Townhome Communities in Smyrna Area (Atlanta, Mableton: for rent, condos, townhomes)

[kenzie0921]

I'm considering moving to Smyrna within the next 6-12 mos. Can anyone suggest some reasonably priced townhomes for rent in this area. I would also like to know about the community itself...shopping, access to highway, parks etc.

thanks

[netdragon]

I recommend Craigslist.

Towhomes in Smyrna will run you generally anywhere from the high $100ks to $400ks and rent will range from usually around $1k to $2.5k per month. Vinings is generally more expensive, Cumberland about the same as Smyrna. Cumberland is probably going to go up the most in the short term because of the major developments planned for the area. Condos will usually be cheaper than townhomes except on the overlook in Vinings and some parts of Cumberland, where high-rise condos can run in the millions.

The Smyrna area is really all about Smyrna Market Village, Vinings and Cumberland, which are all pretty close together. Smyrna is a more urban residential community, Vinings is a smaller and more historic residential area edged by newer development shared with Smyrna, and Cumberland is an edge city with highrise (and more on the way). All three have shopping and since they all have different things, it helps to learn what all three have. The biggest shopping area is of course Cumberland with the Cumberland mall and surrounding shopping areas. Cumberland is also where the performing arts center is. I would recommend looking on Craigslist. The most affordable townhomes in a nice part of Smyrna are off Spring Rd near where Spring Street and Spring Road meet. You may want to also consider renting or buying a condo, since they are even more affordable, especially off Spring Rd and Spring Hill Parkway. There are also some ok deals off Atlanta Rd near The Palms, but the older places in there are slightly more expensive.

Area characters:
* Spring Rd, Spring Street, and Campbell - high density, urban, mostly condos and townhomes, mostly built in 70s/80s, Cumberland market. More affordable. Some swim/tennis neighborhoods.
* Vinings + Atlanta Rd, Cumberland Pkwy, Oakdale Rd and East-West in Smyrna - this is all Vinings spill-off, newer housing, very expensive but some reasonably priced older areas mixed in. Many swim/tennis single family home and townhomes communities, densely developed. Townhomes aren't hard to find. The Palms and some older townhomes around there are the most affordable.
* Smyrna center - Market village, Concord Rd, Church Street, Bank Street, Belmont Hills. Most of the action right now is along Concord Rd which is having a median added. Belmont Hills will be redeveloped by 2011. Some townhomes mixed in. Mostly small lot single family housing. Things get more affordable (and sketchy) as you get closer to Windy Hill. Belmont Hills is the best bet close to Windy Hill, aside from Village Parkway which is already nice.
* Covered bridge - 50s-70s homes on larger lots, plus some townhomes and swim/tennis communities off Concord Rd. More accessible than Kings Springs because of Concord Rd. No townhomes past the intersection of N Cooper Lake Rd. Some closer to S. Cobb Drive. Check out the covered bridge anyway, its cute.
* King Springs, Cooper Lake, Ridge Rd - larger lots of 50s-70s homes, wooded, being rebuilt with larger new homes near through streets. Becoming expensive. Very few townhomes, but there are some off through streets.

Silver Comet trail -- runs along East West connector and by Cooper Lake Rd, under Concord and under Hurt Rd. It's a regional walking/bycling trail and a lot of townhome communities line it along E-W connector. There are some trail extensions closer to Mableton planned along Oakdale and a park along the river off Oakdale. Spring Rd also has a linear park which connects to the Silver Comet Trail via the Cumberland extension (all large sidewalks).

If you see unexplained discrepencies between home prices in similar areas, consider schools, parks, and the silver comet trail. Also consider commute.

[SmyrnaVinings]

You would need to define "reasonably priced townhomes for rent", but there are plenty of townhome communities in the Smyrna Vinings area. Just like when purchasing a home, it comes down to what types of neighborhood amenities you're looking for, the location within the Smyrna area and the price point.

SmyrnaVinings.com is a great resource for learning more about the community and keeping up-to-date on local events and the latest developments.