Nobody is sure where Conley, GA, got its name from, but there are speculations that this CDP was named after a family of pioneers with this surname who used to live in DeKalb county in the 1800s.
Conley is a CDP in Clayton and DeKalb counties, Georgia, with a population of around 6,200 people. Living in Conley will put you within a mere 11 miles from the unofficial capital city of the South, Atlanta, making for an easy commute to a vibrant city. Just don't act too surprised if you see a couple of undead shuffling past on your way to work, as Atlanta is also a zombie paradise, with the "Walking Dead" and zombie movies such as "Zombieland" filmed here all the time. The Atlanta Horrorfest and plenty of zombie runs, zombie conventions and other zombie gatherings are held here frequently, drawing even more hordes to the area. But don't worry -- Conley is everything but a post-apocalyptic wasteland and a pretty charming place to live, welcoming newcomers with typical Southern hospitality. Just don't let any of the locals catch you with a Pepsi in your hand as, with the Coca Cola headquarters stationed here, you will be living on the Coke-side of life.
Moving to Conley
Before you make any rash decisions on where in Conley you want to stay, it is important to know what makes the real estate market tick in this area. An online search for apartments in Conley might come up with some very beautiful pictures and eloquent descriptions, but it won't tell you much about the area you are about to move to, nor whether the rental prices you are looking at are reasonable.
A Pretty Penny
Rent is, on average, not cheap in Conley. According to statistics, you can expect to pay up to 20 percent more than other Georgians and 4.5 percent more than the rest of America. Compared to other places in Atlanta, however, rental rates in Conley are well on par. When it comes to cost of living, you can expect to save some money, at least, as you will pay less for your bills in Conley than in most towns in the rest of the country or even the rest of Georgia.
Availability
During the 2000 census, about 86 percent of all units were occupied, of which about 55 percent were occupied by the property owners. This leaves a mere 30 percent for tenants to fight over, so if you find a rental apt that you fancy, you'd better secure it quickly to ensure that it doesn't get snatched up by someone else. It is also a good idea to start your search at least 2 months before your planned move, as most tenants need to give a month's notice and apartments are typically advertised while they are still occupied. Your other option is to rent on a month to month basis until you find something you really like.
Pick and Choose
Don't bank on snuggling into a cozy one bedroom apartment in Conley, GA, as there are none. If you look at census data, even studio apartments are hard to come by, with only 38 units in the whole area. 2 Bedroom apartments in Conley are more abundant, as are rental houses of three to four bedrooms. If you are planning on moving here, now might be the time to upgrade to a larger place, or get a housemate to split the rent and bills with.
It's All About First Impressions
As soon as you have identified a rental property that looks like a match for you, the first meeting with your landlord is extremely important. First impressions last, so you need to dress to impress, arrive on time and impress your landlord with your impeccable manners to up your chances when compared to other prospective tenants. But in the end it is also all about the figures, which is why your landlord will need proof that you are more than capable of financially affording the rent every month and that you won't keep him waiting. This means you will need to have proof of income and your social security number ready for a credit check. A fat security deposit is another way to ensure the place is yours as soon as you close the deal.
Neighborhoods
Because of Conley's small size it doesn't really have neighborhoods, but for descriptive purposes it is easiest to divide the town into an Eastern and Western part.
East Conley: This area is where you need to be if you are in the Truck and Trailer business. All along Moreland Avenue, you will find an industrial area with companies such as Associated Fuel Systems, American Insulated Glass, HTR Truck & Trailer Repair and Pro Maintenance Services. If you are in a mood for a picnic or just a breath of fresh air, a visit to Conley Park is a must. Housing-wise you will mostly find family homes in this area.
West Conley: This is where shopaholics will feel most at home. There are a couple of shopping centers along Jonesboro Road, as well as some delicious eats at places like the Golden Gate Chinese restaurant and Las Tortas Locas. The western part of Conley also borders with some apartment communities, such as the Southern Trace Apartments and Colony Square Apartments to the north and Willow Park Apartments to the South, and a couple more apartment blocks along Jonesboro Road.
Life in Conley
On average, the commute to work is between 10 and 30 for most people in Conley. Jetsetters will love the fact that Conley is only 10 miles away from the world's busiest airport, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, so finding a cheap plane ticket here is really not that hard.
Entertainment-wise, the city of Atlanta is a hub of activity. Head to the Fox Theatre, which is the second largest theater in America, as well as the oldest ballet company. If you enjoy seeing girls tip-toe around gracefully, the famous Atlanta Ballet is not to be missed. With 41 public golf courses in the city, of which the Browns Mill Golf Course is the closest to Conley, there are more than enough greens to test out. If the local grocers in Conley are not quite what true shopaholics had in mind, they can always head to the Mall of Georgia, which is one of the largest malls in the nation. For the rest, there is Legoland, Six Flags, Zoo Atlanta, sports games and too many museums to mention. If you go bored here it would not be of a lack of things to do.