Best neighborhoods in ATL (Atlanta, Decatur: apartments, rentals, crime)

[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?

[Iconographer]

Given your parameters, you have many options in the city...I won't try and name them all here; instead, I'll make a case for the community in which I live, Decatur. It is quaint, pedestrian-friendly, safe, and a mecca for young families. Playgrounds, parks and good preschools are all here. Also, it's about a 5 mile straight shot from downtown Decatur to the Bank of America building in Midtown (20-25 minutes in the AM). You can also utilize the MARTA rail line from Decatur station to the North Ave station (BOA building).

www.decaturga.com

[darekk]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I'll make a case for the community in which I live, Decatur. It is quaint, pedestrian-friendly, safe, and a mecca for young families. Playgrounds, parks and good preschools are all here. Also, it's about a 5 mile straight shot from downtown Decatur to the Bank of America building in Midtown (20-25 minutes in the AM). You can also utilize the MARTA rail line from Decatur station to the North Ave station (BOA building).

Sounds good! Thank you for your input.

Safe and family-mecca are the words I am looking for.

Do you have any info about rental costs that I might expect?

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by darekk

Sounds good! Thank you for your input.

Safe and family-mecca are the words I am looking for.

Do you have any info about rental costs that I might expect?

There is a delightful 3 BR cottage for rent in my neighborhood for $1600.00 mo. That would be about the going rate around here.
Townhouses might be a little cheaper. Here are a couple of sites that are popular with locals that are looking for rentals in Atlanta:

www.atlanta.craigslist.org (http://www.atlanta.craigslist.org - broken link)

www.atlanta.creativeloafing.com

[darekk]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

There is a delightful 3 BR cottage for rent in my neighborhood for $1600.00 mo. That would be about the going rate around here.

Great. I've expected a substantially heftier price than that.
But such cottages - these are not closed communities, with own security and such?

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by darekk

Great. I've expected a substantially heftier price than that.
But such cottages - these are not closed communities, with own security and such?

No, but the city has a very good police dept, and many homes and apartments have internal security systems (I do).
I feel quite safe here. My 20 year old daughter often walks with friends to the downtown area for coffee at night, and there is never a problem (I still tell her to keep her eyes open, of course, but I would do that anyway).

[widmerpool70]

i've lived in Midtown for 5 years and I've never heard a gunshot.

seriously, you won't hear gunshots in any neighborhood you would conceivably be considering.

you're a lot safer in Atlanta than you are in London. any crime statistic you see would be local-on-local.

If you are at BofA, you are right on the road that separates Midtown from Downtown.

Some close neighborhoods with good schools:

Midtown
Virginia Highland
Ansley Park
Morningside
Inman Park
Buckhead

Atlanta is an amazingly kid-friendly city. I would start with an open-mind.

[IntownHomes247]

FYI, I was born and raised in Atlanta (Decatur, really) and, like you, I have never heard a gun shot on the street (including cannon fire ).

I don't know about European cities, but I suspect there are "good areas" there just as there are "bad areas." Most of Atlanta is as safe as any other major American city. The "bad areas" are generally synonymous with the "very poor" areas. You'll be making plenty of money to ensure that you have no reason to live in a dangerous area. You don't need to look for some kind of gated, fortified community.

Honestly, what you should be more concerned about is the traffic. Try to live as close to where you work as possible. Decatur is a great choice. Good schools (including some excellent private schools if you prefer), lots of parks, walk to shops & restaurants, easy commute downtown.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Let me also suggest Candler Park, which is between Decatur and downtown. It's a family oriented neighborhood, with good schools, etc. That's where I live with my husband and son. Haven't heard a gunshot yet.

The zipcode is 30307 and it included Inman Park and Lake Claire. I highly recommend anywhere in that zipcode.

Just another option.

[cmtiger]

I agree with all of the above... some great neighborhoods are listed. We used to hear gunshots back in the old days in Inman Park (late 80s) - but that is all cleaned up now. You have some great suggestions... my favorite, of course, is Decatur... b/c I live there so I'm biased for it!

Good luck!