Young Couple Moving to ATL (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: real estate market, apartments, to rent)

[rocknmels]

Hey there -- I was hoping someone could help me.

My boyfriend and I will be moving to the atlanta area in a couple of months and are trying to identify the right neighborhood to live in. We are both 27, from New York City and are looking to rent an apartment. We also have 2 dogs.

He will be working in Alpharetta and I will be attending Emory for grad school. We're looking for an area that has young professionals and has things to do (shop, eat, go out) but def doesn't have to be as "happening" as midtown/buckhead. We definitely don't want to be in an area that's TOO suburban where the idea of a nice night out is going to the local Applebees and dealing with screaming infants. Not quite there yet

We both like Decatur and the Emory area.. but we're concerned about the commute to Alpharetta. Can anyone shed some light on the commute from Alpharetta to Emory? Is that along a high traffic route? Is it better to live near Alpharetta and commute to Emory or vice versa?

Also, any suggestion for neighborhoods in between that would enable us to split the commute would be great. There's only so much you can learn from Google/Wikipedia! I see areas like SAndy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody and I have no idea what any of that means!

Thanks so much!!!

[aries4118]

Considering that you will be at Emory and he will be commuting to work in Alpharetta, I recommend these areas (considering your criteria...27, young professional, things to do, etc.):

-Brookhaven(+)
-Buckhead(+)
-Chamblee (+)
-Perimeter Center
-Dunwoody
-Sandy Springs

"+" = best choices

*all of the aforementioned areas would offers easy access to Georgia 400...which is straight shot north to Alpharetta...and the areas are not too far from Emory.

-(Also Maybe Consider: Peachtree Corners)


(Note: Perimeter Center, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs can be considered the same general mega-area).

Don't do Roswell...that would be too far for you to go to school at Emory!

[George Chong]

I second Brookhaven/Buckhead. You can take the side streets to get to Emory and GA 400 to Alpharetta. I lived in Brookhaven while attending Emory many years ago.

Buckhead - Atlanta, Georgia - Brookhaven
Buckhead - Atlanta, Georgia - 2300 Peachtree Road

Get a Cruise Card so you don't have to wait in line to pay your GA 400 toll. State Road and Tollway Authority

Good luck and welcome!

[johnishere]

For any subsequent posters offering advice to this poster, keep in mind that: a) they are both 27
b) one is working, other is in school

With that said, Buckhead area 'might'? not be the idea spot, financially speaking. Even if just looking to rent (?), the stats are as follows for Buckhead/Sandy Springs area (I'm sure original poster as already Wiki'd Buckhead Atl) [from Wikipedia]:

"The area north of Buckhead, beyond the Atlanta city limit, is the city of Sandy Springs. According to Forbes Magazine, Buckhead is home to the 9th wealthiest zip code in the nation--30327, with a household income in excess of $341,000 per year and is the location of the wealthiest of Atlanta's neighborhoods. Home to the Governor Mansion the area's real estate market is also the most expensive in the state of Georgia with an average home value in 2005 of approximately $761,000"

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by johnishere

For any subsequent posters offering advice to this poster, keep in mind that: a) they are both 27
b) one is working, other is in school

With that said, Buckhead area 'might'? not be the idea spot, financially speaking. Even if just looking to rent (?), the stats are as follows for Buckhead/Sandy Springs area (I'm sure original poster as already Wiki'd Buckhead Atl) [from Wikipedia]:

"The area north of Buckhead, beyond the Atlanta city limit, is the city of Sandy Springs. According to Forbes Magazine, Buckhead is home to the 9th wealthiest zip code in the nation--30327, with a household income in excess of $341,000 per year and is the location of the wealthiest of Atlanta's neighborhoods. Home to the Governor Mansion the area's real estate market is also the most expensive in the state of Georgia with an average home value in 2005 of approximately $761,000"

But there are reasonable apartments in the area. That's the whole point. I hope you truly understand Atlanta...

[RainyRainyDay]

How is Atlanta for dog-friendly apartments?

(I moved here in 2002 with two large dogs and was relieved to have little trouble finding a suburban house to rent, that would accept my pets. About apartments, I don't know.)

[johnishere]

Originally Posted by aries4118

But there are reasonable apartments in the area. That's the whole point. I hope you truly understand Atlanta...

Sure. But it's not an Atlanta thing, it's universal. When you live in an area where there are $4 Million dollar+ homes, you're generally not going to find $300/month apartments. Location, location. If the homes cost more because of the location, then the apartments will tend to cost more because of the location.

1 bedroom, 700 sq ft. in Buckhead Atl area (Highland Ridge): $759
1 bedroom, 800 sq ft in Decatur (Kensington Station): $459

$300/month difference is a lot when you got 2 people, 1 full income.

[Go Blue 99]

I like Brookhaven for your situation. We live there and I work in Alpharetta- the commute is pretty easy. 22 min in the morning and 25-30 in the evening. There is a good young population there as well.

[nikgrr12]

No offense. I personally hate Atlanta Georgia. I have lived here for a year and a half and there isn't much to do. I would just stay in New York. But since you are relocating, I like Little Five Points and Piedmont Park.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by johnishere

Sure. But it's not an Atlanta thing, it's universal. When you live in an area where there are $4 Million dollar+ homes, you're generally not going to find $300/month apartments. Location, location. If the homes cost more because of the location, then the apartments will tend to cost more because of the location.

1 bedroom, 700 sq ft. in Buckhead Atl area (Highland Ridge): $759
1 bedroom, 800 sq ft in Decatur (Kensington Station): $459

$300/month difference is a lot when you got 2 people, 1 full income.

Look at this way (and trust me, I have lots of experience with intown ATL apartments)...

The Buckhead price is a very good price.
The Kensington Station price is a steal!