South Dekalb County, Atlanta-how safe is it? (Macon, Dunwoody: crime rates, house)

[Iluv303]

Hello,

I am currently living in Colorado and was interested in purchasing a home in Decatur Georgia. The house that I was interested as I've got a large family was off of Flat Shoals Road, in the South Dekalb County Area, right near the Gallery of South Dekalb. I've been looking online for crime rates and such online but can't seem to find any that would give me the impression that its not safe.

I can't find any threads indicating that this area is not safe or such, but every time I mention to friends in Lilburn, GA and friends in Colorado (who've lived in Atlanta much of their lives) they all make a sour face when I mention moving to Decatur. I don't have to worry much about kids as my youngest child is 17 years old. However, I was wondering if it would be safe to be going home at night, murders, gang banging and burglaries.

Any information you give can help.

[ambersmom722]

You do not want to live near South Dekalb Mall....PERIOD. the area continues to go down and if you have school aged children, stay out of Dekalb County. All of the county is not bad, however, I wouldnt live there. I just moved last year from Stn Mtn (Dekalb County) after 21 yrs of living in Dekalb County (Decatur included).

[King_X]

From what I've heard, "Flat Shoals" and "Bouldercrest" in DeKalb are supposed to be some hardcore areas, People exaggerate things, so I dont know. From what I've saw and heard about that area, it seems alot like my part of Macon. There are several nice areas, with pockets of crime but people only tell you about the bad areas.

So, with areas such as these, it really depends on which street or how far down on a certain highway you are, you have to pick and choose your spots carefully.

I must say the area around South Dekalb Mall did look rough though.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by ambersmom722

You do not want to live near South Dekalb Mall....PERIOD. the area continues to go down and if you have school aged children, stay out of Dekalb County. All of the county is not bad, however, I wouldnt live there. I just moved last year from Stn Mtn (Dekalb County) after 21 yrs of living in Dekalb County (Decatur included).

I disagree with some of this.Dekalb is a big county with one of the most diverse culturally areas in Georgia.It is true that South Dekalb is not the best area.Lithonia is for the most part ok.Also some of the Stone mountain area is ok as well.There are some hot spots of crime but you can avoid those areas by doing your research.If there is an area you are interested in,just ask someone that lives in that particular neighborhood.You will get people that live in Gwinnett and other counties bashing other areas that are closer to the city than they are.Gwinnett has a significant gang problem more than anywhere in the metro area.However that is not the image of Gwinnett.

There are some good schools( and some bad) in Dekalb county.Once again do your research after you have decided on the neighborhood before you move.Decatur is mostly nice but some areas are bad as well.This is the what people associate with a lot of Decatur with.If you drive through Decatur from Downtown Decatur to the Briarcliff,Claremont Rd,Lavista Rd,Dunwoody and North Druid Hills areas,you will see they are extremely nice.

I used to live in a very nice fairly new 2 story brick 5 bedroom home Off Flat Shoals.It was a very nice neighborhood.I felt safe.It was quiet.It depends on which Flat Shoals you are referring to.The one I lived on was much further down from S.Dekalb Mall.Maybe 5 miles away south.Near the Publicx and Holy Cathedral of the Spirit.That area I found to be decent.That was 3 years ago though.I do not think you have to worry about gang-banging.Burglaries anywhere in Atlanta is a denominator you should consider anywhere.They may be higher in that area but I don't think its is bad enough to where you should be scared away.That said there are better areas in Atlanta as affordable.

[Shagbark Hickory]

Maybe the gangs do most of their crime in dekalb??!!
There are some very nice big mcmansions there in decatur and stone mtn. Sometimes I have a hard time believing it's gotten that bad.

[ambersmom722]

I referred to the schools because I spent ten yrs teaching in Dekalb County. While you may have some good schools in the school system (and they do) the county is very, VERY poorly run. This is the main reason why I moved. I did not want my child educated in Dekalb County Schools.

I know there are no perfect school systems, I just couldn't take another yr in Dekalb. From 1997-2007..things just got progressively worse.

[QueenB2912]

Iluv303~

Is there a reason you were looking at Decatur specifically? The reason I ask is on a whole it may not be a place you would choose.

There are a lot of nice areas in & around the Atlanta area. If you could give me a more specific idea of what you're looking for I'd be happy to offer alternatives for you to check out!

Good luck!

[Java378]

Some places are good, some places are bad. Flat shoals, I haven't been specifically on tha place. Hope you have pics to help us out.

[jamescruz]

If you are only concerned about your safety then no place is absolutely safe for you and you know it well. So don’t worry too much for your safety. Mis-happenings don’t happen according to the places.

[Roller2200]

If I were to live in Dekalb County, It would defenitely be north of the I#285 corridor, and west of PIB. That pretty much puts you in Dunwoody. The problem, now your talking high dollar. Land size of counties in Ga. are very small, so you can live several counties away from Atlanta, and still be close. I think the northern suburbs are problay the best.