Taking the MARTA from Dunwoody or Decatur to GT (Atlanta: 2009, foreclosure)

[catoga2009]

My husband has recently been offered a position at Georgia Tech, and we are trying to figure out where to live if we move to Atlanta (coming from northern CA). We have a 2 year old, so we are interested in good school districts, but we're also hoping for a decent commute (under 30 minutes) for my husband. It seems like Decatur and Dunwoody would both be good fits (we'll be out to visit in a week, so we'll be able to get a better feel for the neighborhoods). How is the MARTA? Would that be a reliable way to get to GT from either of these areas? We're also open to any suggestions for other places to check out while we're there.....looking for a house around 400K, with a yard and nice community feel- good library, very kid-friendly, restaurants, etc. The closer to GT the better (or accessible by MARTA). Thanks!

[TakeAhike]

Decatur and Dunwoody would be good options.

Decatur is closer to GT and would offer a more walkable community with excellent schools and a more urban experience. Dunwoody would probably have more housing options in your price range.

You might want to consider the North Druid Hills/Toco Hill area which lies between Decatur and Dunwoody.

There are several good schools in this area but either Decatur or Dunwoody would have more young families.

[samiwas1]

I'm sure other will have better insights (since I donlt have kids yet and know nothing about the schools), but here is a little info...

From what I know, Decatur is a pretty nice area. It is it's own city just east of downtown.

There is a MARTA station in Decatur in the center of town, but most decent residential area is a pretty good walk away. I don't think there is any public parking at that station.

There are two stations near Ga. Tech. These stations would probably require about a 10-15 minute walk, depending where on campus his job is located.

The car commute would probably take around 30 minutes in rush hour, since there's no real "fast" way. I think with normal traffic, it's about 20 minutes.

This is just my opinion based on the few times I have been over to Decatur.

[catoga2009]

Thanks so much for the info. Takeahike- I did look a bit into north druid hills- but that seemed like a longer commute (unless there's a MARTA station there?). I've heard so much about the traffic in Atlanta, the idea of even getting in a car there now scares me.
And Sami- that's good to know about the Decatur MARTA station location/parking. I think that my husband's office would be on the east side of campus, so it wouldn't be too far of a walk.
Does anyone know about the Dunwoody MARTA? Public parking? Close to residential areas? Thanks again!

[Mishap]

Decatur Marta is on the East Line which would require a transfer to the North/Northeast Line to get to GT which is Midtown or North Ave Station. If your husband works near the east end of campus near the business school/bookstore, then its very reasonable. GT is a very wide campus meaning if his work is toward the central research portion, it's a much longer walk or a fairly short bus ride over.

You'll likely have much better luck finding decent schools toward Dunwoody I think. I would suggest Buckhead b/c I believe some of the public schools there are pretty good but 400k doesn't go far if you're looking for a single family home in that area.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by catoga2009

Thanks so much for the info. Takeahike- I did look a bit into north druid hills- but that seemed like a longer commute (unless there's a MARTA station there?). I've heard so much about the traffic in Atlanta, the idea of even getting in a car there now scares me.
And Sami- that's good to know about the Decatur MARTA station location/parking. I think that my husband's office would be on the east side of campus, so it wouldn't be too far of a walk.
Does anyone know about the Dunwoody MARTA? Public parking? Close to residential areas? Thanks again!

There are several MARTA stations in the Dunwoody area and many make the trip to GT/downtown daily. There are public parking lots and some opt to 'Kiss/Ride'--there are drop off areas.

I'm sure someone from Dunwoody will respond shortly. If your DH can travel to work in off peak hours then driving wouldn't be a bad option either.

From the Toco Hill area you could drive to the Brookhaven or Lindbergh stations to park--5-10 minutes away--and take the train from that point. Driving from this area to GT is not bad, generally. You have the option of using surface streets such as Briarcliff Rd/Ponce de Leon/North Avenue--Tech is located at North Avenue.

[chacho]

As said before, the further east on campus he is the better. As he starts getting West it may not be worth it (though, he could take the trolley). If he's in the management department he'll be fine, otherwise I'd look to where he has to walk (pretty much all engineering is on West).

There are plenty of houses you can get for $400k. A friend of mine just bought a foreclosure across the street from Tech on Centennial for ~$300k that is pretty nice. I guess the children/school district is a limiting factor, though.

[RZaakir]

FWIW, the GT Stinger shuttle goes to the North Ave. MARTA station.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by RZaakir

FWIW, the GT Stinger shuttle goes to the North Ave. MARTA station.

That's exactly what I was getting ready to post...it seems to be pretty convenient. Is it the same as the Tech Trolley? It goes from the main campus to Technology Square and Midtown MARTA station: GT Parking & Transporation: Tech Trolley

[runningncircles1]

Your husband can get off at the North Ave station and walk to the campus (this would be most ideal if he is administrative and working in "Tech Tower"). If he'll be a professor in the center of campus, he can get off at Midtown station and take the Tech Trolley (it's not REALLY a trolley, it just looks like it) and ride to central campus. If he'll be working at GTRI, he can do Midtown station to the trolley and get off at a stop with a green route transfer. You'd have to be more specific on where he's going to work as GT is a sizeable campus and also has many "research corridors."