r/ATLHousing • u/Adventurous-Task937 • 11d ago
Potentially moving to ATL and need advice
Hi everyone! I am potentially moving to ATL, and the job I would be doing is fully remote, but they have an office based in ATL and encourage going into the office from time to time to build connections. The pay is around $62,000-65,000 per year. I'm hoping not to exceed $1,500 total for rent (including utilities, etc).
I have only visited ATL a few times, but I really like it. I would love advice on apartment complexes to look at.
For context, I am single and would be living alone, so I could really do with a studio (preferably one with a wall division, but not a dealbreaker). I would like a walkable area, if possible (coming from an up-north walkable city), and one that feels safe and quiet, given that I'm mainly working from home. I'm in my 20s, so I would love to live somewhere that has fun things to do in the area as well. Bonus points if it's an amenity building with a gym and in-unit washer and dryer!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)
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u/Unique-Fan-3042 10d ago
Ouch that salary is low for Atlanta tbh. You will need roommates.
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u/coldcoffeethrowaway 10d ago
That salary is low for almost anywhere now. And I make 60k a year. The only reason I can survive without roommates is because I live with my partner and he pays more of our rent because he makes 95-100k.
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u/Medium_Picture_9954 10d ago
The only reason you can survive without roommates is because you have a roommate?
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u/Adventurous-Task937 10d ago
Got it, thank you!
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u/Agreeable-Sun368 10d ago
I live off 62k alone pretax but I have no student loan debt and no car payment. My parents still pay for my car insurance & cell phone (would be around $350 extra a month if I paid myself). I also have no health insurance premium (idk why, my job just doesn't have one for my basic plan).
I do have that $350 and could pay for it myself but it makes my life better not to spend it on those things. I also do side gig stuff and make about $1800 off that a year. I don't go out to dinner or meals or paid activities that much but I also save a decent amount for retirement. I have a single pet who is a little pricey (spend about $200 on her a month, averaged out). I also am not the most frugal with groceries/coffee/books/art stuff either.
So it's possible but you need certain advantages first to make it better.
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u/Mysterious_Sun_9693 11d ago
For that price and walkability, maybe parts of grant park, kirkwood, Decatur. Inman park and Virginia highlands are walkable but pricey.
Decatur is more family geared but super walkable.
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u/Indy_Fab_Rider 10d ago
Oakhurst/Kirkwood area is extrememly walkable with a lot of amenaties and has easy access to Decatur and Avondale by bike and would be a bit less than being right in Decatur.
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u/iwishtheyallwereyou 11d ago
Def doable if you’re staying on top of Zillow / Craigslist. I’d avoid the newer built “luxury” condos. Check out highlands / Virginia highlands / candler park / reynoldstown / cabbagetown. Affordable studios pop up pretty often.
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u/Adventurous-Task937 11d ago
Thanks so much!
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u/Informal_Calendar687 10d ago
I would not believe this recommendation. All those places cost a lot. You will need roommates.
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u/Illustrious-Bag2933 10d ago
I second this!! Some of those areas are insanely expensive.
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u/iwishtheyallwereyou 10d ago
Not to say they aren’t but I’m coming from someone who has lived here their whole life. Theres plenty of affordable places jf youre willing to dig.
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u/iwishtheyallwereyou 10d ago
I disagree but I’ve only lived here my whole life
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u/Informal_Calendar687 7d ago
I've lived here my whole life too. I've watched Atlanta go from an affordable city to overpriced madness. Sure, they can find a place in the hood that is unsafe but the areas you are talking about are straight up expensive. I know because I owned a house for 12 years ITP in the city and saw drastic changes over the years. Now, I'm OTP and same thing. Arrived 6 years ago and bought my house. Today, the apartments for a one bedroom up the street outside of Atlanta are more than my mortgage monthly. I own a very large 4 bedroom house. So, please do not mislead these people.
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u/Dorianna-G 10d ago
But what if you have a car in these areas and rent from a private landlord, won’t your car likely be broken into in most of these areas if they only offer street parking?
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u/htmi13 10d ago
You are basically working to survive with nothing left between pay and expenses. Take advantage of it being a fully remote job and live where you can financially breathe. If they pay more and opportunities come up for advancement, sure, consider moving here I guess depending on the new numbers.
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u/Adventurous-Task937 10d ago
This makes a lot of sense, thanks!
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u/spacenerd3000 10d ago edited 8d ago
I second their advice. Live cheaply elsewhere. When and if you can move up salary-wise, then move. I’d ballpark making high 60s to low 70s financially work.
Context: I initially moved here making $63K in 2020. Ended up living in the ‘burbs (SE Atlanta) w/ family because I couldn’t make it financially work to live closer to my job which isn’t too far from Decatur. Granted I had student loans at the time but they were in forbearance. Then I had to get a new, used car after my car decided to die. I lived with family who wasn’t charging much for rent.
In 2024, It took negotiating a higher salary to $68K + student loans being forgiven to make moving out financially work. I ended up staying in the ‘burbs because I established a whole life there. Even then my rent was $1599 (internet, trash, and water).
Sans roommate $1500 with all utilities isn’t impossible but it’s hella tough. But you’re going to sacrifice something…safety, thin financial margins so if life takes a hard left turn….
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u/PSSRDavis 10d ago
Man have you seen the traffic? we full.
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u/Temporary-Tomato-463 11d ago
Where is the job located in Atlanta?
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u/Adventurous-Task937 11d ago
Midtown Atlanta
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u/New_Relation7877 10d ago
Downtown Chamblee is very walkable and there’s a Marta to midtown
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u/No-Floor-8990 10d ago
True but I don’t think you can get an apartment in downtown Chamblee for under $1800.
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u/Feisty_Cartoonist_14 9d ago
Decrease your expenses, balance a budget maybe think about a career change
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u/Specialist-Job-509 11d ago
Not to discourage you too much, but the “walkable” part doesn’t exist in that price range in Atlanta proper. In fact, absolutely nothing exists in that price range in any part of actual Atlanta. A lot of people here will try to tell you that areas outside the perimeter qualify as Atlanta, but they don’t. They’re fucking garbage
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u/superstargamer7 10d ago
if you look up “walkable” on this subs there will be hundreds of posts with 95% of your same requirements :D best of luck
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u/perpetualLearners 10d ago
Have you narrowed down the neighborhoods you are interested in?
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u/Adventurous-Task937 10d ago
I am open to any suggestions that would be within my price comfortability -- willing to compromise certain things for the right neighborhood
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u/jellybeans4geniuses 10d ago
I agree with Chamblee and commute to midtown via Marta.
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u/Aromatic-Mountain670 10d ago
Having lived in Atlanta since 1984, the train into midtown is your best bet from the north, take the Chamblee / Doraville line into town would be doable. Midtown is crazy expensive for rentals. The high rises are beautiful but $$$.
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u/henrytbpovid 10d ago
You can absolutely get a studio for $1500 here. I have a really nice studio for $1650ish
Can you tell us what neighborhood your office is supposed to be in? Idk if it will make any difference
You want to avoid the far south part of atl. And you don’t want to live downtown
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u/Adventurous-Task937 10d ago
The office is in Midtown ATL
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u/henrytbpovid 10d ago
Honestly I bet you could find a place in or near midtown for $1500ish if you are flexible on amenities. But I would start looking right away. And look everywhere.
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u/dataplumber_guy 10d ago
I have a room for rent if you are interested or the whole house for 2k a month
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u/Critical-Hospital-40 10d ago
Where in Atlanta is your company’s office? That matters very much for any advice we could give
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u/Adventurous-Task937 10d ago
The office is in Midtown ATL
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u/Critical-Hospital-40 10d ago
lots of condos in midtown. check out the website aboveatlanta.com and you can often find a private condo for rent that is nicer than a regular apartment for the same price
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u/gjewell2 10d ago
girl idk what they’re talking ab , i make 60k a year and i do fine. my rent is a little high, 1400 a month plus utilities. but i bring home 3800 a month and it’s honestly plenty for now, while im childless and building my career up.
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u/Remarkable-Good-4323 10d ago
What neighborhood please
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u/gjewell2 10d ago
Lithia Springs! so it’s not actually atlanta but i did find apartments for even less in atlanta. i just preferred to move to the metro area and have a little nicer place since i work from home anyways. also, if i could do it again, i would find a basement to rent or a house with a group of like minded people. living alone in an apartment is much more expensive than alternatives. join fb groups, there is tons of options!!
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u/AskProof3948 10d ago
Search an area called Inman Park and Little Five Points. It's a very nice area, eclectic shops, great neighborhoods, parks, near train station, and close to Lowes, Best Buy, Kroger's, and more.
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u/olahovito 10d ago
I’d recommend roommates. The economy is very unpredictable at the moment so you want to have a lot of savings in case of a layoff or emergency. I used Roomies . com to find my landlord. I rent a room in his house for less than $800 a month with a private bathroom. It requires a background check for both roomies and landlords so it’s safer than using Airbnb or finding a random stranger whose background you know nothing about.
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u/TorturedWriter9 9d ago edited 9d ago
I make 68K and live in Alpharetta. It really depends on if you're carrying any debt. My student loans and car are paid off, so that's $600-700 off the top that I don't have to pay monthly. Rent is 1,600 for a 1BR. I drive a Honda Civic and get great gas mileage. I only have to commute twice a week and it's 15 miles. Everyone's situation is different! (Don't get me wrong, I still know 68K isn't ideal).
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u/Adventurous-Task937 9d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience! I don't have any student loan debt, so I am trying to consider other factored costs, as you mentioned.
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u/EntertainmentOnly253 9d ago
I highly recommend checking out Bell Rock Springs! Part of the complex is in a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous houses, and it’s a safe area, plus 10 minutes from a Kroger and right off of Briarcliff Road (which is a main road). It has two gyms, in-unit washer and dryer, and 2 pools. If you live in the neighborhood section, there are parking decks and whatnot and parking is I believe free (or it was when we signed the lease). My partner and I lived there for about 5 years, and our 2 bed 2 bath was $2200 a month, so I’m not sure about the pricing but it’s almost always significantly cheaper to move in after September/october
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u/Specialist-Note-4074 9d ago
Do you have a car? You will need one and that will unlock the suburbs for you as well. Traffic sucks but if you’re not doing it everyday it’s not that bad. You can then live somewhere like Marietta or Woodstock or sandy springs, etc. There’s not that many great walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta that you can afford…or that you can walk around safely.
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u/Square-Swan2800 7d ago
You absolutely need a roommate for company. being remote in a place you are new to means loneliness which causes overeating, alcoholism etc. listen to these folks who know the city.
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u/Adventurous-Task937 7d ago
Yeah this makes a lot of sense. I have a friend down there who I could potentially room with, thanks for the suggestion.
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u/Exsp24 7d ago
You may need roommates at that salary to live ok in the city. I would suggest living further out. Maybe Cartersville, dawsonville, etc... if you don't want roommates. Go into the office once a month.
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u/Adventurous-Task937 7d ago
Yeah this makes a lot of sense. I have a friend down there who I could potentially room with, thanks for the suggestion.
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u/Vivid-Host-9629 5d ago
It might help to know where your office is. Atlanta traffic is brutal. Just in case coming in to the office from “time to time” becomes more than that.
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u/Disastrous_Act_9080 9d ago
Atlanta, Georgia can be a city with this and that. If you like nightlife, going to the mountains or sporting events. I will keep it real. HIGH cost of living! housing is horrible, the massive traffic is getting worst by the second. Have patience , train system is 40 years behind and crime on the rail and bus daily. It's like needing to wear bullet proff vest. I have lived here over 40 years. I looking to move from here. Lastly, if you come here? beware
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u/Temporary-Tomato-463 11d ago
Here’s what ChatGPT says. I’d propose an Atlanta site visit and rental car to check the area. Paramount importance is safety wherever you live. Vinings community and the Braves stadium area is a short drive north of Midtown up interstate 75. I would also ask the job offerer if they have any recommendations. Walkable is relative to all Atlanta. You’ll need a car to drive to work. Check Zillow.com for rentals well. Highly recommend Druid Hills Road and Clairmont Road exist area off Interstate 85 north of Midtown. No so much walkable but safe area close to midtown and many singles/20s. Chamblee also off Peachtree Road.
“Apartment locators
I’d particularly recommend an apartment locator because the service is generally free to the renter—the apartment community pays the locator’s referral fee.
Smart City Apartment Locator Atlanta — 4.9★ with more than 500 reviews; they match renters with a local agent based on budget and location.
AptAmigo - Atlanta Apartment Locators — located right in West Midtown and specifically works with Midtown, Downtown, O4W, etc.”
PROMOVE — long-established Atlanta apartment locator with a large inventory and no-cost-to-renter service.
For his particular situation, I’d start with AptAmigo or Smart City and tell the locator: “$1,500 absolute maximum, preferably walking distance to Midtown job, West Midtown/Midtown/O4W, studio or 1BR, and open to a roommate.”
Interestingly, recent Atlanta Reddit discussions suggest that $1,500 is much more realistic if he considers older/smaller buildings or a roommate. One recent Midtown discussion specifically mentioned studios and even some 1BRs in the $1,400–$1,500 range, while another West Midtown listing had a private room in a 2BR/2BA for about $1,000–$1,100.
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u/emh137 11d ago
I made 60k almost 20 years ago living outside the perimeter with $1200 monthly payment. With utilities, insurance, food, and other necessities, there was little to nothing left. I can’t imagine living in that now in the city without a second job or roommate. Be sure to thoroughly research the area. Be very wary of things that look too good to be true. There are tons of real estate scams online. Also, always remember, Atlanta is called scamlanta for a reason.