I am going to try to answer this question again. I dont know why it didnt go through before.
It depends on how much you can afford will determine where you will live. Personally downtown Atlanta is too high. Places like Buckhead are EXPENSIVE. Some people will say move to Cobb County but out there its just not my cup of tea. Im in debate about out there.
Crime in Atlanta is pretty much like any other city. It has its parts. I wouldnt move to the Southern Part of Fulton County like College Park or Jonesboro, Riverdale. Stay out of Clayton County!!!! Its pretty bad down there.
I plan on moving back to Atlanta next year with my boyfriend, he wanted to move close to downtown and I told him, do you have downtown moneyLOL. I know I dont, lol Since he isnt from Atlanta, he doesnt know though.
I am from Ohio but have lived in Atlanta before and my father and grandmother are life long residents so if i dont know something I get the information from them.
Places I recommend:
Lithonia, Lawrenceville, Parts of Decatur
Lithonia is in Dekalb County which is 15-20 mins outside of Atlanta. You can take I-20 West and get downtown. It is a nice city, up and coming. There is stonecrest mall which is a nice mall in that city. Depends on if you want to rent a house or apartment. Rent for apartment will run $700-$1000, a house will be around $800-$1000
Lawrenceville is in Gwinnett County, it is 30-40 mins outside of Atlanta. You can take I-85 South to get downtown. That is also a very nice place to live. Rent for apartment will run $700-$1000, a house will be around $800-$1000
Parts of Decatur( Outside I-285) - Dekalb County, this is where my grandmother lives, and it is nice as well. A lot of things near by and not too far from Stonecrest Mall. Rent for apartment will run $700-$1000, a house will be around $800-$1000
One thing I want you to remember, the traffic in Atlanta is HORRIBLE!!!! I remember one time we came down to Atlanta we left Ohio at midnight and hit the Atlanta morning traffic at 7:30 AM. I called my grandmother to let her know I was in the Atlanta Metro Area, I was having a FIT, the traffic.... I didn't get to my grandmother's house until 9 AM. Also when I was heading out to go to my birthday party in Midtown Atlanta, I left my grandmother's house at 10:30 PM and I was on the freeway, I didnt get to the club until after midnight. Everyone else was there because of the direction they came from. Where i was coming from Traffic was down to one lane and the exit ramps were closed. ( A very popular thing in downtown atlanta). I had to go to Northside Dr and turn around back south.
Wherever you live, keep in mind that Georiga has a valorem tax, which is a tax on the registration of your car, plates etc. The registration, plates and tags are around $75-$100 but the tax alone varies. It goes by what county and city you live in and the type of car you drive.
My grandmother had a lexus, lives in Dekalb county in decatur, The tax was $600 on top of the $75-$100 for the registration. When I move back, I have a newer trailblazer and it will run me $200-$300.
Atlanta is a nice city and Im ready for the day when we move down there. There is a lot to do, you just have to know where to go. The people are friendly down there. I had my birthday The majority of my birthday pictures are from people from Atlanta, just jumping in pictures, telling me happy birthday because my picture was up on the board at the club and the TV at the club.
Be careful because not everyone is an "up to par" crowd.
Good luck at Clark Atlanta and have fun in Atlanta. Hey, maybe we can get cool and kick it sometime. Any other questions, hit me up
**edit*** I would like to know what gang activity is in Lithonia, i asked my grandma about the area since she live near by and she said that it is real nice, especially near turner hill rd. Its basically as she puts it "new money". My grandma is real picky so when she say something is nice, its nice. As far as Decatur, you may hear some bad things about it. Just depends on what part. Outside I-285 is better than inside 285. my space me. www.myspace.com/soulfullyrie