Trendy AND Low-Cost Neighborhoods? (Atlanta, East Point: apartment, condos, mortgage)

[taylorpc]

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Atlanta, hopefully this year. There are many reasons why, but suffice it to say that both of us are fed up and bored with St. Louis. We need a change. The Midtown area is what originally attracted us to the city. Of course, it is quite pricey, and we are looking to buy a home. Are there any areas of Atlanta (or surrounding areas) that are fairly inexpensive, yet a bit trendy, without spending a zillion dollars? Trendy meaning good local restaurants... something with culture... and somewhere people won't freak out and have a heart attack at the thought of having a gay couple in their community.

One more thing.. we are looking for a house, not an apartment, condo, or loft.

Thanks!

[nature's message]

I know that Virginia-Higlands and Little Five Points are generally a little pricey. I think Inman Park and East Atlanta are pretty affordable. Cute little stores and restaurants all around those areas. What is your price range??

[taylorpc]

Price range is probably under 200k. Probably not too realistic, but we're looking to keep a mortgage payment to a minimum (aren't we all?).

[nature's message]

Unfortunately, most of the houses are over 200k near Downtown and Midtown.

There might be some scattered in Cabbagetown, Edgewood, Lake Claire, Old Fourth Ward, and many others.


However, I would also recommend East Point. It's a suburb of Atlanta, and it's pretty affordable compared to Decatur. It's has seen a huge amount of re-gentrification over the years. The downside is that it's pretty far away from the nightlife (not to mention crime).



But the number one rule in moving to Atlanta:
Make sure you have a job.

[aries4118]

Look into Berkeley Park, Underwood Hills, and Howell Station on the Westside.

[George Chong]

Sorry to burst people's bubbles, but there are no single family homes available in Inman Park for $200K. The cheapest listing we currently have on the market is listed for $289,900 and it is a two bedroom one bath home. Most in town properties are more than $200K as they would be prime just for the land.

Of all the neighborhoods mentioned, the best bets for single family homes in the price range would be Old Fourth Ward and Edgewood. I would add East Atlanta and Decatur (outside the City of Decatur) to the list. East Atlanta even has it's own local gay bar - Mary's

Like Nature's Message stated, get a job first. Then I would search for neighborhoods within a reasonable commute. Traffic can be horrible.

[IntownHomes247]

Cabbagetown is also a possibility. And if you're willing to look at small townhomes or condos you'll have a lot more options. For instance, I know of a 1 bedroom, 1.5 townhome that just came on the market for $175k in Virginia-Highland. It's actually nice for entertaining because all the living areas on the main level (along with a guest powder room) and the bedroom is upstairs.

To get intown for under $200k you'll have to sacrifice square footage. To find a detached house for under $200k anywhere in the vicinity of the trendy intown neighborhoods you'll either have to find a house that is falling down or in a neighborhood or location where most people would feel uncomfortable. Nice houses in popular neighborhoods are simply too highly sought after to find anything in the price range.

[rackensack]

From The New Yorker, 1/5/09, but seems relevant here:

Roz Chast : Kevin’s first apartment - Cartoonbank.com (http://www.cartoonbank.com/item/126370 - broken link)

[ohmypeachtree]

One year ago, I would have agreed with the posters who have said that you can't find an intown house for less than $200k. Happily for those of us looking to buy our first houses, there are a TON of deals to be had. My partner and I have a similar house hunting budget and have found great homes on the south east side of town (Grant Park, East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, ect). More people are getting out there and trying to buy these days so you might have to fight for it - and who knows what the market will be like in 6 months - but now is a great time to get a single-family home in those neighborhoods you could never have afforded a few years ago. If you're willing to go the condo route, I'm sure you could find a great deal in midtown.

I will also agree with aries4118 - I live on the north west side in Howell Station and I love love love it! Tons to do and it's perfectly situated to avoid the highway - something any Atlantian will tell you is the key to ATL happiness.

[JPD]

You could probably find a decent house in Reynoldstown for under $200K. Reynoldstown is next to Cabbagetown, East Atlanta, Little Five Points and Inman Park.