Relocating from MI to Atlanta (Sandy Springs, Roswell: apartment complexes, rentals, loft)

[Daymia]

My husband and I are looking to relocate in the next few months from Michigan. I've been researching apartments and townhomes since mid-June and the problem I have is that most of the rental properties we find that seem viable are rated poorly on various sites due to maintenance issues, crime, safety, etc.

His office is a mile west of the Sandy Springs MARTA station and being as he drives over an hour here, we'd like to cut down his commute time considerably.

After discussing it at length, we would both love a loft layout if possible, but an absolute must is that it's safe and affordable. We're looking at spending no more than about $700 per month until I get a job offer.

If anyone has any ideas for rental properties or areas I should explore further, I'd appreciate it. After a couple weeks of searching, it's getting rather disappointing. Thanks in advance! (And sorry if I missed anything on the boards that relates to this - just lead me to it if I did.)

[StillThinking]

I'm moving to Atlanta from Detroit today. It doesn't seem like you can do alot with $700 from my research. It may work if you don't have any kids and don't need a lot of space.

[martarider]

Midtown

[LovinDecatur]

There are quite a few apartment complexes in the Perimeter Mall area...$700.00 mo might get you into a 1 BR in that area, but it will take some looking.

[Daymia]

Yeah, I am seeing that in some areas, $700 won't go far. There are areas where I find a lot of potential properties, but then the reviews are bad. I'm really not thrilled with the thought of leaving a really safe, small town but we hate the winters here.

Are there areas that are generally more safe than others?

[j0ja]

Someone suggested Midtown: then your husband's commute would be opposite traffic. You can find rent in that range (700) a month, but areas vary considerably. You have to see it for yourself. 700 would get you a studio or 1 BR. 2BR is usually more like 800 and up. My guess is rentals around Sandy Springs are a bit pricier. I would stay at a weekly hotel and look in the area yourself once you are here, so you can see how it is. Some closer areas to his work that are OK overall: Roswell, Marietta or Dunwoody.
Good luck!

[Go Blue 99]

Is it likely that you are going to land a job soon? If so, I would look to stretch that $700 budget a little and try to rent in Perimeter area (where your husband is working). He would have a short commute, and you would be in a centralized location that has good access to numerous job centers. That area is safe as well.

[hurricanes]

Whatever you do stay in the northern parts of Atlanta. The southern part is flooded with gangs and various crime throughout. I say rent a hotel for like a week or two and check the areas out before committing to a lease. Do plenty of research so you don't regret later. Another thing you could do is call the police department and ask them for a printout of the crime statistics. It'll cost you a few bucks but worth it.

[netdragon]

I'd also look in Cumberland, Smyrna and Vinings. There are a lot of condos, apartments, and townhomes there and it's just a couple miles West of where he's planning on working. $700k/mo will get you an older one bedroom apartments there, a two-three bedroom condo and a lower end townhome. I'd start my search on and along Cumberland Parkway, Aker's Mill and Power's Ferry. I would consider Atlanta Rd the approximate cut-off of what will start to be an uncomfortable commute if you head much farther West and I wouldn't go farther North than Terrell Mill on Power's Ferry.