When growing families are looking for new homes, there are a number of factors that come into consideration. Finding a home in a good school district, with a low crime rate, but is also relatively affordable can be difficult.
Recently, the online real estate brokerage Owners.com put together a ranking of neighborhoods in Atlanta that fit these criteria.
The website evaluated each neighborhood on seven metrics: average home price, quality of schools, average household size, percentage of homes with kids under 18, home affordability, crime rate and how suited the neighborhood is for outdoor activities.
1. East Atlanta
East Atlanta was listed as the most affordable neighborhood for growing families with an average home price of $163,600 and an average income per capita of $46,977. More than 50 percent of the neighborhood had kids under the age of 18 and it was rated an A in outdoor activities.
“East Atlanta offers the feel of the big city while still providing a great sense of community and affordable home prices,” said Phil Karp, senior manager of broker services at Owners.com. “Families can often be found at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market and exploring the local community garden or walking trails. Residents look forward to the annual East Atlanta Strut, a one-day festival of music, arts and kid-friendly activities that has taken place every September for the past 20 years.”
2. Kirkwood
Kirkwood’s average home price was around $223,900 with an average income of $53,922. Nearly 52 percent of households have children under the age of 18. However, there has been a significant amount of construction in the neighborhood with plenty of shopping and dining options in the area that make it attractive to families.
“With a variety of historic homes and a recent construction boom of new homes, Kirkwood is also a promising neighborhood for young families to consider,” said Karp. “The neighborhood offers Coan Park and a variety of kid-friendly activities like the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Spring Fling.”
3. Virginia-Highland
Although the Virginia-Highland neighborhood has a significantly more affluent neighborhood with a higher average home price and income compared to the other two neighborhoods on this list, $474,500 and $83,903, it also has a higher public school rating. Its location also provides an easy commute for residents who work in downtown Atlanta.
“Virginia-Highland is known for its historic homes and artistic influence, and residents love the sense of community in this neighborhood,” said Karp. “You can often find families at the many restaurants, at local events or exploring the neighborhood arboreta.”