Where should I live in Atlanta?!?
December 5, 2005 1:49 PM Subscribe
I'm moving to Atlanta in January... Where should I live???
I'm graduating college in 2 weeks and am taking a job in Norcross, GA that starts Jan. 23rd. I don't know anything about the area and any info or websites to peruse would be VERY helpful. I don't mind living with random people, but I want to be in an area with people my age (I'm 22).
I guess I'll give a little personal background so you matchmakers out there can figure out what part of town I should go to... I'm a straight male that doesn't mind living with people of either sex. Graduating with a marketing degree and minors in engineering and Japanese (yeah, I know it's random..). Hobbies are books/movies, exercising, racquetball, the outdoors, traveling, and, of course, partying.
Some people mentioned living near downtown, but other than that, I have no idea where to go. I've looked on craigslist, but so many of the places are houses and I'd kinda prefer a nice apartment-- looking to spend up to about $800 including utilities, if necessary. HELP!
I'm graduating college in 2 weeks and am taking a job in Norcross, GA that starts Jan. 23rd. I don't know anything about the area and any info or websites to peruse would be VERY helpful. I don't mind living with random people, but I want to be in an area with people my age (I'm 22).
I guess I'll give a little personal background so you matchmakers out there can figure out what part of town I should go to... I'm a straight male that doesn't mind living with people of either sex. Graduating with a marketing degree and minors in engineering and Japanese (yeah, I know it's random..). Hobbies are books/movies, exercising, racquetball, the outdoors, traveling, and, of course, partying.
Some people mentioned living near downtown, but other than that, I have no idea where to go. I've looked on craigslist, but so many of the places are houses and I'd kinda prefer a nice apartment-- looking to spend up to about $800 including utilities, if necessary. HELP!
Buckhead is like the Laguna Beach of Atlanta.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 2:00 PM on December 5, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 2:00 PM on December 5, 2005
If you're 22, live in L5P. Then move out of atlanta when you're done.
posted by corpse at 2:16 PM on December 5, 2005
posted by corpse at 2:16 PM on December 5, 2005
Norcross is in Gwinnett County, which puts you, I believe, somewhere off I-85, north of the I-285 perimeter. There are tons of places to live in and around that area, however, Atlanta, like most major cities, suffers from a lot of sprawl.
I lived there for about 5 years, and go there pretty regularly on business. Here's what I would suggest:
Check out an area called Midtown - it's near Buckhead, but the premiums aren't so high for living there. Also take a look at Decatur. It's kinda hip, more younger professionals moving into that area. You're still going to pay a little more, and traffic is Godawful unless you live near your work up in Norcross.
Unless you want suburban life, I'd avoid Cobb County and most of DeKalb County, too.
Good luck. Atlanta's a pretty cool town - there's something there for everyone.
posted by TeamBilly at 2:16 PM on December 5, 2005
I lived there for about 5 years, and go there pretty regularly on business. Here's what I would suggest:
Check out an area called Midtown - it's near Buckhead, but the premiums aren't so high for living there. Also take a look at Decatur. It's kinda hip, more younger professionals moving into that area. You're still going to pay a little more, and traffic is Godawful unless you live near your work up in Norcross.
Unless you want suburban life, I'd avoid Cobb County and most of DeKalb County, too.
Good luck. Atlanta's a pretty cool town - there's something there for everyone.
posted by TeamBilly at 2:16 PM on December 5, 2005
Norcross and Gwinnett have a lot of suburban sprawl, so you'll want to hightail it out of there after work. I'd try Brookhaven/Lenox Park/I-85 & North Druid Hills area. You'll have a much better commute than from Midtown or L5P. The areas I mentioned are between Norcross and Atlanta.
posted by Frank Grimes at 2:24 PM on December 5, 2005
posted by Frank Grimes at 2:24 PM on December 5, 2005
FYI: "Worst traffic of any metro area in the country" is often mentioned. :(
posted by jca at 2:25 PM on December 5, 2005
posted by jca at 2:25 PM on December 5, 2005
Will you be able to visit before you settle on a neighborhood? I would recommend it. But if not, I would suggest finding an area convenient to I-85, and as close into town as you can get.
Thumbnail sketch of some neighborhoods that you might want to check out:
Midtown: lots of newer lofts and older apartments. Growing like crazy lately, due in part to a huge new development called Atlantic Station. Would be convenient to the highway, and most everything cool to do in Atlanta. Lots of non-straight people, but I don't think they'll hold your straight-ness against you.
Buckhead: If you're into pick-up joints, discos (or whatever this kids call it these days...) and bars where people wait in line to get in so they can unironically order drinks with names like "Buttery Nipple," well, Buckhead is for you. If not, I'd avoid it like an STD.
Little 5 Points: If, on the other hand, you like dive bars and rock-n-roll, and want to see tattoos and nose rings on a daily basis, you might want to check out Little 5 Points. More Melrose Ave., less Laguna Beach. A little more driving distance on your daily commute, but worth it if you like the world of indie rock. If you check out Little 5 Points and you want something similar but more grungy, go to East Atlanta Village to the South, on the other side of I-20. Or, if you want something similar but less grungy, check out Virginia-Highlands, which is the next neighborhood to the north.
You might also check out the Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward areas, both of which are cool, intown neighborhoods, with lots of rentals available.
Where not to live: anywhere outside of I-285, and anyplace that would cause I-285 to be part of your daily commute. Unless you like living in your car.
Google can help you explore any of the neighborhoods I mentions. Sorry to be so weak with the links in my post...
posted by spilon at 2:27 PM on December 5, 2005 [2 favorites]
Thumbnail sketch of some neighborhoods that you might want to check out:
Midtown: lots of newer lofts and older apartments. Growing like crazy lately, due in part to a huge new development called Atlantic Station. Would be convenient to the highway, and most everything cool to do in Atlanta. Lots of non-straight people, but I don't think they'll hold your straight-ness against you.
Buckhead: If you're into pick-up joints, discos (or whatever this kids call it these days...) and bars where people wait in line to get in so they can unironically order drinks with names like "Buttery Nipple," well, Buckhead is for you. If not, I'd avoid it like an STD.
Little 5 Points: If, on the other hand, you like dive bars and rock-n-roll, and want to see tattoos and nose rings on a daily basis, you might want to check out Little 5 Points. More Melrose Ave., less Laguna Beach. A little more driving distance on your daily commute, but worth it if you like the world of indie rock. If you check out Little 5 Points and you want something similar but more grungy, go to East Atlanta Village to the South, on the other side of I-20. Or, if you want something similar but less grungy, check out Virginia-Highlands, which is the next neighborhood to the north.
You might also check out the Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward areas, both of which are cool, intown neighborhoods, with lots of rentals available.
Where not to live: anywhere outside of I-285, and anyplace that would cause I-285 to be part of your daily commute. Unless you like living in your car.
Google can help you explore any of the neighborhoods I mentions. Sorry to be so weak with the links in my post...
posted by spilon at 2:27 PM on December 5, 2005 [2 favorites]
If you can check it out and crash in a motel for a few days, I would say you should do that. I live in the good ole ATL, and one thing you really have to consider is how much of a commute you are willing to deal with. Don't let anyone fool you -- it's pretty much as bad coming north on I-85 as it is going south during rush hour. If you are not willing to sit in soul-crushing traffic for a very long time (my husband and I estimate an hour from his old place in VaHi to Norcross during rush hour), then you need to live closer to your job. All I'm saying is, be realistic about the traffic. (You may also be closer to GA 400 if you are in Norcross, but only knowing the address would tell us that. Traffic on 400 is also fabulous. And by that, I mean it sucks.) Myself, personally, I would prefer to live somewhat in BFE if it made my commute better. I don't mind driving into the city when I want to go, but I have to go to work every day.
Other than commute-wise, I probably don't have a lot of advice. Rents in-town can be a little high, but in the Emory area (which is not too far from I-85), there are tons of people who need roommates. We have a Craig's List, too.
Also, don't get caught up in this OTP/ITP crap. Judging people by their address is stupid and short-sighted, and you will miss out on some pretty cool people that way. Living outside the perimeter may make your daily commute less of a hellhole, and that may be worth more to you than a cool, swank address in Atlantic Station or VaHi. Keep an open mind and live somewhere that is good for you, and remember, it's only a lease. You can move next year.
posted by Medieval Maven at 2:34 PM on December 5, 2005
Other than commute-wise, I probably don't have a lot of advice. Rents in-town can be a little high, but in the Emory area (which is not too far from I-85), there are tons of people who need roommates. We have a Craig's List, too.
Also, don't get caught up in this OTP/ITP crap. Judging people by their address is stupid and short-sighted, and you will miss out on some pretty cool people that way. Living outside the perimeter may make your daily commute less of a hellhole, and that may be worth more to you than a cool, swank address in Atlantic Station or VaHi. Keep an open mind and live somewhere that is good for you, and remember, it's only a lease. You can move next year.
posted by Medieval Maven at 2:34 PM on December 5, 2005
$800 isn't going to go far inside the perimeter. Your commute will be reverse, so you won't have too many traffic problems. I did it for a year and drove from Decatur to Marietta in about 35 minutes.
East Atlanta/Grant Park - probably the cheapest neighborhoods, but also the least safe. They aren't deadly, but you want to have some smarts. Probably not many apartments there. East Atlanta has some good night spots.
Little Five Points/Candler Park/Lake Claire/Edgewood - Historically the boho/punk center of Atlanta, at least until the Best Buy/Target/Borders center went up on Moreland. There are apartments there, but mostly it's homes. More expensive than East Atlanta.
Decatur - Lots of new apartments, bars and reasonable food. I'm not sure about housing costs, but I'm guessing it's the most expensive of the three.
Buckhead is awful. Cheap to live there, but soulless. Unless you're into that scene, in which case it's great. (Fruity shot bars and dance clubs.)
You know we don't have decent public transportation, right?
posted by donpardo at 3:31 PM on December 5, 2005
East Atlanta/Grant Park - probably the cheapest neighborhoods, but also the least safe. They aren't deadly, but you want to have some smarts. Probably not many apartments there. East Atlanta has some good night spots.
Little Five Points/Candler Park/Lake Claire/Edgewood - Historically the boho/punk center of Atlanta, at least until the Best Buy/Target/Borders center went up on Moreland. There are apartments there, but mostly it's homes. More expensive than East Atlanta.
Decatur - Lots of new apartments, bars and reasonable food. I'm not sure about housing costs, but I'm guessing it's the most expensive of the three.
Buckhead is awful. Cheap to live there, but soulless. Unless you're into that scene, in which case it's great. (Fruity shot bars and dance clubs.)
You know we don't have decent public transportation, right?
posted by donpardo at 3:31 PM on December 5, 2005
If you live on your own and inside the perimeter, 800 isn't going to get you a whole lot, not if it has to include the utilities. A friend of mine is currently renting a two bedroom house for 675 (no utilities included) inside the perimeter and she is, as she often says, in the ghetto. And the house itself, while liveable, sucks. If you get a one bedroom apartment or get yourself a roommate, then you might be able to swing it. But I suspect that you'll either end up in a not-so-great neighborhood or have to sacrifice space and/or amenities.
I'm not sure just how much of a price drop you'll encounter outside the perimeter, but conventional wisdom has it that it's enough to make a difference.
posted by Clay201 at 6:19 PM on December 5, 2005
I'm not sure just how much of a price drop you'll encounter outside the perimeter, but conventional wisdom has it that it's enough to make a difference.
posted by Clay201 at 6:19 PM on December 5, 2005
I wouldn't live in Decatur and commute to Norcross--that would be a long commute. Even though you are going against traffic, you still have to deal with the Perimeter (I285) and I85, both of which can be disastrous traffic at virtually any time. Decatur is cool but not worth the drive to work. And I don't think much of the bar scene in Decatur either--not much variety, and that means you'll be (hopefully) spending cab money from Virginia-Highlands. Midtown to Decatur in a cab would get spendy in a hurry, same with going to East Atlanta.
Buckhead sucks unless you are on a bachelor party or have a huge food budget. The traffic there is dismal, although if you lived near Peachtree Battle or in south Buckhead, the environment is better. It's still way overbuilt.
Virginia-Highlands and the Emory areas are nice but not generally associated with cheap rents. And Poncey-Highlands has gentrified a lot in the past ten years as well. Midtown would be fun, but again, it's not going to be cheap unless you get a roomie. Even then, there's been a sense of Buckhead-styled doom hovering over Midtown over the past five years...not really sure how else to explain that except for saying that it ain't the boho place it used to be.
You can live cheap up in Norcross by where you work, and that's great if you plan on getting drunk at Applebee's.
posted by thewiseacre at 6:28 PM on December 5, 2005
Buckhead sucks unless you are on a bachelor party or have a huge food budget. The traffic there is dismal, although if you lived near Peachtree Battle or in south Buckhead, the environment is better. It's still way overbuilt.
Virginia-Highlands and the Emory areas are nice but not generally associated with cheap rents. And Poncey-Highlands has gentrified a lot in the past ten years as well. Midtown would be fun, but again, it's not going to be cheap unless you get a roomie. Even then, there's been a sense of Buckhead-styled doom hovering over Midtown over the past five years...not really sure how else to explain that except for saying that it ain't the boho place it used to be.
You can live cheap up in Norcross by where you work, and that's great if you plan on getting drunk at Applebee's.
posted by thewiseacre at 6:28 PM on December 5, 2005
So, I grew up in Norcross, lived AND worked in Midtown as an adult, and now live nowhere near the South. Anyway, I have my 2 cents as a twenty-something that spent my first working years living in a apt. in ATL. Most have already been mentioned:
Do not live outside the perimeter (285).
Do not live somewhere that requires you to commute on 285.
Do not live in Buckhead
Norcross is deep in suburban hell, outside the perimeter. You'll be commuting up 85 if you want to live anywhere remotely hip or with any night-life, etc. I'd recommend checking out the new or revamped apts going in on Clairmont Rd or Cheshire Bridge Rd at I-85. Cheshire used to be a quite seedy part of town, but is now getting revamped--should be reasonable rent, and it's close enough to Emory that it attracts a younger crowd. Clairmont is nicer and more expensive. Also, Clairmont is one exit closer to your work. With either, you'll be on the edge of the cooler in-town neighborhoods, but close to 85 and well on the north side of the city for your commute.
posted by maelanchai at 6:29 PM on December 5, 2005
Do not live outside the perimeter (285).
Do not live somewhere that requires you to commute on 285.
Do not live in Buckhead
Norcross is deep in suburban hell, outside the perimeter. You'll be commuting up 85 if you want to live anywhere remotely hip or with any night-life, etc. I'd recommend checking out the new or revamped apts going in on Clairmont Rd or Cheshire Bridge Rd at I-85. Cheshire used to be a quite seedy part of town, but is now getting revamped--should be reasonable rent, and it's close enough to Emory that it attracts a younger crowd. Clairmont is nicer and more expensive. Also, Clairmont is one exit closer to your work. With either, you'll be on the edge of the cooler in-town neighborhoods, but close to 85 and well on the north side of the city for your commute.
posted by maelanchai at 6:29 PM on December 5, 2005
I lived in Midtown for a year or so and also worked in Norcross. It's not that bad a commute for Atlanta, and I really enjoyed living in Midtown. At the time I paid $600 a month for a railroad 1 bedroom, which seemed pricey (1998 - 1999).
I'd recommend Midtown or the Virginia Highlands area.
posted by bshort at 10:17 PM on December 5, 2005
I'd recommend Midtown or the Virginia Highlands area.
posted by bshort at 10:17 PM on December 5, 2005
Oh, and I can give you my realtor's contact info if you're interested. My email is in my profile.
posted by bshort at 10:17 PM on December 5, 2005
posted by bshort at 10:17 PM on December 5, 2005
Email me, I know of a place you might be interested in.
posted by stormygrey at 10:18 AM on December 12, 2005
posted by stormygrey at 10:18 AM on December 12, 2005
I suggest that you take a short lease in the Decatur/Emory area and plan to move to something more permanent after you see the neighborhoods. You don't want to be stuck with an expensive mistake in a place as big and diverse as Atlanta.
posted by jerry gardner at 6:32 PM on June 9, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by jerry gardner at 6:32 PM on June 9, 2006 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tayknight at 1:58 PM on December 5, 2005