Decatur, AL, Lifestyle and Housing Advantages

http://atlanta.about.com/od/subur2/Suburbs_of_Atlanta.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur,_Georgia
Decatur is a thriving town that has been incorporated into Metropolitan Atlanta for some time now. After urban flight out of many major cities, Decatur also saw its population decline. A turnaround has been occurring for a decade or so, however, since new jobs in Atlanta and Decatur have opened up and the elevated economic health of Atlanta is becoming a reality. This little township has just around 20,000 population, with a large gay and lesbian community. Unfortunately the property tax rates are very high in Decatur, but they have been used to create a school system that is excellent. The town is pretty, with several historic districts and its median income and education levels are far above those of neighboring Atlanta. People have been relocating here ito flee Atlanta's high crime rate or to have a cleaner, safer lifestyle.

New homes in Decatur cover a wide price range, from just under $100,000 all the way up to $400,000 and over in the new Oak Grove community of luxury townhomes. Austin Meadows is another area of homes that are really affordable, given their proximity to the center of Decatur and the easy access to downtown Atlanta through the MARTA transit system. This is a gated community as well and has homes priced in the upper $100,000s to the mid $200,000s. Their greenspace allotments, a clubhouse and pool are part of the package here. A legacy listing for 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, brick two-story townhome is $219,250. Another of the same size is $213,340. Elite collection listings are even less with just under 2,000 per sq. ft. and 4 bedrooms.

In another builder's development, Sunrise Park, homes with 1-3 bedrooms and 1.5-2.5 baths list for $99,000-$138,900. Some examples of older homes listed in this town are: a 3 bedroom, 2 bath for $125,000 or a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath in Austin Park for $127,500. Austin Park homes have fireplaces and hardwood floors also, which is a special amenity. The vast majority of over 3,000 homes in the area sell in range of $125,000 to $175,000, so there is a lot on the market to choose from.

Kings Row, Brookglen and Yorkshire are areas that have a lot of listings from $200,000 to $250,000. Some of them are: 5 bd., 2 ba-- $200,000, and 4 bd., 2.5 ba.--$200,000. Austin Meadows and Talley St. are two other developments of townhomes with pricing in the lower to mid-$200,000 range. Single family homes generally have the best value for pricing per sq. ft. though. Resale homes tend to be priced more reasonably given the larger lots. But townhomes are definitely Decatur's best drawing card.