The cost of a one bedroom apartment in metro Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. - Renters are finding the same problems in metro Atlanta that some would-be homeowners are finding - they're priced out.  This month rent climbed and not insignificantly in some areas. 

I don't know how young people do it today.  Let's look at the numbers. 

According to Zumper, a real estate site, a one bedroom apartment in Atlanta is up over the last month $20. In Sandy Springs rent climbed $50.   

ONE BEDROOM RENT
Atlanta - $1,440
Sandy Springs - $1,320
Alpharetta, Smyrna, Johns Creek - $1,240

Ok, let's look at our more affordable options: Gainesville, Newnan and Norcross. They're in the $800 to $900 range. But look closer. Their asking price is going up. Fast. Gainesville rent is up 15 percent.  And Norcross is up 13 percent. Newnan is down a touch.   

Now if all of this is out of your range, you need to think about getting a roommate to share costs. And, maybe it's time to start exploring some of those start-up neighborhoods. When I moved to Atlanta nearly 23 years ago, I did that. 

You've heard about the bustling Old Fourth Ward area near downtown Atlanta?  Well, I bought my very first house there two decades ago. I moved in before young people were heading in there. I had a lot of older neighbors who'd been there for generations. And I loved it. 

Now let me leave you with this. Atlanta has rising rental costs, but it's still a big city bargain if you look nationally. We are not top 10 but rather 20 highest, one bedroom rentals in the US.