Moving to Atlanta - need your advise (Roswell, Peachtree City: apartments, for rent)

[Vlado]

We're planning to settle for one or two years in Atlanta metro. We are eastern-european family of three, have a 2yo toddler and expecting another baby this summer.

We always try to go for the best of both worlds in terms of city amenities and suburban "parkland" feel. We enjoy fine dining, walkable neighborhoods with coffee shops and bookstores as much as we value the ability to get into the woods on a trail and let our young one loose not worrying about traffic or safety.

What makes our choices tough is my need to commute daily to Ellenwood which is right off of I-285 on the south-east side. We've been looking at garden-style apartments so far (no highrises), within the $1000-1500 range. Unfortunately we're not impressed by the choices. Only two are on our short list - Post Chastain near Chastain Park in Buckhead, and Walton Centennial on Holcomb Bridge Rd in East Roswell. While Post is better from location/commute perspective, it feels more oriented towards single young professionals/students. Walton perfectly suites our needs as a young family, however i'm terrified by the traffic talks on this forum.

Can anyone suggest an average rush hour trip time East Roswell - Ellenwood via route 141?
Or should we look into some neighborhoods where it would be easy to find a townhome in our range for rent by owner?

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Vlado

We always try to go for the best of both worlds in terms of city amenities and suburban "parkland" feel. We enjoy fine dining, walkable neighborhoods with coffee shops and bookstores as much as we value the ability to get into the woods on a trail and let our young one loose not worrying about traffic or safety.

I'm not sure what the rents are like these days in this neighborhood, but what about Virginia Highlands? It's one of the few true "walkable" neighborhoods in the City with lots of interesting individually owned shops and restaurants in a village feel, and you would have Piedmont Park, the Botanical Gardens, and more very very close by, too. Older buildings are abundant in that area and many have been converted to apartments. Maybe someone can suggest one or two, because I would consider that an ideal area in terms of location based on desired amenities.

[lastminutemom]

Even if there is no traffic, both of those choices are still a 40 mile commute. But there will be traffic. These are not good locations. You can do so much better than that. With your budget, I would rent a single family home rather than an apartment.

Why not rent a home in Decatur GA? (within the city limits especially or to the west of Decatur.) Decatur is a fabulous little city within metro Atlanta that is immensly walkable and extremely family oriented. Avondale Estates (again I would stay within the city) would put you a tad bit closer and is also very family oriented (though not quite as happening as Decatur.)

Virginia Highlands is also much closer than your original choices.

There are several realtors on this board. If you decide to rent a single family home or a condo, I am sure that they would be glad to help you find the right one.

[BobKovacs]

I'd look at renting a small house in Peachtree City.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

I'd look at renting a small house in Peachtree City.

Great idea!

[cordtwo]

You sound like you have good ideas so far... Since you have kids that are coming it will be in their best interest to STAY AWAY FROM Clayton County homes due to the school system there... Im pretty sure you already know this.. My parents had to take me out of the school system there and put me in private school..