Downtown vs Midtown? (Atlanta, Buckhead: apartments, rent, purchasing)

[hush.bereel]

I've been applying for several jobs around the country, and Atlanta seems to be in the lead right now in terms of probability of getting the job. I used to live there (well, OTP) a decade ago, so I know a little about the area, but I imagine lots of things have changed since then. Back then, downtown was not a place you wanted to be walking around after dark, so everyone tended to gravitate toward midtown for dining and drinks. But I've heard a lot about things being refurbished in the Atl, so I'm wondering if that has changed at all? Is downtown a little more conducive to urban living these days?

If I get the job, I'll be working in the Lindbergh area, so living on a MARTA line is what we want. Midtown is nice, so it's certainly on the short list, but I remember it being kind of spread out all over the place. You had to do a lot of walking once you got off the train. But I remember downtown having things nice and close together, even though I didn't spend too too much time there. I've been looking at a lot of the apartments downtown, and the architecture is so much more historic and aesthetically pleasing than the modern "posh" styles of midtown. But my wife is... well... my wife, and I don't want her to ever be unsafe, so I won't consider downtown if it's not the place for a young lady to feel safe walking from the MARTA to our apartment after dark.

What can anyone tell me about living in midtown vs living in downtown? Much appreciated!

[afdinatl]

MIDTOWN.

Downtown around Centennial Park is nice but I would still go with Midtown because of a PiedmontPark, nightlifr, restaurants and being close to Atlantic Station.

[ATLondoner]

Another vote for Midtown, myself and my wife live there. Use Marta to get to work in Buckhead and she (and I) feel completely safe.

Excellent restaurants, Piedmont Park.....enough said!

[Gulch]

Midtown (you're closer to Lindbergh)

[jsvh]

I'd probably recommend Midtown to start. It has really boomed over the past decade and will be much denser than you remember.

However, I am planning to move downtown soon. It is in the early stages of a revival that has really just started in the past couple years. Midtown is probably better till you get your bearings so I'd rent there for a year then move downtown once you get a better feel for it.

[George Chong]

Another vote for Midtown. I don't think you will recognize Midtown if you have been away for a decade. Just to give you a taste (pun intended), Midtown Restaurant Week is taking place right now.

mrwatlanta.com

Even Piedmont Park has grown by 53 acres. Piedmont Park Conservancy

[atlguy19]

Downtown ATL Is really making a change or should i rather say a come back. Renting would be nice in Midtown but i think purchasing downtown and hold will be a great choice.

[hush.bereel]

Thanks for all the responses, please keep 'em coming. Would you guys say that downtown is relatively safe then? At least, north of 5 points?

[andy1324]

When I first moved to Atlanta in 2012 I took the train to the five points station thinking there would be some cool shops or restaurants downtown. After about 5 minutes of walking around I got right back on the train and haven't been there again since.

I would not feel safe at all living downtown.

[sedimenjerry]

Downtown is safe enough. I wouldn't go anywhere by myself at night. Lot of panhandlers in spots but I never feel in danger. They just want some extra change, not all of your money. I still wouldn't live there. It's too dead. May as well be in the suburbs.