaureate Schools.

I would visit Mary Lin and some of the Decatur elementaries to see which feels best to you. Also I would google Core Learning, Expeditionary Learning and International Baccalaureate to see which pedagogy appeals to you. Achievement-wise - their test scores are very similar so it really is a matter of taste - whatever floats your boat or wherever you find a house you like best.

Commuting from Decatur versus Candler will add 5-10 minutes to your commute depending on where you live in Decatur.

Lucky you - you are making a decision where you can't go wrong! Welcome to the hoods!

OK, now, everyone stand up and sing Kumbaya.

[George Chong]

[quote=
OK, now, everyone stand up and sing Kumbaya.[/quote]

I don't know all the words!

I'd rather see a smackdown between Pless and Lovin'

(Just kidding)

[plessthanpointohfive]

Here's APS info on Mary Lin:

Atlanta Public Schools: School Profile (broken link)

APS doesn't use just one Comprehensive Reform Method. Each school chooses one. Mary Lin's is Core Knowledge but I believe, if I remember correctly from the beginning of the school year, they're changing over to another one (I forget which).

I've been happy with it.

I think the success of the school has more to do with parent involvement and that fancy pedagogy methods only really make an impact in poorer school districts.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by George Chong

I'd rather see a smackdown between Pless and Lovin'

Oh, c'mon, you and everybody in this forum know I got nothin but love for Ms P .

[plessthanpointohfive]

Back at you!

Nuthin but friendly rivalry....

[mistersocks]

Fantastic info. THANK YOU. International Baccalaureate. Looks like I need a little schooling about schooling.

So...since I can't start a Decatur/Candler war, how about an intra-neighborhood squabble?

Winnona Park vs. Oakhurst
Lake Claire vs. Candler Park

From my limited observations on the weekends, this is my impression:

Winnona Park: more suburbanish and sweet, a throwback to a simpler time
Oakhurst: up and coming, with just a teensy touch of urban blight

I can't tell the diff. between Lake Claire and Candler Park except that there seem to be more hippies in LC. Even saw a listing for a commune on the MLS!

Is this about right?

[IntownHomes247]

I love Candler Park, but I'd choose Decatur hands down any day.

Decatur is the absolutely perfect size to have absolutely everything you need. Candler Park's business district is disjointed and while they have a good number of restaurants, they're kinda iffy as far as shops. For that you have to go to L5P, which I don't find nearly as enjoyable as Downtown Decatur. Of course, that's just a matter of personal preference. I'm sure plenty of people enjoy L5P.

Both Decatur and Candler Park pay exorbitant property taxes, but the difference is that Decatur actually gets a lot of services for them. Candler Park gets both the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County fighting over who can offer the fewest services for the most money.

Decatur has an exceptionally nice variety of parks and a wonderful array of annual festivals and events (many of which take place in the downtown square).

I like the philosophy and direction of Decatur's school system as well.

It's just about the perfect place to live in Atlanta.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by mistersocks

I can't tell the diff. between Lake Claire and Candler Park except that there seem to be more hippies in LC. Even saw a listing for a commune on the MLS!

The biggest difference is proximity to the park and business district. The houses are virtually identical.

It's not a commune. It's co-housing. Lake Claire is also the home of the Land Trust (drum circles, a tree-climbing club, goats, definitely one of a kind).