"I was told at the end of September that I had 10 days to be in Atlanta." This was 23-year-old Meredith Pelton's situation when she got her new job in forecasting and planning for IBM. "I had friends in the area, but not anybody I could just call to say, 'Hi, I'm moving in with you!' so my parents and I got into the car and drove up to find my new home."

The search: "We looked pretty much everywhere. I decided I wanted to stay in the Buckhead area and found a lot of places I liked, but nothing that made my heart go 'pitter patter,' as my mother would say. I knew I would be working a lot, so I wanted a place that would really make me feel good about being home. I think we had looked at over 100 apartment communities. My dad had to go home and my mom and I decided to give it one more day.

CHRISTOPHER OQUENDO/Special (ENLARGE)

The Atrium at Buckhead's abundance of windows and closet space are appreciated. 'I am thrilled every day I live here,' says Meredith Pelton.

Getting there From downtown Atlanta: Take I-85 north to Exit 86 (Buford Highway). Take the Piedmont Road/Ga. 237 ramp and turn right onto Piedmont. Travel 1.8 miles and turn left onto Pharr Road. Apartments are on the right.

"When we finally walked into these apartments, I fell in love. I put down a deposit, drove home to Naples, Fla., to pack up my stuff and moved in. I am thrilled every single day that I live here. The people and the location are great."

The location and her apartment: "It's to die for. The more I become familiar with the area, the happier I am. My apartment is really cool. I have 17 windows and half of them are curved. I have a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment that's just under 1,100 square feet. There's a huge amount of closet space, and that was really important for a girl who had a two-bedroom condo and one of the bedrooms was used as a closet."

The amenities and the neighbors: "I use the gym almost every day. It's just the right size for the number of residents, and there's a complimentary fitness trainer. I never have to wait for a machine, and there are yoga classes a couple times a week. There's a gorgeous pool and two barbecue grills. I love having a place to sit outside."

The Atrium in Buckhead Village

Address: 360 Pharr Road N.E., Atlanta

Information: 404-231-8743; Laramar Group

Year built: 2002

Rent (subject to change): loft $785-$910; one-bedroom $950-$1,260; two-bedroom $1,250-$1,450

Fees: application, $75; security, $200 to $400 with half refundable; pet, $300 to $700 with half refundable; $25 monthly parking

Pet restrictions: 80 pounds and non-aggressive breeds

Number of units: 230

Amenities: 24-hour cyber cafe, 24-hour fitness center, pool

Public transit: two MARTA train stations within a mile

Public schools: Garden Hills Elementary, Sutton Middle, North Atlanta High

Find an apartment online at ajchomefinder.com and get a $125 gift card.