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Old 09-11-2009, 08:28 PM
 
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,377 posts, read 43,866,022 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MGD View Post
lol I didn't even know there was a flap over decatur...the place has a bunch of iffy looking people or maybe that's just the part I've been to off snapfinger.

not hearing anything about dekalb county schools except gang/bully problems.

try sandy springs next time. nice to look at, nice to live in, and central to everywhere you need to be!



hm.
What, are you kidding with this mess? The 'part off of Snapfinger' is not Decatur...please. Such nonsense. Sandy Springs has a lovely CBD...not.
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Old 09-13-2009, 04:25 PM
 
56 posts, read 175,859 times
Reputation: 23
I wish someone WOULD revive this thread. I think the whole intown vs. suburbs debate was well-argued. Obviously there are merits to both lifestyles. But I felt like no one who defended Decatur was willing to acknowledge any of the negatives.

I actually now live in the City of Decatur. Thank you, by the way, to all who provided me with advice as I was house-hunting in the recent past.

I have to say, there are some negatives. Like, although the public schools are purported to be great, very few of my neighbors seem to think so. Instead, they are opting for expensive private schools.

And there is definitely A LOT of airplane noise in certain parts of the town.

Finally, although it is supposed to be a progressive, liberal and diverse town, I've found it still to be very segregated except perhaps in Oakhurst. And even it only seems to be that way because it is going through gentrification. By that I mean middle-class whites are moving in, and poor blacks are moving out. My guess is pretty soon it'll be largely segregated with a white majority.

All in all, the City of Decatur was still probably a reasonable choice for my family. We're interracial and wanted to live intown.

If we could have afforded it, we probably would have preferred Candler Park, assuming we could have found a safe, quiet street. We suspect the public schools -- Lin/Inman Park/Grady -- are better there, but it has much more crime IMO than they let on. Lots of home invasions. (The same is true about crime in Oakhurst, though, which is the only reason why I chose not to live there.)

So there you have it. Let the arrows sling!
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Old 09-13-2009, 06:14 PM
 
Location: Atlanta
314 posts, read 1,275,337 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cautious-mom View Post
I wish someone WOULD revive this thread. I think the whole intown vs. suburbs debate was well-argued. Obviously there are merits to both lifestyles. But I felt like no one who defended Decatur was willing to acknowledge any of the negatives.

I actually now live in the City of Decatur. Thank you, by the way, to all who provided me with advice as I was house-hunting in the recent past.

I have to say, there are some negatives. Like, although the public schools are purported to be great, very few of my neighbors seem to think so. Instead, they are opting for expensive private schools.

And there is definitely A LOT of airplane noise in certain parts of the town.

Finally, although it is supposed to be a progressive, liberal and diverse town, I've found it still to be very segregated except perhaps in Oakhurst. And even it only seems to be that way because it is going through gentrification. By that I mean middle-class whites are moving in, and poor blacks are moving out. My guess is pretty soon it'll be largely segregated with a white majority.

All in all, the City of Decatur was still probably a reasonable choice for my family. We're interracial and wanted to live intown.

If we could have afforded it, we probably would have preferred Candler Park, assuming we could have found a safe, quiet street. We suspect the public schools -- Lin/Inman Park/Grady -- are better there, but it has much more crime IMO than they let on. Lots of home invasions. (The same is true about crime in Oakhurst, though, which is the only reason why I chose not to live there.)

So there you have it. Let the arrows sling!
I love Decatur, that being said...no place is perfect...

Too many surface parking lots...for being "urban" the city still caters to the car.

Too many barriers as a pedistrian (Scott, Clairemont, the tracks, Commerce, Ponce in places etc)...yes there are crosswalks, but they are still far apart. (I suppose I notice it more as a jogger, not being able to run more than a half mile before pausing at an intersection..)

Past errors that we can do nothing about now...but all the older neighborhoods that have been torn down in the past.

The city still needs sidewalks in places.

Too many speed bumps IMO...

I'm dissappointed people dont like the schools...I thought they were supposed to be pretty good...

Personally, I like the planes. Something to look at in the sky. Its odd when they are not flying over...makes me wonder if its wind direction or something affecting patterns.

great city overall though...!
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Old 09-13-2009, 06:44 PM
 
Location: 30312
2,432 posts, read 3,826,931 times
Reputation: 2014
I've been led to believe that Decatur City was a utopia of sorts as well, so the last few posts here have been pretty insightful. However, considering the pros and cons, what is a better intown community than City of Decatur?

What problems do the residents have with the schools? The crime would be on par with what other atlanta neighborhoods?

Also, i mentioned this on another "decatur" thread, but I guess I'll ask on this one as well. Which is honestly cheaper and safer between 30030, 30307, and 30317?
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Old 09-13-2009, 07:41 PM
 
56 posts, read 175,859 times
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Honestly, I can't think of a better place for us in the Atlanta area than Decatur City. I feel pretty safe here. The people are a little more exposed to and welcoming of new ideas/cultures--my definition of liberal. And they don't mind paying high taxes as long as they get good governmental service--my definition of socialist. So I'm in the right place.

If race weren't an issue for my family, I think Oak Grove 30033/30349 would have been our choice. The Leafmore neighborhood is totally underrated and Oak Grove elementary is supposed to be good. Lots of intellectual CDC folks. Don't love the middle and high schools, but it's cheap enough to afford to send your kids to private school after elem school.

As for schools in Decatur, the elementary schools are K-3, then there's a 4/5 academy that unites all the kids in town, and sort functions like a jr. middle school. To some, the 4/5 academy is too big--not just physically, but in that it's overwhelming for 4th graders. They would prefer to go back to K-5 elem schools. (They're walkable, which is one of the best things about CSD elem schools!) But the 4-5 academy has IB accreditation, which is elite status the school system doesn't really want to give up.

Plus, the 4-5 is physically too small. So they're planning to renovate an abandoned school building in Oakhurst for these kids at a cost of $8 million. The crazy thing is, there's a perfectly good administrative building (the old Westchester school) north of the tracks that's underutilized. It would be cheaper to use it, but there's some local political action against that the new academy. Like, maybe the wealthier folks live there and it will somehow polarize the city or adversely affect property values south of the tracks. Not sure what the real concern is.

And Winnona Park Elementary has all its third graders in trailers this year, which will continue until the new 4-5 academy is completed and the old academy becomes a K-3.

Finally, Renfroe Middle School didn't make the AYP list this year, though the city alleges error and is appealing.

I'm hoping all this will be straightened out by the time my kid ages into the system. I pay a lot of taxes to support the schools and don't really want to resort to private schooling. (And I can't really afford it!)
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Old 09-13-2009, 08:09 PM
 
Location: 30312
2,432 posts, read 3,826,931 times
Reputation: 2014
Quote:
Originally Posted by cautious-mom View Post

If race weren't an issue for my family, I think Oak Grove 30033/30349 would have been our choice.
Thanks. Interesting. But please explain the above quote. Are there too many non-minorities in Oak Grove, or is it not as diverse? Is 30030 more accepting of minorities or interracial families or has a large minority population? If so, do you feel this will still be the case as the years progress? Lastly, was Lake Claire or Candler Park too expensive in relation to 30030?

Sorry for all the questions... Just curious...
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Old 09-13-2009, 08:39 PM
 
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,377 posts, read 43,866,022 times
Reputation: 16593
Quote:
Originally Posted by equinox63 View Post
Thanks. Interesting. But please explain the above quote. Are there too many non-minorities in Oak Grove, or is it not as diverse? Is 30030 more accepting of minorities or interracial families or has a large minority population? If so, do you feel this will still be the case as the years progress? Lastly, was Lake Claire or Candler Park too expensive in relation to 30030?

Sorry for all the questions... Just curious...
First of all, c-m must have meant 30345, not 30349...I have no idea what that is. Both zip codes would be accepting of non-whites, but it is true that both areas are monolithically white. That is just the way it is. Liberal, yes...but white.
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Old 09-14-2009, 05:26 AM
 
56 posts, read 175,859 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LovinDecatur View Post
First of all, c-m must have meant 30345, not 30349...I have no idea what that is. Both zip codes would be accepting of non-whites, but it is true that both areas are monolithically white. That is just the way it is. Liberal, yes...but white.
Thanks Loving! All true. The 30033/30345 areas are liberal and monolithically white. We didn't feel unwelcome there. It's just that we don't know how our son would feel about being the only non-white kid in the neighborhood AND in the classroom.

I saw a listserv post where someone was concerned about having a daughter who would be the only girl in a private nursery school classroom with all boys. Nine boys; one girl. I recall people saying it was unfathomable do that to a little girl. I agree.

But no one seems to notice or care that it happens all the time when it comes to race. Sixteen kids in a class: Fifteen whites and one african-american or one asian.

City of Decatur's neighborhoods might not be that diverse, but the schools are. The ratio is about 2-to-1 (white/non-white). It's not perfect of course. I don't think I've seen any other minorities except african-americans and a sprinkling of asians.

My idea of utopia would include a little more diversity. But for now, I can only focus on making sure my kid doesn't feel isolated at school.
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Old 09-14-2009, 05:37 AM
 
56 posts, read 175,859 times
Reputation: 23
Sorry forgot to answer the question of affordability. Yes, Lake Claire and Candler Park are more expensive than City of Decatur. I think you get more house for the money in Decatur. Except for the westernmost part of Decatur, you get a much shorter commute to downtown from Lake Claire or Candler Park.

Last edited by cautious-mom; 09-14-2009 at 05:37 AM.. Reason: wrong direction
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Old 09-14-2009, 08:50 AM
 
2 posts, read 4,925 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by cautious-mom View Post
I have to say, there are some negatives. Like, although the public schools are purported to be great, very few of my neighbors seem to think so. Instead, they are opting for expensive private schools.
I moved to the Oakhurst area of Decatur almost 4 weeks ago and could not be happier. It has not been a perfect uptopia but overall it has been a great fit for our family. We are not white and wanted to find a diverse area to raise our young family. While the area is going through gentrification, I don't see it changing radically over the immediate future. We seem to have a good mix of people on our street. We see people and parents walking everywhere and are loving all the wonderful playgrounds and parks. We had a great time walking around the recent bookfest, signed up our son for soccer at the parks and rec, and was pleased to see high traffic of all sorts at the public library.

Like I said, there are some drawbacks. We get a lot of foot and car traffic because of a conveinence store nearby. But in talking to neighbors that have been here for 8+ years, it hasn't been a huge issue. Yes, I hear planes while I work at home but I used to live near RDU so I personally don't mind it. There have been a few break ins the last few months but I have noticed that the CSD police have been very responsive and informative and been apprehending the culprits (including the person in the recent Winnona park area incidents.)

Our young son is in a CSD school and loving it. From the recent parents night, I could see some diversity in the student makeup. I grew up in the Midwest so I see any diversity as plus. More than anything, I was pleased to see the parent involvement, even on a daily basis. I've heard similar things about the 4/5 academy. But personally I would love to see the abandoned school building in Oakhurst rehabbed for it since it would put as a walking distance.

cautious-mom, can I ask why specifically your neighbors are sending their children to private schools. I have found the complete opposite here in Oakhurst, so I am curious.

Thanks to all in this forum. We used a lot of the information in getting to know the area and in buying a house for our recent job move. No place is perfect and I initially was not happy about moving to ATL. But we are nothing but pleased in our final outcome so far.
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