5 Great Neighborhoods in Atlanta
By Corey Dade and Margarette Burnette, FrontDoor.com | Published: 11/26/2008
Suwanee, a northern Atlanta suburb, boasts excellent schools, spacious parks and protected green space.
East Atlanta Village
Tucked away in the southeast corner of the city, East Atlanta Village (EAV) is one of the city's most fun and offbeat neighborhoods. It's not a large area, but it's full of character and, best of all, residents who are passionate about their neighborhood. The heart of the Village is the intersection of Flat Shoals Road and Glenwood Avenue. Along those streets you'll find a mix of funky clothes shops, tattoo parlors, art and antique galleries, specialty pet supply and grooming shops, an independent book store (remember those?) and plenty of restaurants that won't break your budget. In fact, the bar and restaurant business seems to be thriving even more than some of the stores -- victims of the economic downturn.
While any weekend or weekday evening is a fine time to visit EAV, you can really feel the pulse of this neighborhood during the festival days and nights organized by the very active community organization. The Village is surrounded by a mix of older and new, infill houses on tree-lined streets. Here, you'll find a truly cosmopolitan mix of neighbors from various racial and economic backgrounds. They all have one thing in common: dedication to EAV's community spirit.
The annual EAV Strut in mid-September is not to be missed, and on Halloween, the restaurants and shops open their doors for some not-so-scary trick-or-treating -- perfect for young tots. On Thursday nights in the summer and fall, don't miss the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market in the parking lot of Ace Village Hardware. View East Atlanta Real Estate
Grant Park
Grant Park, Atlanta's oldest historic community, is filled with many 100-year-old-plus historic homes -- think sweeping front porches with lazy fans, slow rockers and bougainvillea under magnolia trees. For the past few years, the real estate boom brought a windfall to savvy homeowners who bought in the community during leaner years. Now, sale prices have leveled off a bit, making Grant Park a little more affordable but still keeping real estate values at a good level for owners. The neighborhood is a favorite of families because of its active homeowners association as well as several cooperative and charter schools.
Grant Park is also one of the most fun neighborhoods in the city. Almost everyone who has visited Atlanta more than once takes the obligatory Sunday afternoon tour of Piedmont Park, the city's most famous in-town green oasis. But another option is Grant Park, the oldest city park in Atlanta. The park has plenty of walking and biking trails and picnic facilities, and its swimming pool reopened in summer 2008 after extensive renovations. During the summer, the park is filled with families grilling, playing football and just relaxing under the trees. Grant Park is also the home of Zoo Atlanta and the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, which features the world's largest oil painting.
Grant Park features several casual eateries. You can grab a burger at Dakota Blue, a popular, low-key neighborhood restaurant. Some of the best seafood in town is at the aptly named Six Feet Under, which is across the street from the historic Oakland Cemetery. Famous residents include Margaret Mitchell and golfer Bobby Jones. View Grant Park Real Estate
Decatur
Decatur has been one of metro Atlanta's most popular cities for years, appealing to both traditional families and bohemian singles. And it's easy to see why. Located about 20 minutes east of downtown Atlanta, Decatur has its own downtown corridor, complete with a bustling mixture of shops, restaurants and businesses.
The downtown hub is surrounded by neighborhoods that include new and old houses, condos and lofts. Many parents flock to Decatur because the city has its own public school system that operates independently of the county system. In addition, downtown Decatur is minutes from the main campus of Emory University, one of the leading academic centers in the nation. The Emory community makes Decatur one of the most intellectually stimulating communities in the metro Atlanta area. View Decatur Real Estate
Suwanee
Suwanee is a bustling northern Atlanta suburb that appeals to families, professionals and those who love the great outdoors. The community, located about 30 miles from downtown, is known for its excellent schools, spacious parks and protected green space. Though the entire region has experienced tremendous expansion over the last decade, Suwanee has benefited from smart growth initiatives that allowed city leaders to protect hundreds of acres of woods, wetlands and wildlife habitats. The town was recently named one of Money magazine's top 10 places to live in the United States.
Suwanee is located near the resort-like amenities of Lake Lanier and is less than an hour's drive from the north Georgia mountains, but residents don't have to leave their community to enjoy the outdoors. The town has 500 acres of parkland, with several miles of walking and biking trails. People also enjoy concerts and other special events at the urban-style Town Center Park throughout the year.
Because of its location along Interstate 85, Suwanee is near lively restaurants, busy office parks and some of the largest shopping centers in the state, including the Mall of Georgia. However, it still maintains its small-town feel, boasting a low crime rate, fairly low taxes and a relaxed atmosphere. Suwanee also has affordable housing -- the median price for a home is in the mid-$200s, lower than the average for surrounding suburbs.
Though many residents commute to work in Atlanta, Suwanee also has mixed-use developments where other residents live, work and play. Many national companies have offices in Suwanee, including Google, Hewlett-Packard and Mitsubishi Electric. View Suwanee Real Estate
Vinings
The Vinings area on the northwest side of Atlanta is one of the few communities that continues to hold its housing values despite the current real estate slump. Located about 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Vinings is a popular area nestled between ultra-ritzy Buckhead (home of the Governor's mansion) in Fulton County and the affluent suburban neighborhoods of East Cobb County. Singles, retirees and families make their homes in Vinings' many "walkable" communities. The neighborhoods are a mix of new houses, condos, shops and older homes, all on gently rolling slopes. Many properties have stunning views of the Atlanta skyline.
In a city known for its commutes, Vinings is known for its convenience. The community is located near several job centers, including downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, the Cumberland Mall area and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport. It also houses the headquarters of Home Depot.
Many residents move to Vinings to experience both in-town convenience and small-town charm. During a typical evening, it's common to see any number of bicyclists, dog-walkers or joggers traveling the neighborhood streets.
There is no official municipality known as "Vinings," but purists will tell you that the true boundary of Vinings rests within the perimeter. However, homebuilders have capitalized on the community's popularity by adding the Vinings name to many nearby neighborhoods that extend west of the traditional boundary lines, into the towns of Smyrna or Mableton. The designations don't seem to have hurt Vinings' popularity, however. Based on recent real estate trends, the entire area is still one of the most in-demand in Atlanta. View Vinings Real Estate
Read More About Atlanta, GA:
- Homes for Sale in Atlanta
- Atlanta Snapshot
- Atlanta Essentials
- Local Life and Lore in Atlanta
- Atlanta: Like No Place Else
- Atlanta: Urban Sprawl
- Slide Show: Get to Know Atlanta, Georgia