Indian family with 5 year kid moving to Atlanta (Sandy Springs, Smyrna: apartment complex, crime)

[bhar123]

Hi,

we are moving to Atlanta this year and i am looking for your advise on what neighborhoods i should consider near midtown which are

1. safe for families
2. good public elementary school
3. presence of Indian community/stores
4. minimal distance from midtown

Any inputs on whether Dunwoody and Sandy springs qualify well on above factors? Any other areas i should consider?

i also found ( based on reviews) that apartments ( near to highly rated schools) in Dunwoody are infested with roaches, old buildings and poor maintenance support. is it true ?

thanks in advance !!!

[Soccernerd]

I’m not sure what you will consider old, but I don’t think there are many places that predate the 70s. I think that Dunwoody and Sandy Springs should be suitable. What is your budget? There are some places in much closer to Midtown in the CofA that have good schools. Have you considered Vinings at all?

[bhar123]

Thanks. by old i meant; poorly maintained apartment utilities; requiring frequent maintenance ; which could be a pain if staff is not responsive. my budget is around $1200 for 2 room set.

i was suggested to look only at north eastern side of midtown for safer neighborhoods but i will explore Vinings as well now. thanks again.

[bhar123]

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

I’m not sure what you will consider old, but I don’t think there are many places that predate the 70s. I think that Dunwoody and Sandy Springs should be suitable. What is your budget? There are some places in much closer to Midtown in the CofA that have good schools. Have you considered Vinings at all?

Thanks. by old i meant; poorly maintained apartment utilities; requiring frequent maintenance ; which could be a pain if staff is not responsive. my budget is around $1200 for 2 room set.

i was suggested to look only at north eastern side of midtown for safer neighborhoods but i will explore Vinings as well now. thanks again.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by bhar123

Hi,

we are moving to Atlanta this year and i am looking for your advise on what neighborhoods i should consider near midtown which are

1. safe for families
2. good public elementary school
3. presence of Indian community/stores
4. minimal distance from midtown

Any inputs on whether Dunwoody and Sandy springs qualify well on above factors? Any other areas i should consider?

i also found ( based on reviews) that apartments ( near to highly rated schools) in Dunwoody are infested with roaches, old buildings and poor maintenance support. is it true ?

thanks in advance !!!

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

I’m not sure what you will consider old, but I don’t think there are many places that predate the 70s. I think that Dunwoody and Sandy Springs should be suitable. What is your budget? There are some places in much closer to Midtown in the CofA that have good schools. Have you considered Vinings at all?

Originally Posted by bhar123

Thanks. by old i meant; poorly maintained apartment utilities; requiring frequent maintenance ; which could be a pain if staff is not responsive. my budget is around $1200 for 2 room set.

i was suggested to look only at north eastern side of midtown for safer neighborhoods but i will explore Vinings as well now. thanks again.

The quality of apartments can and will vary by property across the entire greater North Atlanta region.

One apartment property can be very well managed and maintained while the apartment property immediately next door might be falling deeper into disrepair. The quality of apartment complexes really can and will be hit-or-miss throughout much of the North Atlanta region.

Be thorough and exhaustive with your research to find the apartment complex that feels best for you and your family.

With that said, Vinings/Smyrna, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are good areas for you to search for good quality apartment housing.

The apartment-rich cluster of schools anchored by the very highly-rated Wheeler High School in southeastern Cobb County should also be at the top of your list for consideration.

You should also search for good quality apartment housing in close-in areas northeast of Midtown like Lindbergh, the Cheshire Bridge Road corridor, Brookhaven, Chamblee, the Lakeside cluster, Peachtree Corners 30092, Duluth and Norcross 30071.

But as you search for apartment housing, be sure to keep in mind that the quality of such properties can and will vary wildly from property to property... So be sure to conduct extensive and exhaustive research on whichever apartment properties you consider.

[arjay57]

I'd look in 30345. There a lot of Indian families living around there and the schools are terrific. Very safe and 20 minutes to Midtown.

[ATLUTD]

Seconding the northern half of Decatur. You'll be right near Cherians and Patel Brothers groceries (due to the high presence of Indian families in this area). Safe area with little crime and not toooo bad of a commute to Midtown (I assume you have a car? Public transit would be do-able but not particularly fun - I think a bus ride into Decatur Square and then the blue/green line west to Five Points and a transfer to red/gold north to Midtown/North Avenue station). Working class, suburb-y neighborhood and you should be able to find a 2BR house for < $1200 (not so many apartments in the area - like I said, it's suburby feeling and not as dense as you would think a city would be).

You can also check out the Lindbergh area if you're wanting something more in the townhome/apartment complex style. Close to Midtown, less of an Indian community but a short romp to Indian stores and restaurants.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by ATLUTD

You can also check out the Lindbergh area if you're wanting something more in the townhome/apartment complex style. Close to Midtown, less of an Indian community but a short romp to Indian stores and restaurants.

If they go with Lindbergh they should be aware that the elementary school is Garden Hills which is majority hispanic, 60% of the kids receive free/reduced lunch and only 4% of the student body is Asian. It doesn't sound to me like there will be enough other Indians there to please this family. While I hear good things about the school, I wonder if it is what this family is looking for.

[CaliDreaming01]

I used to live in Lindbergh about 15 years ago. I loved it as a young single person, but I couldn't imagine raising a family in that area. Back then, it was definitely an area for the "grown and sexy." In the apartment I complex I lived in, I don't recall ever seeing a child. Also, I think it will be hard to find a 2 bedroom apartment for $1200 in Lindbergh. I was paying about that about 15 years ago for a 2 BR so I'd be shocked if you could pull that off now.

[bhar123]

thanks all for your valuable responses