Can SW Atlanta become more diverse ? (Smyrna, East Point: salons, house, neighborhood)

[Sweet Atlanta Peach]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Isn't Cascade Heights inside the Perimeter? I'm trying to figure out how that could even be considered "too far out" when people flock to places like Suwanee, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Peachtree City, etc. that actually ARE too far out.

The Cascade area is very close in and convenient to almost anything someone could want. What kind of amenities are missing on that side of town? I really don't know...I'm not familiar with details of the area. But I know there is nearby shopping at Arbor Place Mall and Camp Creek Marketplace...and Cumberland Mall is a 10 minute drive from that area. There is a Publix shopping center at Cascade and 285, as well as Kroger, Home Depot (all fairly new), and all of the smaller retail that usually surrounds those anchor stores.

The area probably hasn't seen the crush of retail and commercial development that has inundated other areas of Metro Atlanta...but is that a negative or a positive attribute?

Yes, parts of Cascade are inside the perimeter; all the way from I-20 to I-285.
There is an area (considered unincorporated Atlanta) of Cascade that runs from 285 (near the Publix) all the way to Fulton Industrial (where Cascade Road ends).
I could see that area becoming diverse. In fact, there have been numerous occasions where I have seen whites shopping at that Publix on Cascade near 285.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Sweet Atlanta Peach

Yes, parts of Cascade are inside the perimeter; all the way from I-20 to I-285.
There is an area (considered unincorporated Atlanta) of Cascade that runs from 285 (near the Publix) all the way to Fulton Industrial (where Cascade Road ends).
I could see that area becoming diverse. In fact, there have been numerous occasions where I have seen whites shopping at that Publix on Cascade near 285.

I'm pretty sure white people go there sometimes - I've been there before. Maybe you saw me.

[Sweet Atlanta Peach]

I probably did . It was just a little surprising to me since I grew up in the vacinity of the area and didn't see many whites shopping in the "SWATS" per say (Southwest Atlanta).

But, diversity is always a good thing and I'm glad the area is changing towards the more diverse side.

[Mr. Simpson]

While most expect this to change within 5 to 10 years,the average value of a home in Kirkwood is still less than what you would find in Cascade Rd./Cascade Heights.

Although home values are less than Kirkwood and Cascade Rd/Cascade Heights, Collier Heights has less poverty than both neighborhoods.



http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...tlanta-GA.html

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...tlanta-GA.html

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...tlanta-GA.html


I don't know if this is a stretch: It would appear it is more desirable or exciting to move into poorer, in this case, black neighborhoods, than black neighborhoods with broader socio-economic mix.

[javi0680]

I don't know how diverse it is now, but I do know the house prices are low, the houses are big, the area seems very nice (at least from what I've read and heard), and it's fairly close to everything. So I, a young Hispanic professional, have plans to live in the Camp Creek area in the near future.

Good is good, and bad is bad, regardless of where it is or who lives there.

[Windu]

Anything could happen, but I bet the tough sell will be the schools and the lack of commercial development. I'm AA, and that's why I'm not considering moving to Cascade. I grew up there, and despite the rediculously high income of homeowners, there still are no high end restaurants, just . . . Applebee's. Uh, nice. There should at least be a Houston's for crying out loud.

When you look at what's available near Perimiter and Barrett Pkwy out in Kennesaw, and similar places, it's really a shame how little there is in Cascade. You're telling me that area can't support a Dick's Sporting Goods? All there is a tiny lame Hibbett Sports at Camp Creek Parkway. Lame, lame, lame.

[Tdiddy0027]

im sure there will be a south fulton mall soon

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Tdiddy0027

im sure there will be a south fulton mall soon

I kinda doubt it...malls are not the most popular type of development right now. There are crappy malls in South Fulton already - Greenbriar and Union Station (Shannon).

Union Station just got a facelift last year and changed names from the old Shannon Mall, but according to Wikipedia there were rumors that it would close at the end of 2008. I have no idea if it did or not.

I don't know how Greenbriar keeps surviving, but it seems to have hit a low point a few years ago and has since improved. There is still a Macy's...and there's a Burlington Coat Factory, which is usually spells doom for a non-outlet mall - but it's been there since the early 90's...and a fairly new, successful Magic Johnson Theater. The rest is a mixture of national chains and stores I've never heard of: GNC, Champs, Payless, Anna's Linens, Radio Shack, Chick-fil-a, Picadilly, etc....and a U.S. Post Office, Delta Airlines, Fulton County Tax Office, Georgia Power, Comcast, Wachovia, etc. Greenbriar Mall - Directory

Within 10-20 minutes, depending on where in South Fulton you are, there is also Arbor Place, Stonecrest, Southlake, The Forum (Newnan). There is also Camp Creek Marketplace in East Point, which opened in 2002 with 100+ stores. Peachtree City is a large shopping area very near south South Fulton.

For me, places like Edgewood, Atlantic Station, Midtown, Ponce, etc. are more convenient (10 mins away) than everything I mentioned other than Camp Creek.

[DPAT]

Originally Posted by Windu

I grew up there, and despite the rediculously high income of homeowners, there still are no high end restaurants, just . . . Applebee's. Uh, nice. There should at least be a Houston's for crying out loud.

Agreed! I live in this area, and feel like we have nothing that is our own... except (as you said) Applebees - if that counts . Up the Creek is gone (thankfully) and Landon's (which is a nice effort) will most likely follow soon. Personally, I don't want to drive to Camp Creek, Cumberland, or Downtown to enjoy a nice meal/night out. I would love some nice local spots in the immediate area and I'm sure the neighborhood would support.

[Atlantasfinest]

When I lived in the Cascade area I never understood why such an affluent High Income Area only had an Applebees. I wonder how come long time residents and power brokers of the area couldn't woo more upscale surburban type restaurants to the area (Houstons, Outback) or Chef-Driven restaurants. When I lived there it was always puzzling to me and it's still the case today...I believe the simple answer is that many businesses are reluctant to locate in a minority area, even when that area is affluent with low crime.

I've seen this happen in the Affluent Upper-Middle Class area of Baldwin Hills/View Park/Windsor Hills/Ladera Heights out in Los Angeles and right here in Atlanta (Cascade Area). It's a sad reality.