Looking for a Safe, Historic Neighborhood (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: real estate, condo, crime)

[oldhousejunkie]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Like Grant Park, Kirkwood offers the small town feel in a big city. Its further from downtown, but is served by 2 MARTA rail stations. Both neighborhoods have seen the crime rate decrease as more stable people move in looking to set down roots in the areas. Both communities have strong neighborhood associations and lots of greenspace. I know for sure that $1500/month can get you a good 2/1 or even a small 3/2 in Kirkwood.

Thanks! I've definitely been looking at Kirkwood as well. :-)

[LovelySummer]

I'm a bit surprised at the suggestion of Grant Park because I was talking with a friend about a year ago and she was telling me there were still some deals in the area but that Grant Park was still a bit sketchy in terms of people hanging out and break-ins. Maybe she meant car break-ins? Not sure but I'd ask around a little bit more about Grant Park since you will be running in the area (which is quite different from people who primarily just from drive to /from home and spend most time indoors). It definitely meets the historic requirement but I'm less sure about the safe requirement (for a woman runner).

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

I'm a bit surprised at the suggestion of Grant Park because I was talking with a friend about a year ago and she was telling me there were still some deals in the area but that Grant Park was still a bit sketchy in terms of people hanging out and break-ins. Maybe she meant car break-ins? Not sure but I'd ask around a little bit more about Grant Park since you will be running in the area (which is quite different from people who primarily just from drive to /from home and spend most time indoors). It definitely meets the historic requirement but I'm less sure about the safe requirement (for a woman runner).

Like any other neighborhood in Atlanta, crimes can and do occur. 2 summers ago the whole east side of the city had some major issues where there were multiple break-ins. Car break-ins are an issue at times, especially near Memorial Drive, but Grant Park is very safe overall. In most cases, someone left electronics or a purse laying on their seat, and they get a window smashed. We also have the Grant Park security patrol that does a great job policing the neighborhood, and the mounted patrol which you often see taking the horses for a ride through the local streets. There are MANY joggers around the park all time, including many women running by themselves. There are also people walking through the park with their children, people on bikes, and just people being active outdoors much of the time. It's definitely not a neighborhood where people just drive to/from work and stay in their houses - they're walking to restaurants, enjoying the park, taking out the dogs, etc. I think Grant Park suffers from the old "stay away from anywhere south of I-20" perception, but telling people to give it a second look because of crime is entirely bad advice. I have friends in Buckhead who recently told me that around the block from their house were 2 carjackings in a period of 2 weeks, and in one case, the people were attacked in their driveway. I don't see anybody here saying to take a second look at Buckhead because it is dangerous.

Basically, like I said earlier, things happen no matter where you are in Atlanta. Grant Park is very safe, and should not be a surprising suggestion. Come spend some time in the neighborhood, and maybe your view will change.

[LovelySummer]

I think you have misunderstood my comment or be a bit sensitive because it is below I-20 but I do not have that impression about places below I-20. I really think that type of thinking is really something of veiled racism and I just don't engage in that. I also do not automatically give an area a seal of approval once people with more money have moved in and gentrified it. To me, that is just as suspect as the people that think areas with large populations of people on the lower socio-economic rung are more dangerous. I don't buy either story, either way.

I asked the question because my friend, who lives in the Turner Hill area nearby, told me that it is a little questionable for a woman. She lives near the area and she, live me, is a woman, and therefore I found her comment to be credible. I am in the neighborhood from time to time (mostly just the Zoo and Park as there isn't anything else that I can find to do in Grant Park). Sometimes people say things from a male perspective and what holds for a male may not hold for a female. We have an entirely different set of concerns that men just do not see so I'm not sure if that is your perspective. I have, however, never seen a runner in Grant Park the numerous times I have visited the zoo and park, which I find odd since it's well, a park, but I believe you since you live there and you would know.

I do not know what people say about Buckhead. I feel pretty safe here. I leave stuff in my car all the time because I'm too lazy to take it into the house and have never had a problem (knock on wood). Again, my comment is really just saying ask a few people about safety because what I heard (from someone who lives nearby, and below I-20) is somewhat different from what you are saying. Different people have different experiences. Grant Park, Buckhead, no area is immune to differences of impressions about the area.

Originally Posted by CCATL

Like any other neighborhood in Atlanta, crimes can and do occur. 2 summers ago the whole east side of the city had some major issues where there were multiple break-ins. Car break-ins are an issue at times, especially near Memorial Drive, but Grant Park is very safe overall. In most cases, someone left electronics or a purse laying on their seat, and they get a window smashed. We also have the Grant Park security patrol that does a great job policing the neighborhood, and the mounted patrol which you often see taking the horses for a ride through the local streets. There are MANY joggers around the park all time, including many women running by themselves. I think Grant Park suffers from the old "stay away from anywhere south of I-20" perception, but telling people to give it a second look because of crime is entirely bad advice. I have friends in Buckhead who recently told me that around the block from their house were 2 carjackings in a period of 2 weeks, and in one case, the people were attacked in their driveway. I don't see anybody here saying to take a second look at Buckhead because it is dangerous.

Basically, like I said earlier, things happen no matter where you are in Atlanta. Grant Park is very safe, and should not be a surprising suggestion. Come spend some time in the neighborhood, and maybe your view will change.

[AtlantaComment]

While Grant Park is not actively dangerous or anything, I certainly dont consider it as safe as some of the other neighborhoods mentioned - Inman Park or Virginia Highland.

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

I think you have misunderstood my comment or be a bit sensitive because it is below I-20 but I do not have that impression about places below I-20. I really think that type of thinking is really something of veiled racism and I just don't engage in that. I also do not automatically give an area a seal of approval once people with more money have moved in and gentrified it. To me, that is just as suspect as the people that think areas with large populations of people on the lower socio-economic rung are more dangerous. I don't buy either story, either way.

I asked the question because my friend, who lives in the Turner Hill area nearby, told me that it is a little questionable for a woman. She lives near the area and she, live me, is a woman, and therefore I found her comment to be credible. I am in the neighborhood from time to time (mostly just the Zoo and Park as there isn't anything else that I can find to do in Grant Park). Sometimes people say things from a male perspective and what holds for a male may not hold for a female. We have an entirely different set of concerns that men just do not see so I'm not sure if that is your perspective. I have, however, never seen a runner in Grant Park the numerous times I have visited the zoo and park, which I find odd since it's well, a park, but I believe you since you live there and you would know.

I do not know what people say about Buckhead. I feel pretty safe here. I leave stuff in my car all the time because I'm too lazy to take it into the house and have never had a problem (knock on wood). Again, my comment is really just saying ask a few people about safety because what I heard (from someone who lives nearby, and below I-20) is somewhat different from what you are saying. Different people have different experiences. Grant Park, Buckhead, no area is immune to differences of impressions about the area.

Sorry if I jumped, but you are right, I'm a bit sensitive on the topic because there are MANY people in Atlanta (especially from the burbs) who think that anything below 20 is dangerous, even if they haven't been there in years. It is annoying having to constantly defend a really great area to people who don't know any better, but should (not saying this is you, just in general).

But in any case, my perspective is that of a male, but also from my wife and the many other women I know who live, work, run, play, etc. in the neighborhood. I'll leave it at that, but IMO and based on APD crime stats, it's just as safe as the many other desirable n'hoods in Atlanta.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by AtlantaComment

While Grant Park is not actively dangerous or anything, I certainly dont consider it as safe as some of the other neighborhoods mentioned - Inman Park or Virginia Highland.

I'm on the Nextdoor page for Cabbagetown, which gets postings from Inman and Grant Parks. I see postings (there and in the media) about a lot more crime in Inman Park, actually. Probably because of the MARTA station and because so many people walk around there concentraing more on their overpriced iProducts than their surroundings, which makes them easy pickins for muggings.

[robertjhajek]

Virginia Highland is expensive but extremely quaint. Lots of Atlanta establishments here with a solid nightlife and family friendly atmosphere. Tough to find a 2BR here under 1500, but can be done.

Candler Park is extremely family friendly with a laid back vibe with one of the best parks in the city.

Poncey-Highland is where I live and I love it! It's smack dab right in the middle of everything. Awesome for
biking.

Inman Park has the beautiful historic victorian homes, majestic trees, tasty trendy restaurants, eclectic mix of people, and awesome transit with MARTA and upcoming streetcar/beltline extensions.

Grant Park is the largest historic district in the city, has a wonderful park, beautiful tree lined streets, some cafes, but i-20 runs through the top of it leaving it feeling disconnected from the rest of the neighborhood.

Cabbagetown is a small community right beside Old Fourth Ward that revolves around the railroad tracks, Carroll Street, and the cemetery. Stacks lofts rule the skyline here and they are the architectural gem of the city IMO.

Old Fourth Ward has an incredible new buzz around the historic fourth ward park, an emerging nightlife scene on edgewood, and lots of art. Easy to find a 2BR at 1500.


SAFETY wise I put them in order from safest to least safe. The Beltline runs through all of these neighborhoods insuring increasing property values and a general safety to the area.

Download the app, Lovely, it combines craigslist and hotpads/zillow/trulia listings into one seamless place. Set your radius notification to the area and it will automatically alert you when the next apartment pops up. Very handy because most great places go FAST.

[robertjhajek]

Studioplex has a 2br currently for 1500, get on it!

[Pemgin]

I live immediately adjacent to the neighborhood of Grant Park. I run through all parts of the neighborhood and park all the time. My partner (female) does as well. Other than safely crossing streets, I never fear for my or her safety.