Any affordable, but safe apartments? (Smyrna, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Kennesaw, Vinings) (Atlanta: affordable apartment, rent)

[dark_knight08]

I'm a recent college grad saving for an apartment. I don't make enough now, but I hope to have an increase in my salary by next year. I plan to have at least $5000 saved before I start looking. Looking to pay at least $800-900 for a 1BDR 1BR somewhere in the areas I listed above.

I prefer living in an area that is accessible to downtown, and has a decent selection of restaurants and shopping centers. But, is it possible with the way rent is climbing up? Sandy Springs has always been high, but I blame the new Stadium for the rent inflation in Cobb.

[jhtrico1850]

Just be really careful, but I subletted the top floor of a 3 floor furnished condo in Sandy Springs for $550 a month via craiglist. There are deals there.

[jsvh]

I'd avoid that area.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by dark_knight08

I'm a recent college grad saving for an apartment. I don't make enough now, but I hope to have an increase in my salary by next year. I plan to have at least $5000 saved before I start looking. Looking to pay at least $800-900 for a 1BDR 1BR somewhere in the areas I listed above.

I prefer living in an area that is accessible to downtown, and has a decent selection of restaurants and shopping centers. But, is it possible with the way rent is climbing up? Sandy Springs has always been high, but I blame the new Stadium for the rent inflation in Cobb.

There likely are so many apartments in those areas that fit your criteria that there might be too many to name.

One tool that you can use to help you find an affordable apartment that is habitable is Promove, which is an apartment-hunting tool that many of the other posters on the Atlanta forum like to recommend to those who are looking for apartments.
Promove - Atlanta Apartment Finder

Also, because you are looking to be conveniently accessible to Downtown Atlanta, it might be best if you dropped Kennesaw to the bottom of your list (because of the frequent traffic challenges along I-75 north of I-285) and moved Sandy Springs to the top of your list (because of the area's accessibility to MARTA heavy rail transit service for non-vehicular trips to and from Downtown Atlanta).

The list of the aforementioned areas that you are considering should probably look something like this:

1) Sandy Springs (...At the top of the list for its accessibility to MARTA heavy rail transit service to and from Downtown Atlanta...If you live in Sandy Springs you will definitely need to take the frequent use of MARTA heavy rail into strong consideration for commutes to and from Downtown because of the massive congestion-inducing construction project that is set to take place at the I-285/GA 400 interchange over the next several years)...

2) Vinings (...Second from the top of the list because of its relatively very close proximity to Downtown Atlanta and the presence of surface route alternatives to I-75 like Atlanta Road/Marietta Boulevard/West Marietta Street/Marietta Street)...

3) Smyrna (...Also somewhat relatively very close to Downtown Atlanta and also accessible to Downtown Atlanta by way of Atlanta Road/Marietta Boulevard/West Marietta Street/Marietta Street)...

4) Marietta (...At #4 because it is farther away from Downtown Atlanta than Sandy Springs, Vinings and Smyrna and can present a slightly more challenging commute to and from Downtown ATL)...

5) Kennesaw (...At the bottom of the list because the rush hour commute between Kennesaw and Downtown ATL is longer and more challenging than any other district on this list, particularly if one has to use I-75 north of I-285 at the height of the morning and afternoon rush hours. Kennesaw likely has much affordable apartment housing in your price range, but the rush hour commutes between here and Downtown ATL can be somewhat challenging at times)...

In addition to the aforementioned suburban districts, some other districts where you will be likely to find habitable affordable apartment housing in an area of many restaurants and shops and MARTA heavy rail transit access to and from Downtown ATL are Chamblee and Doraville....Two areas with their own namesake MARTA heavy rail stations and a very large international community centered on the Buford Highway corridor.

[matilda79]

Use ProMove. I got some pretty good move-in deals in the past using them. Other people on this board will crap all over them and say they get commissions for referrals, but it is hands-down the most efficient way to find an apartment in metro Atlanta if you want to live in a managed complex versus renting from an individual landlord (which can sometimes be a little sketchy).