Coming to Decatur Oct 11 to check out neighborhood. Are the schools open on Oct 14th? (Atlanta: real estate)

[flygirl555]

I am coming to Decatur for a visit Oct 11-14 with my daughter. We are interested in checking out the neighborhood, some houses and the schools.

I have been looking on realtor.com in the 300-400 range and have found several 3/2s that look nice. Are there any areas to avoid? I plan on staying in the city limits proper. Looking for an older bungalow type house with a nice back yard not on a busy street.

Any info would be appreciated.

[PKCorey]

According to school calender, Its a teacher work day.....

[straighttalker75]

Sorry but I do not understand the fascination with decatur on these boards. I'm driving thru it and I'm seeing projects-quality apartment buildings, random gangs of thugs walking in the middle of the street and the occasional "hip" looking person with nose rings and tatoos or whatever. Sorry but if this is where you want to spend 300-400k then good luck to you. I'm sure there must be some streets that are OK but why bother with the risk of getting carjacked or assaulted every day I cannot imagine . Oh well enjoy your visit and try not to get stabbed.

[AtlMuslimah]

Originally Posted by straighttalker75

Sorry but I do not understand the fascination with decatur on these boards. I'm driving thru it and I'm seeing projects-quality apartment buildings, random gangs of thugs walking in the middle of the street and the occasional "hip" looking person with nose rings and tatoos or whatever. Sorry but if this is where you want to spend 300-400k then good luck to you. I'm sure there must be some streets that are OK but why bother with the risk of getting carjacked or assaulted every day I cannot imagine . Oh well enjoy your visit and try not to get stabbed.

There's some of these exact same places you describe, straighttalker75, outside the perimeter and in other pockets of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The OP is interested in the City of Decatur, 30030.

[DAWGS1]

Make sure you check homes within the City of Decatur limits-they have their own school system, police department etc. Otherwise, Decatur in general is a bit dangerous-crime, murders, etc. Dekalb County in general is on the news every night. City of Decatur has higher taxes and home prices, but it is well worth it-you get police protection and decent schools. Winnona Park area probably has some smaller homes in the $400,000 range. There is also Oakhurst area, but I feel this is still too transitional-you will pay alot of money to live near a crackhouse. My friends from PA laugh when I drive them around. They can't get over the fact that you would pay so much money to live next to thugs. In any case, there is also the Great Lakes area of Decatur-check that out as well. I think you should be okay with 30030 zip code (just make sure your are in City of Decatur limits)

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by straighttalker75

Sorry but I do not understand the fascination with decatur on these boards. I'm driving thru it and I'm seeing projects-quality apartment buildings, random gangs of thugs walking in the middle of the street and the occasional "hip" looking person with nose rings and tatoos or whatever. Sorry but if this is where you want to spend 300-400k then good luck to you. I'm sure there must be some streets that are OK but why bother with the risk of getting carjacked or assaulted every day I cannot imagine . Oh well enjoy your visit and try not to get stabbed.

What in the world are you talking about? You clearly are not talking about the City of Decatur, which is like Mayberry and not at all like you're describing.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by flygirl555

I am coming to Decatur for a visit Oct 11-14 with my daughter. We are interested in checking out the neighborhood, some houses and the schools.

I have been looking on realtor.com in the 300-400 range and have found several 3/2s that look nice. Are there any areas to avoid? I plan on staying in the city limits proper. Looking for an older bungalow type house with a nice back yard not on a busy street.

Any info would be appreciated.

In your price range, you will likely be priced out of much of the City of Decatur market. You will probably be able to find a 3/2 in your range in Oakhurst or Winnona Park, both of which are in the southern half of the City of Decatur. To get into the pricier neighborhoods in the northern half of the city limits you'll either have to settle for something other than a bungalow and/or a home on a busy street to stay within your price range.

Hopefully you have an agent who will be previewing homes in advance of your arrival to narrow down the search and avoid the hassle of having to visit a lot of homes that don't meet your criteria. For instance, if the busy street is a deal-breaker, a good agent familiar with the Decatur area will be able to tell instantly if the street will be an issue just from the address. (FYI, you can definitely skip listings on Clairemont and Ponce de Leon Avenue if you don't want to be on a busy street.)

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, and good luck with your house hunt!

[cmtiger]

Gee Straighttalker, I was only carjacked twice this week and I haven't been stabbed in a month... and to think we live in "transitional" Oakhurst.

Plus DAWGS, since we live in "transitional" Oakhurst, my kids are making so much spending money selling crack to our neighbors in the crack house that I don't have to pay them allowance!

Maybe it's the nosedive that suburban real estate values are taking that's making you a little irritable? Must be tough out there in the burbs!