Best neighborhoods in ATL (Roswell, Dunwoody: sublease, apartment complex, rental)

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Decatur is a small city that actually existed before Atlanta was founded. It is only five miles or so from the center of Atlanta, but is its own separate incoroporated city. A lot of Americans have a nostalgic yearn for the small town life that movies, tv etc. have idealized along with a disdain for rapidly growing suburbs that have a generic feel to them. Decatur has this nice, older, established feel but is close to Atlanta and isn't as expensive as other closer in neighborhoods. That is why it has become a desirable place in the last couple of decades.

If your wife likes more of a suburban feel and you are used to a long commute, you will find nice areas any direction you go from Atlanta, even the southside of the city of Atlanta, if you go to Fayette, Henry or Coweta counties. The northern suburbs have had more growth and are considered more upscale for the most part, but even there you will find some pockets of older neighborhoods that have seen better days, so just like anywhere else in the US or Europe, you shouldn't generalize too much.

Dunwoody has nice neighborhoods but the Perimeter Center district has many highrises over 10 stories. If you want more of a suburban feel that trends more rural, you would have to go further out than that. Forsyth, Cherokee Counties to the north, East Gwinnett to the northeast, West Cobb to the northwest.

MARTA stands for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. There are two main rail lines, one running north/south (the northern line does branch) and an east/west line. There are buses that connect to the stations. It only serves Fulton (Atlanta) and DeKalb counties, is still a limited rail system compared to larger American cities and most European cities, but it did not get started until the 70s. By that time Atlanta had developed as a city and metro area dependent on the automobile (as most of the faster growing southern and western US cities have done) and the rail system hasn't made a huge impact on the daily life of the majority of metro Atlanta residents.

You will find on this forum people who will push the inner city neighborhoods and disdain anything suburban, you will also find those who swear by the suburban lifestyle and will rarely travel within 285 (the perimeter highway). It sounds like your wife might like the further out suburbs.

There are so many to mention, I have only listed the counties. The state of Georgia ranks second in the number of counties, they are geographically smaller than other states and you will find in the metro Atlanta area the county governments are more like large suburban cities. Atlantans will many times refer to counties as opposed to individual suburban cities. The school systems are for the majority of areas operated by the county. The cities of Atlanta, Decatur and Marietta have city school systems separate from the counties they are in.

So, I would suggest a visit to compare the intown neighborhoods and the closer in suburbs as well as newer suburban areas further out. You cannot see it all in one visit, that's for sure, but I would recommend a visit so you can see which one "feels" right for you and your family. It is a growing city with a multitude of choices. All the best in your decision!

I agree with Saintmarks' comments about Dunwoody but would like to clarify the situation with the Perimeter area.
The centerpiece of the Perimeter area is the Perimeter mall (where the Dunwoody MARTA station is located). The immediate area around the mall is indeed high density office and retail with large scale multi-family development. However, the Perimeter area is in the SW corner of Dunwoody, and the rest of Dunwoody is very low-key, bucolic and residential. The true center of Dunwoody is Dunwoody Village, which indeed has more of a smaller-scale, 'village' feel to it...your day to day shopping can be done here. If you were to utilize MARTA, Dunwoody is attractive because both Dunwoody station and North Ave station are on the North-South line. Decatur is on the East-West line, which requires a tranfer to the N-S at Five Points station (downtown Atlanta).

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by darekk

Thank you very much - that was very helpful.
I'll look on the map of this MARTA system, and will surely consider some suburban location further from the city but with good connection via this rail system. (BTW: is it safe to commute on that?)

I'm still lured by Decatur though.

The central station where the two lines cross is called Five Points, if one generalizes, going to the north of this station takes you to the most desirable neighborhoods. Neighborhoods to the east are a mix of desirable and turning the corner from formerly bad to good. I can't say that I would recommend any neighborhood south or west of five points. The southern line is best used to connect to the airport.

Decatur is nice, but stay within the city limits. Also consider the small village of Avondale Estates just to the east but be careful going south of these two into unincorporated DeKalb county, there are some depressed areas. Anything north of these two can be nice, but there are some areas to be avoided as well.

The cities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody are very close to MARTA, have big commercial districts closer to the perimeter, but have leafy family neighboroods. Both of these cities have just incorporated so there is a new civic pride there, in fact Dunwoody just approved self rule in July so elections for mayor and council haven't even happened yet.

You might get more of that suburban feeling the wife would like by going a little north of these areas to Roswell, Alpharetta or Johns Creek, the latter also a newly incorporated area. It wouldn't be too far of a drive to the northernmost MARTA lines from these areas.

I spent my Atlanta years in Marietta in Cobb County, loved that area (less expensive than the ones I have been mentioning) but I also worked in Marietta so did not have to face the commute into downtown Atlanta. However Cobb County does offer an express bus service that connects to MARTA.

I am in TX now, love talking Atlanta tho so I have enjoyed giving you my perspective. Atlanta is home, still have family and friends there, know more with what is going there than here in Dallas, lol.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I agree with Saintmarks' comments about Dunwoody but would like to clarify the situation with the Perimeter area.
The centerpiece of the Perimeter area is the Perimeter mall (where the Dunwoody MARTA station is located). The immediate area around the mall is indeed high density office and retail with large scale multi-family development. However, the Perimeter area is in the SW corner of Dunwoody, and the rest of Dunwoody is very low-key, bucolic and residential. The true center of Dunwoody is Dunwoody Village, which indeed has more of a smaller-scale, 'village' feel to it...your day to day shopping can be done here. If you were to utilize MARTA, Dunwoody is attractive because both Dunwoody station and North Ave station are on the North-South line. Decatur is on the East-West line, which requires a tranfer to the N-S at Five Points station (downtown Atlanta).

LovinDecatur, just saw your post after I posted my last so I hope I clarified there as well, but you did it better

I was considering Dareks original concern that suburban to him was not 10 story apt blocks. I did ruminate after my post from yesterday and remember that a lot of suburban areas of European cities have these big blocks of tall apt buildings, so sometimes the suburban areas have a higher density than the central city. I realized I might have given Dunwoody a bad rap in that it is nothing like that, so appreciate your insight on that.

Perhaps he should check out the Brookhaven area as well, easy access to MARTA, close to great shopping. Chamblee and Doraville can be hit or miss in my opinion. You got any insight on those Lovin?

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

LovinDecatur, just saw your post after I posted my last so I hope I clarified there as well, but you did it better

I was considering Dareks original concern that suburban to him was not 10 story apt blocks. I did ruminate after my post from yesterday and remember that a lot of suburban areas of European cities have these big blocks of tall apt buildings, so sometimes the suburban areas have a higher density than the central city. I realized I might have given Dunwoody a bad rap in that it is nothing like that, so appreciate your insight on that.

Perhaps he should check out the Brookhaven area as well, easy access to MARTA, close to great shopping. Chamblee and Doraville can be hit or miss in my opinion. You got any insight on those Lovin?

More hit than miss in the years to come, I think. There's a lot of 'loft-style' development mushrooming in Chamblee, and the bidding process has begun on the old GM plant in Doraville...an 'Atlantic Station' style development is proposed for this locale.
Chamblee/Doraville is sitting pretty with each having a centrally located MARTA station along with (at least for now) reasonably priced homes. South Brookhaven is enjoying a renaissance for the same reasons. North Brookhaven, of course, is great if you have $$$$$$.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

More hit than miss in the years to come, I think. There's a lot of 'loft-style' development mushrooming in Chamblee, and the bidding process has begun on the old GM plant in Doraville...an 'Atlantic Station' style development is proposed for this locale.
Chamblee/Doraville is sitting pretty with each having a centrally located MARTA station along with (at least for now) reasonably priced homes. South Brookhaven is enjoying a renaissance for the same reasons. North Brookhaven, of course, is great if you have $$$$$$.

With gas prices and the traffic in Atlanta, anything close to MARTA is going to appreciate, IMO even areas now considered less than desirable to the south and west of Five Points. So those with a pioneering spirit would do well to invest in those areas. The Beltline proposals really have me excited about the central Atlanta area as a whole, the kingpin to transform Atlanta into a truly world class city. I just hope the leadership of Atlanta will have a vision to make it happen and those that are only in it for what they can profit personally won't derail it (as that Gwinnett developer seems to be doing).

But I drift, however, as our OP is only going to be in ATL for a year, so I am sure he wants the tried and true. I think you have him excited about Decatur and I don't think he will go wrong, unless the wife wants more of the suburban thing. Sounds like that's what he has in Poland right now, 30 miles out of Warsaw.

[masonbarge]

I posted on your other thread. My #1 suggestion for you would be Springlake, which is the area northeast of I-75 between Northside Drive and Howell Mill. The schools are good and it is occupied primarily by families with young children. However, it is a bit expensive because it is such a nice area so close to Midtown/Downtown jobs. Houses run $500,000 to $700,000, and even a bit higher for "teardowns" (large new houses that sit on lots where an old smaller house has been torn down).

You might also look at townhouses in those two school districts. They are cheaper, but they are harder to resell. Cross Creek would be good, as it is a large community with amenities (such as a large swimming pool with a children's area) but the units are small and a bit cheaply built. You would need to look at the units to see if they suited you.

If you budget is lower, my first choice would be East Cobb or North Fulton. Look at school ratings.

Decatur is okay, but you need to be careful if you are from out of town, as there are some bad areas of Decatur, especially to the south.

[darekk]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

The central station where the two lines cross is called Five Points, if one generalizes, going to the north of this station takes you to the most desirable neighborhoods. (...)

Again - thanks for help.

It seems now that my list will go down to suburban / quieter areas of:
Sandy Springs
Dunwoody
Roswell
Alphretta
Marietta
Decatur

I'm sure choices are numerous over there.
Hope my budget can make it.

[Zel Ya]

Originally Posted by darekk

Dear all,

I am moving with my family from Europe to ATL for 2009 (whole year). I am looking for your advice on which neighborhoods should I choose as my temporary home there.

My top priority is safety - I've heard stories about Atlanta that scared me bad. I've never lived in any American city, so I've bit different experiences when it comes to safety (e.g. never ever heard a gun shot on the street other than cannons shooting on independence day and funerals of noble soldiers / politicians). I want to rent an apartment / townhouse / house not being scared to leave it on weekends or turn the lights off at night.

2nd priority is friendliness for kids. While I'll be at work, my wife and 2 kids (one aged 2.5, one aged 4.5) will be staying around home. Safe parks, playgrounds, recreational areas, shopping malls will be very appreciated. I want to send both boys to some kindergarten so that they can quickly pick up English.

Then comes the commute. My office will be in Bank of America building in city's downtown (I guess it's downtown). I can have an underground garage over there. I'm prepared for commutes up to 1 hour. Or a very good connection on safe public transit.

When it comes to cost - now this is a difficult question. My salary is 6-digit + some reimbursement of rent and life cost by employer. I'm not sure what I'll be able to afford there. What can I expect?

America is a wonderful country, but our country is the most violent western democracy in the world.

I think it's safe to say that crime has touched almost every American family. Often times the offense is somewhat minor but not always.

I was the victim of a very brutal crime when I was younger. Even to this day, it's still both physically and emotionally draining.

My dad, now deceased, and I once vacationed in Vegas. He was the victim of an assault. Needless to say, it's not fun taking your elderly dad to a hospital.

In general, Americans are used to crime which encompasses crimes committed with guns. Europeans may be used to a bit of crime but not crimes where guns are involved.

So far, the comments are great. By all means live near a MARTA station. Stay away from apartments or townhomes located near I-285, I-75, or I-85. Even two or three blocks would be too close for me. In the summer, Atlanta has very unhealthy air and living near an interstate is not lung-friendly. Who wants to breathe unhealthy air day and night?

Personally, I would live fairly close to the downtown area. Suburbia is nice, including Dunwoody, but Dunwoody is a good 20 miles to most points in the downtown area.

[darekk]

Originally Posted by masonbarge

Houses run $500,000 to $700,000, and even a bit higher for "teardowns" (...)
You might also look at townhouses in those two school districts. They are cheaper, but they are harder to resell.

Keep in my mind, that I'm not planning to buy - I want to rent for 12 months or so.

[darekk]

Originally Posted by masonbarge

My #1 suggestion for you would be Springlake, which is the area northeast of I-75 between Northside Drive and Howell Mill.

I've looked it up on google maps and "went for a virtual walk". It looks great!