Deal? Is Stone Mountain, GA A Good Location For Rental?

[Harry Zhou]

Anyone familiar with Stone Mountain, GA (near Atlanta)? A realtor sent me a short sale at 55k. 3bed, 2bath. Move-in ready. Recent rent is about 750 to 900 per month.

Concern: school district is very bad. I understand that is a less desirable part. Is this a dying town or blue collar area? 

Thanks

[Zac Caudell]

I'm from Lilburn which is right next to Stone Mountain and I second @Justin Bundrick's remarks. In general, the schools are terrible and most of the homes are in C and D neighborhoods. In this area, school district is often king. If you come across a house with a Stone Mountain address that is in Gwinnett County (very small area) then your chances of success are greatly increased. Otherwise, I would be wary.

There are a couple of anomalies: Smoke Rise and Pine Lake. While the schools aren't any better, these two sections might be considered mostly B class areas with just a few A class streets mixed in.