Single - Moving to Atlanta - But Where? (Decatur, Buford: best neighborhoods, 2009)

[mibtp]

I'm a single woman who has lived in LA since 1984. I almost bought a 2 br in LA last year for the great deal of $430,000. Tired of the high price of living.

I am considering moving to Atlanta in March/April 2009. I would like to buy new construction home 3br/2 ba for under $130,000. I have seen KB Home properties in this price range.

I am interested in moving to an area that is:

• safe
• dog friendly
• Well-maintained area
• near parks
• near nightlife/shopping
• multi-cultural community

Any suggestions or advice on areas to AVOID as well?

Thanks.
P.

[TakeAhike]

If you can find the FYI on these homes why not research them?

I cannot imagine where these homes are located. $130,000 sounds like a 2bdr condo or less for many parts of Atlanta.

[mibtp]

That is what I am doing here. Trying to find out if the areas these homes are in are in great areas or not.

Here are a few listings in Buford, Dallas, Fairburn, Stone Mountain:

Atlanta Sable Glen 1,577—2,500 sq. ft., 3—4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Atlanta Waterford Commons I 1,577—3,319 sq. ft., 3—4 bedrooms, 2—3 baths $124,990
Buford Creekside at Lanier Springs 1,932—3,441 sq. ft., 3—6 bedrooms, 2.5—4 baths
Dallas The Park at Cedarcrest - Piedmont 1,903—3,298 sq. ft., 3—6 bedrooms, 2—3 baths
Fairburn Hampton Oaks - Bedford 2,043—3,420 sq. ft., 3—6 bedrooms, 2—2.5 baths $119,990
Fairburn Hampton Oaks - Overbrook 2,043—3,863 sq. ft., 3—6 bedrooms, 2—3.5 baths $152,990
Fairburn The Parks at Cedar Grove - Chastain 2,914—2,988 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths $164,990
Fairburn The Parks at Cedar Grove - Fairmont 1,761—2,914 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths $125,990
Stone Mountain Dominion Station 1,571—1,645 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths $110,990

[lastminutemom]

All are very family oriented neighborhoods.

Do you have a job and where will it be? Like LA, traffic is horrendous and you should be keying your housing search off job location.

[goozer]

You can likely find a 3/2 single family home for $130k in metro Atlanta, but it will be 30 miles outside of town or else in a neighborhood you really do not want to be in. I think the best neighborhoods for singles that meet your criteria are Virginia Highlands, Decatur, and Midtown. But unfortunately, those are fairly expensive neighborhoods where a conod will likely cost you more than $130k. Still, if you are willing to do a condo, I think you could probably find something in a decent neighborhood in your price range (houses will be too far out in the exurbs or rural ("the real") Georgia and will be in neighborhoods that will probably not meet your criteria). Good luck. Atlanta is much cheaper than LA, but they are not necessarily giving away 3/2 SFHs in good neighborhoods.

[mibtp]

Originally Posted by goozer

You can likely find a 3/2 single family home for $130k in metro Atlanta, but it will be 30 miles outside of town or else in a neighborhood you really do not want to be in. I think the best neighborhoods for singles that meet your criteria are Virginia Highlands, Decatur, and Midtown. But unfortunately, those are fairly expensive neighborhoods where a conod will likely cost you more than $130k. Still, if you are willing to do a condo, I think you could probably find something in a decent neighborhood in your price range (houses will be too far out in the exurbs or rural ("the real") Georgia and will be in neighborhoods that will probably not meet your criteria). Good luck. Atlanta is much cheaper than LA, but they are not necessarily giving away 3/2 SFHs in good neighborhoods.

Thank you for the information. I do work from home so I have some leeway.