Fastest gentrifying neighborhood in Atlanta might surprise you. (Decatur: low income, fit in)

[cqholt]

The fastest gentrifying neighborhood in Atlanta between 2000-2010 might surprise many. Are These the Fastest-Gentrifying Neighborhoods in the U.S.? - Neighborhoods - The Atlantic CitiesIt is an eastside intown neighborhood, but it is not Decatur or Grant Park, it was Kirkwood. Zip code 30317 is the 11th fastest gentrifying neighborhood in America. I know that some people on here feel Kirkwood is getting unfair attention on this board lately, but this article shows just how far the neighborhood came between 2000-2010. It has slowed, but not stopped. It is still rising, as many non-remodeled homes are being bought and flipped. I have seen in a 5 block radius of my house 10 homes sold in since January 2012.

[aries4118]

I am not surprised by this at all. Do you know what Kirkwood was like pre-2000? Even pre-2004? The rapid change can blow one's mind...

[Box]

Why are so many people pro gentrification here? Don't get me wrong I'm all for neighborhood revitalization, but i dont see why so many people are so anxious to shift the demographics of the city.

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by Box

Why are so many people pro gentrification here? Don't get me wrong I'm all for neighborhood revitalization, but i dont see why so many people are so anxious to shift the demographics of the city.

What is so good about the hood? People want to live intown without getting robbed.

[cqholt]

but i dont see why so many people are so anxious to shift the demographics of the city.

Atlanta was majority white before white flight scared the majority of white people to the suburbs. I know that 30317 the older residents welcome the new comers, as 30317 is not like Oakhurst in alienating those that came before and braved the storm, see://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...decatur-3.html.

I am not surprised by this at all. Do you know what Kirkwood was like pre-2000? Even pre-2004? The rapid change can blow one's mind...

I was not in Atlanta the, but talk with the older residents about this phenomena. They tell stories that blow my mind too. It is amazing how far 30317 has came within 10 years.

[Box]

Originally Posted by Onthemove2014

What is so good about the hood? People want to live intown without getting robbed.

Getting robbed is one aspect of a "hood." But why focus on changing the demographics of an area, as opposed to simply addressing the underlying issues which most of the decent folks who have lived there for generations have had to put up with? Plus there are many areas which have gentrified where folks are still getting robbed.

[Box]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Atlanta was majority white before white flight scared the majority of white people to the suburbs. I know that 30317 the older residents welcome the new comers, as 30317 is not like Oakhurst in alienating those that came before and braved the storm, see://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...decatur-3.html.

So? Nobody told them to leave because black folks were finally allowed to move into their neighborhood, that was their choice.

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by Box

Getting robbed is one aspect of a "hood." But why focus on changing the demographics of an area, as opposed to simply addressing the underlying issues which most of the decent folks who have lived there for generations have had to put up with? Plus there are many areas which have gentrified where folks are still getting robbed.

Some people can't be helped. It's better for the city as a whole to make those areas safe and presentable for people of middle or higher incomes.

Folks get robed everywhere. The point is the higher the income level of an area typically the lower the crime rate.

[Box]

Originally Posted by Onthemove2014

Some people can't be helped. It's better for the city as a whole to make those areas safe and presentable for people of middle or higher incomes.

Folks get robed everywhere. The point is the higher the income level of an area typically the lower the crime rate.

Well why not focus on making the city safe for the folks who have weathered the storm and lived in these areas for years, as opposed to folks who just up and decide that they want to move into the city? Don't get me wrong I'm all for people moving into the city, but the fact that people are so keen on changing the demographics and getting rid of "the lower classes" (ie less low income housing, and more upscale housing) is just well...off putting to me. I'm all for mixed income areas because I think this would benefit everyone, but the way some folks act around here (not you or anyone in particular, just in general) it's like if you dont fit into a certain demographic or income level then you don't count.

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by Box

Well why not focus on making the city safe for the folks who have weathered the storm and lived in these areas for years, as opposed to folks who just up and decide that they want to move into the city? Don't get me wrong I'm all for people moving into the city, but the fact that people are so keen on changing the demographics and getting rid of "the lower classes" (ie less low income housing, and more upscale housing) is just well...off putting to me. I'm all for mixed income areas because I think this would benefit everyone, but the way some folks act around here (not you or anyone in particular, just in general) it's like if you dont fit into a certain demographic or income level then you don't count.

I am sure no one cares if you are black or blue as long as you aren't robbin or killin and can afford the rent. You can focus on taking a bite out of crime all day and we have been for decades and it doesn't work. The only way to truly take a bite our of crime that has worked in any society is to change the income demographics. Either mix it up or get rid of the low income housing. It's not about hating "poor" folks, it about making the area good for people of other income levels who generally don't bring crime with them and pump more money into the community.

Ps. I have heard a joke that middle or high income black people can't really "gentrify" a area lol. That isn't really true though.