Moving to Clayton or DeKalb -- Need help finding safe, established neighborhoods (Atlanta: section 8, apartment)

[neverbored]

My family and I live in an apartment and really need more space so I'm going to buy a house this year. We're considering a move to Georgia since we really like the warm weather.

I'm going to need to work so employment opportunities are an important factor as to where I will relocate. For this reason, I turned my attention to the Atlanta because I suspect that there will be more job opportunities in and around Atlanta than say Augusta, Columbus, Macon, or Savannah. I have researched homes in Clayton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Fulton County (including City of Atlanta), Gwinnet County, Henry County, and Rockdale County; I have a preference for the Alpharetta, Duluth, and Perimeter Mall areas, just to name a few. However, living in one of those areas is (for the time being) a mere champagne dream because my "beer budget" is steering me toward other places.

Based on what I can currently afford, I am focusing on Clayton & DeKalb. What appeals to me about DeKalb is proximity to MARTA train stations where I might park & ride into the office. However, if I live in DeKalb, I will likely have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms as in my apartment; they will just be larger rooms because of the increased square footage. On the other hand, homes I've researched in Clayton will likely give me the increased square footage plus an extra bedroom and a half bathroom would truly be a blessing. Naturally, I am inclined to buy in Clayton. My thinking is: even if I live in Clayton, I can still drive to a Marta Park & Ride; plus, Clayton is closer to the airport, as I do travel periodically.

Please give me insights into the following areas where I am currently looking to buy a home:

Clayton County
·Forest Park
·Jonesboro
·Morrow
·Rex
·Riverdale

DeKalb County
·Decatur (not the city)
·Ellenwood
·Lithonia
·Stone Mountain

I am planning to canvass these areas myself in order to assess how safe they are. For now, I just want to get a preliminary feel for these areas. I've been using DeKalb County Police Department to assess the crime rate in my DeKalb County target areas (it's been helpful), but I don't know of any such website for researching crime for the areas in Clayton. If you know of a way to do crime research for Clayton County neighborhoods, please let me know.

[ericsonga]

While I am not expert on the area that you have asked about, I will go ahead and tell you what everyone else will: buy in Dekalb. You mentioned you have a family, so I'm assuming you have children. The schools in Clayton are deplorable. Last year they lost their accreditation, the first school system in the country in 30 years to do so. They have since regained it on a probationary agreement.
Also, home values in Clayton County have plunged due to the schools, as well as other factors such as crime. As soon as you buy a home there be prepared to start losing value.
There are some nice parts of Clayton County, such as around Lake Spivey, but they're outnumbered with the bad.
Like I said, I'm no expert, but I would go with Dekalb hands down.

[TakeAhike]

I saw Stone Mt/Lithonia on your list so I'm going to add Tucker, Ga to the areas of consideration.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...hborhoods.html

I don't know much, regarding specific subdivisions in the Stone Mt/Lithonia area but I know that some are better than others. Tucker is west of this area and you would have several schools, such as Livsey Elementary, that might give you good options for educating your children. You would have access to Marta and the Stone Mt Freeway/78 is also an option for getting around the area. One poster that lives near Brockett Rd has said the trip to downtown Atlanta takes under 30 minutes by car most days.

The DeKalb County Police Headquarters is not far from Tucker near Northlake Mall.

[brownhornet]

Well... to tell you the truth its all going to be relative to what type of environment you are comfortable in and what you deem as acceptable/unacceptable. Forest Park IMO isnt the greatest desirable area as it is a largely industrial area. It is also a very hispanic area and has somewhat moderate crime but nothing too serious. Jonesboro and Morrow... well ill just be real on this one. There are pockets of nice areas there, but with this whole "close down the housing projects" movement they're doing here, a large portion of those people they're moving to that area due to the high acceptance for section 8 over there. Crime there is definitely on the rise and the only desireable area i'd really recommend is in the highway 85 area. That applies to Riverdale as well. Honestly I have no clue about Rex.

Decatur is pretty much hit or miss, just depends on exactly where you go. There are some areas that can be pretty nice..and some that arent the greatest. Ellenwood is actually pretty nice. I have a few friends that live there and there is very little crime. Lithonia has been on the rise as of lately and there is a LOT of new development out there. I'd recommend areas around Stonecrest Mall if you go that route.

[Sweet Atlanta Peach]

Okay here is the thing...honestly, I wouldn't touch Clayton or DeKalb with a ten foot pole just because u have children and the schools suck in both counties. But, if I had to choose, I'd live in Tucker. But, nice areas in Tucker aren't cheap either.
It's really hard to say because you haven't secured a job yet. Your job may or may not be Marta accessible but you may still be able to get a nice house close to your job.
Is diversity something you want where you buy your home?

[neverbored]

Thanks very much to all who have responded thus far. I really appreciate your time and input. Please feel free to keep the feedback flowing, as I deem it quite helpful to my learning these target areas.

UPDATE: I have expanded my search to include South Fulton now that I realize I can afford homes in that area, too. Specifically, Fairburn (30213), Union City (30291), and College Park 30349. Input on these areas would also be appreciated.

[neverbored]

You mentioned "Lake Spivey." Is this near the golf club? if you had to live in Clayton for 5 years or less, would you consider the area relatively safe and walkable. Let's just disregard the schools for the moment. from most of what I hear, the schools are less than stellar.

[neverbored]

I hear mostly favorable comments re Tucker and considered it before I got locked out due to pricing.

[neverbored]

Originally Posted by brownhornet

Well... to tell you the truth its all going to be relative to what type of environment you are comfortable in and what you deem as acceptable/unacceptable. Forest Park IMO isnt the greatest desirable area as it is a largely industrial area. It is also a very hispanic area and has somewhat moderate crime but nothing too serious. Jonesboro and Morrow... well ill just be real on this one. There are pockets of nice areas there, but with this whole "close down the housing projects" movement they're doing here, a large portion of those people they're moving to that area due to the high acceptance for section 8 over there. Crime there is definitely on the rise and the only desireable area i'd really recommend is in the highway 85 area. That applies to Riverdale as well. Honestly I have no clue about Rex.

Decatur is pretty much hit or miss, just depends on exactly where you go. There are some areas that can be pretty nice..and some that arent the greatest. Ellenwood is actually pretty nice. I have a few friends that live there and there is very little crime. Lithonia has been on the rise as of lately and there is a LOT of new development out there. I'd recommend areas around Stonecrest Mall if you go that route.

My understanding is that Ellenwood is in both Dekalb and Henry County. Does it make a difference in terms of typical neighborhood quality or is all of Ellenwood relatively safe and walkable. Ellenwood resonates with me since my research seems to suggest that it is the safest among the areas I listed for DeKalb. Appreciate a follow-up when you get a moment. And, speaking of Lithonia, I was reading earlier today about an intruder who got shot by a homeowner which underscores your point.

[thedudewiththeplan]

I say go with Tucker or parts of South Fulton. Clayton has really had some issues in the past few years.