What are the best neigborhoods in Atlanta?

Where is the good life? For families? Singles?

Host said: Where is the good life? For families? Singles?

families, single mother of three kids ages 11, 9, and 5

The most expensive parts are North of the center city in Buckhead where the Governor lives and many celebrities. Some estates there are basically castles as are the schools there. Further north is the Dunwoody area. Not quite as plush as Buckhead but still quite expensive and nice.

The city has a sort of ring around it that is I-285. Anything inside that perimeter is more expensive because it is closer to the skyscrapers and a shorter commute for corporate types. The further away outside the perimeter you go, the cheaper it is but there are still very nice suburban areas in a ring around the outside of the perimeter.

The ghetto is inside the perimeter on the south side of the city around the area where the prison is located. Ironically, that is also where the Braves stadium is and all of Atlanta flocks there for baseball games.

The city has basically the same shopping anywhere you go. Many small businesses (and therefore many jobs) are located in the far north around the cities of Marietta, Alpharetta, and Duluth. The rent for businesses (and homes) are much cheaper there.

The far East and far West areas are mostly industrial and the far South is the airport and only a few brave souls enjoy living where you have to hold grandma's picture from falling off the shelf every time a plane takes off (once every 10 minutes or so day and night. :)

No particular area is completely wonderful nor completely safe. It is, after all, a teeming metropolis the same as New York City or Los Angeles. You gotta have a car. There is no way to walk to where you got to be and even though the MARTA rail and bus serves the city well, everything is spread out. The metro area is about twice the size of Grand Rapids and would reach to the shore of the lake.

Traffic is horrendous. People look for jobs within 20 miles of home because you don't want to have to cross town twice a day (as much as 50 miles one way).

Thanks for the info. I will take your comments into consideration.

HI!
I really want to move to Atlanta. Both my husband and I will be working in or very near the city. I saw a great home in Acworth. Does anyone know anything about it? I have a child and want to send him to private school. Thanks y-all!!

Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania said: HI!
I really want to move to Atlanta. Both my husband and I will be working in or very near the city. I saw a great home in Acworth. Does anyone know anything about it? I have a child and want to send him to private school. Thanks y-all!!

My name's Georgia, but I'm from PA. Acworth is too far from Atlanta to commute. The commute here is now officially longer than it is in L.A. Assume 30 min. per 6 miles. There are some decent public schools, but you'd want to access an annual report compiled by Ga State Univ before you'd put your kid in any school; GA is near the bottom on the national scene.

Atlanta geography and real estate are referred to as IP )inside the perimeter) and OP (outside the perimeter), and the perimeter is I-285, the highway that circles the city. IP is high-priced and high taxes. OP gives you more house for the $$, but the commute will kill you. Many people are now moving IP and living in high rises that are going up two to a block so that we can have more cars in town. IP is divided into many "in-town neighborhoods." You would not likely want to live anywhere except N, NE or NW. Public transporation is negligible except right in town.

Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania said: HI!
I really want to move to Atlanta. Both my husband and I will be working in or very near the city. I saw a great home in Acworth. Does anyone know anything about it? I have a child and want to send him to private school. Thanks y-all!!

There are some lovely homes being built in the boonies (like Acworth) with prices very attractive to somebody moving here from the north. I'm sure to offend some people but living in Acworth would be like moving to a lil abner cartoon. Your lovely home is most likely surrounded by trailer parks.

Many northern transplants can be found in areas like Marietta and Alpharetta but if you are going to work in the city you need to look inside the perimeter (I285 northside) or Vinings. The equivalent home will cost 3x that of Acworth but at least you wont' have neighbors with toilet bowl planters in their front yards.

Find a good real estate agent that can best advise you.

resident in Marietta, Georgia said: There are some lovely homes being built in the boonies (like Acworth) with prices very attractive to somebody moving here from the north. I'm sure to offend some people but living in Acworth would be like moving to a lil abner cartoon. Your lovely home is most likely surrounded by trailer parks.

Many northern transplants can be found in areas like Marietta and Alpharetta but if you are going to work in the city you need to look inside the perimeter (I285 northside) or Vinings. The equivalent home will cost 3x that of Acworth but at least you wont' have neighbors with toilet bowl planters in their front yards.

Find a good real estate agent that can best advise you.

Thank you so much for the good laugh - I really needed it today. What is going on with the water situation!!!

Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania said: HI!
I really want to move to Atlanta. Both my husband and I will be working in or very near the city. I saw a great home in Acworth. Does anyone know anything about it? I have a child and want to send him to private school. Thanks y-all!!

Two of my family members moved from California to Acworth-
It is 40 mintue drive to the city of Atlanta ( downtown/ midtown) however you have everything that you need in 10 mintues away ( mall, restuarants) in Kennesaw off of Barret Parkway- more so you can drive to Marrietta which is still condisered Greater Atlanta and it's also a diverse, area with great schools.

The commute from acworth to downtown atlanta during rush hour can be 3 hrs. Do you really want to spend 6 hrs a day in traffic? I live in marietta and work at the airport (just south of downtown) but I typically leave for work around 2 pm and arrive back home at midnight so I miss the traffic. If you plan on working more traditional hours your commute will be awful. This is one reason why homes further north like kennesaw, acworth, canton etc are cheaper. Rush hr lasts from approx 6 am to 9:30 am - imagine 6 lanes all moving at 10 mph.

ATL FA in Marietta, Georgia said: The commute from acworth to downtown atlanta during rush hour can be 3 hrs. Do you really want to spend 6 hrs a day in traffic? I live in marietta and work at the airport (just south of downtown) but I typically leave for work around 2 pm and arrive back home at midnight so I miss the traffic. If you plan on working more traditional hours your commute will be awful. This is one reason why homes further north like kennesaw, acworth, canton etc are cheaper. Rush hr lasts from approx 6 am to 9:30 am - imagine 6 lanes all moving at 10 mph.

This info is pretty accurate. I've seen traffic at a standstill southbound as late as 11AM. Also, imagine 6 lanes of traffic moving at 0 miles an hour. Rule of thumb is: if you're moving during rush hour - that's good.

ATL FA in Marietta, Georgia said: The commute from acworth to downtown atlanta during rush hour can be 3 hrs. Do you really want to spend 6 hrs a day in traffic? I live in marietta and work at the airport (just south of downtown) but I typically leave for work around 2 pm and arrive back home at midnight so I miss the traffic. If you plan on working more traditional hours your commute will be awful. This is one reason why homes further north like kennesaw, acworth, canton etc are cheaper. Rush hr lasts from approx 6 am to 9:30 am - imagine 6 lanes all moving at 10 mph.

Thanks for your info. Are you concerned about the water situation? What have you heard about this manmade lake that will be up and running in 2 years? Suprisingly, I really find very little in the media about this whole situation.

I haven't heard Anything about a new man-made lake. We're in a 100-yr drought right now. The lake levels are still too low for boating and the ban is still on for outdoor watering. So, unless you're an avid boater or gardener it's not much of a problem. I can't wash my own car which is a nuisance. I suppose I prefer this to too much rain and flooding. I used to live in NY state and we had the same drought some 20+ yrs ago. Water restrictions and all that. It can happen anyplace.

ATL FA in Marietta, Georgia said: I haven't heard Anything about a new man-made lake. We're in a 100-yr drought right now. The lake levels are still too low for boating and the ban is still on for outdoor watering. So, unless you're an avid boater or gardener it's not much of a problem. I can't wash my own car which is a nuisance. I suppose I prefer this to too much rain and flooding. I used to live in NY state and we had the same drought some 20+ yrs ago. Water restrictions and all that. It can happen anyplace.

Thank you for your input. Do you like living in Atlanta? I live in the philadelphia area now and do not find the people friendly at all!!

People aren't friendly in the City of Love?
Hi Carolyn,
I really enjoy living in Atlanta. I find the people are friendly, the climate is good and most of all the cost of living is great. Only thing I miss is easy access to the beach. Water restrictions are still on and we might not be able to fill or use our swimming pools this summer. Some people won't care but for me - disaster!

Atlanta would be a good move if you're looking for a slower pace and better cost of living. I also love NY and Philly but the cost of living is way up there.

I live in a high concentration of northern transplants so 'sometimes' it's easy to forget I'm in the south.

This comment is like a breath of fresh air. Alot of people have negative things to say about Atlanta, but it is really a nice place to live. Of course, under the right circumstances.

Mia Fairly
OneSourceAtlanta.com
Property Management

I brought a new home in Jonesboro 7 years ago; to be close to the airport and green communities known for their southern hospitality, churches, and charm. The neighborhood was perfect then. But today this area is quite different! Mass transit, corrupt and/or inexperienced politicans, and residents too old to give a damn have brought ruin to this beautiful community- home to "Gone With the Wind". Today a bar, gun/pawn shop, pay by the month motel, and a used car lot is typically what you find within a one-mile stretch of road. Spanish-only signage is more common than not, on new businesses going up. The loss of certification by the county's public school system may have put the last nail on the coffin in terms of future economic growth. There are still a lot of wonderful families living here- Is there light at the end of this tunnel?

I am so sorry to hear this. I keep getting such conflicting reports. I would like to live in marietta or buckhead. Where is Jonesboro.

I AM GETTING SUCH CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT ATLANTA. WHAT IS THE REAL TRUTH, IS IT OR ISN'T IT A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE? I AM CONFUSED
WHAT ABOUT THE STONE MOUNTAIN AREA?

I AM GETTING SUCH CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT ATLANTA. WHAT IS THE REAL TRUTH, IS IT OR ISN'T IT A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE? I AM CONFUSED
WHAT ABOUT THE STONE MOUNTAIN AREA?

South of the Atlanta Airport, is where you can locate Jonesboro

Commute time is the main thing; look up your work site on a map. Next thing to look up is crime. There are some shoot-em-up crime areas in NW Atlanta as well as south central and southwest Atlanta, and probably a small section of each city and county in the metro area. Buckhead is ritzy but cars get burglarized there a lot. Some places in south Atlanta, East Point, College Park and Hapeville are inside the perimeter, between downtown and the airport, very reasonably priced for rent or sale and reasonably safe. Some are trendy, some plain. There are private schools too. Clayton County (including Jonesboro) is farther south of the airport, and its schools are getting de-accredited.

is college park, napeville, marietta, norcross, east point in close proximity of each other?

Marietta is North of Atlanta it is approximately 20 miles North Hapeville and East Point. Marietta is also located approx 10-15 miles west of Norcross. Please check out the city's website for additional information: www.mariettaga.gov/default.aspx.

If you are interested in moving to Metro Atlanta either to rent or buy, please contact us.

M Fairly
Associate Broker
www.onesourceatlanta.com
404-492-9152

Marietta GA is large and widespread. I live off I575 which is still Marietta and I am a good 45 miles from Hapeville. If you are going to volunteer information please make it accurate. A real estate broker that knows the area would know better.

Reply to: is college park, napeville, marietta, norcross, east point in close proximity of each other?

If Atlanta (the city) is in the center, then Marietta is northwest of there. It does not border Atlanta; it's one suburb farther. Norcross is northeast of Atlanta. It also does not abut Atlanta; it's about three suburbs out. Both Marietta and Norcross are outside the perimeter highway (I-285), or OTP, as we say here.

College Park, Hapeville and East Point are all inside the perimeter (ITP), although parts of College Park and Hapeville might spread outside I-285. They are all south of downtown Atlanta and north of the airport.

Someone asked about Stone Mountain. That is east of Atlanta, two or three suburbs outside the perimeter.

There are lots of other suburbs and neighborhoods as well. Try looking at a Google map of Atlanta.

Look at LaGrange ads on craigslist. 45 minutes from airport, quiet place out of atlanta but is a rideshare system to atlanta. college town with technical school

I have been in Atlanta for nearly 43 yrs, my entire life. My mom is from NY and dad was from Memphis and I've traveled to the northeast, east coast, the southwest, and to the west coast. I've also been to Europe a few times...I mention these facts because I always said I would move away when I was old enough and after going to many other cities around the globe, I have NEVER found anywhere I'd rather live than Atlanta....more specifically, DECATUR. I am referring to downtown Decatur...not the outskirts with a Decatur address that really isn't the city proper.

Decatur is the closest thing to Mayberry you'll ever find. In fact, articles have been written describing Decatur as "Mayberry Meets Berkeley". Decatur has excellent schools, its own police and fire department, and unlike most cities, it is a community of people who know one another. We have occasional block parties, relatively little crime, and it is one of the few places around town where you can live without a car if you work anywhere in the metro Atlanta area.

Yes, taxes are high here...but I saved on private schools by sending my son, a National Honor Student who just graduated high school, through the Decatur school system. I'm planning on selling my home soon, but only to downsize since my son is leaving for college..I plan on staying right here in Decatur. Traffic may be bad in most parts of town, but I cannot even relate to the traffic woes many speak of since I can walk to most places around town, including the Marta station.

I read a lot of negative things about Atlanta here and I felt I had to chime in with my personal truths. Atlanta is a great place, and my favorite neighborhood is and probably always will be Decatur.

thank you, i have been conductintg my own research on cities in Atlanta and i have narrowed my search to none other than "Decatur" - now i know to narrow it down even mor to the downtown area. Thank you again, you've made my search more definite.

i really think you won't be sorry. Check out Decatur's website to see current goings on... www.decaturga.com/ maybe i'll see ya at the yoga studio or out walking one day. you'll love it!

George, have you been to downtown Decatur?? I think it IS completely wonderful!
I happen to work and live a mile off the square and have been here for many years, way before Decatur was a trendy "happening" place, and it's always been amazingly safe, community oriented, and yes, pretty damn wonderful. come visit sometime...check out their website to check out events...I think a Book festival is happening this Labor Day...and no, I do NOT work for the city; I work for myself and teach yoga as well. best, lisa

No particular area is completely wonderful nor completely safe. It is, after all, a teeming metropolis the same as New York City or Los Angeles. You gotta have a car. There is no way to walk to where you got to be and even though the MARTA rail and bus serves the city well, everything is spread out. The metro area is about twice the size of Grand Rapids and would reach to the shore of the lake.

Traffic is horrendous. People look for jobs within 20 miles of home because you don't want to have to cross town twice a day (as much as 50 miles one way).

My family and I are looking to relocate to either Decatur or Marietta. My husband is a auto technician and I am a stay at home mom. Is there any hope of him finding a job in either town. I get such conflicting info on here. I would like a safe neighborhood with good schools to raise our children. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Decatur is amazing...my son went to Decatur schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and is an honor student with a 4.0 GPA after his first semester at UGA. Decatur is as close as you can find to being in Mayberry without being in the sticks. None better. As for jobs, well, not sure about auto technicians these days, but Decatur is very easily commuted from to nearly anywhere in the metro Atlanta area in a relatively short time. I personally do not care for Marietta or other OTP (outside the perimeter) areas...too many cookie cutter neighborhoods and hit-or-miss schools. Decatur is awesome. Feel free to contact me for more information. In fact, since my son is now in college, I am hoping to sell my home this spring and downsize...but I am not planning on leaving the area, just planning on getting a smaller place. Would you like an awesome 1954 renovated brick ranch home? :~)) hope to hear from you soon. Lisa

Thank you Lisa for the quick reply :) After doing ALOT of research I am leading more toward Decatur especially after your post. I'm very nervous to make this move so I want to make sure it's a good decision for my family. Schools and safety are most important. But I do need to feel out the job market more before I decide. Thanks again.

hi again...Decatur is really nice. I live in the main area of Decatur near the Decatur square...if you move to Decatur you probably want to stay in the NE part of Decatur..the city limits which use the Decatur school system. Even if you get to the Fernbank district, which is also nice and in the Decatur area, that's a great school district without the higher Decatur taxes. Fernbank is a DeKalb County school. If you send your email, I can email you back directly.

Thank you for the added info. My e-mail is barske@cox.net feel free to e-mail me. I appreciate any info that I can get. I'm sure a realtor could help but I'd rather hear real advise from someone who's lived in the neighborhood.

kiella in West Warwick, Rhode Island said: My family and I are looking to relocate to either Decatur or Marietta. My husband is a auto technician and I am a stay at home mom. Is there any hope of him finding a job in either town. I get such conflicting info on here. I would like a safe neighborhood with good schools to raise our children. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

EMAIL me mfergu3@aol.com near Atlanta (Need to share auto manufacturer info with you) coming to our town-possible job for husband. EMAIL ME mfergu3@aol.com Have good day
491

SEND ME EMAIL mfergu3@aol.com

JOB INFORMATION for anyone in auto. Marian

32atl in Atlanta, Georgia said: DONT MOVE TO ATLANTA GEORGIA UNLESS YOU HAVE A JOB !!!!!

DONT COME HERE HOMELESS!!!!!!!

IF YOU ARE CONSERVITIVE YOU WANT LIKE IT

IF YOU ARE GAY ,,, YOU WILL

IF YOU LIKE BEING LIED TO YOU WILL

IF YOU WANT TO CATCH HIV THIS LIL CITY IS HIGH RISK !!!!

WELL COME ON DOWN TO THE DIRTY SOUTH

Wow...sounds like YOU need a change of scene...

people can be as happy or miserable as they make up their minds to be. Corny as it may seem, it's an inside job. I've been in Atlanta for over 43 yrs...my entire life...and I have had times that I was pretty miserable and times that I was totally blissful, and it had never had anything to do w/ living in Atlanta. I've been to a fair amount of other places, the southwest, New England, Texas, California, NY New England, as well as Greece, Paris France, all around Belgium and Holland, and so far, other than maybe living on a Greek island when I retire, none of the places I went to were better than HOTlanta! Oh..and high risk behaviors leads to HIV, not Atlanta! lol

...indeed...and amen!...I am considering a move to your lovely state and while I love Dunwoody & Buckhead...I'm really loving what I'm learning about Decatur...I've been an insurance agent for 30 years who's managed talent for 7...poses some interesting possibilities, I hear...wink!...we'll see...

Peace

lroutledge in Los Angeles, California said: ...indeed...and amen!...I am considering a move to your lovely state and while I love Dunwoody & Buckhead...I'm really loving what I'm learning about Decatur...I've been an insurance agent for 30 years who's managed talent for 7...poses some interesting possibilities, I hear...wink!...we'll see...

Peace

well, I am not a huge fan of Dunwoody or Buckhead personally, but only because I heart Decatur so much! That said...come on down...Decatur really is nice..as is the other areas too, of course. I think I read something fairly recently saying that Atlanta is one of the best deals in the country for getting the most for your $$$. Of course if that was written before 6 months ago, that statistic could've changed by now!

Carolyn in Worcester, Pennsylvania said: HI!
I really want to move to Atlanta. Both my husband and I will be working in or very near the city. I saw a great home in Acworth. Does anyone know anything about it? I have a child and want to send him to private school. Thanks y-all!!

Acworth is a wonderful place to live, I live here. It's 30 mins north of Atlanta not crowded, people are friendly and the schools are good, because they are cobb county schools. Email me and I will give you more information. info@debra-gibson.com

frances rodney in Yonkers, New York said: I AM GETTING SUCH CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT ATLANTA. WHAT IS THE REAL TRUTH, IS IT OR ISN'T IT A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE? I AM CONFUSED
WHAT ABOUT THE STONE MOUNTAIN AREA?

Hi everyone. My Name is Tracey and I to am moving to Atlanta sometime around July or August. But after reading the comment sections on this very topic, I too am very confused and somewhat afraid to make that move. So what is the real truth about living in Atlanta? On tv, they make Atlanta out to be the s%!t. RSVP Please!

Hi everyone. My name is Tracey and I too am considering moving to Atlanta sometime around July or August. But after reading the comment sections on this very topic, I too am very confused and somewhat afraid to make that move. So what is the real truth about living in Atlanta? On tv, they make Atlanta out to be the s#!t. RSVP Please!

truth is, atlanta rocks. i am a native. economy is challenging EVERYWHERE, but Atlanta is better than most. I don't personally care for Stn Mtn, but there are nice sections. I love Decatur..great schools, Mayberry meets Berkeley. Happiness still comes from within I believe and the people who diss Atlanta on this board like they do would prob. be miserable no matter where they live.

lisaconehead in Decatur, Georgia said: hi again...Decatur is really nice. I live in the main area of Decatur near the Decatur square...if you move to Decatur you probably want to stay in the NE part of Decatur..the city limits which use the Decatur school system. Even if you get to the Fernbank district, which is also nice and in the Decatur area, that's a great school district without the higher Decatur taxes. Fernbank is a DeKalb County school. If you send your email, I can email you back directly.

Hi Lisa, my name is Belinda and I too am considering moving to Atlanta but like the other young lady I am very confuse. However, I feel a little more comfortable with your comment about Decatur. I've only hear bad thing about Decatur. Anyway, my e-mail address is deshields31@aol.com. Please send me any helpful information that you possibly can. My lease is up at the end of June and I am getting restless trying to find a place to reside in Atlanta. Please Help!!! Thanks Lisa.

I am moving from Maryland to Atlanta and have found a nice home in Fulton County. I am in search of a payroll position so that I can make this move possible. I recently received a phone call from ADP but they said that their location is to far from where I am moving. If anyone has any informtion on any payroll positions please let me know.

Thanks,

Jay

Suwanee is where it's at.

www.suwanee.com/
www.suwanee.com/cityservices.recreationparks.php

money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/10.html

We've got great schools, great parks, great people.

lisa (in DECATUR, not Lilburn) in Lilburn, Georgia said: I have been in Atlanta for nearly 43 yrs, my entire life. My mom is from NY and dad was from Memphis and I've traveled to the northeast, east coast, the southwest, and to the west coast. I've also been to Europe a few times...I mention these facts because I always said I would move away when I was old enough and after going to many other cities around the globe, I have NEVER found anywhere I'd rather live than Atlanta....more specifically, DECATUR. I am referring to downtown Decatur...not the outskirts with a Decatur address that really isn't the city proper.

Decatur is the closest thing to Mayberry you'll ever find. In fact, articles have been written describing Decatur as "Mayberry Meets Berkeley". Decatur has excellent schools, its own police and fire department, and unlike most cities, it is a community of people who know one another. We have occasional block parties, relatively little crime, and it is one of the few places around town where you can live without a car if you work anywhere in the metro Atlanta area.

Yes, taxes are high here...but I saved on private schools by sending my son, a National Honor Student who just graduated high school, through the Decatur school system. I'm planning on selling my home soon, but only to downsize since my son is leaving for college..I plan on staying right here in Decatur. Traffic may be bad in most parts of town, but I cannot even relate to the traffic woes many speak of since I can walk to most places around town, including the Marta station.

I read a lot of negative things about Atlanta here and I felt I had to chime in with my personal truths. Atlanta is a great place, and my favorite neighborhood is and probably always will be Decatur.

I have read your post and I see that you said you live in downtown decatur can you tell me the different between them