is $830 ridiculously high for Vinings apt? (Atlanta, Smyrna: apartment, leasing, condo)

[cruzjamaica]

Hi,
I need to move to atlanta b4 the month is up and looking at places in marietta/smyrna/vinings and also buckhead. i've looked at two apts, post ridge (Post Properties: Find Apartment Home) and wildwood ridge (Wildwood Ridge Premier Apartment Homes) which i believe are both in vinings, well, they have a 30339 area code and have "atlanta" mailing address. The apts were very nice and beautiful, seem to be situated in the perfect spot close to my new job and minutes from downtown. BUT a few ppl mentioned to me that i might be able to find something just as good or better for less. what do you guys think? i'm used to the ridiculously high boston rents so that seemed like a reasonable price to me...

[atlantagreg30127]

That price is about right for the area. I'm willing to bet the Post Property one is a studio at that price, too (or small 1BR). Let's put it this way - Back in 1993 I lived in Vinings and a small 2BR apartment back then cost close to $750 a month, so that's not bad.

That's a very convenient area, too. You're next to I-285, I-75, Vinings, and the Cumberland Mall district.

[sweettea1]

Yeah, that seams pretty reasonable to me. It's a great area.

[momof2kids]

We paid $1000 a month for a 2 bedroom back in 2001.

[Northman]

I lived behind the Overlook business complex and paid $375 for a studio in '91-'92. Ahhh.....those were the days.

[netdragon]

No, that's cheap for a 2br and average for a 1br. I'm charging a renter over $800 for a small 2br condo I'm renting on Spring Rd in Smyrna and I could get more if I wanted to but I'm not because the current renter takes good care of it. At one time, back in 2005, we were paying $900 for a 1br in Post Spring after they raised our rent from $730. Needless to say we moved out of Post Spring as soon as we found a property to purchase.

If you have the credit, you are better off buying an older condo, especially with the current market. For instance, check out Vinings Run (off Spring Hill Parkway) or Creatwood Circle (off Atlanta Rd) or the various condo complexes off of Spring Rd between Campbell Rd and Atlanta Rd (Countryside at Cumberland, etc). You'll be earning equity and probably paying less for mortgage than for rent. Older units may be outdated, but just like we did with the condo we rent out, you can update them for a pretty low cost.

Vinings/Cumberland/Smyrna is a great area with many million dollar homes and most new neighborhoods starting higher than $500k. You'll also be close to extensions from the Silver Comet Trail (a 60+ mile paved bike trail that starts in Smyrna between the E/W connector and Cooper Lake Road).

[pgirl07]

It's a good price for a newer apartment. I actually live in an older apartment in Vinings and....I pay about $100 less, but it's small and much older.

[cruzjamaica]

thanx for the feedback everyone!

yes, the Post apt is a tiny 700sqft 1br. and the wildwood apt is 855sqft for just about the same price. When I went to look at this one, a tenant was at the leasing office complaining about a wetspot in her apt that keeps reappearing, that was the 3rd time she complained about it! That was not a good sign, so i'm leaning towards the Post apt...

i found another place that was a lot more spacious and $100 less located down Cobb Parkway towards Kennesaw, Parkside at Town Center but compared to the other two this one seems so far from everything...

I don't need much space and would rather the convenience I think...but I'm not sure...

netdragon: I will look into the condo, thanx!

northman: $375?!!! wow, have times changed!

[netdragon]

With Post, just don't get too settled. They tend to jack up the rent eventually. In the meantime, you're good. You may want to see if Promove can work you a deal. :-)