Moving to ATL From Orlando (Alpharetta, Dunwoody: apartment, rent, condo)

[amcoffee]

Looking for anyone's opinion on where to live in ATL. Also, if anyone has any good websites to search or get information (I haven't found much after many days of searching the net) that would be great. So far based on my research I'm figuring somewhere in the northeast part of the city (that's where all the Whole Foods are.

Unfortunately, I have a home here in FL that I don't know when I will be to able to sell , so my budget is a bit tight. Would like 2 bedrooms, but that might be asking for too much with my budget.
No family, just me.
I'm over 40 and am into a more of a yoga/vegetarian/green scene socially than the downtown nightlife. Also love to have good "mom & pop" type restaurants in the area.
Here's some other info:

1. Budget - $500-800
2. House/Condo/Townhome? - Any, would like covered parking though
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) - commute
4. Children(public school vs. private) - N/A
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two - more suburban, but not too important
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? yes, I'll be taking MARTA to work
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood. - Quiet and safe most important, also see above.
8. Work location - right in the middle of downtown
9. close to airport- not too important

Thanks for your input!

[BeyondInfinity]

Originally Posted by amcoffee

Looking for anyone's opinion on where to live in ATL. Also, if anyone has any good websites to search or get information (I haven't found much after many days of searching the net) that would be great. So far based on my research I'm figuring somewhere in the northeast part of the city (that's where all the Whole Foods are.

Unfortunately, I have a home here in FL that I don't know when I will be to able to sell , so my budget is a bit tight. Would like 2 bedrooms, but that might be asking for too much with my budget.
No family, just me.
I'm over 40 and am into a more of a yoga/vegetarian/green scene socially than the downtown nightlife. Also love to have good "mom & pop" type restaurants in the area.
Here's some other info:

1. Budget - $500-800
2. House/Condo/Townhome? - Any, would like covered parking though
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) - commute
4. Children(public school vs. private) - N/A
5. Suburban or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of the two - more suburban, but not too important
6. Easy access to public transit, important or not? yes, I'll be taking MARTA to work
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood. - Quiet and safe most important, also see above.
8. Work location - right in the middle of downtown
9. close to airport- not too important

Thanks for your input!

It is possible to find a 2 bedroom apartment in the burbs; however, it may not be in the most pleasant place. The further out you go the cheaper it will be. Try Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Duluth and Norcross.

I understand that you need to be close to Marta, but considering your price range you may have to just opt for a 1 bedroom somewhere close to the city (Decatur, Chamblee, Doraville, Lithonia, Stone Mountain).

[pacnwbound]

You can find a one bedroom in the Virginia Highland area in the $800 range with off street parking most likely. There is a Whole foods down the street (off Ponce) and you will be way closer to your job downtown. Although you are going to be taking the bus from this neighborhood. You will also have access to lots of cool local restaurants and the little five points/Inman Park neighborhoods are about a 10-15 minute walk and should satisfy at least a little bit of your desire for the yoga/vegetarian/green scene. Good luck to you!

[coolieandre]

No, there are a couple of Apt complexes that have rent for $800 pushing $850 in Dunwoody and also around Roxboro Rd near Lenox Park area and Brookhaven. I know this for Fact

[amcoffee]

Thought I'd add one more thought. I'm used to aboout a 30 minute commute here in Orlando, and was figuring on the same in ATL. Is the commute for places like Decatur, Chamblee, Doraville, Lithonia, Stone Mountain about that to the center of the city? Or maybe there is a site where I can have my commute on MARTA calculated? I have no idea about the public transportation thing, since I have always used a car.

[IntownHomes247]

I think you'd like Decatur a lot. It's a wonderful small town (easy access to downtown via the MARTA rail station under the courthouse square). Commute time is 15-20 minutes (either on MARTA or by car -- the train stops a lot so it's not significantly faster than driving). Decatur is very green and prides itself on that. For instance, check out the Oakhurst Community Garden ( Oakhurst Community Garden Project: ) and the twice weekly Decatur Organic Farmers Market ( Decatur Farmers Market ). If you can't actually find a place inside the City of Decatur limits within your budget, check out the 30033, 30345, and 30329 zip codes for nearby areas.