Please Help! Safe intown area between CDC & Duluth? (Atlanta: foreclosure, crime)

[sccap]

My husband's job at NCR is being relocated to Duluth. I will be attending Georgia State University and will be working at the CDC in Atlanta. We have 2 small children that will be starting elementary school, so good schools are important to us. We always dreamed of living somewhere intown where we can walk to nice shops, restaurants and parks. We really need somewhere that is safe and does not have a real crime problem. We can only spend up to $325k.. preferably only $300k, but would certainly be willing to live in a townhome to get into the right area and school district. Neither of us want a commute over 40 minutes. Since we are out of state, this is all a bit overwhelming so any help you might be able to give me would be so appreciated. Thanks!!!!!

[LovinDecatur]

I would recommend the Tucker area...really the midpoint between your workplaces, easily within your price range, and home to a couple of good elementary schools (Livsey, Evansdale).

[IntownHomes247]

You can easily find a 3 (or even 4) bedroom detached home in the Laurel Ridge or Medlock Elementary districts (30033). A bit harder (but still do-able) is finding a 3 bedroom detached home in the Oak Grove, Fernbank or Sagamore Hills Elementary districts (30033, 30345). City of Decatur would probably meet your wants the best, but $325k is very much on the low end of the price range in that market so you'll get a lot more house if you're willing to go to the unincorporated areas of North Decatur. This is my part of town, feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

[sccap]

Thank you for the suggestions.. I think I misspoke a little.. The location doesn't have to be between either location. We just wanted to keep those two commutes in mind. We really are just hoping to leave suberbia behind and live in the middle of everything. It would be so exciting to be within walking distance of everything.

[floyd242]

You can probably find a townhome within walking distance of downtown Decatur for ~300k

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by sccap

Thank you for the suggestions.. I think I misspoke a little.. The location doesn't have to be between either location. We just wanted to keep those two commutes in mind. We really are just hoping to leave suberbia behind and live in the middle of everything. It would be so exciting to be within walking distance of everything.

Then Decatur sounds perfect. Floyd242 is right, you should be able to find a townhome (and possibly a single family home) in Downtown Decatur that would give you access to Decatur's elementary schools; walking distance to shops, restaurants and parks; lots of activities (Decatur has great festivals); and a great commute for you (and not too bad for hubby).

The further intown you go (Va-Hi, Midtown), the less and less you'll get for your $325k and the worse your husband's commute will be, although that's still a possibility if you get lucky, if that's the type of vibe you're hoping for.

[kaabye]

Originally Posted by sccap

Thank you for the suggestions.. I think I misspoke a little.. The location doesn't have to be between either location. We just wanted to keep those two commutes in mind. We really are just hoping to leave suberbia behind and live in the middle of everything. It would be so exciting to be within walking distance of everything.

One thing to keep in mind in Atlanta is that distance and traffic are not created equal....what i mean is that it is much easier to head north up 85 from intown towards Duluth (while every one else is heading south to down town for work) in the morning and back up in the afternoon than the other way around. The key to getting around Atlanta with out complete frustration is to be heading against traffic. So although it may seem "fair"to be in the middle of these locations it may make allot more sense to be closer to intown. Being intown though is more expensive than being in tucker or the burbs. Decatur is nice and has good schools but I find it is a little isolated due to the major roads into and out of decatur being limited. Decatur in my opinion is great as long as you will spend most of your time in decatur (also watch out because many in Atlanta use decatur loosely so it may say decatur but not really be in decatur).

As far as a great intown neighborhood with a great school morningside (k-5)would be my choice. You would be looking at the bottom of the market or possibly a town home (mostly single family homes in morningside though) at the 300 range. You may be able to find a fixer upper or a foreclosure in the 300's? Morningside elem school is great a tun of parents walk the kids to school each day and the school is tied in strongly to the community. The homes are mostly 50-100 years old in the tudor style with great access to 85/75/ and marta/and down town.

good luck........were are you moving from?