Windy Hill Road in Smyrna? (Atlanta, Marietta: real estate, apartment complexes, high crime)

[Atlantan4Life]

So many people say that Windy Hill Road is the worst part of Smyrna but from what I see, it looks pretty decent. especially near the new Belmont Chase subdivision. So I ask, What gives Windy Hill Road this "bad reputation"?

[lorilove]

How far west did you drive on Windy Hill Road. It is fine when you drive from I-75 to Atlanta Road. From what I can tell Belmont Chase is just past the Atlanta Road intersection. You go much further west toward South Cobb and it is not very nice.

The corner of Atlanta Road and Windy Hill is the old Belmont Hills shopping center which was very sad shape until they leveled it. If that project ever gets back on target, it should be a nice development. For now you have a big vacant lot which is definitely better than what was there.

[jeni582200]

i'm surprised to hear that. i'm up there a lot, and i think it's nice. it's a little traffic heavy, but otherwise seems pretty benign to me.

granted- i don't live up there, i'm only there in daylight hours. not sure if it's different after dark...

[RandyWatson13]

Its horrid. The best part is the median and golf course.....Here is Windy Hill

Freeway to Cobb Parkway. Looks like any avg/low level street. Very busy and nearly no margin for error.
At the Cobb Pkway intersection there is a giant Check cashing place.

After Cobb to Atlanta rd, you pass more crap until the golf course/median.

The corner of Cobb/Atlanta rd looks like crap b/c Smryna demolished the shopping center there and the builder is broke and hasn't built anything. Its horrid.

From Atlanta rd to S.Cobb dr it turns into lil Mexico and is horrid. Then you get a giant intersection there.

From S.Cobb to Windy Hill is okay, older subdivisions. No tree lined median. Early on its more of lil Mexico until you reach Austell Rd where is an Advance Auto and a gun range.

Sorry not a fan of it.

[Atlantan4Life]

so is it not safe?

[lorilove]

During the day, I would say it is perfectly safe.

After dark, I would not feel comfortable walking in that area but I would have no reason to need to be there after dark.

Are you looking at buying a home in Belmont Chase?

[atlantagreg30127]

The thing to remember about Atlanta is that it's not an "old" city. Bad neighborhoods here do not necessarily LOOK like bad neighborhoods when you drive through them. We also have neighborhoods that "transition" more than some other cities do - they'll be good, then 5 years later they're bad, and maybe 10 years later they swing around and turn good again. I was just downtown a few days ago and saw an apartment building that was very nice looking that could have been any Post community in the suburbs - with 20 guys selling drugs openly across the street.

There are worse place than Windy Hill - but it has a lot of rough spots.

[dseuk]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

. We also have neighborhoods that "transition" more than some other cities do - they'll be good, then 5 years later they're bad, and maybe 10 years later they swing around and turn good again.

Vinings will eventually be dragged down by Cobb Pkwy/Windy Hill.

[Atlantan4Life]

I just want to know that if I move into Belmont Chase, do I have to worry about crime on a daily basis? Would you consider the Dupont Commons area to be safer? I'm looking for a decent place to live and Belmont Chase looks like it is. However, people continue to say Windy Hill Road is terrible...Does anyone live near Windy Hill or know someone that does? I'm trying to buy a home this summer...I need real information. Real Estate agents just sugarcoat things. Should I be scared to live in that area?

[lorilove]

Looking at a map, I don't think Dupont Commons would be significantly better (off Marietta Blvd south of Bolton).

I live about 4 miles from Belmont Chase and based on my knowledge of the area, it is not a high crime area that you would need to be concerned about on any daily basis. Most of the crime reports that I ever see out of the Smyrna area are typically in the lower end apartment complexes.

The one thing I learned from my real estate agent was don't be shy to get out and talk to the neighbors. If you could swing by this weekend when they are likely to be out and about, definitely walk up to them and ask. I love it when potential buyers stop and talk to me.

If I had any concern with that area is that it will take a long time before the economy turns around and that area gets on a path to improvement. If you don't see yourself selling in any near future, then it should not be an issue.

I love living in Smyrna, I hope you will too.