Downtown/mid-town condos...safe and convenient? (Atlanta, Decatur: foreclosures, HOA fees, lofts)

[nashvilletooc]

What condos in downtown/midtown are the best/safest? Also, are there any condos in these areas that are within walking distance to shopping (clothes/home/groceries)?

Thanks for any info!

[IntownHomes247]

It totally depends on what you mean by "best." Some people prefer the amenities of the big glass towers (which are also newer) and some prefer the charm and intimacy of historic properties. Midtown is definitely better in terms of walking to amenities than Downtown -- more shops, restaurants, cultural venues, grocery stores, etc. And Piedmont Park is arguably a better park than Centennial Olympic Park because of its size and amenities (although if you're a sports fan then Downtown locations are potentially within walking distance of sports venues, but you can always take the train a couple of stops from Midtown). Without a better sense of what you need and how you define "best" it's hard to answer your question.

[nashvilletooc]

You're right...I need to define "best". To me "best" is being surrounded by tall buildings and the hustle and bustle of a city, all within walking distance of shopping AND sports venues. After reading your post, it sounds like my husband and I can't get all of that from one location. We'll be visiting Atlanta in a few weeks to look at the different areas to see which would best suit our needs. (We're relocating from Nashville.) I was basically just looking for other's opinions on these locations. Thanks so much for your response.

[LovinDecatur]

My ideal Midtown condominium would be in the immediate vicinity of 15th St. and Peachtree, one of my favorite intersections in the city. In particular, I like Ansley Terrace, right behind Colony Square on 15th. If I go 'condo' one of these days, that would be the first place I'd look.

[waronxmas]

Midtown will probably be better for most of the things you are looking for though Downtown would have it too. For everything you don't have in one place it's just a short subway ride (MARTA) away. The big differences between the two are:

1.) Downtown has more historic buildings to choose from whereas most highrises in Midtown have been built in the last 20 years.

2.) Downtown definitely "feels" more vibrant during the day since the streets are packed with students from Georgia State, office workers who commute in on MARTA and tourists filling the streets. At night however Downtown takes a nap in most of it's districts. There are things to do but it will seem like it's sort of deserted. Midtown on the other hand always something going on and there are far more clubs and restaurants there.

3.) Midtown is much cleaner than Downtown and has a lesser homeless problem in most of it's districts.

I have lived in both sections of the city and loved both. For you though I would suggested taking a weekend trip down here. Arrange a few walk throughs in some condos and lofts, walk around, eat a few restaurants and keep an open mind. The thing about Atlanta is that it's vibe isn't apparent by just looking at it on it's face. It slowly reveals itself.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by nashvilletooc

You're right...I need to define "best". To me "best" is being surrounded by tall buildings and the hustle and bustle of a city, all within walking distance of shopping AND sports venues. After reading your post, it sounds like my husband and I can't get all of that from one location. We'll be visiting Atlanta in a few weeks to look at the different areas to see which would best suit our needs. (We're relocating from Nashville.) I was basically just looking for other's opinions on these locations. Thanks so much for your response.

From your description, it sounds like you'd like one of the condo buildings along Peachtree Street in Midtown in the area that's trying to become know as the "Midtown Mile" [ Midtown Mile Atlanta . An Urban Retail Experience ]. New tall buildings, lots of shops and restaurants, most of the major arts venues, and just a short train ride to the sports venues. There are LOTS of great deals on Midtown condos now -- foreclosures, short-sales, builder close-outs, distressed owners, etc. Be sure you do your due diligence to assess the stability of a building's HOA/reserve funds before you put an offer in on any place. Also, pay attention to the HOA fees and what's included, and make sure you thoroughly review the condo docs to make sure the regulations are something you can live with.

Some of the newer buildings you'll want to research include:

Metropolis - http://www.metropolisatlanta.com/
Spire - Spire Midtown, a condo development in Atlanta.
Viewpoint - VIEWPOINT MIDTOWN ATLANTA CONDOS
1010Midtown - 1010 Midtown : Life on the Curve

Other buildings worth looking at include:

Plaza Midtown - Plaza Midtown (not located on Peachtree Street but has a Publix grocery store in the building)

805 Peachtree - http://www.805peachtree.com/ (older office building converted to lofts)

[Archan]

I've lived in the Plaza Midtown for a few years. The convenience of having a Publix on the first floor is great. There is actually a button on the elevators for Publix. There are great restaurants on the bottom floor and the Midtown Marta station is a half block away.

[PeteyNice]

I cannot recommend downtown. I used to live there and while it was great when I wanted to go to a Thrashers game or something it was the pits for day to day living. There is a paucity of general retail and no supermarket. You end up doing your shopping in Midtown. Also, the homelessness/vagrant problem downtown can make it very skeevy.

I live in Midtown, near the buildings that IntownHomes247 mentioned and I am very happy. It is one of the most convenient parts of town. Lots of stuff to walk to, MARTA is right there and for the times you need to drive there is easy access to the connector (main interstate through town).

The recs that others have made are good ones. You also might want to consider Atlantic Station:
Atlantic Station - Life Happens here.

It does not have the train connection that makes the other buildings so convenient to go downtown or to the airport, but it makes up for that by providing lots more retail (Target, Ikea, movie theater, etc) that you can walk to.

There is WAY more supply than demand so you should not have to settle.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by PeteyNice

I cannot recommend downtown. I used to live there and while it was great when I wanted to go to a Thrashers game or something it was the pits for day to day living. There is a paucity of general retail and no supermarket. You end up doing your shopping in Midtown. Also, the homelessness/vagrant problem downtown can make it very skeevy.

I live in Midtown, near the buildings that IntownHomes247 mentioned and I am very happy. It is one of the most convenient parts of town. Lots of stuff to walk to, MARTA is right there and for the times you need to drive there is easy access to the connector (main interstate through town).

The recs that others have made are good ones. You also might want to consider Atlantic Station:
Atlantic Station - Life Happens here.

It does not have the train connection that makes the other buildings so convenient to go downtown or to the airport, but it makes up for that by providing lots more retail (Target, Ikea, movie theater, etc) that you can walk to.

There is WAY more supply than demand so you should not have to settle.

But it does have a regular shuttle to the Arts Center Station.

[PeteyNice]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

But it does have a regular shuttle to the Arts Center Station.

It does, but it in my experience it is cramped and crowded. Moving it to the same level as the buses helps in the rain, but it is not something I would want to depend on all of the time. I cannot imagine trying to lug suitcases on it for instance.