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

[helesha]

Okay so I have been everywhere - Born and Raised in Boston, MA. Moved to Northern VA, then to Northern CA, now on my way to the South. Decatur, GA to be exact.

I have done extensive research but on-line is virtual not actual. I depend on the kindness of strangers for more information -that of course means YOU!!!

What if any information can you give me about Decatur as far as what zip codes should I be looking to live in? I have children who will be starting kindergarten in September and I would like to establish roots in a community where my kids will develop friendships that are long lasting.

I need the usual. Safe, diverse, excellent schools, homeowner community (250k - 350k) and above homes.

I am attending Law School as well as commuting to work in Norcross.

I know this is alot of information, but I hope it is enough to allow direction from you as to what areas I should be looking for.

Of course if you need more information, please just let me know.

You know what would be great? If anyone knows of a "relocation specialist" that would be fabulous.

Okay enough for now.

Thanks

[IntownHomes247]

How big a place are you looking for? City of Decatur detached homes are pricey and $350k will not go very far in the most popular areas. Are you willing to look at townhomes? Would you rather sacrifice space or location? $350k will buy you quite a spacious home in some areas of North Decatur (unincorporated DeKalb county), but the schools are not considered as good as inside the City of Decatur, which has its own school district.

[plessthanpointohfive]

If you move to the City of Decatur you will be fine.

City of Decatur, GA

zipcode 30030

It's a great place to have kids - good schools and a great community.

I don't live there but I live close. I live in the next neighborhood to the east, in City of Atlanta, but also a good family place. However, with you working in Norcross, Decatur will be a good choice for you.

[south-to-west]

I would check out the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur. There are some affordable homes there and the schools are great. You will also be well-served by public transport and a very central location.

[Georgia]

Lovin' Decatur can give you the full boat. Decatur is nice in many areas and the opposite in others. She can guide you in the right direction.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Lovin' Decatur can give you the full boat. Decatur is nice in many areas and the opposite in others. She can guide you in the right direction.

Actually, with:

- a budget of 350K at the top end
- a commute to law school (Emory? GA State?) AND to Norcross for work

I would steer the OP away from the city of Decatur. Maybe 30033 Decatur(University Heights, Clairmont Heights, Leafmore). Problem is, from Decatur city it will be a bear getting to and from Norcross...the problem is that there is no easy access to the interstates, which you would certainly need to utilize in this case. If it were me, I would look to the neighborhoods that run along the south side of I-85 off Briarcliff Road with access to Clairmont and Shallowford Rd exits. While some of the neighborhoods are pricey, there are some that fall within the OP's price range. I would concentrate on the neighborhoods that are served by Sagamore, Briarlake and Oak Grove elementary schools.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Actually, with:

- a budget of 350K at the top end
- a commute to law school (Emory? GA State?) AND to Norcross for work

I would steer the OP away from the city of Decatur. Maybe 30033 Decatur(University Heights, Clairmont Heights, Leafmore). Problem is, from Decatur city it will be a bear getting to and from Norcross...the problem is that there is no easy access to the interstates, which you would certainly need to utilize in this case. If it were me, I would look to the neighborhoods that run along the south side of I-85 off Briarcliff Road with access to Clairmont and Shallowford Rd exits. While some of the neighborhoods are pricey, there are some that fall within the OP's price range. I would concentrate on the neighborhoods that are served by Sagamore, Briarlake and Oak Grove elementary schools.

Yes, those are exactly the areas I was thinking of too. They'll be more convenient and you can get more for $350k in those areas than in the City of Decatur. There are actually some beautiful and super spacious townhomes in the Oak Grove school district that you can get for $350k as well as nice (but smaller) detached homes (especially in Sagamore Hills and Briarlake school districts). Because Oak Grove is one of the top rated elementary schools in the state, property in that school district tends to be more expensive than in the surrounding (but perfectly good) school districts.

[helesha]

I was thinking about this last night and maybe since I will be attending Law School (Emory), I should wait at purchasing a home, especially since this move is sight unseen.

What advice if any would you have on renting a home?

The more research I do, the more Decatur City seems to have to offer as a City Girl, which I truly am (the thought of everything closing up at 9pm makes my 10pm ice cream craving such a sad event)

I am steering away from purchasing a home based on my job because jobs come and go, however my home base should be constant.

Again, I really can not thank you all enough for the assitance, I was simply going by tv shows and advice from a friend of a friend whose cousin used to live there.

[plessthanpointohfive]

If you're going to Law school at Emory and commuting to Norcross and want a city vibe then maybe you should consider just a little further east and look into my neighborhood of Candler Park, or next door in Inman Park. It's an easy hop onto Freedom Parkway and then onto I-85.

zipcode 30307.

[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.