Atlanta Suburb Help
 

I posted this in another's relocating post but since the move is looking more certain and I'm going down to check out areas in a couple of weeks I'm hoping to get some more information.

I'm considering a move to Atlanta, relocating from Boston for a very good job opportunity. I'm trying to determine housing costs and I have a pretty good idea what to expect in the intown neighborhoods that seem to fit what I like (Va Highlands/Morningside), but I am having a hard time finding a suburb that might work (meaning it won't be the 1 hour plus commute for 10-15 miles like people talk about). No kids so schools aren't an issue. Don't need a mansion; would like a nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath house possibly with pool or backyard big enough for pool in a pretty safe suburb *ideally* with a nice town center with a couple of good restaurants and some charm. Range is up to around $425,000. Can anyone tell me suburbs to look in? And what to expect for commute times from those areas? Job location would be smack dab downtown. Also, if anyone has an idea where I should stay (under $200 per night) when I go to visit (will likely be looking at in town and suburb real estate) that would be appreciated too. Thanks!

Look at Decatur and Vinings to stay inside the perimeter (local speak for inside Interstate 285, which is the circular highway round Atlanta). 20 minutes to downtown from both locations. Also, check out College Park. If you are working downtown, you will be much happier inside the perimeter if you can afford it.

If you don't want much of a commute, then stay inside the Perimeter. If you go outside the Perimeter, then you may want to pick something near a MARTA station and take the rail downtown.

Here's a link - http://itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/index-rail.htm

Virgina-Highlands/ Morningside is a great location. Based on your description, you may like Decatur also.

You may want to look at the classifieds at www.ajc.com to get an idea of what's selling in what price range in each neighborhood.

Of course, a good relocation realtor would be a good plus also.

Traffic is a horror heading downtown on just about any interstate - 85, 75, 20, and 400. If you choose a neighborhood outside the Perimeter you will have a hour commute in gridlock traffic...unless you get to work very early or relatively late. Anything between 7 and 9 will be a problem.

The downtown Marriott is very nice, as is the Hilton. Both are just east of downtown. Note that downtown is south of the area called midtown (boy, that sounds pretty obvious, doesn't it), which is the more modern section between downtown and Buckhead.

By the way, Buckhead might be worth a look, too.

I just moved here too!
I really like it.
If you want I can give you my realtors info. She was great!!!
e-mail me at
[email protected]

Anyway, Decatur is a good bet.

I'm no real estate expert and I don't live in Atlanta. I'm a wanna be Atlantan but actually live an hour and a half south. But I'm usually in Atlanta at least once a month but two or three times. Since I'm so close I've only stayed at one hotel I usually drive home after spending a day there.Amerisuites in Dunwoody it was walking distance from a marta train station and it was only $59 a night but this was a few years ago. Lately I'm there to drop off mom or be dropped off at the airport or to party at one of the clubs. but I do follow real estate myself because I plan to move there when I graduate from college. I can definately tell you a short commute time and lots of space is going to cost more. Because there's such a demand for it. Unlike other cities people in Atlanta are actually moving from the suburbs to the city to shorten their commutes so there's more demand for intown housing. I'm sure it's like that in Boston. My favorite neighborhoods are Ansley Park, Morningside, and that area of Midtown south of Piedmont Park. Midtown is my dream neighborhood and if I were in your shoes I'd get a house in that area. So I say go for Morningside. But I love to shop and go clubbing. If you're the oppisite a place that's a little further out might be for you.

Another nice area is Inman Park and LIttle Five Points. Little Five Points has a cool alternative bohemian vibe. It's a nice walkable area that's really fun but hardly suburban but still an area to keep in mind if for anything the shorter commute. Inman Park is more subdued than Litlte Five Points and has a variety of houses and a marta station. It's always a good idea to live near a marta station if you work downtown at least in my opinion. But prices for homes and even apartments near marta stations throughout ATL tend to be a little higher.

The area just south of Piedmont Park has more big city hustle and bustle especially on Peachtree Street on a Saturday night bumper to bumper traffic at midnight. Being from a relatively smaller town I was amazed when I first saw this. I love the area and it's pretty safe, when I'm partying on Peachtree I usually park my car in the resedential area to the east of Peachtree but I'm sure I'm not the only out of towner doing this. But despite the party goers on the weekend the area is pretty quiet and it's picturesque with older homes But those houses don't seem to have large yards. But I could be wrong.


Now you mentioned you wanted a suburb with a nice town center there isnt' a variety of that in Atlanta which with a few exceptions is one gigantic suburb. But Marietta has a downtown but that's a bit far from downtown Atlanta. Decatur does too but I don't really know a lot about that particular area. I drove through it once and didn't really look like much.

Another area that you might want to consider is Dunwoody. The houses are a bit newer. It's got a nice mall and it's a more upscale. It does have a couple of marta stations that you can park your car at and then ride the train to downtown. I'm sure you'll save on parking if your company doesn't provide free parking for you. Decatur has some marta stations as well.

Avondale Estates is nice with with nice manicured lawns. There's a marta stattion nearby. I don't know a lot about it but but the change from area surrounding it is dramatic and I thought that the place was really neat and tidy. The houses are also in your price range and actually below depending on how much space you need.

The Decatur area is nice it does a little downtown. But what most people consider Decatur is pretty large when compared to the actually city itself which only has about 18000 people in it's borders. THere are some nice parts of Decatur and some not as nice parts.

Druid Hills has a variety of houses it's north of Decatur. The houses aren't as old as in the city so it'll have a more suburban feel. I think this area might be a better feel if you're really against the city life.

Now I disagree about Buckhead. To me Buckhead is a place to make and spend money not to live unless you like high rises. Of course it's up to you but I personally wouldn't want to buy a house in Buckhead. Buckhead to me seems like the place to buy a high rise condo which they seem to building constantly in this area. It's the most upscale area of Atlant so I'm sure a lot of people move there for bragging rights but unless I had a job there I'd pick Midtown over BUckhead. Not to mention Midtown and Morningside are closer to downtown. But it's definately got the hustle and bustle of the city. There's like the fanciest mall ever there, Phipps Plaza and there's the huge Lenox Square which is also pretty upscale. There's always a new store in this area and from my understanding has a lot of nightclubs like Midtown does. But like with living in Midtown you have to ask yourself if you want to be so close to the hustle and bustle.

Now one thing to keep in mind is that the further you live from downtown the more you get for your money. If you want a short commute time definately try to stay within the perimeter. But if you don't mind a longer commute the place to get more for your money seems to be Douglas and Paulding counties. These areas seem to be less devoloped than Atlanta or Dekalb counties. But honestly I couldn't tell you about commute time because as often as I visit Atlanta I've been fortunate enough to only suffered the agonizing rush hour traffic a handful of times. YOu'll get twice as much house for your money out there though, maybe not a mansion but pretty close. However with such a long commute you'd have to ask yourself if it was worth it.