Any Atlanta area experts?

Question

Hello. I am a Chicago native. Lived there all my life. Now my career is taking me to Atlanta. My fiance and I are both excited and worried. While Chicago has it's bad areas, I have lived there my entire life and know where to avoid. Atlanta is another story. I've heard both good and bad and would like to find a realtor who can help us find a place. Any info on any we'll known trusted relators would be greatly appreciated. Also, I am listening to anyone who has opinions about any/all of the surrounding towns. My work will be basically at the airport, so I can't stray too far from there.

Thanks in advance for all the help!!

Kevin Coleman · Answer

@robertsigrist I lived in Atlanta for about 10 years and have been in Chicago for 2. Atlanta is a great city but it but is extremely spread out. I think you have to decide whether you want to be closer to the city(ITP/In The Perimeter) or the suburbsOTP(Out The Perimeter). If you want to be ITP and within 25min of the airport Airport I suggest Grant Park, Inman Park, Poncey Highland, Kirkwood, Candler Park. If you are willing to drive 35minutes then I highly recommend the City of Decatur. Please note that I said the CITY of Decatur and not just Decatur. OTP is going to be tough for me to make suggestions that are within 25 minutes of the airport. Good luck. I happy to be in Atlanta now and you are going to love the weather.

Robert Collins · Answer

@Analia BricenoIt’s hard to find decent school , without going private or on the outskirts but Dunwoody, Roswell, Gwinnett county , Buford , Suwannee, those area you can find some good schools . Alpharetta - Milton & John creek also has some good public schools. I live in Douglas county it’s a little outside the city , maybe like 30Mins from highway but school here are good also. I hope this helps :)

Analia Briceno · Answer

@Robert Sigrist Do you have experience renting in areas that are "up and coming"? I'm looking to purchase a property in the Gresham Park area, since it would rent for a higher premium. When analyzing the crime data reports of the west end, there seems to be a large amount of theft. Arguably, the tenants I want to attract are A tenants looking to live close enough to the city but still in a suburb that has lower crime rates. As a side note... what is the deal with the school ratings in atlanta? I have yet to find A quality public schools in the south east. If any of you have insight in this trend, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Loren Perez · Answer

@Robert Sigrist Dunwoody/sandy springs area is just Outside the perimeter and would be as far north as I would recommend since the train doesn’t go any further north. By train, it’s a 40 minute ride and beats dealing with traffic. Not much crime in the area and I think Sandy Springs was just rated one of the safest in the city. I think you could find some rents in that range just west of 400 on Roswell road.

Loren Perez · Answer

@Analia Briceno I’ve been looking at the West End as well... actually just drove by again yesterday. A lot of big projects in the works near the Vine City area.

Quentin Brown · Answer

I was looking at the west end also. Atl is such a weird place.

Analia Briceno · Answer

I'd like to restart this conversation if possible. 5 years later, the grant park, Gresham park, Kirkwood areas are booming and the entering price into these markets starts at $300,000 on the lower end, usually for houses in need of rehab. I hear the west end is teeming with real state potential, however, on a quick drive by the area, it seems like there is still a lot of progress to be made in that area. Right now, there are homeless people, trash, the mall is full of teens loitering around. What do you think about the west end? Will the area gentrify in the next decade?

Rick Baggenstoss · Answer

The airport is the South end of the City, so it makes the search much easier. There are fewer good choices for someone wanting to live in the suburbs there.Peachtree City is probably where you'll want to be. Maybe Newnan. Stick fairly close to i-85 as you go south. Traffic will grow worse by the day. Riverdale/Clayton County is not a great place, but I understand there are nice neighborhoods and enticing prices. Don't fall for it.Best of luck!Rick

Robert Sigrist · Answer

doing some research, I'm seeing that cities like Union City, Peachtree City, Smyrna, and Vinnings are all good cities.

Robert Sigrist · Answer

I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I am actually moving to Atlanta though.