Help with Final Decision! Need advice on Dunwoody and Druid Hills communities! (North Druid Hills: apartments)

[duffyrn]

Ok, after using Promove (huge help), and talking to family friends we were able to get a much better idea of where we wanted to live in terms of safety, quality, price, and location. Dunwoody seems to be the perfect place to stay around our $700 budget in a nice apartment. Here are the options that we found in an intense two day search.

Gables Metropolitan - 820 sq. foot at a prorated rate of $694 per month. Seems like a great deal, I'm a little worried about the traffic on Ashford-Dunwoody road for travelling.

Gables Dunwoody - 783 sq foot at a prorated rate of $625 per month. It is also on the top floor so vaulted ceilings are included. I'm a little worried about safety in that location as it is an exit away from the Perimeter on N. Shallowford.

Jefferson at Perimeter - 650 sq foot at $687 per month. Brand new appliances and better use of space (no balcony).

All units include a Washer/Dryer or connection which was a necessity for my fiance and myself. All appear to be safe communities. Gables Dunwoody has the best reviews at an apartment ratings website. Jefferson isn't on there surprisingly.

There are two other possibilities we are looking at as well. The first is looking for privately owned condos to lease from. After picking up the Sunday paper, there doesn't look to be much hope for that. There are a couple of prospects on craigslist but I would have to negotiate the rent down a little.

The other option is the area of Druid Hills. We have heard that it is a pretty safe area, but I wanted to hear the opinions of you all. There appear to be plenty of choices in our budget. Are there any roads or complexes we should really stay away from?

Also, thanks Takeahike for the responses and information on my first post!
Looking forward to all of your help!

[Smokipenelope]

A friend of mine lived in Gables Metropolitan and complained a lot about noise from other units - both above his unit and to the sides. They also had a lot of car break-ins while he was there, which was up until about 10 months ago.

I lived off Mt. Vernon near Ashford Dunwoody and never had problems with the traffic unless I needed to actually be on Ashford Dunwoody in front of the mall around 5PM. For me it was pretty easy to avoid with the side roads that wrap around and near the mall along with using Peachtree Dunwoody, Mt. Vernon, etc. However, I didn't actually live off of it so I know that is not the most accurate picture of what it would be like in the complex.

[TakeAhike]

I would not want to live on a top floor--unless you only need to climb one flight of stairs.
The apartments you listed are in good locations and you would enjoy this area.

I wonder what they are calling 'Druid Hills'. This is a historic neighborhood near Emory University with homes built over 50 years ago. They could be referring to the surrounding area?
If it involves Briarcliff Rd, Clairmont or North Druid Hills Rd I mentioned that part of town. I call it Executive Park/Toco Hill. Safe, good for commuting to GA State, MARTA accessible and young professionals live here--close to the main campus of Emory.

I think you might prefer Dunwoody/Perimeter.

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

I would not want to live on a top floor--unless you only need to climb one flight of stairs.

For an apartment or a condo, the top floor is the ONLY floor I would consider, simply because of the noise factor. The most the stairs would be is 3 flights - it's good exercise. But the savings on noise and aggrevation is well worth it. There's a reason top floor units have a premium with them.

[spacelord75]

I have lived in both areas and it is kind of a wash, honestly. Dunwoody is slightly safer (a relative of mine is a cop in the North Druid Hills area and Dunwoody as well...north precinct) and there is more crime in the area around N. Druid Hills Rd. (really dependent on how close to either Buford Hwy or Clairemont you happen to be), but even so, I lived in the Windsor at Briarhill apartment on Sheridan next to Executive Park and never felt uncomfortable or threatened in the least. Dunwoody will feel even safer, though, but you will not have as convenient a trip to Midtown/Buckhead/Va-Highlands as you would in the other area.