Around Sandy Springs

By hrw

March 25, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

What makes any city consider itself as “Hot Property”. Yes, developers try to put Beverly Hills behind their name by building McMansions right next door; to often, the smaller home owner sales and the city get’s reorganized with everyone owning their little satisfied kingdom. Then come the mega-building right in the same location with strip-malls and publix and krogers which that drowns out our little kingdom and make the homeownership more expensive and sometime very hard to afford. The key here is invite people in to a new lovely 3,000 to 5,000 square foot home with everything you can think of; people mind gets full and they to want that same time of ownership and the party begun to take off. Little do they know that if you live where anything is being develope, down the months you pay for it all. Sandy Springs has it good and bad points; its where your money can afford you to be and live where you elect to bring your family up. Now, its your choice where you want to consider what is affordable.

By Hold on

March 25, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

OK, homebuilders have outpaced themselves, but our current economy will correct itself. But to say new commercial development is bad because it raises property values, huh? I’m sorry, but I bought my place because it’s my first nest egg. Bring on higher property values because right now the rate of inflation is quickly outpacing the increasing value of my property.

By Aaron

March 25, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

My wife and I just bought a townhome in Sandy Springs in Nov, and we feel that Sandy Springs is still a great value. Sandy Springs has so much to offer on Roswell Road and it is just a few minutes from Dunwoody. All the neighborhoods are great and property values hold up real well here. We look at it as a home and an investment and we will buy a larger home here in about 5 years. Sandy Springs= AWESOME!!

By DJ

March 25, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Sandy Springs is ranked as one of the Wealthest city is the Nation. Yes, they are a very “Hot” property still and will always be.

By Brian

March 25, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

The practice of buying older homes and knocking them down to build a McMansion is an interesting phenomenon. I think it is crazy. I don’t have that kind of money. If I did though, I would not go the route of the McMansion anyway. I like Sandy Springs but I think it is obvious what is happening in that town. The average hard working blue collar American can’t afford to live there.

By Sandy

March 25, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

“…it is just a few minutes from Dunwoody.”

Wow. Big dreams, huh Aaron?

Who said Sandy Springs was ever “hot” in the first place? Just because huge, over-priced homes are being thrown up everyday, does not make it happening spot. Only to those who fall for that trap for mindless sheep.

Don’t fall for it.

By Juice

March 25, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m just not fit for McMansions. Not that I’m against nice, big fancy homes but I’d like my house to be some distance away from the next one. It’s crazy to see a nicely appointed master bath with jetted garden tub under a huge fancy leaded glass window, looking out to a brick wall 6 ft away. What is the point?

By amy

March 25, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Frankly I’m surprised young families are able to afford to live anywhere within reasonable striking distance of 285. Most communities around (at least prior to what I hope is a pricing slump) seemed intent on pricing young families right out of the market. (Unless of couse those young families come with a trust fund or a generous hand up from Grandparents Savings and Loan.

By Elliot Garcia

March 25, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

not crazy about the property taxes in Sandy Springs…

By KLK

March 25, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

We moved to lower East Cobb to be closer to SSprings. We look in SSprings, but after reviewing the taxes and schools, chose East Cobb for quality and resale value. I am in SSprings in 5 minutes & Perimeter in 15 min. for all it has to offer, but enjoy a great community, lower taxes and fab schools. SSprings is an established community and with a Roswell Rd clean up, will be even better. We enjoy the shopping, dining. The drive down Riverside is beautiful. The prices are kept up for a reason… I also believe the new city unit is trying to improve things and will succeed. Sandy Springs gets my vote as one of the more established zip codes in Atlanta, and always has been established. If they can improve their public schools, it will be even better.

By Kellix

March 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Wow DJ never knew Sandy Springs was soo hot. I’ve lived there my whole life, when you would drive to abernathy on Roswell rd and it was all Kudzu and you were officially in the boonies. When Northside hospital and perimeter mall and that Marriot there WERE the only things over there. My point is Sandy Springs was once a very laid back town, then it became a rich mecca because of Buckhead,Dunwoody and East Cobb, aka the Golden Ghetto. There are alot of people I know would love for the building to stop, and for people to quit moving in. They have messed it up enough. Its bout now impossible to drive around during rush hour for what? A pretty address, Please pick Alpahretta or Dunwoody and leave sandy springs alone. There are people that didn’t want it to be the monolith it has become.

By What is Golden Ghetto?

March 25, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Kellix, what do you mean by Golden Ghetto (referring to East Cobb). I could call it Republican heaven, but find the GG acronym funny. Just curious :)

By Jim Osterman

March 25, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

The term “Golden Ghetto” was applied to Sandy Springs back in the ’60s when SS was trying to avoid being annexed into the City of Atlanta. The annexation was defeated and there was a certain pride attached to the GG designation.

By William

March 25, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Sandy Springs is “hot” because they are their own city, and the taxes stay to provide services for the payers. As a Dunwoody resident, I can’t wait for the opportunity to end the constant siphon of my $8k+ a year taxes to provide services for South Dekalb and vote for our cityhood.

Then who are you going to hose Vernon?

By John

March 25, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Kellix is right on. I grew up in Sandy Springs, and just recently visited the area for old times sake. It took forever just to get around the block. I couldn’t believe the way the Cliftwood Dr. and Allen Rd. areas got so screwed up. What are these idiotic developers thinking? Talk about some p**-poor planning and a half a* job. My old house is now a converted insurance agency, where most of the other empty remaining houses are trying to be leased out as offices. They are all mixed in with a newly constructed office park here, and a half empty strip mall there. Yeah, million dollar homes crammed in right next to new apartment complexes everywhere. It looks sad. Somebody needs to get a leash on these so called planners/developers, and put a stop to their stupidity. They took a nice cozy town that just needed a little upgrading, and messed it all up.

By chris

March 26, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I was raised in Sandy Springs. Went to SSMS that is now KROGER HILL. I have a book full of speeding tickets on ROSWELL ROAD from the 1980’s, 65mph in a 35mph zone. Now, there is so much gridlock everyday and everynight that I could never get a ticket now. When mom and dad pass I will sell their place long before I would move back to the new DORAVILLE. Roswell Road is loaded with trashy apartments full of LATINOS. When we moved to SS in “73” it was a “hometown” with Chastain Park full of little league sports, a great public school system, and all the best privite schools in the metro area. Now, too much over growth and fake RICHtrash trying to change My Hometown. THANK YOU DEVELOPERS for POOPing on my HOMETOWN.

By Erin

March 26, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Is this a trick question? Why on Earth would ANYONE want to live in this gang infested, thug loving, illegal immigrant part of town? If I was offered a free home there, I would not take it. Back in the 80’s, when it was all white, it was a great area. The Prado, American Pie, Good Ole Days, all fun places. All SUCK now. Gee I wonder why?

By Concerned Citizen

March 28, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this

For quite a while I’ve wondered how people could afford the many $800K and up houses that developers were building. Turns out they couldn’t. To solve this housing crisis, we need builders to build affordable houses and buyers to make realistic purchases.

By Walter

March 28, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this

I went to Ridgeview H.S. back in the early 70’s. It was near Northside Hospital. I lived in the area from 1972-89 Recently, I was in the area and got lost! I experianced a maze of roads and went around in circles before finally making it to Roswell Rd. There I found bumper to bumper traffic in the middle of the day! Growth = ( too many people) and the influx of Latinos, “Urban types”,and who knows what else have ruined my once beloved city. I hardly felt at home and got the f**k out!

By JWL

March 28, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Sandy Springs. Thirty years ago it was wonderful. Now it isn’t worth it - especially if you have school-age children. East Cobb is so much better. Your children can go to Walton HS, your neighborhood is safer, and your taxes are lower. I left several years ago and haven’t looked back.

By Randy

March 28, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

It’s funny in America how hateful you so called Christian folk are. You complain about the so called latio’s when they share in your faith then you rail against Muslims for not sharing your faith. Well peep this Mayberry, “aint” no going back. Your childred don’t like what you call “safe”, ie boring living. In conjuction with your faith(Christianity) and the great MLK’s message of dreaming, that you love now that he’s dead, we will all live together eventually. So run to E. Cobb and N. Cobb, the moon, mars, wherever but you will forever be white supremist and the world will always have a hue, making us humans.

By Randy

March 28, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

It’s funny in America how hateful you so called Christian folk are. You complain about the so called latio’s when they share in your faith then you rail against Muslims for not sharing your faith. Well peep this Mayberry, “aint” no going back. Your childred don’t like what you call “safe”, ie boring living. In conjuction with your faith(Christianity) and the great MLK’s message of dreaming, that you love now that he’s dead, we will all live together eventually. So run to E. Cobb and N. Cobb, the moon, mars, wherever but you will forever be white supremist and the world will always have a hue, making us humans.

By JWL

March 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Excuse me, but what does lower taxes, safer neighborhoods, and better schools have to do with religion or diversity? I think we all, regardless of background, want our children safe and well educated. I think we all want lower taxes. If Sandy Springs offered that, I would still be there. For the record, my East Cobb neighbors are black, asian, and Indian.

By JB

March 28, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

My husband and I (age 28) moved out of our condo (which took us over a year to sell) in Sandy Springs because we were ready for a house and couldn’t afford to stay in the area. (Mind you we are double income no kids and at a good stage in our careers, so we are not hurting financially, but we are also reasonable about what portion of our income should be going towards the mortgage.) We thought our condo would appreciate but the opposite happened and we were very disappointed with the difficulties we had selling. It seemed because our complex was older, no one was interested. First-time buyers want brand-new with all the bells and whistles even if they have to pay $350k for it. I prefer crown molding, more square-footage and other such details which is why we bought that condo in the first place.

By middle class latinos

March 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

You guys really hate Latinos, hmmm..and they call this the Bible Belt, doesn’t sound very christianlike to me. You make me sick.

By Delta Woodward

March 28, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Crash Pad Hot Spot for Sandy Springs Commuters to Airport or Woodward Academy (K-12) is “Historic College Park” zip 30337 on MLS. Invest in low priced homes/condos to save gas, parking and time; walk to MARTA train, by renovated historic homes, a few McMansions and Barrett Park, new restaurants and shops; volunteer at new Boys & Girls Club; 5 mins to I-85 and Airport; sell for profit when market gets better.

By Tonia

March 28, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

WOW, Randy you fell right into the discussion! Let me say first that I have been reading this all week just to get some understanding, but SSprings was a beautiful neighborhood like any other, with rolling hills and trees, huge, tall green trees, takes me bake to my high school days, how nice. I went to school on the other side of Lenox Road, it was quite different. Once I graduated from high school and began college and working in downtown I notice the ridiculous change, and yeah it was ridiculous. I can’t blame the condition of the community on the people who moved in. The truth is that somebody has been making a great deal of money from these constant renters on Buford Hwy. & Roswell Rd. The McMansions, well that came later, but they have gotta stop. What ever happen to two story brick home with a basement? Perimeter & Northside Hospital area is mess, and stop calling apartments condos, that doesn’t make sense. Let’s get one thing clear this is about money, that’s right people money, we love green, not green grass, not green trees, or wild reservation areas, but green money, lining our pockets like thieves. All the while we’re blaming others and not taking the time to stay involved and informed about where we grew up and where we come from, what a tragedy. Really people we can do better.

By What century is this

March 28, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

i am sorry did i just go back to the jim crow south? i find it interesting that it is wealthy white men who are “destroying” you precious town and yet many of you find in yourselves to blame Latinos, “Urban types” and Thugs (translation black folk), and other non-whites who are living in and supporting the community. many of you have moved away and are doing nothing to make your former home a better place other than complaining. GET A GRIP!

By BigTone

March 28, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I love Sandy Springs. Lived there for years. I’m also Christian. I’m also Black. Racism is alive and well in Atlanta Metro. I’m sure many of the people that made racial comments will be the first people in the Neighborhood to exclaim that there is no racism. Its ridiculous and ignorant. Atlanta isn’t the boonies anymore. Anyone and everyone can live here. Its the browning of America. Get used to it.

By Lissette

March 28, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Wow, I found this discussion interesting, since I am relocating to Atlanta in the next month. We are a born in America family but with our Latino backgrounds, is there really this much racism in Atlanta? We are moving over there with white collar jobs but will we be looked at as the new landscapers in the area? Not to sure what to think of from all of these negative comments being posted about the latinos invading…

By Derek Korn

March 28, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

the Golden Ghetto was a term started by AJC reporter way back, referring to the younger generations of residents that had that silver spoon attitude but still got into a lot of trouble and lot of drugs. Sandy Springs was just predominently white. But the wonderful mix now of races is just the nature of our entire country. As far as traffic goes things have improved tremendously. Way to go SS gov!!

By an

March 28, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Wow, Erin. You have some major issues to deal with!

By Saddened

March 28, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Erin, I can’t tell you how much it pains me to hear such blatant racist statements. What are you, 23, 43. I guess age doesn’t matter, it’s the mind. No, it’s more than that, it’s the HEART! I used to think that the worse thing in life is to have a BAD mind, but the mind is only a fraction of the person, it’s the heart that the body cannot live without, and when your heart is bad, how can anyone expect anything good from a body that is existing from a BAD HEART! Think about that.

By Jim Osterman

March 28, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Folks:

Thanks for taking time to comment. But I wonder why the some responding in the “comments” section eventually wind their way into race.

Shouldn’t we be beyond that?

By jb

March 30, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

I think some of you should be placing the blame for your community’s so called drop in quality of life on developers, city government, and most of all, yourselves for not checking either of the previous two instead of blaming any social or racial classes.

By chris

March 30, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Ivey Johnson, Bill Chipman, Candler Crim, Art Parks,”The Coach” Bob BLACKWELL, Bob Short, and “me” made SANDY SPRINGS what is is today. NYO was the HUB of the neighborhood. Chastine Park was “OUR WORLD” and the community was all involved with youth sports. Even the PORNO KING Mr. Thevis was there watching his children Cheer and play Sports. Sandy Springs was great when it was a COMMUNITY that watched-out for the children. My neighbors knew the children in the neighborhood even if they didn’t have kids or their kids were older and moved to COLLEGE. Now, Sandy Springs is a MELTINGPOT? That means nobody cares about you and yours, just theirs and their own. THANK YOU DAD & Grandad for giving me 50 acres in Chatt Hills.

By Yvonne

March 30, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

So, SAndy Springs in one of the wealthiest cities in the nation? Don’t make me laugh. It’s not even on the map compared to Bel Aire, CA; Lake Forest, IL; the Hamptons in NY. People down here have no idea of what opulence really is. Sure, Buckhead and S.S. are nice, but pale in comparison to tons of places.

Another example of Atlanta attempting to place itself among the giants. I’ve had my laugh for today.

By twigs

March 30, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Sandy Springs = suburban mediocrity

By Erin

March 30, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Why is it “racist” when a white person speaks the TRUTH? Nothing I said was racist, just the truth. Morons.

By gerald ledford

March 30, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

HAS ANYONE SEEN THE MOVIE “INTO THE WILD”?

By Neko

March 30, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Check out the history of SSprings. Check out the names of the developers who made the big bucks in SSprings. You may be surprised. Whoever said its all about $$$$ was right! Poor planning leads to traffic and decreased quality of life but believe me the folks laughing all the way to the bank probably don’t even live in SSprings or if they do, they are over on Heards Ferry behind a gate.

By Xena

March 30, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Several folks commented on racist remarks and racism in the south. I just wonder how a southern white christian would be treated if he moved to Harlem or the Bronx (not that anyone would ever want to leave here and go there). I’m sure he would NEVER hear a racist remark from any of his neighbors there and would be welcomed with open arms.

By Erin

March 30, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Xena you black people are MUCH more racist then white people.

By Chris

March 30, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

It pains me to read these posts; I am so saddened.