Atlanta is a big place and has a pretty good transport system but in case you don't want to travel(I strongly recommend you don't) there are a variety of places you could stay for students going to tech.Most of the stuff is either my opinion or the opinion of my friends.note that this is not my order of recommendation,I am just giving you some of the options available.It is always best to check the place out before renting it.
Also you can check out the police website or community websites (i am sure there is one for midtown called midtown blue) .check out http://www.police.gatech.edu/crimealerts.htm for areas in/near gatech especially homepark.
1.Homepark
This is the most popular place for Indians coming to atlanta.But beware that home park is a large area.Also the places are individually made and hence none are alike.I recommend places on 10th street in line with GLC and close to some of the georgia tech establishment.This is because there is a stinger service(green route which runs till late in the evening ,with a drop at GLC(georgia tech living center ..or something like that) and the STINGERETTE service runs till early morning dropping you from any point in college(including the housings) to gatech establishments like broadband research lab etc.There is 1033 tumlin which is the hub of indians(majorly maharashtrians).It is like a complex where about 6 people share a 3 bedroom place.It turns out pretty cheap from what I hear.But you wont get a whole place to yourself as only slots vacated by seniors are available.So u will have to share with 3-4 seniors.Another area to consider is state street.It is a broad street,pretty well lit at night.But here too stay close to 10th street.Basically Home park is rectangular in shape from 10th street in the south to 14th st in the North and north side dr nw in the west and atlantic drive in the east.My advice is stay south and east.I will explain more later in disadvantage.
Advantage;
1.Hub of indians
2.Cheap.Really monthly costs as low as 300 including utilities
3. close to tech.(the south part of homepark atleast is close)
4.transport is easy to college.
5.Good food options witrh papa johns and tech plaza(new indian place there..dont know how it is)
Disadvantages
1.other than tumlin state street 10 street and a few more areas I think it can get creepy at night.
Please dont go to the NW side as it is known for muggings at gun point.14TH st is quite far sowalking might tire you.Breakins have happened in tumlin too so nothing is absolutely safe.
2.Places are small so sharing a room might be cheap but may feel crowded.
3.utilities are variable and may increase dramatically in winter cos the heating systems may be gas whose prices keep fluctuating.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.Atlantic station area
Huge area.Places to stay Metro,the flats(individual rooms with utilities included..common kitchen..just like on campus ..costs around 750),park district and icon etc.Metro is the closest to college and there is a short cut to go from 14th street to metro.There is ikea right opposite metro where u can get furnishing and pizza.The other places move further away from tech i think(closer to the main atlantic station shopping and dining area.There is target which is a place to buy almost everything(like walmart) and the publix grocery mart is also there)There is a bus service run by atlantic station which is free and connects different places and also goes to arts center marta station from where you can take the train.check out their website for more details.
ADVANTAGES.
1.decent places.Heard they are big never seen them myself.
2.You will get whatever you need in atlantic itself.
DISADVANTAGES.
1.Pretty far from college if you want to walk.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.Savannah
It is a apartment complex on north avenue.
ADVANTAGES
1.Pretty cheap
2.Neighbor of publix
3.has tennis court.
4.swimming pool(very small though)
DISADVANTAGES.
1.Further from tech.have to climb a hill like slope to get to college.
2.Heard about breakins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.ALEXANDER ON PONCE.
heard it is a nice place.slightly away from tech.Not much info.
5.POST BILTMORE
expensive.Close to tech,Bang opposite the management building.No info.
6.710 ---now called SOLACE ON PEACHTREE.
Close to Tech.I dont know how it is now but heard that the place(710 as known earlier) was quite roach infested.Not many indians.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.WINDSOR OVER PEACHTREE.
opposite bank of america building.Not an apartment complex.Individual owners rent out places.Pretty good but maintainance depends on owners and previous residents.prices are 1600-1650 for 2 br /4 ppl. and 1000 for 1 br /2 people inclusive of utilities.Right outside the north avanue marta station.20 min walk to most parts of college 5 min to management buliding. 6-8 minute walk to tech square from where u can take the tech trolley.Many food options around at 5 min walk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.Centenial .
Have heard the houses are great but not too secure. Pretty good apartments that cost around 300 per head shared room. (600 for single)Utilities come to around 40-60 bucks per head. Its 5 walk minutes away from Tech. Parts of it which are close to college are pretty safe, the more you move away from college the less safe it becomes. A lot of GT students live around here but less Indians. There is a shuttle that stops at North Avenue Apartments which is like 2-3 minutes
walking distance.
other places you could check out are
9.camden midtown(not too safe i think)
10.metropointe lofts..no idea.sorry
some places under the gables banner etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a lot of options to stay close to gatech.Just make sure you see the place properly before you rent.
Most important things are
utilities-whether to be paid by u?
do you have a washer dryer in the apartment or complex?
dishwashers are not that important according to me
is the place centrally airconditioned and heated or locally.Be careful if it is centrally controlled by the landlord.
----------------------------------------------------------
maybe I will add some more stuff if i get info and anyone readin this is welcome to give more info to help others looking to come to atlanta
take care
