Alan Andrew 2006 - #3 Realtor at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta - Sandy Springs

2007 - #14 Realtor at RE/MAX Achievers in 2007

Atlanta Neighborhoods

Information obtain from www.About.com, Author:  Joy Johnston

Many of Atlanta's neighborhoods have been granted historic status. Most have civic associations that are very involved in their local community. Whether you are looking for the luxurious or the eclectic, a strong Jewish community or a historical African American neighborhood, Atlanta will make you feel right at home.

Adams Park: One of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods that is located minutes from downtown and the airport, this community of 750 single-family homes situated off Cascade road offers affordable in-town living with a surburban feel.

Castleberry Hill: Located 1/2 mile south of CNN and Centennial Olympic Park, this vibrant neighborhood features many art galleries, lofts, and restaurant and nightlife options.

West End: Steeped in a rich, diverse history, the West End is undergoing a commerical and residential revitalization. In 2000, the neighborhood was designated a "national historic district." The community association's motto is, "In-Town Living, Cultural Diversity." Developments in the historic Westside Village will further attract new residents to the area.

Capitol View: Once merely farmland with no modern amenities, Capitol View is now an inner-city neighborhood with active gentrification transforming the area into a hot real-estate commodity, with its convenient location and still affordable prices.

Ansley Park: Known as Atlanta's first suburban community in the northern section of the city. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's unique in that this planned residential community has been able to survive, when the high rise office towers of Midtown's bustling business district tower over it. If you are into architecture, this is a great area to take a drive through, because there are so many unusual and grand houses to see. But be careful, the winding roads of Ansley Park can get even the locals going in circles. Then again, this is not such a bad place to get lost in.

Buckhead: Considered to be Atlanta's most lavish neighborhood. Some of the city's most grand mansions are in this area. It is also home to fine dining, a large entertainment district, and upscale shopping malls. Buckhead also is the city's financial center, and a large portion of Atlanta's workforce is employed in this area.

Cabbagetown: Known as "milltown" for many of Atlanta's early blue collar workers. The cotton mill was in operation for almost a 100 years. In the early 1970's the mill shut down and Cabbagetown deteriorated. Like many areas hit hard by economic decline, crime, drugs, and neglected properties became common. But as in other areas of Atlanta, adventurous young people saw hope for the historical neighborhood and began moving in, renovating, and turning the area into an eclectic, artsy, up and coming area. Now lofts and other new housing developments dot the community, and restaurants and local artists shops are growing in numbers. In 1999, you may remember seeing a dramatic crane rescue by Atlanta firefighter Matt Mosely, from the inferno that engulfed the cotton mill, which was being turned into lofts. A strong community bond formed during this tragedy, and still continues to thrive today.

Candler Park: One of Atlanta's earliest racially integrated neighborhoods. Originally it was a separate city known as Edgewood, but in 1908 it became a part of Atlanta. Part of the area was used as a Union camp during the Civil War. The neighborhood has retained its cultural diversity to the present day, and remains one of Atlanta's most colorful and eclectic communities.

Downtown Atlanta: is also an area going under a concerted revitalization effort. Like many large cities, downtown was a place where people went to work, but after nightfall, the streets became deserted, except for an unseemly crowd. Today things seem to be headed in the right direction. The 1996 Summer Olympics were the turning point for this neighborhood, bringing in funds that have helped estalish mixed income residential communitites, schools, and other community oriented projects. The housing market really has boomed here, with lofts, condos, and apartments available for rent or sale. More commercial interests are taking notice of this development, providing new residents with grocery chains and other essential needs.

Druid Hills: one of Atlanta's most visually beautiful neighborhoods. Desinged to be the perfect suburban community, trees line the winding streets and parks surround the area. The neighborhood encompasses the Emory University campus. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

East Atlanta: has become one of the hottest intown neighborhoods in the past few years. Located on the fringe of troubled Southeast Atlanta, this community, through the hard work of local residents, have revitalized this area, cleaned up and renovated buildings and lots, opened a wonderful selection of eclectic businesses, nightclubs, and restaurants, and remained vigilant on reducing crime. To further demonstrate East Atlanta's new image, the Fannie Mae Foundation named it one of the top 10 emerging big city neighborhoods in the country.

East Lake: A growing, diverse community located 6 miles east of downtown Atlanta. East Lake is home to a country club, and wonderful local eateries. They have a strong, active community association. East Lake housing is still fairly reasonable, and the neighborhood's easy access to downtown makes it an attractive neighborhood.

Grant Park: Yet another nationally recognized historical district, chock full of sites such as Zoo Atlanta, the Cyclorama, and Oakland Cemetery, where local figures such as Margaret Mitchell are buried. Many of the homes in the area are Craftsman bungalows. The neighborhood, located just minutes from downtown, was torn apart for the construction of Interstate 20, now a major thoroughfare for Atlanta traffic. This led to a temporary downslide, but concerned citizens have brought the neighborhood back and it now thrives.

Inman Park: This neighborhood has a remarkable history that could have ended tragically, but thankfully has resulted in the most triumphant of endings. Atlanta's first planned community, located just 2 miles east of downtown, the original developer of Inman Park worked tirelessly to create a beautiful neighborhood, and succeeded. It was the place to live in Atlanta at the turn of the century. But the neighborhood fell out of favor, residents left, and neglect moved in. Zoning problems led to the near destruction of the residential community. But loyal residents fought back, and now the neighborhood of Inman Park continues to go through a revitalization, and contains some of the most beautiful homes in the city.

Kirkwood: This neighborhood is unique in that it is both part of the City of Atlanta, and DeKalb County. An inner city community located just five miles from downtown, this area has been the focal point of gentrification issues in the city. The racial makeup of this community has gone from almost exclusively white at its inception, to almost entirely black in the 1960's and 1970's, to now a diverse racial makeup. While young white people looking for inexpensive places to call home have helped revitalize this community greatly, it has also led to the rise in property taxes, forcing some longtime black residents out. As more and more people move into the city, this issue will continue to exist. However, most residents of Kirkwood welcome the diversity and the quality of life improvements that the new residents have ushered in.

Midtown: One of Atlanta's premier neighborhoods. Located in the heart of the city, with both an active arts and business district, as well as a plethora of housing options, one can really live, work, and play in this neighborhood. Midtown has a large gay population, and prides itself on diversity and acceptance.

Morningside/Lenox Park: is another neighborhood that was established and directly affected by modes of transportation. Originally a streetcar suburb, the area successfully defeated the threat of an interstate project and now have special a special committee to deal with traffic in the area. Known for its lovely, well maintained homes, and excellent schools, this is a pricey but very respectable and friendly neighborhood.

S.A.N.D.: South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development represents six neighborhoods located just east of the downtown area. These include Benteen, Boulevard Heights, McDonough/Guice, North Ormewood Park, Ormewood Park, and Woodland Hills. This area blossomed with the introduction of the trolley in the early 1900's, and today these neighborhoods are going through a renaissance, thanks to the hard work of neighborhood organizations like S.A.N.D.

Sweet Auburn: is Atlanta's historical African American community, located in the downtown area. Auburn Ave, nicknamed the "greatest street on the planet" is home to many black owned businesses and is still the center of African American culture in Atlanta. With the creation of Studioplex, and other mixed-use complexes, the opportunity to live in this rich and vibrant community is now greater than ever.

Virginia Highland: is one of Atlanta's most popular neighborhoods. Located next to Midtown, the Highlands have a long and rich history. Originally created to be a trolley community with close access to commercial venues, this neighborhood has been able to retain the close proximity to residential and commercial areas. Everyone from local artists and musicians, students, and young families live in this area. Atlantans come here for some of the best dining and entertainment options in the city.

Decatur: Bordering Atlanta on the east in DeKalb County is this quiet, arts-focused city. Agnes Scott College is based in Decatur, and the Downtown Square offers historical information about the development of the city as well as a surrounding network of eclectic shops, cafes and restaurants. Eddie's Attic, a premier live-music venue, is also located in the downtown square area. Once primarily single-family homes, a new residential renaissance is bringing in a wave of townhouses and condos near the downtown square area. The area is pedestrian and mass-transit friendly.

Outside the Perimeter- Metro Atlanta Cities/Neighborhoods

Of course, not everyone lives inside the Perimeter (roughly bounded by I-285) of Atlanta. In fact, most people live in one of the many suburbs of Atlanta. Here is information on some of the larger metro Atlanta communities that are located OTP (Outside the Perimeter):

Alpharetta: One of metro Atlanta's most prosperous cities, the residential offerings tend to be primarily new construction, with plenty of exclusive, gated, golf course and tennis/swim to choose from. The school system is excellent, and crime is low. To learn more about Alpharetta's neighborhoods, use this interactive map created by REALTOR Ryan Ward.

Marietta: A thriving suburban city north of Atlanta with multiple identities- a quaint town square with eclectic shops and eateries, a large and vibrant immigrant community and commerce that rivals a larger city. Marietta offers plenty of parks and recreational activities (the North Georgia mountains aren't far off) and an excellent school system.