Lake Lucerne Estates, Lilburn (Atlanta, North Druid Hills: apartment, for rent, crime)

[silvmis]

I'd be grateful if anyone who is familiar with the Lake Lucerne Estates community in Lilburn, GA could tell me a bit about it. I've done a search but have come up empty-handed. I currently am a grad student at Emory living in Decatur, but am hoping to buy a home as I am incredibly tired of apartment living. I'm willing to move a little further out of the perimeter and endure a longer commute if it means I'll have peace and quiet while at home and distance from my neighbors. Aside from that, my major concern is resale value of the home that I buy, i.e., I'd like to avoid buying in an area that may be headed downhill, but I'm unfamiliar with most of Atlanta's suburbs in that regard...

Any other recommendations on where to live would be much appreciated. Thanks to all!

[TakeAhike]

A month or so ago there was a thread about Mountain Park--somehow I think 'Lake Lucerne'/Lilburn is near this area. This is the better part of Lilburn, IIRC.

Scroll down 5 or 6 posts>>>
http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...rea-crime.html

[silvmis]

Thank you! very helpful...

[TakeAhike]

FWIW--

There are homes for rent in Briarcliff Heights--North Druid Hills area, near the main campus. Young professionals and families. 50's subdivision--many renovated --from around $900-1200.

[silvmis]

Yes, I've considered renting but think it would be a better decision to buy given the market currently. I'm looking for some stability so I don't need to worry about moving for the next few years while I'm in school.

[silvmis]

If anyone else is familiar with the area, I'd very much appreciate your feedback (please!). In particular, I'm concerned about the potential resale value of a house in the area...

[rackensack]

Generally speaking, the farther you are from US Hwy 78 (Stone Mountain Hwy) in that area (i.e., the closer you are to Five Forks Trickum Road) the better off you're going to be both from a crime standpoint and with regard to resale value. I don't think, however, that you will be likely to realize much of a gain on a house in the time you'll be in graduate school -- and almost certainly not enough to offset the fixed costs of buying a home (closing costs, etc.). Not saying that buying is a bad idea necessarily, but don't do it expecting to make money on the deal -- especially in the price band that you're likely looking at. There's going to be a glut of "starter homes" in the $100K-$200K range on the market for quite a while after the economy starts to turn around, and with lenders being more circumspect about who they will and won't lend to, the number of potential buyers is dramatically lower than it was a few years ago.