Advice for a recent college grad on where to live in ATL (Atlanta: real estate, apartment complexes)

[golfer2008]

I am a 21 year old single male and will be moving to Atlanta next month to start my first job out of college. I know nothing about the area and I am looking for some advice on where to live. Apparently I will be working in Buckhead (30326)?? Or at least that is the zip code of where I will be working. I heard that there is a good young crowd in this area.

Housing requirements:

Looking to spend no more than $1200-$1400 (mortgage, HOA, & RE taxes) a month on housing

Live in an area with lots of young people my age. Preferably lots of single women. I guess near the bar scene.

I would appreciate it if you could list the zip codes or provide an address of recommended area(s). Renting is also an option.

Thanks

[plessthanpointohfive]

What kind of vibe you're looking for? Buckhead is kind of shiny and commercial and preppie, which is fine if that's your thing.

And wow you're a young college grad. Didn't play much, did you? Good for you. I took 5.5 years to finish college (uh...this was 10 years ago).

[MMANN]

Originally Posted by golfer2008

I am a 21 year old single male and will be moving to Atlanta next month to start my first job out of college. I know nothing about the area and I am looking for some advice on where to live. Apparently I will be working in Buckhead (30326)?? Or at least that is the zip code of where I will be working. I heard that there is a good young crowd in this area.

Housing requirements:

Looking to spend no more than $1200-$1400 (mortgage, HOA, & RE taxes) a month on housing

Live in an area with lots of young people my age. Preferably lots of single women. I guess near the bar scene.

I would appreciate it if you could list the zip codes or provide an address of recommended area(s). Renting is also an option.

Thanks

Buckhead or Brookhaven is where you need to be. You wont be able to afford renting a house in Buckhead, unless you have a roomate. You maybe could afford renting a house around Ashford Park in Brookhaven. Apartment wise, any of the Post apartments (Apartments for Rent - Post Apartment Homes - Furnished Luxury Apartments - Condominiums) in these areas are all young people. Stay away from the apts on Roswell Road, except for the post apartments they just put in, and the ones right across from bar district should be fine. Look at Post and complexes off of Peachtree and you should be able to find a complex that suits your needs. The bar district is around this general area: Irby Avneue and Roswell Road, Atlanta, 30305. Map: Map of Roswell Rd NE & Irby Ave NW Atlanta, GA by MapQuest

[golfer2008]

MMANN,
Thanks for the map.

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

What kind of vibe you're looking for? Buckhead is kind of shiny and commercial and preppie, which is fine if that's your thing.

And wow you're a young college grad. Didn't play much, did you? Good for you. I took 5.5 years to finish college (uh...this was 10 years ago).

Preppy is ok. I just want to be around people my age (I don't want to live next to the Sunrise Senior Living facility). If anybody can recommend a good real estate agent that would be great.

Anybody have a take on these addresses (good for young professionals???):
3481 Lakeside Dr
3324 Peachtree Rd
3338 Peachtree Rd
3491 Buckhead Loop

Thanks for the responses!

[lastminutemom]

Unless you have a ton of money behind you for a big downpayment, it is my understanding that the days of newly minted college graduates being able to buy a home with little employment history are over. It is hard to get a mortgage... much harder than it was 18 months ago.

Someone correct me if I am wrong?

Also, given the state of the market, unless you are certain that you will want to live in ATL for at least the next 5 years, you need to really consider renting. There is a chance that what you buy now may stagnate or even decline price wise for the next few years.

[masonbarge]

Originally Posted by golfer2008

MMANN,
Thanks for the map.



Preppy is ok. I just want to be around people my age (I don't want to live next to the Sunrise Senior Living facility). If anybody can recommend a good real estate agent that would be great.

Anybody have a take on these addresses (good for young professionals???):
3481 Lakeside Dr
3324 Peachtree Rd
3338 Peachtree Rd
3491 Buckhead Loop

Thanks for the responses!

Just for me, personally, that is a part of town I would not even consider living in. Basically, it is where the city let developers do their thing. Traffic is terrible and there is no sense of neighborhood. It's the "sucker bet" that lures out-of-towners, because it has new and shiny residences at comparatively reasonable prices.

Look at something like the apartment complexes near Collier Rd west of Howell Mill (lots of young peeps), the Peachtree corridor south of West Paces Ferry or north of Lenox/Phipps.

Aside from the financial issues, I would not advise buying in a brand new city. It takes two years to really get your bearings, make friends, etc. You could easily make a decision you would regret. It's a lot easier to move out of an apartment than to sell a condo or house, and that's even more true as a new arrival, when you don't have a good idea of which areas are better for resale.

And besides, owning a place (especially a house) is a pain in the neck. At your age, you very likely don't want to be spending time dealing with the headaches of home ownership. I'd rent an apartment if I were you.

[Go Blue 99]

I highly recommend the Lindbergh area (also referred to as "Uptown" by some) for your situation. It is directly in between Midtown and Buckhead. You would have access to the Midtown nightlife, and be very close to your work in Buckhead (there is no more good nightlife in Buckhead BTW). There is also some pretty good nightlife in the Lindbergh area (the new Tongue and Groove, and Taco Mac is always packed). You're also close to Marta and a bunch of restaurants/retail. I have two friends that live in that area and love it. I think they pay around $850 for a nice 1 bedroom.

[plessthanpointohfive]

It's a little seedy but it seems to be popular with the young 20s crowd. It's inexpensive and accessible to a lot of things.

Despite it's seediness the people I know who live there love it. It's got a decent vibe.

[Atlantasfinest]

I don't think the new Lindbergh Development area is seedy at all. Maybe 5 years ago but now it's a nice development directly on top of the Marta Station which is important in these gas guzzling days! Alot going on and in-between some nice neighborhoods to party and socialize in such as Midtown, Piedmont Park, Buckhead..etc. Go for it!

[plessthanpointohfive]

Dont' get me wrong, the area is definitely improving. And anytime you can live near a MARTA station is a good thing. I'd definitely recommend this area for young people.