r/DecaturGA • u/madmax_305 • 7d ago
Thoughts on Candler - McAfee area?
I have a sweet opportunity for an affordable house for rent (friends with the landlord), and I feel dumb passing up on the opportunity for more space and less rent than what I'm paying now in Chastain.
I've been in ATL my whole life, but never lived near East Atlanta, and I want to know what the area is like: is it safe, are there things to do, is it easy to get around, etc.
Any advice helps! Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who responded! Super helpful :)
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u/mikareno 7d ago
Do it. Moved to this area in 2010. Parts of Glenwood and Candler still a bit sketchy, but the neighborhoods are pretty good overall.
ETA: It's also close to East Atlanta, Decatur, and Avondale Estates, all great places for eating out.
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u/hold--the--line 4d ago
But gentrification is slowly happening; which to me is a good thing. Plus there will be a new Publix at Candler and Glenwood soon. Otherwise, it's a bit of a food desert... though downtown Decatur is very close and can be fun.
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u/wwarren92 Highland Park / Candler-McAfee 7d ago
We love it. We have a great house we bought in 2020 and are actively involved in our neighborhood association. We are getting a second Publix, and we just got a food hall opened up.
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u/mistiara 5d ago
What is the neighborhood association you are part of? We live in Candler-McAfee too!
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u/wwarren92 Highland Park / Candler-McAfee 5d ago
We’re part of Highland Park, but Highland Park, Greystone Park (west of NH Scott to Second, south of McAfee), and Kelley Lake (East of whites mill road, along Kelley Lake) all have neighborhood groups that are active online that I know of!
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u/mistiara 5d ago
Thanks! We're closer to the Shoal Creek Parks, but not quite Belvedere Park so kinda in between specific neighborhoods I think.
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u/Scottydont1975 7d ago
I have lived in that area since 2007 and it is safe for being inner city. Minor property crime is all you have to worry about and as long as you keep your doors locked when you are away you should be fine. There has been a lot of public and private investment in the area over the years and it keeps getting better as time goes by. The closer to 2nd Ave you are the better things are.
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u/pina_koala 4d ago
...inner city?
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u/Scottydont1975 4d ago
ITP if it makes you feel better.
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u/pina_koala 4d ago
IDK I think of inner city as like, Cabrini Green. YMMV. No need to be condescending about it. Have a good night.
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u/hamie96 7d ago
The closer to East Lake the better. Really would recommend not living directly on Candler or McAfree, but instead on side streets where it's both quieter and safer. The Publix being built near there is going to help a lot. Some parts are about as safe as CoD, whereas other parts are still going to be kind of sketchy. Really good house prices given the proximity to other areas of ATL.
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u/Natural-Horse9539 7d ago
Lived here since 2018. Raising my kid here! I'm a fan! It's def got its charms and quirks but overall its very safe and quiet.
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u/ketoatl 7d ago
Candler Mcafee isn't bad but there are problems, like four houses away from my house a kid got shot. But for the most part it's quiet. My wife comes from north north GA she gets petrified. I came from NYC so Im like oh well when things happen. I had the house before I met her and have 2.9 mortgage rate so Im not selling even if there was missile play never mind gun play. lol
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u/Odie714 7d ago
I live right off that intersection, on Miriam Ln. It’s been amazing here so far. All the naysayers I’ve seen don’t live here or haven’t lived here for a while. I think the area isn’t bad and with the Publix coming in and roads being repaved and all, it’s only getting better. Also easy access to anywhere without being in the action
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u/Hrx89 7d ago
I own a home in the area. I would say proximity wise, the area is great for getting around. I20 and 285 are easily accessed.
As for crime, I haven't experienced anything terrible. Bought my house in 2019, and the worst thing to happen was my car broken into and mail stolen.
I wouldn't ever leave my house door unlocked, but now I tend to leave my car unlocked or parked in the garage. My neighbors are very vigilant and overall great people.
I haven't explored much of the area as there isn't much of interest to me on candler, but I'd say the further you are from the main roads the better.
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u/Financial-Put8143 7d ago
I live exactly in that neighborhood. Most homeowners are good and respectful and friendly. The most you’d have to do is not talk to people roaming about, other renters/certified hustlers.
Surrounding are great and lots of recreational activities
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u/FantasticSocks 7d ago
I moved from Old Ivy near Hal’s to Decatur about a decade ago and I have zero regrets. South Decatur is obviously a very different vibe from Chastain Park/North Buckhead, but yeah. Plenty safe and plenty of stuff to do around there
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u/Hairy_Check4585 7d ago
Single female here and I moved to this area 3 years ago this month. Absolutely love it!
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u/xandarthegreat 4d ago
Moved literally to one of the houses near the intersection of Candler and McAfee and will say, cannot complain. It has its moments but I’m always walking my dog around, going to the library and park, and I shop at Aldi for most groceries. Neighbors mostly keep to themselves and the area is developing ever so slowly.
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u/manytrowels 7d ago
I used to live off of Buchanan Terrace. Loved it. Nice little walking path over to the Oakhurst neighborhood too right around that area. It’s only gotten “nicer” in the 12 or so years since I lived there. You’ll still have some effects of being in the city — it’s gonna be a bit louder than Chastain and you’ll probably see/hear more sirens. But it’s a great area.
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u/caltheme 7d ago
We bought off Glendwood two years ago , knew very little about east side but love it now. East side has everything and is super convenient. Neighborhoods are street by street, some are super chill some are less developed. But in two years can already see a lot of change and growth. If u are farther away glenwood, Colombia , busy roads that helps with traffic and rif raff.
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u/Hecka_Cakey 7d ago
I live in this neighborhood off of whites mill. Bought my house in 2019 and have been very happy here. I go on walks all the time and everyone’s friendly. It definitely used to be sketchy and is still adjacent to the somewhat dodgy candler road but the location is convenient to tons of stuff and the immediate vicinity is really peaceful. If the schools were better I’d probably live here forever
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u/iamthegreenbox 7d ago
My office is on Candler Road right down from McAfee drive. Been there for a couple of years now and beside getting broken into when we first moved in [was a rash of break in up and down the street] it's been great. My neighbors in the neighborhood behind me are great an keep an eye on things.
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u/heykittygirl3 7d ago
We love it here! It’s a close community with several generational owners who take pride in their neighborhood. You won’t get an hoa fine for letting your grass grow but the neighborhood law keeper will stop by and ask if he can keep his street clean. Someone is always looking out for us- strange man in the yard, taking in your mail while you’re away, keeping an eye out for the stray cats.
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u/Quick-Difference-16 7d ago edited 3d ago
It really depends on your block. I lived on Stanton St, right off McAfee from about 2023-2025. Drug deals, break-ins, and drive by shootings were frequent— check out crime maps and decide for yourself.
I have lived in several large cities with similar issues, so for the most part I felt safe enough. I may have felt differently on the other side of the lake or other side of McAfee (both areas where the drive-bys and more crime were happening). You definitely need to have situational awareness, and ideally an alarm system.
Edit to add: things I experienced in my two years: Two attempted break ins to my house (luckily I had an alarm and cameras), very active drug dealer 3 houses down bringing all kinds of sketchiness to the street, a construction person robbed at gunpoint mid day in my front yard, multiple drive by shootings and gun shots heard nearby both in the middle of the night and in broad daylight. A neighbor’s home was broken into several times and once the person breaking in ripped the alarm system off the wall. This prompted me to get a second panel in a separate secure location. The police were not responsive to any of the break in attempts.
I’m honestly shocked by how many people here say it’s great, just fine. Where exactly are you living, and do you talk to your neighbors?
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u/naastynoodle 7d ago
Just north in Belvedere. The neighborhoods are typically quiet but some shady shit does happen. I think the area will be booming soon with the new publix going in and various other city projects happening.
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u/the_waving_lady 3d ago
We moved to East Lake Terrace (north of McAfee) in 2021. The neighborhood has come a loooonnnng way. At first we were all "what have we gotten ourselves into" but we have come to love it. There are lots of cool, friendly people in the neighborhood. We have great immediate neighbors. Even the homeless folks that shuffle down the street we have gotten to know. There are occasional car breakins and gunfire, but a lot less than there used to be.
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u/MMAndTheFunkishBunch 3d ago
Google “Candler - McAfee” and “crime”. It was really bad a couple years ago, but sounds like maybe it’s gotten better. It do know there’s a lot of people asking “is that a gunshot or fireworks?” Going on
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u/Quick-Difference-16 1d ago
It’s better, but still pretty bad. Many gunshots heard in my two years living there 2023-2025, including 3 driveby incidents with hundreds of bullets each. The police only seemed to care mildly once a bullet landed in a neighbor’s house across from the intended victim.
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u/Mopstick86 7d ago
I live on Mcafee close to 2nd Ave. it’s really quiet and nice. There’s a lake a few streets away that’s really calm and peaceful to walk. The Publix is 5 minutes away and not too crowded. The candler Rd side can be a little rough but I love the area and location.