bad neighborhoods in/near Atlanta? (Peachtree City, Jackson: apartments, rental, condo)

[plessthanpointohfive]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Thanks .. actually I moved out of town in 1992 - 16 years ago. Do you honestly think it's gotten any better in the City of Atlanta? I personally don't believe such and statistics do support this in many aspects.

Some things simply cannot change folks and being in "denial" about certain things (crime, poverty, etc.) ... well it just doesn't substantiate what is being said currently. I DOES take a big effort to change things and they eventually WILL for Atlanta. It won't be in my lifetime however.

As a 30+ year "safety professional" [not a cop - work with them a great deal] I see a great deal of the public and it's capabilities - both good and bad. I remind people to take every precaution that is feasible. And yet at times even that is simply "not enough".

Peace, serenity and sanctuary appeal to me. I feel safe where I reside now - in NE Cobb / Roswell. Sadly that is not going to happen for me in the City of Atlanta ... today or tomorow. As they say, "Been there, done that".

Well, I live in the Little 5 Points area....and I feel pretty safe. I mean, my husband and I are raising our son there (he's 7). In fact, a lot of families live there.

But that's what I mean. In the 16-17 years since you lived here there's been a HUGE influx of families. Property values have skyrocketed. All this tends to drive out the criminal element.

There are parts of Atlanta that are the same as from 1991-1992...because there's always part of any city that's experiencing decay. But, the area where you were attacked is not one of them any longer.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

Whoa...he said 1991 and 1992 and I thought "10 years"....Guess I don't want to admit it's been MORE than 10 years since I graduated from high school!!!

LOL ... no problem. Well I graduated High School in 1974. So don't feel bad....just keep yourself in good shape, etc., etc. My 35th reunion is next year - you can be a mean "kid" again to those folks you really never liked back then!

[plessthanpointohfive]

No worries! After losing >60lbs and closing fast on 70lbs and now being an avid runner I plan to stay in shape!

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

Well, I live in the Little 5 Points area....and I feel pretty safe. I mean, my husband and I are raising our son there (he's 7). In fact, a lot of families live there.

But that's what I mean. In the 16-17 years since you lived here there's been a HUGE influx of families. Property values have skyrocketed. All this tends to drive out the criminal element.

There are parts of Atlanta that are the same as from 1991-1992...because there's always part of any city that's experiencing decay. But, the area where you were attacked is not one of them any longer.

And thank you Point O Five ... you've always had nice posts and all and yes, things do and can change. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and comments.

Obviously there's an age difference here... when you're younger you don't think about some things ... defending yourself, overly-protecting your assets, car, home, etc.

I'm 52 now. I'm not as strong or quick as I used to be (still in good shape though, atheltic and outgoing).

Crime against older people is something to think about and I've already experienced being a victim in my 30s.

Also please note ... that affluence doesn't necessarily equate to safety. Perhaps it might change the "type" of crime involved (i.e. violent crime to robberies and theft).

Maybe perhaps when you're up in my age bracket ... you might feel a bit different. I spent my 20s-mid 30s in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I got transferred to Atlanta in 1991, lived a year intown ... then here in NE Cobb in 1992. There is simply nothing to sway me to move?

It hasn't been bad living out here. Fortunately I travel for work every week. Really doesn't matter where I live, as long as I can get to the airport!

Thank you once again for your thoughts...

[masonbarge]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Thanks .. actually I moved out of town in 1992 - 16 years ago. Do you honestly think it's gotten any better in the City of Atlanta? I personally don't believe such and statistics do support this in many aspects.

Oh for sure, and the area where you lived has seen the biggest change of all. Midtown 16 years ago was one of the worst neighborhoods in the city -- maybe THE worst neighborhood north of Ponce (the other candidate being the commercial area on Cheshire Bridge) -- full of drug dealers and hookers. It has been gentrified, real estate prices have skyrocketed, and crime has plummeted. I wouldn't call it the safest neighborhood in the city, but I bet crime (especially violent crime) is one-tenth of what it was then.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

No worries! After losing >60lbs and closing fast on 70lbs and now being an avid runner I plan to stay in shape!

That is wonderful - many, many congrats! I stopped smoking on 02Jan08 (for the umpteenth time) ... and haven't started or 'cheated'.

I've put on 10# or so ... but have curbed certain cravings (sweets) and such. Very happy for your new physique and new found athletics.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by masonbarge

Oh for sure, and the area where you lived has seen the biggest change of all. Midtown 16 years ago was one of the worst neighborhoods in the city -- maybe THE worst neighborhood north of Ponce (the other candidate being the commercial area on Cheshire Bridge) -- full of drug dealers and hookers. It has been gentrified, real estate prices have skyrocketed, and crime has plummeted. I wouldn't call it the safest neighborhood in the city, but I bet crime (especially violent crime) is one-tenth of what it was then.

Thanks for your response. You hit the nail on the head ... (violent crime WAY down) ... burglaries / robbery / theft is what is left if any. And you CAN have that anywhere. Even out here (nothing in 16 years though) ...

[masonbarge]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Huh? You're kidding I sincerely hope? City of Atlanta is 2nd in the nation to Detroit in violent crimes. PEOPLE ARE gunned down all the time even in broad daylight.

Fair enough; however, the truth is obscured by the statistics.

There are huge differences. First, you can find a lot of very low-crime areas inside the city limits of Atlanta. Second, Atlanta is booming and crime is headed down, the schools are getting better, the population is growing, and city government is improving. Detroit is the polar opposite -- perhaps the most blighted city in the US.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

And thank you Point O Five ... you've always had nice posts and all and yes, things do and can change. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and comments.

You're very kind, thank you.

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Obviously there's an age difference here... when you're younger you don't think about some things ... defending yourself, overly-protecting your assets, car, home, etc.

Except that I'm not THAT young! I am 33, married for 10 years now, have a 2nd grader, and I'm a home-owner. I admit I worried about crime when we first moved here 2 years ago because of the things I'd heard. But, it's been wonderful.

Originally Posted by rswlguy

I'm 52 now. I'm not as strong or quick as I used to be (still in good shape though, atheltic and outgoing).

Crime against older people is something to think about and I've already experienced being a victim in my 30s.

It's very unfortunate that you were a victim at all, really. Now you feel very vulnerable...maybe more than you really are.

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Also please note ... that affluence doesn't necessarily equate to safety. Perhaps it might change the "type" of crime involved (i.e. violent crime to robberies and theft).

I believe that when an area improves violent crime goes down. In my area petty theft is still common...but not violent crime. I think the murder at the Yacht Club in L5P was the first in >20 years.

Originally Posted by rswlguy

Maybe perhaps when you're up in my age bracket ... you might feel a bit different. I spent my 20s-mid 30s in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I got transferred to Atlanta in 1991, lived a year intown ... then here in NE Cobb in 1992. There is simply nothing to sway me to move?

It hasn't been bad living out here. Fortunately I travel for work every week. Really doesn't matter where I live, as long as I can get to the airport!

Thank you once again for your thoughts...

Perhaps. I never say never. Someday I hope to have a vacation home in Charleston, SC and retire there, selling my Atlanta home to my son. OK, that's a pipe dream.

But, if you're happy where you are then that's wonderful.

[masonbarge]

Originally Posted by darekk

OK, but if we could turn the story the other way round? What are the GOOD neighbourhoods there?

I am moving to ATL for 2009 (Jan-Dec) from Europe. Where I live, crime is not a problem. I've never heard about any armed robbery in my vicinity in my life. Your stories about ATL just scare me like hell. Where should I live with wife and 2 kids and be safe?
I'd rather commute longer to work (Bank of America building in city center) but keep them in good premium area.

I live in an area that is an easy ten minute commute (during rush hour) from the BofA building. I don't lock my front door during the daytime. I never lock my car. I would have no fear at all about walking through the neighborhood late at night; in fact, I have seen a single woman (about 50-55 years old) walking her dog in pitch darkness at 4:00 a.m.

Atlanta is not like Vienna or Madrid, but it is not the wild west. It is a city where there are very good neighborhoods and very bad neighborhoods. If you will tell me your budget for housing, I will gladly make suggestions about neighborhoods very safe from violent crime that are close to your job.

If you are really scared, try Peachtree City, which one of the safest towns in the world. It is a long commute (30 miles, as long as one hour each way during rush hour) but people do it.

If you can afford $500-$600,000, I would suggest you look at Springlake, which has fairly good elementary schools (Sarah Smith and Warren Jackson) and is very close to your job. Collier Hills is also very safe and close, at that price, but the elementary school (E. Rivers) is only moderate.

Actually, if I were you, I would be more concerned about schools than crime. Most people who live inside the City and can afford it send their children to private middle and high schools (age 13-17). If you have children that age and cannot afford private school, you need to look at suburbs to the north of the City.