Looking for a neighborhood where kids play outside! (Atlanta, Tucker: to rent, how much)

[Pinoke]

Hi all,

My family is looking to move to Atlanta in the next few months. I'm a native Atlantan, but have been away for more than a dozen years, and this time I'll be looking for a home for my family: me, my husband, a 6 year old daughter, and a dog. Kind of a different situation than when I left as a single, young woman.

We were originally looking at co-housing (East Lake Commons) but it appears nothing is available there right now. Two things that really appeal to me about East Lake Commons are the strong sense of community and the fact that my daughter would be free to play around the "neighborhood" with the other kids.

So, we are looking for neighborhoods/communities (or even streets!) that are fairly close-knit and that have children who actually play together outside.

Other things we're considering:
- Not sure if we want to rent or buy right off.
- We'd prefer to be ITP on the east side of town - think Decatur-ish and surroundings.
- My husband is courting a job SE of Atlanta, and if he takes it, easy access to I-20 would be important.
- We homeschool, so area schools are not as important to us.
- It would be ideal for us to live in an area where we could walk to stores, restaurants, etc.
- Would like to spend <$1600/mo on housing (not including utilities). Less would certainly be A-OK.
- just to reiterate, we'd like to aim for a close-knit community where kids can get out and play.

Any thoughts? Anyone know of such an area? Or, am I kidding myself that children get out and play anymore? ; )

Thanks! If you can think of other details that would help, let me know!

Pinoke

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Pinoke

Hi all,

My family is looking to move to Atlanta in the next few months. I'm a native Atlantan, but have been away for more than a dozen years, and this time I'll be looking for a home for my family: me, my husband, a 6 year old daughter, and a dog. Kind of a different situation than when I left as a single, young woman.

We were originally looking at co-housing (East Lake Commons) but it appears nothing is available there right now. Two things that really appeal to me about East Lake Commons are the strong sense of community and the fact that my daughter would be free to play around the "neighborhood" with the other kids.

So, we are looking for neighborhoods/communities (or even streets!) that are fairly close-knit and that have children who actually play together outside.

Other things we're considering:
- Not sure if we want to rent or buy right off.
- We'd prefer to be ITP on the east side of town - think Decatur-ish and surroundings.
- My husband is courting a job SE of Atlanta, and if he takes it, easy access to I-20 would be important.
- We homeschool, so area schools are not as important to us.
- It would be ideal for us to live in an area where we could walk to stores, restaurants, etc.
- Would like to spend <$1600/mo on housing (not including utilities). Less would certainly be A-OK.
- just to reiterate, we'd like to aim for a close-knit community where kids can get out and play.

Any thoughts? Anyone know of such an area? Or, am I kidding myself that children get out and play anymore? ; )

Thanks! If you can think of other details that would help, let me know!

Pinoke

You could look at East Lake, Kirkwood, Edgewood, East Atlanta. All areas have a lot of kids and strong communities.
Speaking from experience in Kirkwood, there are groups of similar aged kids that get together at Bessie Branham Park, where the kids play and parents chat. Kirkwood has a very strong neighborhood community and volunteer spirit.

[CCATL]

Add Grant Park to the list. The south side of the neighborhood just got a new playground, which is soon to be surrounded by restaurants and such. The park itself (the big one, Grant Park) holds TONS of kid-focused events year round. There are always kids (older than 6, but not yet teenagers) biking or walking alone to the park and the coffee shop for ice cream. You also see a ton of families at Ormond-Grant and Grant Park. There is also a "Safe Route to School" route being built right now through the neighborhood so that kids who are old enough can easily walk or bike to school alone or as part of the bicycle trains or whatever they are called. Easy access to MARTA, I-20, walkable to stores/restaurants. You can easily rent for <$1600/month.

[Pinoke]

East Lake, Kirkwood, Edgewood, East Atlanta, and Grant Park - it sounds those all fall in line with what I was thinking. I especially like hearing about your experiences with the parks. We may try to swing by Bessie Branham on our visit next weekend and drive through the neighborhoods.

Totally forgot about Grant Park...I'd love to be able to walk to the zoo!

FWIW, it's amazing how much these areas have changed in the last 15 - 20 years.

I notice Ormewood Park is nearby. Anyone have experience with that neighborhood?

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by Pinoke

East Lake, Kirkwood, Edgewood, East Atlanta, and Grant Park - it sounds those all fall in line with what I was thinking. I especially like hearing about your experiences with the parks. We may try to swing by Bessie Branham on our visit next weekend and drive through the neighborhoods.

Totally forgot about Grant Park...I'd love to be able to walk to the zoo!

FWIW, it's amazing how much these areas have changed in the last 15 - 20 years.

I notice Ormewood Park is nearby. Anyone have experience with that neighborhood?

Basically the same as Grant Park, but a little further from most of the amenities (i.e.: not as walkable).

[Pinoke]

Ah, good to know. Thanks.

[robertjhajek]

Lake Claire/Candler, Inman, Oakhurst, Grant

[AnsleyPark]

I know it is not your target area, but kids play outside here in my burb constantly.

[Pinoke]

Love Lake Claire/Candler. I'll check out Inman and Oakhurst, too. Grant Park is pretty high on my list right now.

My mom was saying that Tucker is really up-and-coming. Any of you heard of this? What kinds of changes are going on there? Grew up near Northlake, so Tucker's pretty familiar to me and I am intrigued to hear about anything new happening in that area.

[Pinoke]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

I know it is not your target area, but kids play outside here in my burb constantly.

Where are you located? Ansley Park? Midtown?