Suburbs to consider in ATL (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: apartment, rent, townhome)

[dee b]

Pls rank these Atlanta suburbs for me.?

We are considering moving to Atlanta from Charlotte, NC. We will be visiting this month and have narrowed down a few suburbs to chk out. We will rent a home for the first yr to give us plenty of time to decide where to settle. We are in our early 30's with a infant son so schools aren't an issue yet. We are looking for a nice safe area, not too too far from downtown because I will be working in the city (prefer to take the Marta). Can you pls rank the following areas:
Alpharetta
Dunwoody
Decatur
Roswell
Sandy Springs
Duluth
Thank you for your feedback.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by dee b

Pls rank these Atlanta suburbs for me.?

We are considering moving to Atlanta from Charlotte, NC. We will be visiting this month and have narrowed down a few suburbs to chk out. We will rent a home for the first yr to give us plenty of time to decide where to settle. We are in our early 30's with a infant son so schools aren't an issue yet. We are looking for a nice safe area, not too too far from downtown because I will be working in the city (prefer to take the Marta). Can you pls rank the following areas:
Alpharetta
Dunwoody
Decatur
Roswell
Sandy Springs
Duluth
Thank you for your feedback.

Well, you didn't mention anything at all in the way of a budget (or an apartment OR home price), and you didn't mention what type of neighborhood amenities you'd like (walk-to restaurants or not, etc). But here's some things to consider...

1) Alpharetta is very nice and gives you access to the North Georgia areas for recreation, but commuting to Atlanta via GA400 is a complete pain. It's one of the busiest roads around, and it's still a hike to the nearest MARTA station to park and ride in.

2) Roswell is a decent closer-in area but prices are higher these days. Not a bad choice if you can get in near the historic district.

3) Sandy Springs/Duluth - don't care much for them - other opinions may vary. Duluth especially in some spots has gone plooey over the years.

4) Decatur is fine if you get inside the city limits, and especially if you're closer to the Square. More "urbanish" in feel. If you're afraid of Lesbians, avoid Decatur (but they don't bite).

5) Consider "Brookhaven" just North of the Buckhead area on Peachtree. Nice area (if you can afford it). Lots of townhome developments have gone in along with a few new single family home sites, and there are planned "Atlantic Station only smaller" types of things about to go in. The MARTA station there gives direct access to downtown (large parking lot at this station) and you're a short drive from the Lenox/Phipps shopping malls.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by dee b

Pls rank these Atlanta suburbs for me.?

We are considering moving to Atlanta from Charlotte, NC. We will be visiting this month and have narrowed down a few suburbs to chk out. We will rent a home for the first yr to give us plenty of time to decide where to settle. We are in our early 30's with a infant son so schools aren't an issue yet. We are looking for a nice safe area, not too too far from downtown because I will be working in the city (prefer to take the Marta). Can you pls rank the following areas:
Alpharetta
Dunwoody
Decatur
Roswell
Sandy Springs
Duluth
Thank you for your feedback.

These three neighborhoods afford you the best access to MARTA...of the three, downtown Decatur is the closest to the city center (6 miles). It is also the oldest and most established of any of these neigborhoods, so it has the least 'suburban' feel...more 'villagey' with its' own downtown, and very walkable.
The Decatur MARTA station is about a 5 minute walk from my house; the Avondale and East Lake stations anchor the east and west boundaries of the city respectively.
So, like they say on Sesame Street, "One of these towns is not like the others"...and that would be Decatur. The others (while all very nice areas) will give you a more typical suburban experience.