OMG I am moving to Decatur sight unseen - HELP!! (Atlanta: rental, homes)

[plessthanpointohfive]

Candler Park is my neighborhood. CP, Inman Park, and that whole area near Freedom Parkway is easy access to I-85. It's what we call a "reverse commute" which used to mean it was really empty and fast but not so much anymore. It's still faster than the "regular commute".

It's a fun neighborhood. It's fairly diverse as far as housing, with everything from college kids, to grad schoolers, to newlyweds, to families. Very gay and ethnic friendly. Very liberal. Easy, walkable access to things to do, namely Little Five Points.

And, you can bike to take a MARTA bus to Emory's campus. It's a 15 minute bike ride through a really pretty neighborhood. I do it all the time.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by helesha

What about the mentioned Candler Park, I looked that up and it seems easy access to the freeway. Also, I am leaning toward renting in a neighborhood so as not to "marry It" , just "date it" for a while and see if it is for me.

I wouldn't recommend a Candler Park to Norcross commute. Freedom Parkway would lead you to the Connector, and I wouldn't recommend getting anywhere near it at peak times...reverse commute or not. Even Decatur would be a better choice than CP for access to Norcross; you could go out Scott Blvd. to I-285. Wouldn't do that, either, though, like I said.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I wouldn't recommend a Candler Park to Norcross commute. Freedom Parkway would lead you to the Connector, and I wouldn't recommend getting anywhere near it at peak times...reverse commute or not. Even Decatur would be a better choice than CP for access to Norcross; you could go out Scott Blvd. to I-285. Wouldn't do that, either, though, like I said.

I have to disagree, here. I've made the trip from my house to Satellite Blvd, in Duluth, in ~40 minutes at peak times. I've done this several times over the past 2+ years and it's never taken longer than that.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

I have to disagree, here. I've made the trip from my house to Satellite Blvd, in Duluth, in ~40 minutes at peak times. I've done this several times over the past 2+ years and it's never taken longer than that.

It seems to me that traffic is a crapshoot right now on the Connector and late afternoons on SB 85 are an absolute nightmare with the exits closed at 10th and 14th. Once they reopen, I imagine things will return to normal.

[south-to-west]

If the OP chooses to move to Downtown Decatur, he/she could take East Ponce all the way to 285 for commuting to Norcross.

[jpml]

I'm reading this thread b/c I'm considering moving to Atlanta. I'm also a lawyer. Piece of off topic advice to the OP:

If you can at all possibly avoid it, do not work while going to law school. Your grades, especially first year grades, especially at a very good but not top school like Emory, are absolutely critical. They will cast a long shadow on your career. Focus 100% or as close to it as you can on your studies. Borrow extra money if you need to. Pick up a job your 2L or 3L years.

Good luck.

[bizchick86]

For Norcross and Emory access, I would suggest the North Druid Hills Rd. area east of the 85 (as west of it gets you in expensive Buckhead territory). You can hop on the 285 or the 85 easily anywhere along N.Druid Hills to get to Norcross, it's close to Emory, and there are a number of great, middle-class neighborhoods that are worth looking into, such as those near Briarcliff Rd., Toco Hills, and the area near North Dekalb Mall, that are in that vicinity. Druid Hills is also convenient to the city of Atlanta, so whenever you want to venture into the city you have that option as well.

For schools, Kittredge Magnet School is in Druid Hills and, although it requires an application and lottery process, is one of the best in the state, and kids who go there feed into Chamblee High School's magnet program, also one of the best public schools in the country (my alma mater ;-).

Craig's list rental homes in North Druid Hills and I'm sure you'll pick up some good finds, and also if you decide later to own, some homes that are within the price range you listed.

[bizchick86]

Totally forgot about this, but Tucker would also be a good option. It is less expensive than Druid Hills and closer to Norcross, is still very accessible to Emory via the 85, 285, or 78, Briarcliff Rd., Lavista, or any number of back streets, and the nearby Northlake area has some good shopping options. Schools are still good in that area. Note this profile of a house in Tucker that you could get for around 330k and the school profile at the bottom.

2530 Midvale Lane, Tucker, GA, 30084 - MLS ID#3880839 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by bizchick86

For Norcross and Emory access, I would suggest the North Druid Hills Rd. area east of the 85 (as west of it gets you in expensive Buckhead territory). You can hop on the 285 or the 85 easily anywhere along N.Druid Hills to get to Norcross, it's close to Emory, and there are a number of great, middle-class neighborhoods that are worth looking into, such as those near Briarcliff Rd., Toco Hills, and the area near North Dekalb Mall, that are in that vicinity. Druid Hills is also convenient to the city of Atlanta, so whenever you want to venture into the city you have that option as well.

For schools, Kittredge Magnet School is in Druid Hills and, although it requires an application and lottery process, is one of the best in the state, and kids who go there feed into Chamblee High School's magnet program, also one of the best public schools in the country (my alma mater ;-). Craig's list rental homes in North Druid Hills and I'm sure you'll pick up some good finds, and also if you decide later to own, some homes that are within the price range you listed.

bizchick--

I haven't kept up but is Kittredge still a magnet/gifted school. It seems like they are using the facility for part of the international program now--but I don't know.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

bizchick--

I haven't kept up but is Kittredge still a magnet/gifted school. It seems like they are using the facility for part of the international program now--but I don't know.

You are correct, TAH...the magnet school is at Nancy Creek now.

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/kittredge/