Atlanta neighborhoods - which one for families and walking?
Aug 25th, 2004, 04:43 PM
#21
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Trilogy, Grant Park and Candler Park are similar in many ways, but Candler Park's a somewhat older neighborhood (so wood frame bungalows a bit more common than brick, particularly as compared to Candler Park) and also more marginal in terms of safety.
In order to understand some of the neighborhoods in Atlanta it helps to know some of the history. Both Grant Park and Candler Park were slated for near destruction in the latter half of the 20th century, the goal being to construct freeways between the outlying suburbs and downtown. Grant Park succumbed (to Interstate 20), and it's only now recovering from this huge hit. Driving in the neighborhood can be quite disorienting once you're off the main roads, as small roads simply dead end into cement walls.
Candler Park (and many of the other neighborhoods in the same area) would have met the same fate had it not been for the extraordinary efforts of neighborhood activists, who fought a proposed freeway for years, finally succeeding in getting it turned into a surface "parkway" that's bordered on all sides by parkland, with great bike/walking paths. Lots of land right through the middle of these neighborhoods had been condemned for road construction, and the houses fell to ruin. Developers are now building new houses (generally in keeping with the existing architecture) on the now available land, some of the most desirable in Atlanta.
Anyway, Candler Park never really fell apart as a neighborhood or had crack houses or anything dicey like that. It's now altogether gentrified, though in a fairly granola way (hope that makes sense).
Grant Park fell farther and started gentrification later, so some might write it off. But I've got friends with young kids who love it and the community feel there. The zoo's at Grant Park, by the way, and the location near I-20 might work for an easy commute depending on the location of your office.
The really great Victorians are in Inman Park, by the way.
But I still say that if you work in Vinings you should look in Vinings and environs. Seriously, I'd drive to the office, get the lay of the land in a 5 mile radius, and focus my search in that area.
In order to understand some of the neighborhoods in Atlanta it helps to know some of the history. Both Grant Park and Candler Park were slated for near destruction in the latter half of the 20th century, the goal being to construct freeways between the outlying suburbs and downtown. Grant Park succumbed (to Interstate 20), and it's only now recovering from this huge hit. Driving in the neighborhood can be quite disorienting once you're off the main roads, as small roads simply dead end into cement walls.
Candler Park (and many of the other neighborhoods in the same area) would have met the same fate had it not been for the extraordinary efforts of neighborhood activists, who fought a proposed freeway for years, finally succeeding in getting it turned into a surface "parkway" that's bordered on all sides by parkland, with great bike/walking paths. Lots of land right through the middle of these neighborhoods had been condemned for road construction, and the houses fell to ruin. Developers are now building new houses (generally in keeping with the existing architecture) on the now available land, some of the most desirable in Atlanta.
Anyway, Candler Park never really fell apart as a neighborhood or had crack houses or anything dicey like that. It's now altogether gentrified, though in a fairly granola way (hope that makes sense).
Grant Park fell farther and started gentrification later, so some might write it off. But I've got friends with young kids who love it and the community feel there. The zoo's at Grant Park, by the way, and the location near I-20 might work for an easy commute depending on the location of your office.
The really great Victorians are in Inman Park, by the way.
But I still say that if you work in Vinings you should look in Vinings and environs. Seriously, I'd drive to the office, get the lay of the land in a 5 mile radius, and focus my search in that area.
Aug 25th, 2004, 04:59 PM
#22
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trilogy: I live in the Morningside area, and there are a lot of young families with toddlers here. It's very "walking friendly" and has lots of great neighborhood parks with small playgrounds.
If you want to live intown and want to be near good (public) elementary schools, I would focus on Morningside elem. (Atlanta school system) and Fernbank elem. (DeKalb County school) system as the two best elementary schools "intown." Morningside is obviously in the M'side neighborhood and Fernbank is in Druid Hills, just east of Morningside (around Emory University, so a lot of university faculty children attend Fernbank).
Buckhead has two great elementary schools also (Smith and Brandon), but it isn't as "pedestrian friendly" as Va-Highland, M'side, or Druid Hills, imho.
There are many other great neighborhoods -- Grant Park, Candler Park, Lake Clair -- but some of the public elementary schools are sketchier, imho. Unfortunately, the popularity of Morningside and Fernbank elementaries, and the popularity of those neighborhoods in general means that you pay a housing premium - Va-High and Morningside (30306 zip code and part of 30324) may have the highest housing price per square foot in the city.
If you want to live intown and want to be near good (public) elementary schools, I would focus on Morningside elem. (Atlanta school system) and Fernbank elem. (DeKalb County school) system as the two best elementary schools "intown." Morningside is obviously in the M'side neighborhood and Fernbank is in Druid Hills, just east of Morningside (around Emory University, so a lot of university faculty children attend Fernbank).
Buckhead has two great elementary schools also (Smith and Brandon), but it isn't as "pedestrian friendly" as Va-Highland, M'side, or Druid Hills, imho.
There are many other great neighborhoods -- Grant Park, Candler Park, Lake Clair -- but some of the public elementary schools are sketchier, imho. Unfortunately, the popularity of Morningside and Fernbank elementaries, and the popularity of those neighborhoods in general means that you pay a housing premium - Va-High and Morningside (30306 zip code and part of 30324) may have the highest housing price per square foot in the city.
Aug 25th, 2004, 05:43 PM
#23
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Fernbank School (my kids went there) is actually the neighborhood just adjacent to Druid Hills, and the houses are both smaller and newer than the usual Druid Hills homes: Druid Hills is where "Driving Miss Daisy" was filmed, whereas Fernbank is predominantly small ranch houses from the 40's and 50's. So much lower prices for housing, though still high by many people's standards. Lots of Emory faculty, as most cannot afford Druid Hills homes anymore (Druid Hills housing prices were also depressed by the planned "road" but have rebounded).
Though "in town", Fernbank neighborhood will feel suburban by UK standards.
Though "in town", Fernbank neighborhood will feel suburban by UK standards.
Aug 26th, 2004, 07:17 PM
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Cher,
Chastain Park is N. Buckhead. If you look at a map, it's around Roswell Rd and Powers Ferry. I think it would take you about 20 min. to commute to the Vinings. I have friends who live there and I that's another area I really like; although in the summer when there's a concert at the ampitheater, traffic can back up. I don't know if that would deter me from moving there though!
Debbie
Chastain Park is N. Buckhead. If you look at a map, it's around Roswell Rd and Powers Ferry. I think it would take you about 20 min. to commute to the Vinings. I have friends who live there and I that's another area I really like; although in the summer when there's a concert at the ampitheater, traffic can back up. I don't know if that would deter me from moving there though!
Debbie
Aug 27th, 2004, 08:25 AM
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I have been following this thread with great interest. I used to livre in suburban and Atlanta and loked it very much. If we were to move back there, I too would rather stay closer in town in a "real" neigborhood. I think this is arend of many Baby boomers...to go for city/neighborhood type environment. It is what we are doing now....I hate to drive everywhere..I would rather walk. I did not live there, but always loved to visit the VA Highland area. BTW, I believe Elton John has a home there 
.
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Aug 27th, 2004, 11:44 AM
#29
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Elton John is reported to own a house in Virginia Highland that he used for putting up guests. House, like Elton, stood out in the neighborhood. Elton's personal residence, a condo, is on Peachtree Road, Buckhead "village." Wouldn't--couldn't-- call Virginia Highland "family-oriented." Further, not an easy commute to Vinings.
Aug 28th, 2004, 08:50 AM
#31
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'Wouldn't--couldn't-- call Virginia Highland "family-oriented."'
Well, okay, Hmmm, but let's not tell all my friends with young children who live there that they don't live in a family-oriented neighborhood. And I won't point it out to the restaurants there that positively teem with kids that they're not living up to the neighborhood's reputation either.
We need somebody who lives in Vinings to chime in here. I've got friends who live there but they don't post here on Fodors. Maybe I'll see if they'd be willing to join in and give some first hand info.
Well, okay, Hmmm, but let's not tell all my friends with young children who live there that they don't live in a family-oriented neighborhood. And I won't point it out to the restaurants there that positively teem with kids that they're not living up to the neighborhood's reputation either.
We need somebody who lives in Vinings to chime in here. I've got friends who live there but they don't post here on Fodors. Maybe I'll see if they'd be willing to join in and give some first hand info.
Aug 28th, 2004, 06:00 PM
#32
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I've watched this thread and others regarding living in ATL and notice that there seems to be a trend. The same areas are typically highlighted (Vinings, VA Highlands, and Chastain) as areas to move to. And sometimes others.
Please keep in mind that there are 4 million + residents in the ATL Metro Area. Of course, they do not all live in these areas. As in any city, where you reside has to do a lot with perception, expectation, and the research you've done. I highly encourage you to utilize other methods of research outside of this forum.
I realize that you will work in Vinings, but keep your options open. You never know when circumstances change and you end up working somewhere else. I'm sure you will purchase your home based on your personal preferences. I work downtown and live NE of the city. Could have lived in town, just don't mind the commute and love my neighborhood.
Check ajc.com (local newspaper) for more research/resource options.
Metro ATL neighborhoods have a lot to offer. Good luck to you.
Please keep in mind that there are 4 million + residents in the ATL Metro Area. Of course, they do not all live in these areas. As in any city, where you reside has to do a lot with perception, expectation, and the research you've done. I highly encourage you to utilize other methods of research outside of this forum.
I realize that you will work in Vinings, but keep your options open. You never know when circumstances change and you end up working somewhere else. I'm sure you will purchase your home based on your personal preferences. I work downtown and live NE of the city. Could have lived in town, just don't mind the commute and love my neighborhood.
Check ajc.com (local newspaper) for more research/resource options.
Metro ATL neighborhoods have a lot to offer. Good luck to you.
Aug 30th, 2004, 07:27 AM
#33
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My husband and I lived in Vinings for a year (1999-2000) and loved it. However we lived in an apartment and don't have children. I also worked in the Vinings area for 3 years so I'm familiar with it. It appeared to be family friendly to me but housing is expensive. You have the true Vinings area which is very expensive (for housing) and there are lots of cute shops. Then you have the "Sminings area" (Smyrna/Vinings). People thinks Vinings is an "elite" area to live they keep expanding the name. True Vinings is very small and inside the perimeter (inside I285). "Sminings" is really Smyrna and Mableton but people like to apply the name of Vinings to the area. If you are going to work in Vinings, you could also look at Mableton, Austell, Marietta, and Kennesaw.
Aug 30th, 2004, 09:42 AM
#34
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I live in "real" Vinings. The real estate developers and agents have been using the Vinings name in the areas of Smyrna and Mableton in the last few years to increase property values outside of 285. If you haven't been to Smyrna in the last 5 years, you wouldn't recognize it. Entire neighborhoods have been bulldozed for new, suburban style subdivisions. I don't think you can find as much new construction closer to downtown than this area. Condos start in the 100,000. You can still probably find a house in the 200,000 range, though 300,000 would give you a broader selection in Smyrna and Mableton.
Vinings has a more suburban feel than some of the intown areas (VA-HI, Grant Park, etc.). It is a lot like Buckhead and Chastain Park but with lower property taxes (because we are outside of Atlanta and Fulton County). We love Vinings because it is convenient to downtown and Buckhead, and we could buy more house for less $$ because our property tax bill is 1/2 of what it would be if we lived in Atlanta. Homes start at 400,000, and draw families with children of all ages. Vinings draws a lot of people in the real estate business because they know what a great deal this neighborhood is.
Condos start at 100,000. Vinings has become very popular with young single females (they are driving the condo market here) because it's perceived to be (and probably is) safer than Buckhead or some of the intown areas, and Vinings has a little "village" with a bunch of cute shops and restaurants.
My husband's office is 6 stop lights away from our house in the Vinings area so he can be home in 5-10 minutes depending on whether the lights are green or red.
Vinings has a more suburban feel than some of the intown areas (VA-HI, Grant Park, etc.). It is a lot like Buckhead and Chastain Park but with lower property taxes (because we are outside of Atlanta and Fulton County). We love Vinings because it is convenient to downtown and Buckhead, and we could buy more house for less $$ because our property tax bill is 1/2 of what it would be if we lived in Atlanta. Homes start at 400,000, and draw families with children of all ages. Vinings draws a lot of people in the real estate business because they know what a great deal this neighborhood is.
Condos start at 100,000. Vinings has become very popular with young single females (they are driving the condo market here) because it's perceived to be (and probably is) safer than Buckhead or some of the intown areas, and Vinings has a little "village" with a bunch of cute shops and restaurants.
My husband's office is 6 stop lights away from our house in the Vinings area so he can be home in 5-10 minutes depending on whether the lights are green or red.
