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Moving to Decatur in 2025?
Complete Moving Guide
This is a complete guide for Moving to Decatur .
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Decatur .
Planning to move to Decatur?
Decatur is a vibrant city in Georgia, and it has a lot to offer. Before you plan your move to the city, explore it virtually through our moving guide. The city boasts a thriving downtown area filled with plenty of entertainment options. It is a good option to settle with family as it has excellent schools, parks and plenty of recreational facilities. Decatur is known for its diverse population, and moving here will give a great cultural experience. The city is conveniently located just minutes from the heart of Atlanta. The cost of living is significantly higher than the national average. The housing market is challenging and affordable. You can explore some additional details here-
- Quick Facts About Decatur
- Top Reasons To Move To Decatur
- Pros And Cons Of Living In Decatur
- Best Neighborhoods In Decatur
- Cost Of Living In Decatur
- Job Market In Decatur
- Major industries in Decatur
- Education System in Decatur
- Transportation And Navigation In Decatur
- Things To Do In Decatur
- Taxes In Decatur
- Insurance Required In Decatur
Quick Facts of Decatur
Learn unique and interesting facts about Decatur-- The city is named after Stephen Decatur, Jr. who was a renowned United States Navy commodore.
- The city was originally a part of a land grant from the Creek Nation.
- Decatur officially incorporated as a city in 1823.
- The city was once known as “the Pride of the Prairie” reflecting its agricultural roots.
- Decatur Square is the heart of the city with shops, entertainment options, and restaurants.
Top reasons to move to Decatur
Moving is one of the biggest decisions and can be challenging in many ways. But if you have some of the best reasons to move to the new city, you can be happy with your move-- Education- The city boasts top-rated public and private schools.
- Community- Decatur fosters a strong sense of community as residents celebrates numerous festivals, events and volunteer opportunities.
- Diversity- The city has diversity and it creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers.
- Art Scene- The city has a thriving art scene with vibrant arts community with galleries, live music venues and theaters.
- Proximity to Atlanta- The offers a suburban feel and it is conveniently located just the minutes from Atlanta. This provides an easy access to major employers, cultural attractions and entertainment venues.
- Green Spaces- The city has numerous parks and green spaces and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Pros & Cons of Living in Decatur
If you have prior knowledge about the pros and cons of living in Decatur, you can be prepared for the challenges that you might encounter after moving in.Pros of living in Decatur | Cons of living in Decatur |
---|---|
The city fosters a strong sense of community with numerous festivals & events | The cost of living in the city is generally higher |
Decatur is home to highly-regarded public and private schools | Finding affordable housing can be challenging in Decatur |
The city has walkable neighborhoods and well-maintained bike lanes | Parking can be a challenge in the downtown area during peak hours |
The city has thriving economy with diverse job opportunities | The job market is less diverse than larger cities |
The city has thriving art scene, beautiful parks, and upscale restaurants | Property taxes can be relatively high |
Best Neighborhoods in the Decatur
Finding a good, safe, and family-friendly neighborhood is a challenge if you are living in another city. But if you have some details about the neighborhoods in the new city, you can pick the neighborhood that best suits your needs. Explore some of the best neighborhoods in Decatur-- Downtown Decatur- This is located in the heart of the city with easy access to shops, entertainment, and restaurants.
- Winnona Park- This is a historic neighborhood with beautiful architecture, proximity to the park and a vibrant community.
- Oakhurst- This neighborhood is known for its charming bungalows, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community.
- Clairemont-Great Lakes- This is a family-friendly neighborhood with ample green space and excellent schools.
- Medlock Park- This is a quiet and established neighborhood with a strong sense of community and mature trees.
Cost of living in Decatur
The cost of living in any city will affect your finances and it is important to learn about the cost of living to create a moving budget. The cost of living in Decatur is significantly higher than the national average. Housing costs are the major factor for higher cost of living. Here is the breakdown for the cost of living in Decatur-Before moving to a new city or state you must know the cost of living of the location as it will help you set your moving budget. We have compiled the data related to the cost of living in Decatur-
Category | Decatur (in USD) |
---|---|
Housing (Rent/Mortgage) | $1,725 - $2,283 |
Utilities | $132 - $178 |
Groceries | $130 - $154 |
Transportation | $161 - $203 |
Healthcare | $113 - $136 |
Housing Market in Decatur
The housing market in Decatur is currently experiencing a moderate level of competition. The median sale price for a house in Decatur is around $739,000.
Average rental cost in Decatur
The average rental cost in Decatur is $1,522 per month.
Decatur job market
Decatur has a strong and diverse job market. There is a strong demand for skilled workers in the city and a wider range of job opportunities in various sectors. Explore the job market in the city you are moving to as it will give you mental peace.Top Career Options in Decatur
Find the top career options available in Decatur. Learn about their average salary, entry-level salary, and the total number of people working on the job role-
Job Title | Average Salary | Entry-Level Salary | Number of Employees |
---|---|---|---|
Registered Nurse | 73,300 | 55,500 | 2,300 |
Software Developer | 86,200 | 65,000 | 1,800 |
Financial Analyst | 81,200 | 59,700 | 1,200 |
Physical Therapist | 89,500 | 66,400 | 700 |
Marketing Manager | 113,200 | 74,200 | 900 |
Electrical Engineer | 88,800 | 68,000 | 1,100 |
Pharmacist | 119,300 | 102,400 | 600 |
Teacher | 55,200 | 45,000 | 4,000 |
Accountant | 70,500 | 52,300 | 1,500 |
Construction Manager | 97,700 | 71,800 | 800 |
Median Salary in Decatur
The median household income in Decatur is $129,992 per year and it varies depending on job profile.
Transportation And Navigation In Decatur
The transportation conditions can affect the quality of life in the city. Before you plan to move to Decatur, learn about different transportation options- Walking and Biking- The city is pedestrian-friendly offering safe pedestrian movement. There are separate bike lanes in the city making cycling a safe option for commuting. Public Transportation- The city has The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) that provides rail and bus services. There are Uber and Lyft as ride-sharing services. Navigation- The city is easy to navigate and there are several navigation apps that you can use like Google Maps and Waze.Career | Average Salary | Entry-Level Salary |
---|---|---|
Tourism & Hospitality | $40,000 - $65,000 per year | $30,000 - $45,000 per year |
Healthcare | $60,000 - $85,000 per year | $50,000 - $65,000 per year |
Education | $35,000 - $55,000 per year | $30,000 - $45,000 per year |
Film Industry | $25,000 - $40,000 per year | $20,000 - $30,000 per year |
Physician Assistant | $100,000 - $130,000 per year | $80,000 - $100,000 per year |
Electrician | $40,000 - $70,000 per year | $30,000 - $45,000 per year |
Median Salary in Decatur
The median household income in Decatur is $129,992 per year and it varies depending on job profile.
Major industries in Decatur
The following are the major industries in Decatur-- Education
- Healthcare
- Arts and Culture
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Professional services
Education System in Decatur
When planning your move you need to start finding a school, college, or university for your children. In this section, we have listed some of the top educational institutions in Decatur-Elementary Schools in Decatur |
---|
Glennwood Elementary School |
Oakhurst Elementary School |
Winnona Park Elementary School |
Clairemont Elementary School |
Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary |
Middle Schools in Decatur |
---|
Beacon Hill Middle School |
The Museum School of Avondale Estates |
Renfroe Middle School |
McNair Middle School |
Avondale Estates Middle School |
High Schools in Decatur |
---|
Decatur High School |
Druid Hills High School |
Chamblee Charter High School |
The Lovett School |
Pace Academy |
Colleges and Universities in Decatur |
---|
Agnes Scott College |
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Emory University |
Georgia State University |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Clark Atlanta University |
Transportation & Navigation in Decatur
The transportation conditions can affect the quality of life in the city. Before you plan to move to Decatur, learn about different transportation options-
Walking and Biking- The city is pedestrian-friendly offering safe pedestrian movement. There are separate bike lanes in the city making cycling a safe option for commuting.
Public Transportation- The city has The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) that provides rail and bus services. There are Uber and Lyft as ride-sharing services.
Navigation- The city is easy to navigate and there are several navigation apps that you can use like Google Maps and Waze.
Best things to do in Decatur
After moving to a new city, there are several ways to learn about it like exploring the local spots and more. Here are a few things you can do in Decatur-- Explore Decatur Square which is in the heart of the city and filled with shops, street performances, and more.
- Catch a live music show, art exhibits, or theater performances at various locations in the city.
- Enjoy the Decatur Book Festival which attracts thousands of readers every year.
- Stroll through Oakhurst and enjoy the charming tree-lined streets, historic homes, and more.
- Indulge in the culinary scene at a diverse range of dining options.
Taxes in Decatur
Decatur has a set of taxes that the residents of the city are subject to. If you plan to move to Decatur, explore the breakdown for different taxes-Income Tax- Georgia has a state income tax with tax rates varying depending on the income levels.
Sales Tax- Georgia has a state sales tax of 4%, Some additional tax added for DeKalb County, and the City of Decatur, and a total of 8% sales tax rates will be paid by the residents.
Property tax Property taxes in Decatur can be significant and the tax rate is determined by the assessed value of your property.
Vehicle Property Tax- This tax is levied on the vehicle if you own a vehicle in Georgia.
Business Taxes- The businesses operating in Decatur are subject to taxes like business license fees and occupational taxes.
Type of insurance required in Decatur
Insurances are essential to ensure the safety of one’s life or the valuables they possess. As a resident of Decatur, you will need the following insurances-Auto Insurance- This is a mandatory insurance in Georgia that covers bodily injury and property damage to others if you cause accidents.
Homeowners insurance- This is required if you own a home in Decatur. It will protect your home from various risks like fire, theft, and natural disasters.
Renters insurance- This insurance is highly recommended as it covers personal belongings against theft, fire, and other covered perils if you rent a house.
Health Insurance- This will cover medical expenses like prescribed medication and hospital stays.
Life Insurance- This will provide financial support to your family in case of your death.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.
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