Boulderwoods Dr. SE

[scraggle30]

My wife and I are first time buyers and new to the East Atlanta area, and have found a home on Boulderwoods Dr. SE that is right in our price range and exactly what we're looking for with space and character.  We are very curious if anybody has any insight into the safety of the neighborhood, and how it compares to the rest of East Atlanta.  Is it a tight-knit neighborhood?

We were also wondering if anyone knew about the very large house that seems to be stuck in mid construction on Boulderwoods... Any word that it might be moving towards being finished?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

[dsnation]

My wife and I are first time buyers and new to the East Atlanta area, and have found a home on Boulderwoods Dr. SE that is right in our price range and exactly what we're looking for with space and character.  We are very curious if anybody has any insight into the safety of the neighborhood, and how it compares to the rest of East Atlanta.  Is it a tight-knit neighborhood?

We were also wondering if anyone knew about the very large house that seems to be stuck in mid construction on Boulderwoods... Any word that it might be moving towards being finished?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Welcome to the neighborhood (maybe).  I can't speak to that street specifically, but I suspect if it's stuck mid-construction, then the funding ran out and those houses will be stuck that way for awhile.

[Gmoney]

My wife and I are first time buyers and new to the East Atlanta area, and have found a home on Boulderwoods Dr. SE that is right in our price range and exactly what we're looking for with space and character.  We are very curious if anybody has any insight into the safety of the neighborhood, and how it compares to the rest of East Atlanta.  Is it a tight-knit neighborhood?

This can help you on the crime front.  Note that it only reports crimes from unincorporated Dekalb, so you won't see anything for CoA jurisdiction

http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ga/dekalbcounty

I live not too far from there, in an older neighborhood.  We don't quite have the same kinda community this far from the village, but for the most part, I like it here.

[Fawkes]

I live pretty close to there, off Cecilia.

What house on Boulderwoods are you looking at? Does it have a pool?

Crime-wise, it comes and goes in waves... you'll be OK there if you take the basic precautions everyone around here should... bars on ground floor windows, security doors front and back, monitored alarm system. And get to know a few neighbors... that's about the best anyone can do.

It's not "The Village" proper, you have to drive the mile and a half to share in that culture, but it's fine, same same.  Let me know if you buy there, I'll come over and introduce myself.

[Wendy]

We're in the neighborhood next door, and rarely have problems. Although, our neighbors are prone to posting range targets in their ground floor windows, so there's that.

That huge house you're talking about has been under construction for a while. I haven't been by to see if there has been any changes in several months though.

[scraggle30]

Thanks for the information on that house and the crime situation.  Also im happy you brought up the windows bars and security doors Fawkes.  One of the lures of the house we are looking at are its large windows and contemporary glass front and back door... think almost like commercial doors you'd see on an office building.  Im not sure how we would secure those without losing the look of the house.  It might be one of those things are that are only a good idea but not actually practical.

Have any of you heard of Shatterguard or similar products and have any experience with it? 

Window Glass Protection Films By ShatterGARD. ShatterGUARD

  Sorry for the cheesiness of the clip haha.  My point is that I wonder if this might be a solution without having to put bars and security doors?  I was also thinking of those video systems they sell at costco... Any thoughts?  Thanks again for the quick responses though and if we decide to move on this house we'll def get in contact with you all.

[Gmoney]

Wife and I were looking at shattergard, but even if we installed it on every window in our house (instead of just the ones accessible without a ladder), we would have gotten to about half of the minimum order.  There are other security films available, some of which you can apply (instead of having installed for you).  Also, these things are quite expensive...I seem to recall that based on the quoted price per square inch, that we were looking at close to $2,000 for shattergard (and again, that was about half the minimum order).

[insan0]

When I had my windows replaced I had ArmorGlass put in the ground floor windows.  Was an additional $100/window over the base price, but I've been happy with them.  Completely silences noise from the street, no more Marta Bus or booming bass drive by's.  Haven't had anyone try to break one that I know of either.

[Village Carpentry]

It sounds like security storm doors might be a good option for your entries.  I've got links to those and other security features we've come up with as a group listed here:

http://www.eavbuzz.net/forum/other-eav-businesses/home-security-recommendations-by-village-carpentry/msg422728/#msg422728

I don't feel that bars on the windows are a necessity, although I'm aware of Fawkes' reasons for thinking so.  I do believe that window pins/glass break detector/effective alarm system or security bars are worth considering though.

[Fawkes]

I don't feel that bars on the windows are a necessity, although I'm aware of Fawkes' reasons for thinking so.  I do believe that window pins/glass break detector/effective alarm system or security bars are worth considering though.

Oh, I forgot the pins... I have those too. Do it all! (yeah, like he said, I'm paranoid, but it's based on experience!)

[jpd]

I live pretty close to there, off Cecilia.

What house on Boulderwoods are you looking at? Does it have a pool?

Crime-wise, it comes and goes in waves... you'll be OK there if you take the basic precautions everyone around here should... bars on ground floor windows, security doors front and back, monitored alarm system. And get to know a few neighbors... that's about the best anyone can do.

It's not "The Village" proper, you have to drive the mile and a half to share in that culture, but it's fine, same same.  Let me know if you buy there, I'll come over and introduce myself.

I have looked at 3 houses on Boulderwoods Dr.  The one with the pool which was really nice and priced low, the giant weird house on the right and the one at the cul de sac. 
I loved the one with the pool but can't imagine having one.  Seems like too much work.  The monster house was unfinished and the neighbors said it was a logistical and legal nightmare.  The one at the cul de sac was so cute.  I talked to a few people on the street who were walking by and all said it was a great street.  A little curious about the subdivision to the south of it though.
Also found out that McNair High School is the school of choice there.  It seemed a little rough.  Anybody had any experience with putting your kids there?

[Flower Lady]

Do Not Put Your Kids In McNair.

I'd do more research on my own about schools, graduate rates for various schools and acceptance rates of graduates to higher education if my child was in highschool. Especially living that end of town. I had a friend who tried to take some GED classes at McNair. She eventually had to take a very large friend with her just to keep safe. It was a very unpleasant experience for her all around.

[jpd]

I am looking into private schools (expensive!!!) schools and maybe doing a home co op for my son.  We have a couple of years to think about that, but just looking.  From talking to other parents in town the charter school seems to be the way to go, but no real solid word on charter high schools.

[lorelei]

I don't feel that bars on the windows are a necessity, although I'm aware of Fawkes' reasons for thinking so.  I do believe that window pins/glass break detector/effective alarm system or security bars are worth considering though.

But with the bars you can actually open your windows, which I love. Open windows and fans are so much better than stuffy climate control all year.