Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods - The neighborhood section is a non-comprehensive listing of many of Atlanta’s communities. I would like to recognize that every neighborhood has its merits and demerits. Different people fit into different neighborhoods. Even if I won the big lottery, I don’t think I would move to Buckhead. Also neighborhoods have a life cycle all their own. Almost every neighborhood mentioned here has had a hayday, as well as a down time. If I don’t show a little bias or insight, this might as well be a Chamber of Commerce advertisement. Civil Rights laws have taught us not to steer people away from areas just because we think someone might not fit in. But people are people and they deserve to know a little about what they are buying into.

Decatur This sleepy little town is starting to wake up to the fact that its young neighboring city (Atlanta) is having a profound influence on its provincial habits. As the story goes, the City Fathers of Decatur were not interested in the commotion that the intersection of railroads would bring to their dignified life in the early 1800's. This attitude seems to have prevailed to this date. While surrounded by the behemoth County of Dekalb, the City of Decatur goes about its day to day life as though it is the center of the universe. And it may be. A plethora of craftsmen bungalow homes were built in the first twenty years of this century, and their rocking chair front porches lend themselves to true neighborhoods where people actually know each other, and do go across the street to borrow a cup of sugar. Leave it to say that the general mood in Decatur is one where people enjoy their families, friends, proximity to Atlanta, somewhat moderate home prices, and a business community sensitive to the surrounding neighborhoods. Try Decatur's Web Site www.decatur-ga.com.

Emory - The defining element of the Emory area is, of course, Emory University and Hospital. I once had a health insurance sales person make a condescending remark about the neighborhoods around the Hospital. Well it was obvious that he didn't know sh.. from shinola. Start your driving tour with the home where "Driving Miss Daisy" was shot and drive down Lullwater Road and you will get the picture real quick. When you roll Emory University and Hospital, the Center for Disease Control, and the VA Hospital complex together, it creates an instant high demand for all kinds of housing. Because it was built out so long ago, the commercial development is limited and centered around Emory Village at the intersection of North Decatur Road and Oxford Road. This is a good place to make a home.

Druid Hills - Same as Emory. This is the name of the subdivision laid out many years ago by Frederick Law Olmstead that pretty much surrounds Emory University to the South and West.

Virginia Highlands - Oh if I was young and single again, or just single, or just young! The place to be - known as the popular Virginia Highland area. Very good 1930's housing stock, meandering streets, vibrant commercial area at the intersection of Virginia and Highland Avenues. Horace still greets his long time customers at Moe and Joe's and George still holds forth at the tavern that bears his name. The Virginia Highland running club still leaves out at about 6:30 on Wednesday evenings. "Semi affordable housing in a great location."

Poncey Highland - Due south of Virginia Highland; similar housing stock, funkier neighborhood. You might say that places like Ray Lee's Blue Light Tavern (actually gone now), the Clermont Hotel and Lounge and Traveler's Rest on Highland Avenue set the tone for Poncey Highland. Traveling west on Ponce de Leon you cross Briarcliff/Moreland and it's a little like going from Switzerland into northern Italy. George Mitchell's book "Ponce de Leon" tells the human side of the story a lot better than I do. Plaza Drugs (Treasury), where the door never closes, Manuel's Tavern, the Plaza Theatre, Green's Liquor Store, and the Majestic are old landmarks that hold the commercial entities together.


Candler Park - Centered around the nine hole golf course and the Freedom Park leading to the Carter Presidential Library, this is a comfortable, moderately affordable, intown neighborhood, a little bit off the beaten path. The funkiness of Little 5 Points tones down as you drive west on McClendon Avenue--very little commercial development, except along DeKalb Avenue. There is excellent access to MARTA rail line. Good people live here.

Lake Claire - Sleeper neighborhood till the mid eighties. Above average housing stock mixed with the magic dust of Emory and great access to Atlanta via MARTA or DeKalb Avenue. There actually was a lake there many many years ago. Now there is a small park with one tennis court. Some big hills here, and as the bumper sticker says, "Ski Lake Claire."

Morningside - Upscale intown neighborhood anchored by Morningside Elementary School.. 1930's housing stock of larger brick homes. You will pay a premium for this location, but many people think it's worth it.

Little Five Points - This is really the shopping district that is surrounded by Inman Park and Candler Park. It has long been known as the center of the true counter culture in Atlanta. Some people might be put off by some of the different groups such as skin heads (I don't think they are a protected class), but there is good food and shopping to be found. Visit Sevananda, a health food store that has been around since the early seventies.