Kirkwood

Slightly less edgy than Edgewood (owing in part to the latter’s proximity to Little Five Points, Atlanta’s pocket-sized bohemia), Kirkwood balances its more provincial couple and family-oriented appeal with a generous dose of historic intown cool. Housing is what you expect and adore when it comes to this neck of the ‘woods – decades-old, “they-don’t-build-‘em-like-this-anymore Victorians and Craftsmens variously restored to their former (or future) glory punctuated with the odd run-down lot. The availability and affordability of family-sized houses, along with the area’s relative “under-the-radar” status as compared to nearby destinations like Inman Park, Grant Park and Candler Park have kept residential developers largely at bay.

Speaking of parks, Kirkwood is graciously riddled with them – from the tiny half-moon canopy of Gillian Park, to Bessie Branham (boasting a $2 million rec center), to the 17-acre DeKalb Memorial County Park, where residents can shoot hoops, swing racquets, bat balls, toss a Frisbee with the dog or chat about the latest restaurant/bar that just popped up down the street while their progeny clamber through the playscapes. (Several schools in the area, elementary through high, make Kirkwood a favorite of young families who shudder at the mere mention of living OTP – outside the I-285 perimeter.)

Among a growing segment of eateries, drinkeries and local businesses, Arizona Pub, Le Petit Marche, Kirkwood Public House and the Edgewood Shopping Center - a Target/Kroger/Lowe’s anchored mixed-use hub sandwiched between the two ‘woods and the closest intown ever gets to traditional suburbia – are well patronized by residents and non-residents alike. Though residents have the option of transacting their purchases of locally sourced lunch fare and “Up and Up” toilet paper through their very own credit union. Cheers!