Moving to Atlanta, GA advice requested

[PorkSkinNole]

Hello again LR,

Poster from "back in the day", who was looking for some guidance.

I'm looking to relocate to ATL, and wanted advice on which properties/apartment communities that I want to look at that would suit my tastes logistically and socially. I just need a 1BR, and would prefer to live in a place where the majority of residents are in that late twenty to thirty-something professionals. Ideally a place that has a community that is great for walking my dog.

People have provided me general guidelines like Virginia Highlands, etc. but not any specific places to actually go look at. Can some of you help me out? I need to find a place asap, and I'll be commuting on my motorcycle and I'm not as concerned about living right next to work.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[runkpanole]

I sense another riveting round of ITP v. OTP coming up.

Seriously, I don't know specifics. I'm sure some of the locals will chime in, but I had a buddy that lived in Dunwoody and always had a good time, but we usually took it down to VH, Midtown or Buckhead for the bar hopping. He was in your age range at the time.

 

[TripTych]

Budget/work location/workable commute time/urban vs suburban preference/desire to use public transit/schools? - would be nice to have to provide a recommendation.

 

[ATLNole1]

I know you said you are not concerned with being close to work but I would advise you to reconsider that. You will be miserable living here if you end up with a bad commute. There are a lot of areas to consider so you will get better suggestions if you let us know the details Trip listed.

 

[FSUDoles]

Hello again LR,

Poster from "back in the day", who was looking for some guidance.

I'm looking to relocate to ATL, and wanted advice on which properties/apartment communities that I want to look at that would suit my tastes logistically and socially. I just need a 1BR, and would prefer to live in a place where the majority of residents are in that late twenty to thirty-something professionals. Ideally a place that has a community that is great for walking my dog.

People have provided me general guidelines like Virginia Highlands, etc. but not any specific places to actually go look at. Can some of you help me out? I need to find a place asap, and I'll be commuting on my motorcycle and I'm not as concerned about living right next to work.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Thoughts and prayers....commuting in the ATL on two wheels?

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Budget is up to $1,400 for a 1BR, and my work location is TBD. I'm going through interviews right now, therefore it could end up being anywhere.

But I'll be commuting on a motorcycle so I'll HOV it most places. But I wouldn't want to spend more than 45 mins on my bike.

No children who will go to school, and not planning to attend any classes myself. No need for me to be near public transit either.

I'd prob prefer a suburban location, but my preference is a fun social scene.

I'm from Dallas, TX and I used to live at Shops of Legacy, and Addison Circle if that helps any as those locations kinda had the feel that I'm going for.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

I know you said you are not concerned with being close to work but I would advise you to reconsider that. You will be miserable living here if you end up with a bad commute. There are a lot of areas to consider so you will get better suggestions if you let us know the details Trip listed.

Yeah. I'll relocate after that work location issue is sorted out.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Thoughts and prayers....commuting in the ATL on two wheels?

I've done it everywhere I've been. SF and Dallas. I just can't imagine driving anywhere here in a car.

 

[seminoleed]

Son, please reconsider. When I moved here in 1974, Atlanta was the bomb. Today, it's a bomb about to explode, with traffic, crooked and ineffective local governments, etc. The only thing they have going for them is Atlanta United FC. So happy retirement is coming soon--Cape Coral, here I come.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Son, please reconsider. When I moved here in 1974, Atlanta was the bomb. Today, it's a bomb about to explode, with traffic, crooked and ineffective local governments, etc. The only thing they have going for them is Atlanta United FC. So happy retirement is coming soon--Cape Coral, here I come.

Ha - it's too late for PSN: he's pot committed! He's already jumped in with both feet.

 

[NDallasRuss]

If Suburban is the preference, I think that Battery/SunTrust Park area might be pretty nice for being able to walk the dog, walk around to the bars/restaurants, and then commute into work.

 

[FSUdawg]

Son, please reconsider. When I moved here in 1974, Atlanta was the bomb. Today, it's a bomb about to explode, with traffic, crooked and ineffective local governments, etc. The only thing they have going for them is Atlanta United FC. So happy retirement is coming soon--Cape Coral, here I come.

This. My suggestion would be to choose another city to relocate to.

However, if you are set on ATL, I would suggest top of the Perimeter, maybe in the Dunwoody / Sandy Springs area. This gives easy access to the city but also gives you a bit more of a suburban feel.

Of course the exact location of work is going to be a big driver in final location. No need to be north of the city if work is on the south side. Also, if work puts you in Alpharetta, I don't see the need to be that close to the city itself.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Maybe, the best way to put this. "Is where's the best place for me to post-up for 6-months, and make friends while I go through interviews." Therefore at the end of the lease, I'll move closer to work.

 

[FSUDoles]

I've done it everywhere I've been. SF and Dallas. I just can't imagine driving anywhere here in a car.

How do you handle torrential downpours, freezing temps, ice storms and the occasional snow storm with a 45 minute commute on two wheels with no protection other than leather and a helmet? Atlanta drivers are meh even under perfect conditions, but with the aforementioned elements, all bets are off....all my best....seriously....sounds awful.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

This. My suggestion would be to choose another city to relocate to.

However, if you are set on ATL, I would suggest top of the Perimeter, maybe in the Dunwoody / Sandy Springs area. This gives easy access to the city but also gives you a bit more of a suburban feel.

Of course the exact location of work is going to be a big driver in final location. No need to be north of the city if work is on the south side. Also, if work puts you in Alpharetta, I don't see the need to be that close to the city itself.

Gotcha. My industry focus is Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Contract Management, etc. and ATL has always been a huge area for that though. If my interviews, end up taking me elsewhere that's fine (and usually what always happens), but I'm here for the moment to give it a shot.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

How do you handle torrential downpours, freezing temps, ice storms and the occasional snow storm with a 45 minute commute on two wheels with no protection other than leather and a helmet? Atlanta drivers are meh even under perfect conditions, but with the aforementioned elements, all bets are off....all my best....seriously....sounds awful.

Then that's when I'll jump in my car.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Ha - it's too late for PSN: he's pot committed! He's already jumped in with both feet.

As long as everything I have fits in the back of my SUV, and a trailer, I'm never stuck in one place. But I'm here right now, and want to give this roll.

Ideally, I'd love to live in Charleston, SC. But that's another thread.

 

[TripTych]

Well, that makes it difficult. Most people here live in their own bubbles, I personally would pick where I want to live and then find a job in that vicinity. For 1400/m you could live in Midtown/Inman/O4W which is where the action is and where I would chose to live if I was 20-30. Midtown is the most urban, and provides the most bang for your buck as you are along transit line, next to the park, and within a quick Uber of some other neighborhoods. It's also packed with young people. So I would spend a few weekends in the different neighborhoods and get the feel of the area to see what suits you the best. But O4W is a bit less city, but still has a great park and restaurants and easy Beltline access. Same with Inman Park, it's Atlanta's "first suburb" but also has plenty of things going on like Krog Street Market, Inman Quarter and easy access to the Beltline as well.

If you can find something around O4W park - like AMLI Ponce Park or AMLI O4W or AMLI Parkside, you are going to be front and center of everything going on in Atlanta right now. Some others, but might be out of your price range: Inman Quarter, Broadstone Midtown, Ansley Forrest, Post Parkside. I think ProMove offers their services for free, and are generally respected to help get you placed.

Hope this helps

 

[Fijimn]

Budget is up to $1,400 for a 1BR, and my work location is TBD. I'm going through interviews right now, therefore it could end up being anywhere.

But I'll be commuting on a motorcycle so I'll HOV it most places. But I wouldn't want to spend more than 45 mins on my bike.

No children who will go to school, and not planning to attend any classes myself. No need for me to be near public transit either.

I'd prob prefer a suburban location, but my preference is a fun social scene.

I'm from Dallas, TX and I used to live at Shops of Legacy, and Addison Circle if that helps any as those locations kinda had the feel that I'm going for.

To translate this for you Atlantians, he's looking for plenty of chain stores, Chilis' and BJ Brewhouses....as well as an abundance of white people

 

[funksouljon]

I've done it everywhere I've been. SF and Dallas. I just can't imagine driving anywhere here in a car.

So I commuted on my motorcycle part time. I always had a car as backup. The heat isn't the worst part, the deluge and sketchy yet possible ice is. While the ice is "rare" any day can be a frog choker. With a car as a back up, ignore this chickens, they don't understand 2 wheel life....

I would consider living up north just to have easier access to the mountains but much of that population commutes so don't be shocked with the commute time you will need. It used to take me 45+ minutes to get 8 miles from I75-Hwy41 to my house in Austell.

The local motorcycle community in Atlanta is pretty solid.

You are asking for a specific apartment complex in a city of 5.7 Million that has ?10,000 apartments? Tough ask.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Well, that makes it difficult. Most people here live in their own bubbles, I personally would pick where I want to live and then find a job in that vicinity. For 1400/m you could live in Midtown/Inman/O4W which is where the action is and where I would chose to live if I was 20-30. Midtown is the most urban, and provides the most bang for your buck as you are along transit line, next to the park, and within a quick Uber of some other neighborhoods. It's also packed with young people. So I would spend a few weekends in the different neighborhoods and get the feel of the area to see what suits you the best. But O4W is a bit less city, but still has a great park and restaurants and easy Beltline access. Same with Inman Park, it's Atlanta's "first suburb" but also has plenty of things going on like Krog Street Market, Inman Quarter and easy access to the Beltline as well.

If you can find something around O4W park - like AMLI Ponce Park or AMLI O4W or AMLI Parkside, you are going to be front and center of everything going on in Atlanta right now. Some others, but might be out of your price range: Inman Quarter, Broadstone Midtown, Ansley Forrest, Post Parkside. I think ProMove offers their services for free, and are generally respected to help get you placed.

Hope this helps

Trip. That helps a tremendous amount. And I appreciate the insight.

Also where's the primary gameday site for Noles in this town?

 

[PorkSkinNole]

It used to take me 45+ minutes to get 8 miles from I75-Hwy41 to my house in Austell.

It used to take me 45+ minutes to get 8 miles from I75-Hwy41 to my house in Austell.

It took you that long to go 8 miles on 2 wheels? I know it's illegal here, but you never considered lane-splitting?

 

[OrlandNole]

Well, that makes it difficult. Most people here live in their own bubbles, I personally would pick where I want to live and then find a job in that vicinity. For 1400/m you could live in Midtown/Inman/O4W which is where the action is and where I would chose to live if I was 20-30. Midtown is the most urban, and provides the most bang for your buck as you are along transit line, next to the park, and within a quick Uber of some other neighborhoods. It's also packed with young people. So I would spend a few weekends in the different neighborhoods and get the feel of the area to see what suits you the best. But O4W is a bit less city, but still has a great park and restaurants and easy Beltline access. Same with Inman Park, it's Atlanta's "first suburb" but also has plenty of things going on like Krog Street Market, Inman Quarter and easy access to the Beltline as well.

If you can find something around O4W park - like AMLI Ponce Park or AMLI O4W or AMLI Parkside, you are going to be front and center of everything going on in Atlanta right now. Some others, but might be out of your price range: Inman Quarter, Broadstone Midtown, Ansley Forrest, Post Parkside. I think ProMove offers their services for free, and are generally respected to help get you placed.

Hope this helps

Can you really live in those places for $1,400 a month?

I was going to page @NoleLou for suggestions in Alpharetta, which may make sense if he gets a job in the 400N corridor.

 

[funksouljon]

It used to take me 45+ minutes to get 8 miles from I75-Hwy41 to my house in Austell.


It took you that long to go 8 miles on 2 wheels? I know it's illegal here, but you never considered lane-splitting?

I was speaking to my general commute to go a short distance. However, no, on my bike it didn't take that long, only in the cage. Bike was faster but still 30 or so in peak traffic afternoons on the bike. Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia, I didn't care in the heat of one summer day and it cost me a ticket.

 

[TripTych]

Can you really live in those places for $1,400 a month?

I was going to page @NoleLou for suggestions in Alpharetta, which may make sense if he gets a job in the 400N corridor.

Sure.

https://www.apartments.com/amli-parkside-atlanta-ga/346ytbe/

 

[GwinnettNole]

You should move to Cumming. The Chili’s and Applebee’s are phonomenol up here. Lots of white peoples...

 

[MIKE_G]

I'd prob prefer a suburban location, but my preference is a fun social scene.

So, the opposite of the suburbs.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Sidenote:

I was speaking to my general commute to go a short distance. However, no, on my bike it didn't take that long, only in the cage. Bike was faster but still 30 or so in peak traffic afternoons on the bike. Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia, I didn't care in the heat of one summer day and it cost me a ticket.

How much was the ticket for lane-splitting? I can understand why it is/should be illegal in some situations. Some guys are just to squid rambo doing it, but I'd like to see some kind of situational assessment applied to enforcing it.

It is actually legal in California to lane-split as a way to try and combat the oppressive traffic, and that was about the only thing that I liked about CA.

 

[Gonolz]

I suggest this place. It looks like it is over your budget, but those are New Zealand dollars, so it fits your budget.

https://impression.co.nz/rentals/view/19578567

 

[ericram]

Do. Not. Do. It.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Atlanta is a great city and I hope you enjoy it here!

Trip’s recs are spot on. If you’re set on the burbs check out The Battery and areas surrounding SunTrust Park. You may also like City of Decatur.

 

[QuaZ2002]

Son, please reconsider. When I moved here in 1974, Atlanta was the bomb. Today, it's a bomb about to explode, with traffic, crooked and ineffective local governments, etc. The only thing they have going for them is Atlanta United FC. So happy retirement is coming soon--Cape Coral, here I come.

Cape Coral? Son, please reconsider.

 

[funksouljon]

.......

How much was the ticket for lane-splitting? I can understand why it is/should be illegal in some situations. Some guys are just to squid rambo doing it, but I'd like to see some kind of situational assessment applied to enforcing it.

It is actually legal in California to lane-split as a way to try and combat the oppressive traffic, and that was about the only thing that I liked about CA.

No clue on how much it was. Years ago, chalked it up to the you gotta pay to play. This was NOT a blasting traffic on the interstate. This was 95+ degree parking lot on the highway with the bike struggling to stay cool and baking my crotch type heat. I had to get air across the radiator and there wasn't a good shoulder to just sit it out.
NOT that I haven't done my share of crazy, ill advised stunts, but this wasn't it. So, again, pay to play and move on.

 

[TexSkills]

Budget is up to $1,400 for a 1BR, and my work location is TBD. I'm going through interviews right now, therefore it could end up being anywhere.

But I'll be commuting on a motorcycle so I'll HOV it most places. But I wouldn't want to spend more than 45 mins on my bike.

No children who will go to school, and not planning to attend any classes myself. No need for me to be near public transit either.

I'd prob prefer a suburban location, but my preference is a fun social scene.

I'm from Dallas, TX and I used to live at Shops of Legacy, and Addison Circle if that helps any as those locations kinda had the feel that I'm going for.

To translate this for you Atlantians, he's looking for plenty of chain stores, Chilis' and BJ Brewhouses....as well as an abundance of white people

When I still lived in Dallas, Addison Circle was the exact opposite of that. Shops of Legacy is a different story.....

 

[TripTych]

Also, to give you a non-Trip preference, which might fit the Addison Yards stereotypical resident a bit more, I would look around Brookhaven Village (Dresden Dr). It's a bit less urban, but still along MARTA and people seem to love the area. I lived in a house in Drew Valley before moving further intown and that corridor has really exploded in growth. I believe Rosewood and 1477 are newly constructed and within walking distance to a ton of decent spots. This is more along the lines of Frat/Soro row, surrounded by young families. There are some decent bars around and a short walk from Mellow Mushroom Brookhaven, which is one of the few Seminoles watching location for intown. For dog walking, they have a pretty big park right off Peachtree and Osborne, which most people let their dogs off leash and run around...

If you want a bit cheaper, Chamblee is a great neighborhood, just a bit further north of Brookhaven. Still along transit and really taking off. These two would be ideal if location if you can find a job in Buckhead/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs/Perimeter location.

Brookhaven:
https://hotpads.com/rosewood-brookh...se&lat=33.8601&lon=-84.3285&price=0-1500&z=15

https://hotpads.com/1534-dresden-dr...se&lat=33.8601&lon=-84.3285&price=0-1500&z=15

Chamblee:
https://hotpads.com/solis-parkview-...lse&lat=33.8909&lon=-84.3104&price=0-1500&z=1

https://hotpads.com/the-station-on-...se&lat=33.8909&lon=-84.3104&price=0-1500&z=15

 

[PorkSkinNole]

Also, to give you a non-Trip preference, which might fit the Addison Yards stereotypical resident a bit more, I would look around Brookhaven Village (Dresden Dr). It's a bit less urban, but still along MARTA and people seem to love the area. I lived in a house in Drew Valley before moving further intown and that corridor has really exploded in growth. I believe Rosewood and 1477 are newly constructed and within walking distance to a ton of decent spots. This is more along the lines of Frat/Soro row, surrounded by young families. There are some decent bars around and a short walk from Mellow Mushroom Brookhaven, which is one of the few Seminoles watching location for intown. For dog walking, they have a pretty big park right off Peachtree and Osborne, which most people let their dogs off leash and run around...

If you want a bit cheaper, Chamblee is a great neighborhood, just a bit further north of Brookhaven. Still along transit and really taking off. These two would be ideal if location if you can find a job in Buckhead/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs/Perimeter location.

Brookhaven:
https://hotpads.com/rosewood-brookh...se&lat=33.8601&lon=-84.3285&price=0-1500&z=15

https://hotpads.com/1534-dresden-dr...se&lat=33.8601&lon=-84.3285&price=0-1500&z=15

Chamblee:
https://hotpads.com/solis-parkview-...lse&lat=33.8909&lon=-84.3104&price=0-1500&z=1

https://hotpads.com/the-station-on-...se&lat=33.8909&lon=-84.3104&price=0-1500&z=15

Very nice. I'll definitely check out Brookhaven and Chamblee as well.

Not sure what the Addison Yards stereotype is, but hopefully it's a positive one and accurate if so.

 

[PorkSkinNole]

When I still lived in Dallas, Addison Circle was the exact opposite of that. Shops of Legacy is a different story.....

Good to see you, TexSkills.

Yeah. There's so much retail along Beltline next to Addison Circle now, it's a bit suffocating. The retail isn't so much as important to me, as just still having a baked-in social scene without having to travel for it.

And it's been awhile, is Goldmom doing well?

 

[Squirrel J.]

I have a buddy who is a bit "hipster" and lived in a complex near Venkman's.
I have no idea what part of town that's in, but it seems kind of like the scene you are looking for.

 

[Nole Lou]

Can you really live in those places for $1,400 a month?

I was going to page @NoleLou for suggestions in Alpharetta, which may make sense if he gets a job in the 400N corridor.

I'm loving it downtown Alpharetta, and it's fairly decent for eating and drinking and walking, and fits the suburban aspect, but it's definitely more of a 35-55 crowd. The thing is, unless you're right in downtown Alpharetta, it's pretty much standard exurban hell of Chipotle and Chilis, and I can't think of any one bedroom rentals right in the middle of it. And if you don't have kids in school, it makes no sense to pay the huge premium for living in a great school zone. So probably not what he's looking for.

I will echo what others have said, the concept of "I don't care how close to work I am, I'm willing to have a 45 minute commute" just doesn't work in Atlanta. It can always vary, but you probably need to be <5 miles from work to be somewhat guaranteed 45 minutes or less, and almost certainly not more than 10 miles away. And there are a hell of a lot of work/live combos in Atlanta that will be more than 10 miles apart. I would research different neighborhoods, but not decide ANYTHING until you have the job. There's no way I'd want to be traveling from one of those in town neighborhoods to Alpharetta or Lilburn every day, or vice versa.

 

[TripTych]

I have a buddy who is a bit "hipster" and lived in a complex near Venkman's.
I have no idea what part of town that's in, but it seems kind of like the scene you are looking for.

AMLI Parkside is right next to Venkman's; it's in the middle of Old 4th Ward.

That part of town is about to blow up. Here's a rendering of what they are planning on doing with the Georgia Power staging property that is a big surface parking lot right now. $750-$1billion investment

So you haven’t been firing off emails to Amazon yet?
[Laughs]. No comment.

I don’t think it would fit, what Amazon needs [for HQ2]. Or maybe it would?
[Silence]

http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news...adjacent-project-aims-change-old-fourth-ward/

I don't think HQ2 will go in this spot, but it's certainly interesting to get that kind of financial backing if they do not have something in hand.