West Midtown v. Midtown (Atlanta, Smyrna: crime, townhouse, neighborhoods)

[Jessgurl_99]

My husband and I are relocating to Atlanta. During a recent visit, we found 2 areas that we like and are trying to decide between them. We found a striking/beautiful townhouse in Midtown that is in our price range (I was surprised). The neighborhood seemed nice and walkable but, I have read that below 5th is a little sketchy and the townhome is on 6th Street (near the corner of 6th and Durant). Anyone know if this area is okay or if it may be too close to the sketchier areas of midtown?

Also, we found a great house in Adams Crossing and a huge Townhouse in Dupont Commons...both neighborhoods are West of Midtown. They are in the same price range as the 6th Street townhouse and offer MUCH more space. Any idea which may be the better buy...there are so many pros and cons to the Midtown townhouse v. the West Midtown house/townhouse.

Thanks in advance.

[DeaconJ]

I would say Midtown is a more established, desirable area than West Midtown...hence the extra space for the same quality and price. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with West Midtown, but it has only become more popular in the last few years and is still not on the level of Midtown.

I wouldn't be worried about crime in the 6th Street area, but some people might. I love the dynamics of that neighborhood and would feel very secure living there.

[johnnyboy2008]

atlanta pd has a crime mapping system that lets you see 2 weeks worth of reports at a time.
http://www.atlantapd.org/index.asp?nav=map
here is the latest map for that area

i'd also read a recent post about "west side of piedmont park"

[WestsideATLCindy]

Adams Crossing and Dupont Commons are great neighborhoods. The main difference in the 2 locations is that there are currently more places to eat, shop, etc in Midtown that you could walk to. We are getting more over here soon, but right now it's thin. However, we can drive to Midtown/Downtown/Buckhead to do stuff within 10-15 minutes, Smyrna is less than 10 minutes, Vinings is, too. So, we are close to everything...but not walking distance like Midtown. If you lived in Adams Crossing or Dupont Commons, you would be 5 minutes from 285 and less than 10 minutes from I-75. This area has several retail developments that are coming on-line, so we will soon have shops and restaurants. So far, we have a pizza place called Krust, located at the intersection of South Cobb Drive and Bolton. More are coming.

[Iconographer]

I'm sure that you yourself can see that there is a very different vibe between east and west Midtown. West is the up-and-comer, east is more established.
IMO 6th and Durant is an excellent location. Four blocks from Piedmont Park gives you great access to the park without the traffic hassles of a closer location. I would jump on that.

[spacelord75]

This would be a no brainer to me....the one on 6th will be a better investment, plus better quality of life with regard to things to do nearby. West Midtown was on a significant upward swing during the bubble, but is suffering pretty badly right now. Also, the area around Adams Crossing and Dupont Commons is FAR from safe. Although mostly industrial around there, you get a lot of drive-in visitors at night from the surrounding areas (Bankhead Hwy, Hollywood Rd.).