Affordable, Safe Westside Options? (And how can everywhere fun be so expensive???) (Atlanta: sublets, rentals)

[researchnerd]

You might take a look at Riverside. Not especially walkable, but would probably meet the rest of your needs.

[testa50]

I would probably check out Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown if I were in your shoes. Lots of small houses and duplexes for rent. Reasonably safe and within walking distance of some neat stuff.

You're not going to get safety/walkability/yard/prime area for <$1,000 these days, and I think you realize that. But imo these neighborhoods offer a reasonable compromise on all fronts and, with a little looking, you should be able to find something suitable.

FWIW the dogs are a big constraint. Most of the "young, fun" people living in these neighborhoods are willing to take upstairs units/small complexes/etc. In a major city, having a plot of earth to call your own is a relatively tall order, particularly in a prime area. In NYC, it would be nigh impossible. So I think that's part of the reason your search is tough--a lot of the units people in your situation would look at are non-starters due to the dogs. Just something to be aware of.

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

I dont understand how houses in Atlanta can cost so much when you dont have land or even a pool. I have a friend that just bought a $350,000 house out in douglasville and she barely have a backyard. The houses sit so close together and she also have to pay property taxes.

Anyway why dont you try Smyrna...believe it or not it is some affordable homes there you just have to search the area....and not on the internet. But with you not knowing the area that may not work for you.

[cqholt]

You could try Kirkwood. It'd be a straight shot west on I-20 to Fulton Industrial. For Olgetrhope you could ride MARTA to the Brookhaven\Ogelthrope Station. There are plenty of homes within Kirkwood that offer what you are looking for with a reasonable price.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by DONNIEANDDONNA417

I dont understand how houses in Atlanta can cost so much when you dont have land or even a pool. I have a friend that just bought a $350,000 house out in douglasville and she barely have a backyard. The houses sit so close together and she also have to pay property taxes.

It all depends on the subdivision or area you're purchasing in. We paid over $100k less than that for our house, we're sitting on 0.42 acres, and we're a lot closer to Atlanta than Douglasville.

Anyway why dont you try Smyrna...believe it or not it is some affordable homes there you just have to search the area....and not on the internet. But with you not knowing the area that may not work for you.

I'd agree with this. Smyrna is a mix of low- and high-cost homes, even in the southern half where most of the new development has occurred.

[RoslynHolcomb]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

It all depends on the subdivision or area you're purchasing in. We paid over $100k less than that for our house, we're sitting on 0.42 acres, and we're a lot closer to Atlanta than Douglasville.

We did too. We got a huge lot in Dunwoody for under $250k. Our house is dated, but not so much that we've had to sink a lot of cash all at once. We were fortunate enough to get the world's best real estate agent.

[researchnerd]

Originally Posted by DONNIEANDDONNA417

I dont understand how houses in Atlanta can cost so much when you dont have land or even a pool. I have a friend that just bought a $350,000 house out in douglasville and she barely have a backyard. The houses sit so close together and she also have to pay property taxes.

Location, location, location. Our former 3-BR farm on 5 acres out in rural Cherokee sold late last year for $211k. The house and barn were both in good shape, but ordinary. If it had been a McMansion on the same piece of land, or if were in Milton instead of Ball Ground, it could have been sold as an "equestrian home" at 3x the price.

Also, some people don't wan't backyards. If you hate yardwork, it's more of a pain than it's worth. Some folks would rather live in an upscale, close community than have to mow the lawn every weekend, and will pay a premium price for that.

[researchnerd]

Originally Posted by cqholt

You could try Kirkwood. It'd be a straight shot west on I-20 to Fulton Industrial. For Olgetrhope you could ride MARTA to the Brookhaven\Ogelthrope Station. There are plenty of homes within Kirkwood that offer what you are looking for with a reasonable price.

Finding a rental home for under $1k in Kirkwood is tricky. Here's the only one I see now:

294 Leland Terrace Northeast #B, Atlanta GA - Trulia

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by researchnerd

Location, location, location. Our former 3-BR farm on 5 acres out in rural Cherokee sold late last year for $211k. The house and barn were both in good shape, but ordinary. If it had been a McMansion on the same piece of land, or if were in Milton instead of Ball Ground, it could have been sold as an "equestrian home" at 3x the price.

Also, some people don't wan't backyards. If you hate yardwork, it's more of a pain than it's worth. Some folks would rather live in an upscale, close community than have to mow the lawn every weekend, and will pay a premium price for that.

(1) Backyards don't always translate into more yard work. For example, ours is wooded and peaceful.

(2) Don't like mowing? Pay the neighbor kid to do it, or spring for a lawn service. They aren't that expensive.

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

actually lawn work is a lot of fun...planting flowers, cutting your grass...and its good exercise.