Roswell, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs (Atlanta, East Point: hoa, luxury, budget)

[gloria25]

Hi,

I was looking at some property on Exit 6, Northbridge Rd. What do people think about that area?

The townhomes I was looking at ranged from $127,000 to $94,000 and seriously those properties don't seem worth what they are being sold for. They had no HOA and the area seems kinda run down. Am I being too snotty? Would YOU want to live there? The area is Dunwoody Townhomes.

I can't afford much, but want to move in the Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell area in hopes of better jobs, but don't want to be in some run down area either. I can't afford $200K for a home.

Am I being unreasonable here?

Also, are there plans to re-zone the area to push out the undesirable members of that community?

Thanks in advance for your comments,

[LawrencevilleGA]

They are all nice areas.
I suggest to take your time finding a townhome. There are hundreds in the Suburbs of Atlanta.
Alpharetta just North of the area you're talking about has very nice TH's. It is in my opinion the most conv. town around. Everything (i mean everything)business wise is 10 mins away.

[sprtsluvr8]

You can find a townhome for that price in other areas of Atlanta...you should be aware that there are lots of neighborhoods within small perimeter cities and neighborhoods that are very nice. In your price range I'm not thinking there will be a lot of options in the places that you mentioned, but you can find nice complexes all over the city. They might not be in the most prestigious area but there are MANY areas of town that are quickly changing or still aren't well known and have great options for someone in your price range.

High crime areas are usually specific to one known area, even though you might hear that an entire city is dangerous. I live in an area like that, East Point. It's a city of 40,000 people in southwest Atlanta, and with many people it has a reputation whether it's warranted or not. My neighborhood and several others around me are nice, middle class streets and not at all dangerous in any way. Don't be taken in by people who make sweeping statements about huge areas - they usually don't know what they're talking about...

[lastminutemom]

Hi. There seems to be an emerging or already existing gang problem in parts of Sandy Springs.... NOt to say that it doesn't exist in other areas. Here is an article from today's AJC...

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/02/04/nfxgang0204.html (broken link)

Anyway, I wouldn't buy into a complex that is already run down and has no HOA.

There are plans to redevelop the area and I know Sandy Springs wants to clean up the area -- but landlords have rights and unless someone comes in and buys it out -- the rental situation is unlikely to improve. Things are turning over slowly there, but given the condition of the condo and rental market in the metro area, I expect it will take time.

In Dunwoody, there is a road called Peachford which may have some things in your price range and is probably nicer than what you are looking for.

Good Luck!

[nrgpill]

It must be a slow news day in the metro section of the AJC because the kids' (or gangs, lol) parents will get hit with lease termination notices sooner than later. I would think that most English speaking residents know they have a short future there.

There is a lot of business activity going on just north of Prado shopping center. The plan is to redevelop the entire corridor. Now, given that the city is planning to allow high-rise development there, it will be just a matter of time before the developers buy out the entire area.

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Hi. There seems to be an emerging or already existing gang problem in parts of Sandy Springs.... NOt to say that it doesn't exist in other areas. Here is an article from today's AJC...

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/02/04/nfxgang0204.html (broken link)

Anyway, I wouldn't buy into a complex that is already run down and has no HOA.

There are plans to redevelop the area and I know Sandy Springs wants to clean up the area -- but landlords have rights and unless someone comes in and buys it out -- the rental situation is unlikely to improve. Things are turning over slowly there, but given the condition of the condo and rental market in the metro area, I expect it will take time.

In Dunwoody, there is a road called Peachford which may have some things in your price range and is probably nicer than what you are looking for.

Good Luck!

[tdatl]

Originally Posted by gloria25

Hi,
I was looking at some property on Exit 6, Northbridge Rd. What do people think about that area?

The townhomes I was looking at ranged from $127,000 to $94,000 and seriously those properties don't seem worth what they are being sold for. They had no HOA and the area seems kinda run down. Am I being too snotty? Would YOU want to live there? The area is Dunwoody Townhomes.

Am I being unreasonable here?

Also, are there plans to re-zone the area to push out the undesirable members of that community?

any places in that price range in that area are hard-core ghetto. I'd bet you each of those has half-a-dozen residents per 2 bedrooms. If you have doubts, drive thru at night. Take my word on this. Now's not the time to judge, but when it's warmer you'll be apalled. I was warned to do this before moving to the area, and it was the best advice i could have received. Never judge places without poking around at night or you will get suckered. Look further out, maybe Cumming or Woodstock/Acworth for something better and newer in your price range.

are there plans to rezone the area to push out undesirables? I don't live in Sandy Springs, but I'm certain there are since they've incorporated. Most low-end townhomes and all apartments go ghetto within a decade. They're about to raze a bunch of nasty ones in midtown Roswell, thank goodness, to put up some high-end development.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Hi. There seems to be an emerging or already existing gang problem in parts of Sandy Springs.... NOt to say that it doesn't exist in other areas. Here is an article from today's AJC...

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/02/04/nfxgang0204.html (broken link)

Anyway, I wouldn't buy into a complex that is already run down and has no HOA.

There are plans to redevelop the area and I know Sandy Springs wants to clean up the area -- but landlords have rights and unless someone comes in and buys it out -- the rental situation is unlikely to improve. Things are turning over slowly there, but given the condition of the condo and rental market in the metro area, I expect it will take time.

In Dunwoody, there is a road called Peachford which may have some things in your price range and is probably nicer than what you are looking for.

Good Luck!

I happen to live in Sandy Springs, and about the only "gang problem" around here would be the luxury SUV-driving soccer moms tailgating each other down Spalding Drive, on the way to the over-crowded nail salon next to Baby's-R-Us.

Seriously, I'd caution the original poster to rethink buying in Sandy Springs. It's got a great location, crime is relatively low and shopping is convenient. But it's overpriced. And $200,000 is more like a down payment on a nice townhouse with a HOA. Someone also mentioned considering Alpharetta for a good townhouse. I'd agree; but Alpharetta is still pretty spendy.

Budget-wise, it might be worthwhile to consider a brand new townhome community on the south side of the metro area. Jonesboro, Fairburn and other areas of south Atlanta have lots of new communities to choose from. And they will probably start out with a HOA that's meaningful.

[jeweloflight]

Originally Posted by gloria25

Hi,

I was looking at some property on Exit 6, Northbridge Rd. What do people think about that area?

The townhomes I was looking at ranged from $127,000 to $94,000 and seriously those properties don't seem worth what they are being sold for. They had no HOA and the area seems kinda run down. Am I being too snotty? Would YOU want to live there? The area is Dunwoody Townhomes.

I can't afford much, but want to move in the Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell area in hopes of better jobs, but don't want to be in some run down area either. I can't afford $200K for a home.

Am I being unreasonable here?

Also, are there plans to re-zone the area to push out the undesirable members of that community?

Thanks in advance for your comments,

You want the best of both worlds, cheap housing and a great neighborhood. I'm afraid that's not going to happen here. And the areas you mention, are some of the most prestigous in the Atlanta area. About the area around Northridge, it does have some crime. It's not the "good" part of Sandy Springs, as Northridge meets up with Roswell Rd. It is over-run with illegals, and the property values are going down. Roswell Rd area is the only thing that brings any negativity to Sandy Springs, because otherwise, it is truly lovely. You will get something nice for you money in Gwinnett County. I use to live in Lawrenceville with a church member, and she bought a brand new 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome with a one car garage for $110K. It's possible to find what you want, but forget about the afore mention areas, it's just not realistic. You'll have to settle for living way outside the perimeter to get something nice, in a nice area for that money.

[john1963]

Originally Posted by backfist

I happen to live in Sandy Springs, and about the only "gang problem" around here would be the luxury SUV-driving soccer moms tailgating each other down Spalding Drive, on the way to the over-crowded nail salon next to Baby's-R-Us.

I disagree. At roswell road and 285, copeland road is one of the worst places in fulton county. I say this cause i lived in that area for 10 years and even lived in lake forrest apts on copeland road. My friend had a police scanner and all night long it was "copeland road, copeland road." In fact, there was an article in the atlanta journal that said the fulton police got more calls to copeland road than to any other place and it is only a mile long. I only had my laudry stolen two times. This was around 1985 so i doubt it has gotten any better.
But in general sandy springs is safe...i have not lived there in 10 years.

If you are doubtful, talk to the local police community officer, he can tell you the bad areas.

[john1963]

i just searched the ajc.com and found out that copeland road was renamed to northwood. Must be pretty bad if they have to rename the street like they did with stewart avenue in south atlanta