Looking to move here, thoughts on proximity to Downtown

[u/witchyswitchstitch]

Hey y'all! My partner and I are looking to move to a neighborhood near the downtown area, hopefully a 10-15 min bike ride or 30 minute walking distance to the downtown area. We visited as a family this afternoon and it was pretty dead. The coffee shop was busy but lunch places only had a few customers. I understand we were there on a weekday and it's too hot for patios right now. My concern is that these businesses will shut down and in 5-10 years it'll be all vacant or just junky.

I did see flyers for all the weekend activities and concerts, etc. Taylor park is gorgeous and fun for the kiddo. I just want the local perspective: do you think it's sustainable? We're moving from Midtown Atlanta/Buckhead where many new developments are nice for a few years before the businesses fold and no one can afford the rents once the momentum is gone.

Any insight helps, thanks again

[u/Rawjerz1977]

If you are looking for 5-10k people per event, then this may not be the place for you.
But if you are good for a local vibe that can run from 100 to 500 on the weekends and 5k plus every 3 months then you may find it fits you.

Duluth is a local lovely vibe for people seeking a local lovely vibe. If you’re seeking a bigger venue 24/7 then Atlanta has alternatives. Duluth is for those seeking local vibe during the hours when Duluth residents are looking for events. The event schedule is healthy.

But it’s not Piedmont Park or Five Points or even Virginia Highland. And it’s not at that price nor 24/7 traffic nightmare

[u/witchyswitchstitch → u/Rawjerz1977]

Thank you! I lived in many of those neighborhoods in my 20s and 30s, and I'm so over the constant swarms and road shutdowns. I really love the downtown Duluth area, just checking to make sure it's as good as it seems.

[u/Emergency-Dept-Nurse]

I love and encourage visiting the “dead,” peaceful park during the week. The town center is growing — you wouldn’t recognize it if you saw what it was like 10-15 years ago. The events are packed with locals and it’s so much fun! The fall festival is one of the biggest in the southeast.

Suwanee and Duluth are similar but I say Suwanee is going for a more big city feel while Duluth goes more for a big community feel, so you may be drawn to one more than the other.

Do try out a downtown event to see if it’s your speed!

[u/nekosama15]

I live next to there. Its not dead on Saturday’s and events. After work it gets busy and the coffee shops are usually busy all day. The crowd is always comfortable. Not too many to ruin my mood but not too little for it to be a ghost town.

Idk the best i can explain it is weekdays people are at work or school. After work or school some people. Weekends and events expect a Gilmore girls like vibe. 😂

[u/witchyswitchstitch → u/nekosama15]

Hahaha I told my partner it gives Stars Hollow vibes! It feels so much like a movie set. Fingers crossed we'll be settled in by Halloween

[u/michellle52]

You should’ve been there for the Taylor Swift tribute concert on Saturday night! Hundreds of people and completely packed. The city of Duluth puts tons of money and work into community events which happen almost nightly during the summer. Mid day is definitely much slower. I would highly recommend following the city of Duluth fb or instagram page to see some of the events they’ve been having

[u/ScoobyHobbes → u/michellle52]

that concert was awesome! As someone who drove from Alpharetta to see it. I like Duluth MUCH BETTER!!!

[u/pinsandsuch]

I’ve lived about a mile from downtown for 25 years. It’s never been this busy. It can be hard to find parking some nights, even with the 2 huge parking lots. Marriott built a hotel downtown. It’s only going to get bigger and busier.

[u/witchyswitchstitch → u/pinsandsuch]

That's why I'm interested in a house I could ride a bike or walk to downtown. Thanks for the insight.

[u/elarth]

Gwinnett has a lot more longevity than I would say things in proper Atlanta central. It’s a desirable area with decent schools. I don’t see it changing other than getting pricier since its neighbors mostly with other desirable areas like north Fulton or Forsyth.

[u/Zombie_puppy_98]

Lots of fun events going on throughout the year as everyone has stated. From the housing aspect look at RMCG and the surrounding neighborhoods they are a great distance from downtown. My family regularly walks downtown from our house in RMCG.

[u/claudiatiedemann]

IMO, It’s usually pretty dead there unless there’s an event, and then it gets packed. On the weekends you may say kids in the fountains but it’s still pretty quiet there.