Linwood Ave Northeast, Poncey-Highland

Its strange name comes from key streets, Ponce-de-Leon Avenue and Highland Avenue, the main roads in this diverse and gay friendly area. Poncey Highlands in full of personality – and things to do on a Saturday night: an independent film theatre, and a selection of great restaurants and cafes. It is not known as a shopping destination, but who cares? When you are minutes from major malls in any direction, you won’t miss it.

On weekends, I love driving on Presidential Parkway on the way to downtown Decatur and the famous Dekalb Farmers Market a few minutes away. Why? Perhaps, I enjoy watching people picnicking at the park adjacent to the parkway, or seeing the bicyclers and joggers racing along the sidewalks under towering trees, or maybe it is just knowing that when I feel ‘intellectual’ I could take advantage of the enlightening human rights exhibits and historic presidential artifacts at the Carter Presidential Center, which is home to both the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum and the Carter Center.

Frankly, I avoid the area on weekdays as the traffic on Ponce de Leon can be stop and go during rush hour. Though the curvy, tree-lined Ponce is quite beautiful drive during off-hours, it makes for dicey, driving conditions when congested.