SMACKDOWN: Candler Park vs. Decatur

[lionel47]

Just thought I'd jump in and say that my wife and I are house hunting and trying to make a distinction between Decatur and Candler Park. Does anyone know the zip codes of each?

Also, we have been discussion Candler Park, Decatur, Kirkwood, Brookhaven, Oakhurst and East Lake. We're in it for the long haul (20 or so years and will raise a child there). We're also looking for newer housing stock and like bicycling, tennis, swimming and walking.

So, what do you think? Decatur? Candler Park?

[cmtiger]

Either one. They are both awesome. Candler Park is 30307. City of Decatur (and a little bit outside the city limits) is 30030. Candler Park and Decatur are about the same price-wise these days - meaning expensive with high taxes. Kirkwood and East Lake are a little less expensive though the schools there are not nearly as good as those in Decatur and Candler Park. That being said, by the time you have a school age child, I would bet that Kirkwood (Toomer Elementary) and East Lake (East Lake Elementary) will have good schools b/c there is a lot of parent interest in improving things there.

To me Candler Park and Decatur, including Oakhurst, seem very similar. The elementary schools are similar (except the pedagogy in Decatur is a bit different).... the culture is similar (urban with a little granola)... the demographics are pretty close.

I don't know a lot about Brookhaven except that it is really, really expensive. All of your choices are excellent though.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by lionel47

Just thought I'd jump in and say that my wife and I are house hunting and trying to make a distinction between Decatur and Candler Park. Does anyone know the zip codes of each?

Also, we have been discussion Candler Park, Decatur, Kirkwood, Brookhaven, Oakhurst and East Lake. We're in it for the long haul (20 or so years and will raise a child there). We're also looking for newer housing stock and like bicycling, tennis, swimming and walking.

So, what do you think? Decatur? Candler Park?

Brookhaven? Why Brookhaven? All the other neighborhoods are right along a line in one area and then Brookhaven is the "which one is not like the others" (in many ways), so I'm wondering what it is about Brookhaven then has you adding it to your list.

You need to drive around each one of the neighborhoods and see which one fits you best. East Lake will be the least expensive of the neighborhoods you list but is also the least redeveloped (although there are some very pricey new homes on the golf course). Since you like cycling and walking, you might want to look for homes in close proximity to The PATH ( http://www.pathfoundation.org ). It's convenient to most of the neighborhoods you are looking in, but, like everything, is more convenient to certain parts than others. Also, Candler Park (the actual park at the center of the neighborhood) has a pool and tennis courts. The City of Decatur has a great park system with multiple parks, each with different amenities. Kirkwood has Coan Park and Bessie Branham Park (I don't remember a pool at either of them, although they have recreation centers so it's possible one of them has an indoor pool?). I believe East Lake Park has tennis courts. And the East Lake Family YMCA is excellent with most everything you could be looking for. Also, if you play golf, you'll have both Charlie Yates and the Candler Park course nearby.

As cmtiger mentioned, the City of Decatur (including Oakhurst) zip is 30030 and Candler Park is 30307. FYI, Kirkwood/East Lake is 30317. Brookhaven is 30319.

Good luck.

[cmtiger]

Decatur also has pools - three of them. One primarily for small children at McCoy Park (graduated entry and play fountains), one for pretty much any aged child at Glenlake park (large tennis center-with a great Jr. program-at the same park), and one with a diving board at Ebster Park.

[lionel47]

Gee, thanks! Everyone is so helpful; at least we have narrowed down a few neighborhoods. Back to the house hunt. Please pass on any further information.