Mableton vs. Fairburn/S. Fulton area (Atlanta, Smyrna: apartment complexes, crime, townhouses)

[MRSDR]

I might be comparing apples and oranges, but I'm not from Atlanta and don't know where to turn.

I have found some nice new homes in the Southwind subdivision in Fairburn and Ashton Park in Mableton.

How would you compare the two areas?

Our budget is $250. Our biggest issue is finding a home that compliments our needs. We will be having an elder relative visit quite often, so a room downstairs is necessary.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Tdiddy0027]

S Fulton is growing more and is more up and coming than Mabelton. I also hear that crime in Mableton is becoming a problem, but its just speculation on my part. Schools are probably about the same.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Tdiddy0027

S Fulton is growing more and is more up and coming than Mabelton. I also hear that crime in Mableton is becoming a problem, but its just speculation on my part. Schools are probably about the same.

Given the nature of the housing/population transition going on in Mableton (older houses and/or poor apartment complexes being torn out and replaced with expensive subdivisions), I would guess the opposite. Just a guess, though.

[kelabu]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Given the nature of the housing/population transition going on in Mableton (older houses and/or poor apartment complexes being torn out and replaced with expensive subdivisions), I would guess the opposite. Just a guess, though.

I've heard the opposite as well. These are the two areas I like as well. The differences I see are...Mableton is changing from old to new housing and S. Fulton is going from rural to subdivisions. A realtor brought it to my attention that taxes are higher in S. Fulton and parts are looking to incorporate as a new city, so may go even higher. It's probably a gamble as to which one is the best investment, they're both good IMO. Find a neighborhood you like in both places and see how the total value compares. Oh and the camp creek marketplace is the closest shopping that I know of right now and no really good mall if you need one. There are tons of new things in the works though.

[Tdiddy0027]

oh, my bad. I haven't been through mableton in a while so I wasn't aware of the good changes going on there. I'm glad to see it!

[enjft]

I am moving to GA in a week and want to secure housing. I will be working in midtown and schools are very important to me (I have a 7 yr old). Where would you pick and why?

TIA

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by enjft

I am moving to GA in a week and want to secure housing. I will be working in midtown and schools are very important to me (I have a 7 yr old). Where would you pick and why?

What do you mean by "housing"...? Even in lowly Mableton, you can find houses for $80,000 or houses for over $1 million, and there are also apartments and perhaps townhouses (if not in Mableton proper, then certainly close by in Smyrna along the E/W Connector).

[jxu66]

There is new charter school in Mableton, which is widely popular. They have waitlists. May want to check it out if you decide to live in Mableton.

Imagine International Academy of Mableton

[netdragon]

I think the biggest difference with Mableton is that it's on the North loop, which is, in my opinion, a nicer area -- and Mableton is one of the few "affordable" areas on the N. loop as well. There are pockets of the southern metro that are nice and S. Fulton (Sandtown, etc), are some of them. Mableton is more diverse demographically than much of S. Fulton. Mableton has a much better commute than Fairburn, however Sandtown in S. Fulton may have a better commute than Mableton (that's a really close call, though).