Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > May > 06 > Entry
Hip ZIPs and other adventures in moving.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An actual line in an e-mail I wrote on March 2, during my three-day whirlwind apartment hunt in Atlanta: I was driving around Virginia-Highland looking at all the crowds of happy young people and wanted to scream, “WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM? HOW DO YOU AFFORD TO LIVE HERE?!”
Armed with a limited in-town map, a pile of ads from craigslist, Creative Loafing and AJC.com, a few recommendations and memories from the Atlanta of five years ago, I needed to find a home. My goal was a reasonably priced, generally comfortable place as close as possible to work, available mid-March and preferably without the freshly white-washed scent of new condo paint.
You know what tool I used to find those available places, and to find my way around? ZIP codes. I eventually stumbled into a place that worked out just about perfectly, but those first few days were kind of demoralizing. ZIP codes were string of numbers that mostly helped me to get lost. Driving around neighborhoods was more helpful, if not good for answering questions. My notes from the trip say things like “V-H: feels like college,” and “Inman Park: why do I keep getting lost on the same street?” and “Old Fourth Ward: I guess the condos are new?”
I’m finally getting a sense of these places, plus so many of the other neighborhoods I would’ve liked to have seen if, you know, I hadn’t been lost in Inman Park and Buckhead the whole time. Every place here seems to be rich with it’s own ever-changing personality, some of which agree with me more than others. One street to another is different, and rarely what I expect.
So…why was the ZIP code, a much larger area with so much variety, the main tool for finding the place you fit in?
On the suggestion of my very smart editor, we put together this story about what ZIP codes really mean and how they’re used for more than just delivering mail. The research introduced me to sites like market researcher Claritas’ ZIP code database, which is happy to categorize based on their ZIP code and the information we’ve provide as consumers.
So tell me this: do you fit into your ZIP code? Do you feel at-home in your neighborhood? How do they compare, for you, and to each other?
And how do all those happy young people afford to live in Virginia-Highland?
Permalink | Comments (108) | Post your comment | Categories: Make This Place Make Sense, Moving
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Comments
By Maura
May 6, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Rent?
By John from Dunwoody
May 6, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
AND THEN AWE
By brock
May 6, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
With $4+ gas, moving closer in makes more and more financial sense. I dont understand how anyone would want to live somewhere like Cumming or Canton.
By Sees The Truth
May 6, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Nooooo, it’s all about looks. Haven’t you noticed? The young, “beautiful” people are offered better jobs with higher salaries; if they are women, all they have to do is snag a rich guy & the sad part is, they pass on their phony “values” & entitlement complexes to their spoiled brats who, of course, will be gorgeous & fawned over all their lives & the pattern goes on & on while us “average” folks have to struggle & get treated like 2nd-class citizens
By brock
May 6, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
I was talking about the NW side, 30318, in my earlier response. Not sure why that got edited. :(
By Heather
May 6, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
I love living in Dekalb. Its a few miles to work in Atlanta. But what do you do when you have school aged children? I can’t afford to live in an area with a decent school in Dekalb and can’t afford private school. So I must soon become a suburbanite and commute on 75 for an hour+ each day for the sake of my child. It’s gonna suck! Do I have to eat at Applebee’s and Chili’s if I live in the burbs? Will I lose my identity and become one of those soccer moms in a huge SUV?
By Roger
May 6, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Any young people living in established neighborhoods such as Virginia Highlands or Inman Park are RENTING. Just like in Buckhead.
That said, there are plenty of affordable neighborhoods in Atlanta outside of high-crime areas. One only needs to look and see what’s out there.
Sure you won’t be able to buy quite as much house intown as you could someplace like Roswell, but the quality of life will be much higher when you are closer to your job. I agree with the poster above, with the price of gas today, its definitely something to consider.
Even if you don’t work intown, the difference between commuting intown than to the suburbs is striking. My office is in north Fulton, but I live near the IKEA. Its 28 miles that I can do in a mere 30-35 minutes, while 400 southbound is a parking lot the entire way. Thankfully I telecommute most of the time, so I don’t have to burn so much fuel.
By John
May 6, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD LIVE IN THERE. ALPHARETTA IS THE NEW ATLANTA. EVERYTHING IS THERE. EVERYTHING IS NICE AND NEW AND EVERYONE THAT LIVES THERE IS UPPER CLASS. WHO THE HELL WORKS DOWNTOWN ANYWAY.
By Elliot Garcia
May 6, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Brock, I live in Cumming and I love it! I work out of my home and do not have to commute! There is a lot to love out in the burbs!
By Jen
May 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Heather where do you live in Dekalb? There are some good Dekalb schools. Don’t move to the burbs! If you loved living intown you won’t like it there. Let’s talk. I’m raising my son intown so maybe I can give you hope…
Roger how young are you talking about that they’re renting in Inman Park and not owning?
I live in Candler Park, not far from Inman Park. Both Inman and Candler have the same zip: 30307.
I just hate those smarmy bumper stickers some of my neighbors sport…”30307. It’s not a zipcode. It’s a lifestyle.”
I just want to smack them and I live there!
My favorite is still “Ski Lake Claire”.
By JJ
May 6, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Heather Your child’s education is probably more important than your commute to work.
I purposely relocated to Suwanee to get my kid into North Gwinnett High School. She is now a junior and thriving. Best decision I ever made, and I made it for HER. We have made tons of friends, and I love it in Suwanee.
Yes, I had to give up a 3 mile commute to work (Yes 3 miles), but first and foremost I did NOT want her going to Duluth Middle or High school. So I sold my house, and moved up to Suwanee for the school.
I now have a 17 mile commute, but I don’t mind it at all.
And no, you don’t have to eat at Applebees and drive a huge SUV to live in the burbs, and you won’t loose your identity. Your post sounded a bit snooty……
There are good schools in DeKalb, mostly Decatur, from what I hear…..
By Miss Mouse
May 6, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I live in Tucker and absolutely LOVE it. I have friends who have school aged kids at Tucker High and they are very happy about the school. In fact, one son is now a Jr at Ga Tech.
Check out the area of Tucker near Stone Mt. Freeway - it’s close in, has a country feel, nice big yards, older homes (built in the early 70’s) and most are under or around $200K. For country livin in the city, that’s not a bad price!
By AlpharettaRules
May 6, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Hell yeah John. Alpharetta is where it’s at. I could actually afford to BUY a home there for under 150,000! I’m 28 and make jack #%$*. Yes, not everything in Alpharetta is 500,000. My zip code 30004 is within a mile of Verizon Wireless Encore Park, North Point Mall, Wills Park, the Greenway, 400, tons of restaraunts (not all chain by the way!), bars within walking distance. No bums, no trash all over the place, beautiful landscaping, awesome recycling program. I could go on.
By AK
May 6, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Not all of us who live in Alpharetta are soccer moms with huge SUVs. We know plenty of people like that, but some of us are keeping it real and trying to pass on good values to our kids so they don’t think everyone lives in a big house, goes to private preschool and is entitled to have everything handed to them. I’m in 30004 and don’t feel like I’ve lost my identity one bit. I’m probably one of the few liberal Democrats around here, but it’s all good!
By John
May 6, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful I live in the mountains, 100 miles from Atlanta after reading this.
By Lou
May 6, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
South DeKalb is a suburban GHETTO. Absolutely no good schools there. Consider North DeKalb for better schools.
By Thrash
May 6, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
The burbs rule. I live in Forsyth and could go to bed with my door unlocked and my garage up and wake up without getting cleaned out. Drive through ATL & Dekalb and look at the bars on doors & windows. Sad way to live. You can keep the crime, decay and expense of living intown to be hip…
By Melanie
May 6, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Just because people choose to live outside of the perimeter in Forsyth, Cobb and Gwinnett doesn’t mean we have to put up with a LONG commute to survive. Did you not realize that there are SEVERAL high-paying jobs in the northern suburbs. Gwinnett and Forsyth have great professional job opportunities.
By CandlerPark
May 6, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
I live in 30307, there are bumper stickers that say “its not just a zip code its a lifestyle. 30307 is Candler Park and I have to tell you I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD? It is a walkable neighborhood as in I can safely walk to restaruants, shopping, grocery etc. It is in the heart of the city but feels like a small town community. Neighbors know each other and the schools are great (mary lin, where the parents camped out, is in Candler Park). Weekends at the neighbor hood pizza place are like a block party. When I moved in 8 years ago prices were considerably lower than they are now but I believe the neighborhood is still affordable. You may not get a McMansion but a wonderful 3/2 bungalow is definately doable. Besides you don’t need a large house because you spend a lot of time outdoors at the park with neighbors.
By Marie
May 6, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I live in Doraville one mile from Spaghetti Junction. It is most DEFINITELY not a hip area and I couldn’t care less. It takes me 20 minutes to get to work in Midtown on an average day. On a light traffic day, it takes less than 15 minutes. The best thing is that there are many alternate routes from Doraville to Midtown to avoid the interstates.
My house was cheap. The location is good. The neighborhoods are kind of crappy and I don’t think the schools are great, but I don’t have kids. I wouldn’t walk the neighborhoods alone at night.
By Candler Park
May 6, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Also I should mention that I work downtown and am able to take Marta to work every day. I can wake up at 8 and shower, shave get dressed hop on the train and be there by 9
By Blarney
May 6, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Chamblee High School is a great school as well as Montgomery Elementary. There are great neighborhoods with plenty of parks and affordable houses. Murphy Candler Park is a great area for kids to grow up.
By Mike
May 6, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I was thrilled to get a job near my apartment in Dunwoody. Then they moved out to Exit 11 (Windward). Then I bought a house in Buckhead (30318, but I can get to Peachtree without passing a house less than a million dollars). Now I’m working at Perimeter, walking distance from my old apartment… ugh!
Still, I think I got a great price on my house, and I love the location for everything I do besides work, which to me is more important.
By new mom
May 6, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Ahhh… the ITP vs OTP debate. fun.
This is all a matter of perspective and timing. When I grew up in the 70s in Tucker, it was considered the suburbs. Seriously. My grandparents lived in Norcross, and we complained about going ‘to the country’ to visit them, and just how far away they lived. In another 30 years, Cobb and Gwinnett will be considered part of downtown atlanta, and the suburbs will include south carolina, tennessee, alabama, etc.
Where you live doesn’t have to define you, and you don’t have to give in to the stereotypes. Here in the ‘burbs’, we love our neighbors, make short trips to the stores, and when we do dine out, choose independent restaurants. It’s a matter of the best fit for your and your family, and shouldn’t be a matter of status.
In this day and age, it’s more important to find a neighborhood that’s a good fit for you financially, and not worry about your zip code or bumper sticker. After all, if you can’t afford your house and get foreclosed upon, do you think those people you were trying to impress will be there to help you out? :)
By John
May 6, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
ITP is great if you like bums to come up to you and heckle you for money.
By j
May 6, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
I just recently purchased a house in Tucker and I absolutely love it. It is close to 285, 85 and 78. I can get to Buckhead, VA Highland, Downtown and Decatur in a matter of minutes and, having grown up in the area, I know quite a few of backroads if traffic becomes an issue. Tucker has a lot of young people and families moving in and I feel great about my purchase. I was renting in Brookhaven and I can safely say that I much prefer where I am now.
By RED TEAM
May 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Stay out of my zip ckodes 30318, 30311, 30310
Blood in, Blood out W/S Bounty Hunter Blood Gang SUUUWWOOOPP!
whats braccin to my blood brothers up in Gwinnett!!!
S.ex M.oney M.urder Bloods Simpson Rd Dipset Bloods Summerhill BloodStone Villians Bounty Hunter Bloods
By LivinINtown
May 6, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I agree with Candler Park Poster. I live in that same area and if you have kids I would argue that it is the best school distirict in the metro area. There is Mary Lin elementary, Inman Middle and Grady High. The level of involement in fundraising by the neighborhood has made Mary Lin and amazing elementary school and Inman Middle in Virginia Highlands consistantly scores in the top percentiles. Grady High is considered the most balanced high school in America. The blend of race and socio economic groups provide this school with an amazing opportunity to prepare children for their next phase…Grady also consistantly ranks in the top percentiles.
By cubalibre
May 6, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Heather— I live in the Northlake area of DeKalb County, and we have some of the best schools in the State here (Oak Grove, Henderson, and Hawthorne elementary schools, Henderson Middle, Lakeside High— which consistently makes the list of the top high schools in the COUNTRY!). Those districts are in the 30345, 30033, and 30341 area codes (parts of them, anyway— you can do a search of any of the online realtor sites by school, and it will tell you which are which). I don’t have kids, but we knew our property values would continue to go up because of the good schools in our district. And they are affordable— you just have to look a bit to find the right deal. You can get anywhere from where I live in just a short time, and there are tons of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. around. Check us out, and good luck!
By TW
May 6, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Vinings (30339) is an amazing area for all ages…especially for young, progressive, ambitious types…and still w/i 10 - 15 minutes of midtown/downtown…way nice, laid back, lots of cool bars/restaurants/shops that are unique to the area (very much like nice intown neighborhoods), run efficiently (Cobb Co. gov. as opposed to the wasteful Atlanta/Fulton Co. gov.), lower property taxes, and affordable home prices around the Smynings area…
By Decatur Native
May 6, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I agree new mom, I grew up in Decatur and remember Tucke Northlake mall being the Burbs. My brother moved to Conyers and we too said it was a pain to go way out in the country to vist him in Conyers.
Now Conyers and even as far out as lake Oconee is considered the Burbs.
Urban sprawl, You gotta love it.
By Decatur Native
May 6, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I agree new mom, I grew up in Decatur and remember Tucker Northlake mall being the Burbs. My brother moved to Conyers and we too said it was a pain to go way out in the country to vist him in Conyers.
Now Conyers and even as far out as lake Oconee is considered the Burbs.
Urban sprawl, You gotta love it.
By John F
May 6, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Candler Park and Dekalb Avenue..great places, definitely hip..maybe even too hip for me, but I love the tree lined streets and bungalows plus all the new lofts that are going up. Six months ago, my spouse and I moved from Brookhaven (also a great area) into a new loft near Candler Park and have an awesome view of downtown. I’ve got the restaurants in Candler Park, Oakhurst and Decatur within minutes, plus I can get into Midtown and Va-highlands with a short drive. I’ve got a 7 mile drive over to Lenox where I work..I just put the top down and enjoy the ride, or occasionally take the train (which takes about 45 minutes after transferring at 5 points). I can bike out to Stone Mountain or run over to Emory or to the Carter Center. My neighbors are a quirky mix of musicians, young hipsters, older empty nesters, gay couples, straight couples, and a various mix of white, black, hispanic, and miscellaneous. We all get together for cook-outs, movie nights, or just impromptu cocktail parties..it’s great. I haven’t been robbed, mugged or even frowned at since I moved here. Sure it costs more to live in town but I think it’s worth it. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
By SteveO
May 6, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
RED TEAM
That be my hood fool. you best get back to clayton for get got.
By John
May 6, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
IT PRETTY MUCH BOILS DOWN TO THE BEST AREAS OF THE METRO ATLANTA AREA TO LIVE IN ARE: COBB COUNTY, GWINNETT, THE NORTH SECTIONS OF FULTON AND DEKALB, AS WELL AS THE OUTSKIRTS FURTHER OUT. IT’S A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERANCE.
By Jen
May 6, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
That’s three of us talking up our neighborhood of Candler Park.
This is not about ITP vs OTP for me. This is about proximity to my job and wanting a neighborhood where I can walk and/or bike everywhere.
I get up at 7am, watch the morning news including 85 South traffic that I used to drive in, then leave my house at 8:30 on my bike and ride to work…20 minutes tops.
On the weekends, when my son plays soccer we bike to the games. We take PATH in Freedom Park and just enjoy the weather.
I love that. And I had to move ITP to get it. It just didn’t exist in the suburb I lived in.
My prediction is that, eventually, the Alpharetta area and the Lawrenceville area will develop into satellite cities where this sort of thing will happen more because they get more urban.
By 303xx
May 6, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
How could someone possibly think that Alpharetta is the new Atlanta??? Atlanta is a vibrant international city with a thriving arts scene. Alpharetta is a nice suburb of Atlanta.
Alpharetta is fine if all you want is a big home in a cul-de-sac with other homes that look the same, shopping at the mall, and eating at Outback. Almost forgot good public schools.
Since I don’t have to worry about schools why would I ever want to exile myself to suburbia?
We all have choices and I choose city living. I find the city far more interesting then when I lived in suburbia years ago.
303xx
By JJ
May 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
I lived in VA Highlands many years ago. I rented a condo on Briarcliff Place. I LOVED it, but when it was time to purchase a home, I chose to go to Gwinnett. I could not afford to buy in VA Highlands. I wanted a house, with a yard for my daughter, and a good school for her to attend.
I would love to go back and live in Va Hi, but I simply cannot afford it. I enjoy Suwanee, and Gwinnett County, and that’s where I will remain for now.
By Jason
May 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
RED TEAM, out of curiosity, how many food stamps does a computer cost?
By John F
May 6, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I actually have family in Alpharetta and love going out there, or I used to that is…they are building the heck out of that area now..some of the prettiest country roads are now four lanes. My sister says it takes her as long to get to 400 from her house as it does to get down to 285. And sorry, Alpharetta is not the new Atlanta, maybe the new Greenville…or the new Spartanburg..but not Atlanta (or even Charlotte).
By SD
May 6, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I’ll take my cool and clean intown mid-century contemporary neighborhood over your cheap affordable Forsyth County houses any day of the week. Keep your kids up that way, we really don’t want them here. We are hip and cool and we make more money than you all do but we don’t flaunt it in your tacky new money way. Your six bedroom homes cost less than my 3 bedroom bath and a half and I am sooooo much cooler than you ‘burb people are with your chain stores and hungry hefer buffets catering to your obesity. Yes, we’re slimmer than you all are too. It all boils down to ….intown people are just more with it…hipper, cooler and prettier. Deal with it… and when you want to drive 50 miles, come into civilization…you bunch of cousin daters.
By Jen
May 6, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
We went out to Marietta to buy a motorcycle this past weekend. Since the bike is old (1980 Sporty) and the front tire seems to be dry-rotted we didn’t want to take the interstate - took US41 back to Atlanta, through Northside Drive and Peachtree to North.
Nice day for a ride on roads like that.
By SouthFultonMom
May 6, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I live in 30331 zip code of South Futlon and absolutely love it! We have great restaurants and shopping! My kids schools are great and I love my neighborhood. There are some absolutely beautiful homes around us, but ours is quite modest. South Fulton is a great place to live and raise your kids.
By me
May 6, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
YEs its 30309!
By Underwood Hills 4eva!
May 6, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Is it still in 30318? I know they wanted to switch to the more ritzy 30327(whatever is across Collier). Good times, good times.
By tlc
May 6, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
I personally hate the city life and hussle and bussle all together. There is nothing like living on waterfront property. Have a rough day and go get on the pontoon with a cold beer in my hand…..yes, that’s living :)
By AlpharettaRules
May 6, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
“People” like RED TEAM are why I don’t live ITP or in Gwinnett.
By RCH
May 6, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
*AlpharettaRules *
I agree(30022).However I hope the price of homes stay high. It keeps the rift raft out.
By my house
May 6, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
30096 is the place to be. Just don’t come develop there. We don’t want you.
By What a moron
May 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Hey, S.D (Stupid Dummy), I am neither thin nor pretty but 1)I’m probably better than you 2)No one has ever made me feel unwelcome in my 30307 neighbourhood. Get over yourself, you’re NOT all that
By Katie
May 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
I certainly hope I don’t live in a ‘hip’ zip. I hope that people in my community value more important things than whether or not they are ‘hip’. Education, intelligence and morals—all are much more important than being hip. Hip goes away with age, intelligence lasts a lot longer—in most cases.
By Jen
May 6, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
What a moron I concur. I love living in 30307 and I very much enjoy what living in the city has to offer but I’m not about to be down on people for being different…what a jerk SD is…
Katie all that stuff - education, intelligence, morals - plus easy car independent access to your daily needs is what makes a neighborhood hip.
Hip isn’t about rock and roll…
By BPJ
May 6, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Oh, no, it’s another one of those ITP v. OTP debates - as if what suits one person must suit everyone. Different people like different things, thank God; that’s one of the things that makes life interesting. I like living in the city. I’m glad everyone doesn’t, or it would be really unaffordable.
One poster wanted to know “who the hell works Downtown anyway?” Well, thousands of people. The Downtown-Midtown area is the largest office market in metro Atlanta.
I believe Ms. Gumbrecht’s question had to do with finding and affording places to live in older intown neighborhoods. One option to consider is “garage apartments”, or, to use the fancier name, “carriage houses.” Older neighborhoods such as Inman Park, Ansley Park, and Morningside have plenty of these. They vary widely, from a small efficiency overlooking the driveway, to some very nice apartments with their own garden. It’s not for everybody; you need to make sure the landlord is someone you like. It’s more personal than just renting from an apartment manager. But such units are often priced below market, and can be a very pleasant & affordable way to live in one of the city’s best neighborhoods. Some of them are on craigslist; others just put a sign out front, and are often snapped up in a day or two. Good luck.
By Sam
May 6, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
I live in beautiful downtown Decatur. Made the switch from Henry Co last year. Cannot begin to tell you how much I love it! The restaurants, the people, and being able to walk everywhere. We also found that the City of Decatur has GREAT schools. What a plus!
By CBL
May 6, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Lifestyle is important to me, as I am unmarried with no kids, so I take advantage of location. I’m also a renter, saving to buy. I want to be where I can walk or take public transport to at least 50% of the places I go. I live between Buckhead and Midtown and love it. Sure, my rent is as much as a mortgage in Gwinnett or elsewhere, but I grew up there and would be miserable there right now. It’s a comparative bargain, as other rents in the area are well over $1000/month for a 1BR and $1400+ for 2/2. My time is valuable, and I choose not to waste it (and gas money) sitting in the car commuting 3-4 hours a day.
By wwwandrr
May 6, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Try East Atlanta, 30316 the houses are more affordable and we have new pubs/restaraunts/shops opening up all the time. The houses are more modest in size. The Midway just opened and the Icehouse will open across the street in June. There is a Bakery and Bar-b-Que resaraunt opening soon, the Urban gardner just moved in. We’re only 1.5m from Little 5 points and 2-2.5m from the Highlands. We are a mile from the new Edgewood shopping district.Just went to a Braves game Sunday, 7 minutes to get to Turner Field, 10 to get back. Come on down Ya Hear!
By 30068
May 6, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
I have lived in Atlanta since 1986, moving here out of college. I lived in Buckhead for 12 years, Woodstock for 6 years (yuk!) and now lower East Cobb 30068 for the past 3 or so years and work in Vinings. We consider ourselves as professionals with good taste. Folks, it all depends on what you want. Intown has great restaurants, patches of good schools and one of the few places you feel like you live in a real neighorhood. The taxes and poorly run Fulton govt turned us off. Woodstock is an overgrown suburb with narrow minded people who drive all the time to get to work and elsewhere. Did not like it. We moved to East Cobb as I can get to work in 15 minutes and when we want to go intown, we are there in another 15 minutes. It is easy to go out on a weekday for dinner or attend a function. We enjoy way above average home appreciation, stellar schools and now live in a n’hood where the neighbors visit, speak, and look out for each other. We have a big wooded lot with Sope Creek behind us and feel like we live in the mtns at times. We did not have this friendliness in Woodstock. Sorta had that in Buckhead. East Cobb is fashionable and though not intown, it has enough hip. I feel like we live in Atlanta, whereas when in Woodstock, did not feel that way. Hip is all how you define it. Hip is being comfortable and happy with yourself and it showing and is not based on how you look or try to act.
By Jake
May 6, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
A few years ago, my family chose to live in city of Norcross (30071). One of us telecommutes, and the drive to downtown Atlanta in rush hour is about 30 min. Elementary and high school are great: middle school is like most, equal parts good and bad within it. Our weekends are near 100% car free as we can walk to shops, parks, a variety of restaurants, and the city has a ton of great events and activities year round. Like any zip code / neighborhood, it may not be for you for a variety of reasons. But lots of new stuff / housing getting built all the time. Check it out: aplacetoimagine.com
By Mrs. Warren
May 6, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
We live in Milton and LOVE IT!!!! I’m so sick of everyone being so ITP this and ITP that… they are all transients… I was born and raised ITP.. they don’t have that and never will!!
I love our neighborhood and the NEW shopping.. no hobos or crackheads. Classy people no matter what their income. It’s great!
And yes there are homeless people living in the woods but they don’t bother anyone and most have jobs…they too realize how great it is north of Atlanta.
By TK
May 6, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
We are putting our home on the market in Dunwoody and planning a move to downtown Decatur WITH the family. I have nothing against Dunwoody…it is a nice neighborhood, great schools, Perimeter Mall close by and it has easy access to the city. But I found myself spending an enormous amount of time taking care of our home and yard. I enjoy live music, go to 30 hockey games a year, and my family is a member at the High Museum and the Zoo. We have city interests and found ourselves spending much of our free time there (and a significant amount of free time DRIVING to there). In Decatur we think we have found an area with great schools, affordable housing (at least in comparison with Dunwoody), the ability to walk to restaurants and shops, and MARTA access….and one thing about MARTA…we just spent three days in New York City and lo and behold there are white people taking public transportation. It doesn’t seem to bother them that they are shoulder to shoulder with black people. We have found MARTA to be just fine and have never had an issue. I’m sure more Atlantans would find the same if they would give it a try….public transportation should be for EVERYBODY!!!!
By Pete
May 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
I saw Brookhaven mentioned…it’s a great area and getting better. Haven is one of the best restaurants in the city and many more are coming once Brookhaven Place is finished. Houses ( the ones that aren’t being replaced with McMansions) are still affordable if you don’t need tons of space. Brookhaven is near everything, but not smothered like some other intown neighborhoods. (I have a cute little 3/2 for sale if anyone is interested)
By Chris
May 6, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
My partner and I purchased a house 2 years ago in East Point (30344). The neighborhood we live in is great, lots of younger people like us. A very walkable neighborhood and low crime (I know that sounds shocking but it’s true). Great new shops and dining, not to mention MARTA and little downtown East Point. Five to ten minutes from downtown.
East Atlanta, Grant Park and Candler Park are great as well.
By Tricia
May 6, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
RICH - oh, the irony. Next you want to refer to “riff raff”, trying spelling it correctly. It’s not “rift raft”.
By Tuesday
May 6, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I live in Sugar Hill, WWAAAYYY OTP. I love it up here.
I have a beautiful three bedroom / three bath house, on 1/2 acre, paid $135,000 5 years ago, and plenty of space between my and the houses next door. My neighbors are friendly and they talk to you, and watch out for each other. Alot of my neighbors have dogs, so you see them out walking all the time. It’s very quiet up here. I don’t hear sirens every single night like I did when I lived ITP.
We have tons of restaurants, shops and parks down the road in Suwanee. The Mall of Georgia is 2 miles from my house and Lake Lanier is a 5 minute drive. I am close to GA 400, 985 & I85. When the traffic gets too bad going to the Mall, we go over to Cumming.
We are getting the Braves farm team, and building a stadium for them in Buford, on the other side of I85 . There is talk of a water park in the same area. There is a HUGE sporting complex going in on Suwanee Dam, close to Buford Dam road. There is more greenspace in Suwanee than any other town in this State. Parks are going in right and left.
I love it up here and will stay as long as I can……
By Jen
May 6, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Oh my god, Red Team, will you stop posting. Your computer is freaking out and putting everything up 85 times.
By Tommy
May 6, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
red team, pink team, whatever…you’re an idiot..I’m surpised you can type…or are you holding your little pistol to some ho’s head making her type….you’re a real winner man…. good luck in the penn, man…..
By JJ
May 6, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Jen It’s not his computer freaking out……he’s an idiot and hitting the “post” button numerous times……..
Someone must be playing hookey from school today…..
and IF he is a gangbanger, he would have NO idea how to use a computer, let alone get onto a blog…….he probably has a 1st grade education.
By WTF?!
May 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I see that zip codes don’t determine class or intelligence. I knew this blog would turn into ITP vs. OTP, or north vs. south. You all are funny if you think drugs, gangs, bad schools, violence and poverty don’t exist everywhere!!! While you’re sitting up in your snooty houses, cheating, lying and battering your spouse, your snooty little kids are running around doing drugs (they can afford to), having sex (with the little black boy you just finished turning your noses up at!), lying to you, and basically doing whatever they want (because you’re too busy being snooty, you never notice your little angel has gone astray). And when they get into too much trouble, you just buy their way out of it, and your little picture-perfect life continues……….or so you think!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
By Stinky Pete
May 6, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Let’s all try to guess what race Red Team is!
By David from Augusta
May 6, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
30907, Augusta, better than anything in Atlanta (or everything in Atlanta put together, for that matter)
By RCH
May 6, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Tricia My apologies.Running three screens can get a little nerve racking and simple errors for a blog are acceptable.Alpharetta is still the place you want to be. Especially Kimble Bridge Rd.(30022)
By Now hug this
May 6, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Let me see… If you live in the suburbs, you live in a McMansion, commute an hour downtown in your SUV, and raise narrow-minded brats like yourself.
Living in-town in your tiny but expensive home, you are elitist who endures crime, pan-handlers, and inept government.
Pretty ignorant to say that all people from an area think and act the same way. Fortunately, where we live does not define who we are.
By Please Think
May 6, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Dear Red Team, Let me go ahead and tell you how ignorant you sound. Also you have just mad a terrorist threat on a the AJC web server…do you not think your IP can be traced? The young lady hosting the blog is simply trying to learn about the various neighborhoods in which she might be interested. I believe it goes without saying that she and hers would have no interest in any of the areas that you lay “claim” to. You and yours have made those areas LESS than desirable. You should considering going back to school, legitimizing yourself and refrain from your obvious need for attention. If you deeds and life were worthy you would not have to cluck like a c** of the walk on a blog that obviously was not intended for you.
Good DAY!
By Pole Smoker
May 6, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I love living in midtown, glory holes everywhere!
By gagirl
May 6, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
By Lou
May 6, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
South DeKalb is a suburban GHETTO. Absolutely no good schools there. Consider North DeKalb for better schools.
LOU and others, why does everything always have to be racist?!?!? I live in south DeKalb and take offense to your ignorant remarks. Is it GHETTO because a lot of blacks live there? Is that how it works now? I chose to buy a house there and am 20 minutes away from anything, period. Last time I checked, your zip code had nothing to do with class.
By cracker
May 6, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Look at Kirkwood or East Lake or Oakhurst.
Lots of nice neighbors and loads of stuff to do…
By John
May 6, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
ITP IS DESIGNED FOR THUGS, HOMELESS, AND FOR “PARTNERS” THE NORTH SUBURBS IS REALLY THE ONLY VIABLE OPTION FOR THE REST OF US.
By UR right John
May 6, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
But you still have to go ITP if you want to get a little stank on your hang low.
By intowner
May 6, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
we love living intown, but with the new baby and with APS having their collective head up their rear end, we’re probably moving to E. Cobb
also, red team, if you are real… i look forward to the day that you kick in the wrong door (like mine) and meet mean ole mister buck-shot and are no longer with us…
By songbird
May 6, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I live in the 30306 zipcode which is Morningside and Virginia Highland. I love where I live. I bought my house ten years ago when most were under $300K. Now there’s nothing under $500K for the most part, other than condos. I love being able to walk somewhere for dinner or to shop, the Morningside Farmer’s market is around the corner from my house.
I do work downtown and my commute is 10-15 minutes. My house is smallish, 3/2, about 2100 square feet, but that’s enough for me. I don’t need a huge house. Actually sold a house in Brookhaven that was larger when I moved ten years ago.
I love living near the High Museum, Botanical Gardens, etc. Crime is not an issue. My house has never been broken into, nor anyone on my street, that I know of.
By songbird
May 6, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
John - you are a narrow minded idiot. ITP includes Buckhead, Ansley Park, Morningside, the Governer’s mansion, etc. Most of the riches people in ATL live in these areas.
By InTownGuy
May 6, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
One thing you might consider is traffic. The congestion in the suberbs is massive. In town a traffic jam consists of having to sit through a light for more than one turn. All the propaganda about crime in intown neighborhoods is just that propaganda. Research police reports by zip code. Lithonia and that part of Dekalb have a lot of crime, but so does Duluth and Gwinette County. Candler, Inman, Oakhurst, Lake Claire, Decatur (downtown) the crime rate is low and mostly non violent nuisance crimes like have having your garden hose stolen. I moved to Atlanta in 1994. Since then I rented in Dunwoody, Smyrna, Midtown, Virginia Highlands and then finally bought in Candler Park. For Dunwoody and Smyrna I took a friends advice and lived less than 1.5 miles from the interstate. This does make a HUGE difference in your commute because as I stated suburban surface streets can be a nightmare. Consider renting a small house or loftin one of the older neighborhoods (candler, inman) and there are some GREAT retro style apartments on Oakdale in Candler Park. From there you can walk to the shops and restaurants of Candler Park, Little 5 Points, Marta, Candler Park Pool/Tennis/Golf and even bike to the Target/Kroger/Best Buy shopping center at edgewood (less than 1.5 miles) GOOD LUCK!!!
By tlc
May 6, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I still say I’ve got it better than all of you (unless you live on the lake too)!!! Neighbors can live in another county but be 10 minuets by water and cruising the lake with friends just to tie up and shoot the s** is where it’s all at. Every weekend there’s at least 2 houses on the water that throw catfish frys, and volleyball games and party’s are commom any time of the year. We have firework shows, marinas/bars/restaurants that you can pull up to by boat without fighting traffic. There is no sirens, red lights or congestion to deal with. Just an occasional “no wake” to slow down in.
By Sherrybaby
May 6, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
30327, tree lined, walking distance to best bar and deck eaterie in Atl, 7 minutes to work at the Capitol life is good.
By One
May 6, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Get real folks, don’t ya’ll know that Red Team is some white kid trying to sound like a black person, therefore sparking the “race” debate!! That happens a lot on these blogs, someone trying to make another look/sound bad by “perpetrating”!!! Get a life!!!
By JeremiahWright
May 6, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Sherrybaby,
Nancy G’s? Horseradish Grill? Otherwise, where?
By Mark
May 6, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
RED TEAM
Flotsam like you are what’s making metro Atl. the hood. Just keep your black ass away from 30039.
By JeremiahWright
May 6, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Anywhere that hasn’t yet been overrun by illegals is preferred real estate. The illegals ruin property values. Keep your politically correct nonsense to yourself. Truth hurts.
By WTF?!
May 6, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Like I said before, obviously zip code does NOT determine class or intelligence!!!!!!!! There are dumb azzes ITP and OTP, and y’all just proved it!!!
By ThirdWheel
May 6, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Mrs.WarrenAnd yes there are homeless people living in the woods but they don’t bother anyone and most have jobs…they too realize how great it is north of Atlanta.
That doesn’t even make sense…. South Fulton is ghetto and so is Fayetteville. I would rather live at Atlantic Station or somewhere close…
By JeremiahWright
May 6, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Yeah WTF, only an ignorant fool with low intelligence would write “azzes.” Could I “axe” you to stay in your ‘hood?
By Patrick
May 6, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
My wife and I lived in Decatur for almost ten years and loved it. We now live in North Alabama where land is cheap and water is plentiful. I was able to start a small business with little debt, buy a much larger house for about 1/3 of the cost of living in Atlanta, and not deal with any traffic. We miss Atlanta but couldn’t imagine commuting again with $4 a gallon gas. All that being said, Decatur and N. Dekalb are still reasonably affordable if you don’t need an enormous house.
By WTF?!
May 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Jeremiah Wright is a white man with racial issues!!! What a fool!!!!
By One
May 6, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
So I guess N. Roswell is better than S. Roswell, and N. Alpharetta is better than S. Alpharetta, and N. Sandy Springs is better than S. Sandy Springs………..so stupid!!!!
By JeremiahWright
May 6, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Hey, sadly I’m far less racist that the REAL Jeremiah Wright. Isn’t that right?
By 30310 and Proud
May 6, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
We purchased in 30310 10 years ago and couldn’t be happier. Great home, great neighborhood, close to East Point and its new restaurants and close to everything we enjoy. I ride MARTA to work and hence am not paying exorbitant gas prices. My husband is self employed and can get anywhere he needs to be in minutes. There has been no crime in our enclave since we’ve been there. We enjoy our ITP lifestyle and kudos to everyone else who enjoys theirs, wherever it may be.
By AC
May 6, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
30080 (Smyrna/Vinings) is a great area! Cute shops, plenty of restaurants and grocery stores nearby and a short commute to my Buckhead office (about 25 mins.).
By joe
May 6, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
SD at 11:10: get over yourself. Even if you are just kidding.
By Cody
May 6, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
I live in a “HIP-ZIP….30528” because all you city-folk like to come to the Northeast Georgia mountains and clog our beautiful roads and towns with cylists, motorcycles, expensive SUVs, crotch-rockets, and NOISE. You guys slow down for every antique store and colored leaf!
I love winter MORE and MORE….cause ya’ll ain’t around! :)
By Mike In Woodstock
May 6, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Previous poster was right. Woodstock is horrible. Don’t move out here. Stay inside the perimeter. It’s much nicer there and people will think you are so cool for living there. If you do come out here though, then go to Bridgemill. Very hip swinger scene. You’re liable to see some of the residents there on www.adultfriendfinder.com
By intown dude
May 6, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
30316 30316 30316 Can you say 30316? East Atlanta. East Atlanta Village. Grant Park. Ormewood Park. Woodland Hills. Can you say 30316? Get real suburbanites, your lifestyle isn’t sustainable unless you work there too. Low crime rate. Afordable houses. Close to everything that matters even walmart if you must. 30316. Say it with me: 3-0-3-1-6!
By intown dude
May 6, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
30316 30316 30316 Can you say 30316? East Atlanta. East Atlanta Village. Grant Park. Ormewood Park. Woodland Hills. Can you say 30316? Get real suburbanites, your lifestyle isn’t sustainable unless you work there too. Low crime rate. Afordable houses. Close to everything that matters even walmart if you must. 30316. Say it with me: 3-0-3-1-6!
By Debbie
May 6, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
30345 - unincorporated north DeKalb - Oakgrove, Briarcliff, Lakeside High area. Near Tucker (downtown Tucker is quaint and will soon be a hoppin’ place again in my opinion). One of the last undiscovered affordable in-town areas. 15-20 minutes to Buckhead or the Airport. Close proximity to MARTA. 15 minutes to Perimeter Mall, Lenox/Phipps and/or Gwinnett and no traffic congestion around our very own Northlake Mall and surrounding strip shopping centers. We actually have to drive to get IN traffic. Oh, and some fine schools too for those of you that need them.
By Sa
May 6, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
The beautiful young people who mill about N. Highland in Va-Hi don’t necessarily live here. They drive there to eat, drink, shop, ogle, etc. We’ve got plenty of soccer moms intown too.
By South Dekalb
May 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Gagirl - YOU brought up race. Odd. Seems like a very effective cop-out to the real issues in those communities.
South Dekalb is ghetto due to crime, appearance, and other misc headlines wafting from that area.
I was born and raised in Stone Mountain. Now that area is almost as bad. The schools are miserable data-wise, my old neighborhood is run-down, and now they’re having drive-bys? Come on. My childhood home used to be safe and friendly. My school was highly respected (Stone Mountain High) because the parents (ie, community) wouldn’t have it any other way. I attended a Magnet program at Towers, too. It wasn’t so bad back then.
Now, houses are on the market FOREVER and prices just go down and down. My parents home was broken into a few months ago. Nobody even tries to keep the trash (literally, garbage) out of their yard, driveway, street. Parents let their children run wild vandalizing whatever they want. My parents next door neighbor has been in jail for years, we’re still not sure who owns/maintains the home because it’s been vandalized so much. This is not a community that residents take pride in. That, to me, is the definition of “ghetto”.
Some folks have recommended Northlake area with Lakeside high district. If you have highschoolers, please re-consider the school. It’s a very old building with lots of facility problems. Also, roach heaven I hear. But, what’s most disturbing to me is there’s so much strife amongst the adults (parents, teachers, administrators) in the last couple of years that minority parents actually formed their own PTA. IMO, that’s just ridiculous. Do we not all want the same for our children?! This school’s current drama is why I’m leaving this area. If the teachers are unhappy, you know that’s going to trickle down to the kids. I hate to move farther away from the downtown core, but I never go downtown anyway (since I work in North Dekalb), so I suppose it doesn’t matter too much. And, besides, 4 years in a possibly boring suburb is worth having a safer and prouder community and school.
By Drew
May 7, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this
Heather - if you can afford the (soon to be) $5 gas for an hour’s commute from a “better” school district then you might be able to afford a private school tuition and just stay put.
All you OTP folks can go on all you want about how few “minutes” it may take you to drive to a nice restaurant or park or shopping center or Midtown or Buckhead or what have you, but the thing is, you’re still DRIVING! Meanwhile those of us in town (30306 myself, soon to be 30309) can walk or take a bike, bus or train to almost anything — we’re not slaves to our automobiles. (And we actually have sidewalks.)
By ATL Lifer
May 7, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
I have no problem if you want to live in Cumming or Suwanee. They’re both very nice little towns. But if you want to live out there, you should work there too. I have a problem with the many people who live out in the suburban sprawl so that they can get the huge house, with a big yard, and low taxes, but then they drive 60 miles one way to Atlanta so that they can get the high-paying job. Then when it comes time to help solve the city’s transportation issues, these folks are no where to be found. Our roads are a mess, traffic is a nightmare, and Marta is completely inefficient, and basically worthless, because the outlying counties don’t want to take any sort of responsibility for the problems of the city. So that means that the people who want to work where they live, are willing to pay their fair share of taxes for the good of all, and want to see great things for the city they love are left holding the bag.
By Mark
October 30, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this
Dear Readers:
When I was 25 years old, freshly dumped out of college and totally broke - except for a very meager savings of $1,000.00 - I bought a little 600 sq. ft. barn (for real) here in the City of Decatur in 1978 on about one-half of an acre of land. I had to re-locate the barn because the land it sat on wasn’t part of the deal.
In my spare time and within ten years had rolled it down a hill on logs, turned it around 90°, placed it on a foundation, installed floors, walls, ceilings 10 feet(!), plumbing, electrical - all up to the latest safety codes - and turned it into a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, LR, kitchen, etc. little house.
I call it “The Shack”. So does everyone else. My greeting: “Welcome to the Jungle!”
During the real estate “boom”, I was harangued over and over by my friends whom had left for the hinterlands: Alpharetta, Cumming, Conyers, Virginia-Highlands, etc.
Now they want to come back because they think the City of Decatur is just really hip (and has great schools).
I would call it “crunchy”. Now I’m in my ‘50’s and I am so thankful I never gave in to the allure of “bigger = better”. I have more breathing room than most of my friends that have moved.
I love the mixture of people (spanning from infants to those so old I don’t know how they get up in morning) that are here and the friendly vibe that exists between our deeply varied stylistic and familia lifestyles.
Need bigger and better? Either one must have lots of money for “bigger”, or one can settle for less room but with more peace of mind and intelligent living. We’re “green”, too.
Oh, yeah. The zip? 30030