Looking for affordable, safe apartment on south side of city (Riverdale: apartment complex, crime)

[alexvd]

Hello,
Currently I'm living off 75 and Howell Mill just north of Midtown, paying about $800 per month for my apartment. I work south of the airport in Riverdale, and I'm looking to move into something a bit cheaper. I'm not concerned with nightlife, though I'd prefer to not be too far outside the perimeter if I can help it.

My goal is to find a place either one bedroom or two for $600 per month or less, that is in a modern building, and not in a high-crime area. My current building is very old and the gas bill is outrageous, so I'd like to avoid older apartment complexes. Midtown is generally of my price range, and If I go further south towards my work, I'm finding that south of I-20 (inside the perimeter), isn't a very good part of town. I've found a few places in Riverdale that are in my price range, but I don't feel like I would be very safe there.

Can anyone recommend a safe area with affordable, relatively new apartments, that isn't too far from the airport or is inside the perimeter? I've heard Stockbridge is nice, but I don't know if I want to go that far south.

Also, if there are affordable safe apartments in the Howell Mill area, I don't mind moving only a mile or two. I'd prefer it actually, but I'm prepared to sacrifice the central location to be able to save a few hundred bucks each month.

Thanks for your help.

[Brillemeister]

I'm not too familiar with it, but there is a recently built apartment complex of approximately four stories immediately to the east of Lakewood/Fort Mac MARTA station. I've seen some artsy-looking people in the area, too, so it's something I would look into. Other than that, I can't think of many southside apartments I myself would consider.