clayton county (what's it like now?) (Atlanta, Forest Park: rent, house, neighborhoods)

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Clayton really does have a lot going for it.

What would you say are the best parts of the county?

Do you mean the best areas?

[tikigod311]

I know you weren't asking me, but Lake Spivey is obviously the nicest. There are nice neighborhoods off Noah's Ark Rd, River's Edge is pretty good (basically because it is right at Fayette County), the neighborhoods along 314 just north of the Fayette County line don't look too bad, and the panhandle at the very southern end of the county is great.

Problem is, do you need to use the public schools? If so, not sure if there is any good place to live in Clayton. There is that Utopia charter school, which despite its ridiculous name, sounds like a pretty good place.

It's a shame that Clayton isn't a nicer place. Its location is steller for commuters. Problem is that county officials damned large portions of the county to deteriorate by allowing terribly cheap housing and apartment complexes. Unless those are torn down, I can't see many areas ever improving.

[Albedo]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Clayton really does have a lot going for it.

What would you say are the best parts of the county?

I would say the Hampton and Lovejoy area.I like some parts of Morrow too.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Problem is, do you need to use the public schools? If so, not sure if there is any good place to live in Clayton. There is that Utopia charter school, which despite its ridiculous name, sounds like a pretty good place.

It's a shame that Clayton isn't a nicer place. Its location is steller for commuters. Problem is that county officials damned large portions of the county to deteriorate by allowing terribly cheap housing and apartment complexes. Unless those are torn down, I can't see many areas ever improving.

I agree with this statement. The thing is when most of these were built, it didn't lower the neighborhood quality. Now they are old and need replacement. With your schools comment there is Elite Scholars High(charter), and Martha Ellen School of the Arts(magnet) which are two of the best in Georgia. Also there are good honors/AP programs at Forest Park, Morrow, Mt. Zion, Jonesboro, Drew, and Lovejoy High Schools.

[Clayton white guy]

I really love my home county, and it does have areas that need work (19/41 corridor), but some here say more bad than good,I say more good than bad. Most outsiders that I have met say, "Wow! This place is really great; not at all what I have heard about Clayton County." I say come down and give us a try. Get off the beaten path (especially the Tara Boulevard/ 19/41 corridor) and drive through the neighborhoods. Eat at Anne and Bill's in downtown Forest Park (good southern cooking), Walk the Morrow Trail system or Jester's Creek Trail, check out the clearance racks at Macy's, Southlake Mall, get fresh seasonable vegetables at the State Farmer's Market in Forest Park, have a conversation with a Clayton neighbor at Clayton County International Park. You will probably will wind up saying, "Hey! This place is not half bad; in fact I like this place!"

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by Clayton white guy

I really love my home county, and it does have areas that need work (19/41 corridor), but some here say more bad than good,I say more good than bad. Most outsiders that I have met say, "Wow! This place is really great; not at all what I have heard about Clayton County." I say come down and give us a try. Get off the beaten path (especially the Tara Boulevard/ 19/41 corridor) and drive through the neighborhoods. Eat at Anne and Bill's in downtown Forest Park (good southern cooking), Walk the Morrow Trail system or Jester's Creek Trail, check out the clearance racks at Macy's, Southlake Mall, get fresh seasonable vegetables at the State Farmer's Market in Forest Park, have a conversation with a Clayton neighbor at Clayton County International Park. You will probably will wind up saying, "Hey! This place is not half bad; in fact I like this place!"

Someone up this guys reputation.

[GregsDaddy]

How long until the schools lose their accreditation again?

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by GregsDaddy

How long until the schools lose their accreditation again?

In Dekalb? Maybe a year, year and a half.

[Clayton white guy]

Greg's Daddy,
Hey! I am Eva Rose's, Will's, and Harrison's Daddy. Father to father, is everything quite alright. Some times I get pessimistic vibes from you. Last week you were West End bashing; this week Clayton County Schools, which most here feel are definitely on the upswing with the new school board in place. (If you recall it was the school board, not the quality of education in Clayton County that caused those issues several years ago) I know what can cheer you up. Come down to Reynolds Nature Preserve here in Morrow/ Clayton County with Greg. Walk the pristine nature trails along the lakes, ponds, and woodlands connecting with nature, your maker, and of course your son. After this relaxing and invigorating Clayton County experience, take a deep breath and realize that negativity breeds more negativity, or at least what your mother taught you, "If you can't say (type) something nice, say (type) nothing at all. God Bless you Brother and have a more upbeat today! ;0)

[atler8]

Well said there again Clayton.
Honestly, if GregsDaddy has insight to somethig going on that's new & a current threat to the school accreditation in Clayton let him share it here.
If he doesn't have anything new & TRUE to share, then the negativity in that post is just that & should be ignored.
So, which is it Gregs?

Overall, for quite a few years it seems that it has been "politically correct" to bash Clayton County for anything & everything amongst certain types of mindsets.
I have lived in Clayton County east of Jonesboro since mid 2010 & would not have moved there in the first place or remained there if it truly were the pits.
Yes, it has problems but what area of our metro area & state doesn't?