Buckhead or Downtown (Atlanta, Vinings: apartment, to rent, condo)

[rdcypher]

Well, I thought I would update you guys. If you check back, you'll see the apartment I was most interested in was the unit on Pace...I did find it listed as $1400. However, upon talking to the owner she stated the agency she listed it with undervalued the unit and she no longer is willing to rent at such a low price she only still has it up because she's waiting for her contract to run out with the Realtor.

Anyway, she's stating $1600 was a fair price for the 2 br. It has hardwood floors and is over 1200 sq ft. 2 br/2 full baths, never lived in, 2 balconies, large extra storage in garage, includes 2 car garage, entrance to unit directly from garage, stainless steel appliances including microwave, w/d, and pool.

And John1963 it is in between Piedmont and Peachtree.

The other ones at Westchester are also around $1600 and more if you choose a short term lease. I'm tempted to go with Westchester (http://archstoneapartments.com) because they are more relocation friendly. But I'm not sure. What do you guys think?

[Buckhead_Broker]

Are you referring to The Paces located on East Andrews Drive?

[Jim30309]

Buckhead has horrible traffic problems around the Lenox Mall area. I would never live there just for that reason. And with all of the new buildings going up it's going to get worse. There is a ton of shopping and restaurants there.

The downtown area is expected to get better over time as more people move down there. I'm in Midtown and I find it very nice and very gay.

There are 2 Post apartment complexes near Lenox Mall (Post Lenox Park and Post Somethingelse) and some other non-Post places also in or near the Lenox Park grounds (it's a big office park and apartment area) that seem to
be nice if you don't like downtown or midtown. I think those go for about $1100 or so and would be very nice for a young female.

In Atlanta, living near work is a big plus due to traffic. Choose but choose wisely.

[john1963]

i looked at the westchester website and it seems like a great location...i would do it esp. cause of their relocation plan...alowing you to move to another place.
The Clairmont ones i would not recommend cause usually apts on N.E. Expressway overlook the freeway and don't really feel "homey" but i don't know the exact location of these.
You probably could get a similar place for 1,000 but if 1,600 is fine with you then ok...it just sounds steep to me but maybe rents have risen since i lived in atl 4 years ago.
good luck

[john1963]

i would find a temp. place to live...then research the area in person...but that's just me

[rdcypher]

John,

That is what I initially intended to do. I got some responses for temp housing/furnished in Atlantic station and downtown at 1280 West. But then this came along and I figured I might as well do it.

I'm going to Atlanta tomorrow and won't sign anything until I see the place. I'm also going to visit the Westchester one you recommended as well to see how it compares. It's also around $1600.

These prices do seem steep but coming from the Midwest and a medium sized city almost anything does! LOL. But seriously, I really want a nice place that is safe and so I don't mind paying for that. If I knew the area better I wouldn't mind taking more risks but since I've only visited once before I'm trying to keep it simple.

Thanks for your advice Jim. Traffic is a concern but not much. I'm a web developer and work from home and so I could probably avoid the heavier times on most days.

No, Buckhead Broker, I'm not referring to those.

By the way, the Buckhead owner said she is willing to do a 6 month lease w/o adding on to the 1600. She will also allow me to move out anytime during the 6 months as long as I give 30 day notice. In addition, there is no early termination fee. The one in Westchester will cost extra for the shorter term and I'm not sure about their early termination clause yet. I'll need to revisit the site to download their lease. So it is quite possible I'll just move within the 6 months. Especially since I'll have plenty of time to explore Downtown and other areas and maybe find a loft condo I can purchase.

Anyway, I'm off to Atlanta tomorrow afternoon and I want to thank everyone who so graciously gave their advice and helpful comments.

Best Regards Everyone.

[john1963]

i'll get flamed for saying this, but i would not live in atlantic station...it is next to georgia tech and like 2 miles from one of the most crime infested ghettos in atlanta. There have been numerous crimes on georgia tech students by crackheads who wonder out of their area.

[john1963]

i would not live downtown either. Many will disagree with me but i suspect they might have a financial interest in downtown real estate.

[rdcypher]

LOL, yeah many people have discouraged me from living downtown. I hadn't heard that about Atlantic Station though. Those were the places that had vacation rentals on this site I was looking at but now that's null and void because I won't need temp housing at this point.

And I've been searching still for apartments that has the amenities that this lady is offering but at a lower price. If anyone knows of one please let me know. I'll be in Atlanta so I'll be able to check it out.

[xxman777]

I don't think most of people who say good things about downtown all have a financial stake in pushing it, they just love the urban setting of Downtown. Atlanta is very suburban and the only parts of the city which somewhat feel like a truly urban area are Downtown and Midtown. Sure there is more crime down there but your chance of being a victim aren't much higher because of the number of people who visit the area daily and violent crime is practically non existent. I've never had any problem in Downtown or Midtown or during my time at Tech I just recommend it over other parts of the city for somebody looking for an exciting, urban part of town. If I was a woman I wouldn't feel safe walking there at night, but I'm not sure I would feel safe walking anywhere in the Atlanta metro at night. I really wish I had a financial stake in Downtown but unfortunately I don't yet... one day, one day.