Whats College Park really like?? (Atlanta, East Point: fit in, apartment, lease)

[lmcbug9]

I've been looking online, (not even close to the live experience) and was thinking it looks like a nice place to live, am I wrong? I am from West Michigan, and frankly can't take the 100 plus inches of snow they call for every year, or the negative 25 degrees for days in a row that we had last year. I also keep hearing "horror" stories from my daughters dad that we would basically be shunned from the community because we (me and my oldest daughter) are Native American and white, and my youngest daughter is Native, White and Black. Are there any suggestions for a "better" place to live? I want to be close to schools, but still not so far away from downtown Atlanta that I would have to plan a day to go.

[j0ja]

I worked in College Park several years ago on an in irregular basis. It is OK but overall somewhat blighted. The major road in the area is Old National Hwy. Unfortunately some major shopping chains shut down business in the area in the late 90s and early 00s. In College Park, some areas of retail, roads, business and housing were torn down, too, to make room for expansion of another lane at Hartsfield Jackson Airport. It is now a majority black area; many years earlier it was a majority white area.

I'd check the crime stats to see maybe slightly high in some areas, but one good thing is it is very convenient to downtown and to the interstate. I generally didn't feel unsafe in the area, but I definitely didn't want to be out much during the night hours.

For schools, check out greatschools.net

[sdre43]

Old National you say?

You may be shunned- by the blacks. That's a rough area of town.

[c.zhou57]

Depends what part of College Park you're in. If you go over to the Historic side of College Park there are many good things happening there and its on its way up. Woodward Academy, a very prestigious private school is over there, and there are some cool little shops and restaurants along Main St in downtown CP. There's also the Marta station which you can take into downtown Atlanta very easily. The area is diverse so you and your kids can fit in. Note this is Historic College Park. I can't speak for the other College Park as I've never been over on that neck of the woods.

[j0ja]

Agreed, I left out the city limits: the City of College Park is that way: yea, older homes built mostly in the 40s-60s (gone through an upswing from blight, just as East Point has). Woodward does have an attractive campus, just a very pricey, selective private school. The public schools don't fare so well. I think the area is OK overall, and does have some character as compared to the bland exurbs.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by lmcbug9

I've been looking online, (not even close to the live experience) and was thinking it looks like a nice place to live, am I wrong? I am from West Michigan, and frankly can't take the 100 plus inches of snow they call for every year, or the negative 25 degrees for days in a row that we had last year. I also keep hearing "horror" stories from my daughters dad that we would basically be shunned from the community because we (me and my oldest daughter) are Native American and white, and my youngest daughter is Native, White and Black. Are there any suggestions for a "better" place to live? I want to be close to schools, but still not so far away from downtown Atlanta that I would have to plan a day to go.

Overall College Park nowadays has been getting it act together.Through the nineties up until about the last 4years ,they have really fixed up that area nowadays with lots of new development.Strong leadership from World Changers Church has helped spur new road projects and housing because they have been investing heavily in the area.I think you be fine there with your family.Its not as rough as it used to be by far.
You may also want to check out Hapeville ,Fairburn, and definitely the Camp Creek area.Camp Creek I strongly recommend.Its mostly in East Point.
Atlanta's Camp Creek Marketplace Sees Explosion in New Homes

[hurricanes]

Forget that! College Park? You guys are nuts. That's borderline gangbanger town. Yeah some parts may be nice but surrounding them are a bunch of hoodlums. And they are in South Fulton/Clayton County borderline. Marta? Yeah I feel really safe there. Do yourself a favor and call or email the city and county of where you are thinking of relocating and ask the police for a statistics report of last years crimes. It'll cost ya a few bucks for each jurisdiction but it'll be worth it. Also, rent an apartment in any area before buying a house that way you can bail after your lease is up if you don't like it there. Also whichever county you decide to reside in try to stick within city limits. The reason I say that is county police are so stretched and with the high gas prices their budget is eating them up and can't cover their entire areas as good as a city police department. City police have less area to cover making their response time faster.

[LoufromNewYork]

Hurricanes - as a College Park resident, you couldn't be more wrong. I'll agree that near Old National Highway is pretty bad.. at least until you get down to where the Walmart is and further south.

If you go to the part of College Park opposite the railroad tracks near Camp Creek, there are tons of houses (new and old) that are safe, and secure. There's a bunch of stuff that nears South Fulton.

The schools.. eh - you could definitely do better but if you have 2-5 years before you start a family. This is a cool place to check out especially since you'll be so close to so much. You can buy a house for what most place would charge for rent.

[OhioNative]

Ludacris sums it up in that Missy Elliot song _ "Once upon a time in College Park, where they live life fast and they're scared at dark..."

[MisterNY]

Let me give you the impression from someone who does not live there, but stays there everytime he goes To Atlanta, and we're talking about every two to three months.

If you have kids, and value things like education, clean, mixed areas, I dont think it's for you.
They are revitalizing the area. There are pockets that are nice and clean, but if you ask me if I would move there with my family, you're getting a straight NO! Whether black or white, it's a matter of standards, and College Park is not for me. There are other places I'd rather spend my money in.
I would not call it a ghetto per se, but it's not impressive. It's so so if you ask me. If you're solo, have no kids, and have a job near downtown, and you're there for a short period, then go ahead. I just wouldn't invest in a house in that area. Dont get me wrong, I've seen far worse in Florida and NYC as there are worse areas in Atlanta, but College Park fails to impress me. Check it for yourself.