Capitol View - safe or unsafe? (Atlanta, Marietta: sick, house, crime)

[2lizards]

Hi all,

This may have been discussed before, but I could not find any reference to it. I read recently in Creative Loafing about a neighborhood called "Capitol View," saying that it was, like East Atlanta, a neighborhood that was on the upswing. Is this so? Also, is it considered relatively safe?

Thanks for the info.

[xxman777]

The best thing Capital View has going for it is it's right on the Beltline. If the Beltline actually gets built (which you are looking at 20-30 years before it get built near Capital View) you are sitting on a gold mine, if not I would expect Capital View to still gentrify but it wouldn't be quite as good of an investment. It just could be a while. Its definitely a little sketchy right now but give it a few years and it could be pretty nice.

[sweettea1]

do you have kids?

[ceverett2000]

It is about as safe as most intown neighorhoods. In the AJC today, someone was shot in Marietta, so there are problems everywhere.

The beltline implementation is planned to take 25 years. However, some of that may come within the next 5, such as land acquisition and trails, at least I have heard. That would be nice.

I just moved to Capitol View. There are some really beautiful homes, and of course some streets are better than others, but I believe it is still a bargain. I have a bungalow with a big porch, large old trees, a large yard (for intown), a 50 acre park at the end of the street, MARTA is less than a mile away, it is close to the interstates, and my commute downtown is 10 minutes. With the way Atlanta is growing (infilling), I strongly believe this area will continue to improve. Of course it is not perfect, if it was, you would see Grant park like prices for the homes. What is missing right now, on the southside in general, are services: grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops, etc.

[xxman777]

I've been involved in many discussions with some of the primary planners and drivers behind the Beltline and the land near Capital View will likely be acquired within the next five years but any trails that will be built are likely to be on the north side (at least in the short term). Trails should eventually get built in the section near Capital View, but transit is unlikely to ever get built.

I agree its an up and coming area though; regardless of the beltline.

[2lizards]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm really more interested in whether its rejuvenation appears to be permanent or if it may "slide" down again. I suppose I erroneously used the term "safe."

My wife and I do not have kids, although we do want them. Nevertheless, we want a small-ish house (1,000-1,500 sf), which is preferably older but in good shape. Our current house was built in the 1940s with hardwood throughout, a fireplace, etc. That's what we like - that age or older. Alternatively, we'd consider a newer house built in an older neighborhood, if it was built with the style of the neighborhood in mind.

I've always assumed that people think certain neighborhoods are fine if you don't have kids because of the small yard. Is that what most people think? A small yard is fine with us. I'm sick of maintaining a relatively large yard in Knoxville. I just want enough room to grow a few vegetables and maybe have a grassy patch for any kids we might have to play on down the line. I'm willing to walk or drive with the kids to a park when they become restless .

[xxman777]

There has been a trend in recent years for in town Atlanta neighborhoods to gentrify. I think any gentrification which has already occurred is permanent and better yet a sign of things to come. If you like the shape the neighborhood is in right now I wouldn't be worried at all.

[ddholmes65]

Nice to hear that you are considering our little neighborhood. I moved into Capitol View in January 2004. Although, I was a little heistant, I knew that the neighborhood was on the upswing. I have seen a lot of changes over the past 3.5 years--such as reduction in crime and drug activity. However, there is a lot more that needs to be done. If you are interested in acquiring a charming 1920's bungalow in downtown Atlanta for less than 200K, I believe that Capitol View is the best bargin for you money. Additionally, you mentioned that you and your wife may want kids in the future, Capitol View Elementary is one of the best schools in the City of Atlanta. For more info, go to ajc.com | Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Best of Luck to you!