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Grant Park is one of those fabled Atlanta locales. What do I mean?

Usually when someone mentions ‘Grant Park’, my ears immediately perk up, and I am immediately expectant that some else cool has happened there to add to its lists of accomplishments. It has wonderfully grand and historic homes. It has great public schools, where you would be hard-pressed to find unengaged parents who are reluctant to be involved in their children’s’ educational experiences. This involvement spreads into political involvement as well. Generally characterized as a Liberal community, residents are also known for their involvement in the political process, too.

Until recently, the news about Grant Park has been overwhelmingly positive. The large in-town park facility, also named Grant Park, is a lovely place to bring the family for a day of fun and outdoor sports. The community is quite outdoor oriented, and benefits from it close proximity to other diversions such at the Atlanta Zoo, and the historic Cyclorama landmark.

However, last year, Grant Park was rocked by the murder of one of its popular bartenders and unofficial community leaders. The randomness of the crime shook the residents to its core, making them question whether their idyllic neighborhood was being slowly penetrated by a sinister element, who did not value the peace, tranquility of this treasured place.

Calling all "ladies who lunch"! Calling all "ladies who lunch!" Located within the Peachtree-Battle community, the Wesley Battle locale is just for people like you.

You will find 'well-maintained' women like yourself, who love to shop, who love to salon, who love to spa, and who love to brunch and lunch in Wesley Battle neighborhood. The area offers every possible option for all of the above at your well-manicured fingertips. There are so many irresistible options: Cumberland Mall to the north, intimate boutiques, Lenox Mall & Phipps Plaza to the east and scrumptious cafes, eateries and caterers are almost everywhere else you turn. And, we ladies also like to feel our best, so several choice fitness clubs are there to fulfill you need for recreational activity.

After lunching and primping, you can return to your lovely home with your girlfriends to play bridge on the veranda, or attend a garden party. Choice traditional homes with impressive grounds and gardens grace Wesley Road. This region is also fortunate to have immediate access to high-quality hospitals and schools.

However, timing is everything. Traffic in the area can be quite sluggish on weekdays during business hours.

Campbellton Road is a prolific thoroughfare that runs parallel to Route 166. If you ever wondered it act stretches from the edge of Douglasville (and eventually Carrollton), Georgia for almost 25 miles or more all the way to East Point and South Atlanta. Along the way the communities around Campbellton change character with each passing mile. As it leaves the more rural and suburban areas of Douglasville and west Atlanta, the road becomes increasingly urban and dingy as it travels eastward. It is decidedly residential to the far west and far east and primarily commercial and older retail in the middle.

Campbellton Road can be a good investment for new homeowners. Single family homes along the east side of Campbellton are generally older, built approximately in the late 1970’s to 1990’s for a middle-class residential base. The housing costs in the area are quite affordable. The housing costs and the availability of public parks make the area attractive to young families. However, the schools on the eastside of Campbellton are currently disappointing examples of Fulton County and City of Atlanta School Systems. According to some parents I know, they continue to struggle with standardized tests score and teacher retention.

Good restaurants and shopping is found only in the nearby Greenbriar and Camp Creek Marketplace centers.

Campbellton is short on personality, but big on possibilities.

Brookwood is a great alternative to Buckhead living. Buckhead is definitely Brookwood’s pricier neighbor. Buckhead does has a reputation for having all of the finer things in life: high-end department stores for the rich and famous, ‘by reservation-only’ restaurants, spas and exclusive caterers and the like. But why HAVE the finer things in life, when all you really need is easy ACCESS to those things in nearby – without the steep housing expense? You don’t. You can find your financial escape in Brookwood!

Last month, my co-worker Patty found a fabulous apartment with a professional kitchen, near the MARTA line. Since her move, she reports that she is now saving over $500 per month in rent – without skimping on any amenities. She also feels more environmentally responsible and lives a healthier lifestyle. She commutes using mass transit every day instead of driving, and she jogs through Piedmont Park at least three times per week now. From her apartment she has incredible views of Midtown and downtown.

Brookwood is also a more laid-back district. Patty’s new neighbors are much more friendly and down to earth than their Buckhead counterparts. Patty is so in love with her new hometown, she wants to live there long-term. With the money she is saving, she hopes to buy a condo and lay down roots in Brookwood next year.

Brookhaven is a high-brow family town, with quick access to other ‘nicey-nice’ shopping and commercial areas of Ashford Dunwoody, North Druid Hills and Buckhead destinations via MARTA public transit, Peachtree Road, I-75/85. This locale provides a cosmopolitan lifestyle without the heavier traffic found in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.

Located in unincorporated DeKalb County, Brookhaven maintains lower property taxes than its City of Atlanta City neighbors. It also suffers from some traffic problems and bottlenecks. But other benefits help overcome any negatives: Brookhaven is close to some of Atlanta’s best hospitals. It also has a healthy stock of upper-middle class and upper-class homes to match the high median family incomes characteristic of Brookhaven.
Recreation is an important part of this area’s appeal. In addition to a notable golf facility called the Capital City Country Club, you will also find to vibrant public parks maintained by DeKalb County. Blackburn Park and Murphey Candler Park are great places for an impromptu picnic or respite from busy day at work.

Picturesque Oglethorpe University has its home in this area, making it a beautiful college district. For your children, several great public and private schools also call this place ‘home’. While Brookwood is a very affluent area, I assert that this is true since DeKalb County property taxes are not as high there as they are in the City of Atlanta limits. Residents keep more of their money in their pockets than in other metro Atlanta areas!

The Boulevard Avenue area of Atlanta can be a bit dicey. To be fair, it has great institutions nearby like The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, the Atlanta Medical Center (formerly Georgia Baptist Hospital) and doctor’s offices, and boasted close proximity to colorful places like the Ponce de Leon Avenue scene and Piedmont Park.

But…

Boulevard, a relatively poor area of Atlanta, still struggles with a tough guy reputation. Though its high crime rates are coming down somewhat, the area continues to fall victim to a few bad apples responsible for car-jackings, street corner drugs dealing activities, and other violent crime.
Things are beginning to change, slowly. Though I would not walk by myself after dark, you do get a sense of renewed pride. Abandoned buildings are becoming renovated, litter is not as prevalent as it once was in the earlier 2000’s.

Don’t get me wrong. I am rooting for Boulevard to truly turn the corner and attract new development. It’s prime location adjacent to the I-20, the I-75/I-85 Connector and its proximity to major corporations like Georgia Power Company and new and improving homes (attracting a more upwardly mobile set) – all seem to make transformation inevitable.

Boulevard, I am pulling for you!

Atlanta Industrial Park is situated along Fulton Industrial Boulevard on the western side of Atlanta. As the name suggests, this is a major industrial and transportation (trucking) hub for Atlanta and the southeastern United States. I heard a local politician say that this area is the largest distribution hub (by ground transportation) east of the Mississippi River. Whether this tidbit is true or not, you do get the idea that this area is no known for notable residential spots and fun recreational diversions (at least not the legal kind)!

You see, until recently, this area was known more for attracting a seamy side of Atlanta, than for its business centers. Reportedly, prostitution and drugs were rampant in the area just less than 5 years ago, but that has reputation is gone now. Recently the Fulton County Government Center and a Fulton County Police Department located new offices there, driving out the riff –raft, and restoring confidence of business owners and visitors alike in this commercial district. Litter and abandoned businesses have been replaced by decorative road medians and family restaurants. It is now a safe industrial center, with room to grow.

The Atlanta Industrial Park is experiencing an economic renaissance. New investors are snapping up nicely priced warehouses and manufacturing centers, bringing new life the Atlanta Industrial Park and surrounding areas.

Tuxedo Park is an appropriate name for this centrally located yet secluded part of the high-end residential home district.

It’s winding and hilly roads are smooth as a tux's satin lapel. The neighborhood feels formal, if not marginally semi-formal, with its huge, multi-million dollar estate homes, tailored lawns and well- appointed gardens, and of course, its exclusive, high-society residents. Tuxedo Park is buttoned in by its equally exclusive sister regions of Buckhead, West Paces and East Paces communities. Like a tuxedo, this neighborhood is a staple in the vibrant, social scene of affluent Atlanta.

Every time my mother flies into Atlanta to visit, she begs me for a lazy 15 mile per hour joyride around Tuxedo Park, so we can select our ‘future” dream homes, while trying to blend in with the other onlookers who too wish for the day to call Tuxedo Park home. After we exhaust the streets of this pristine place, we break for a local café, health food restaurant, boutique, salon or spa to savor another taste of the good life Tuxedo Park affords its residents.

It’s easy to refuel yourself after a hard day of gawking; this neighborhood is adjacent to whatever luxuries you want and crave!

Bustling traffic, multi-cultural bedroom community situated in a shopper’s paradise. This is not at all unexpected. After all, Lindbergh is smack dab in the middle of major thoroughfares, like Sydney Marcus Boulevard, Piedmont, Peachtree and Lindbergh Roads - the heart of Atlanta’s retail and entertainment center.

In the late 1990’s and 2000’s, money poured into the area in the form on investments and redevelopment projects. So, now that the projects are completed, what can you expect to see in the Lindbergh region of Atlanta?

Lindbergh Plaza, a semi-successful live, work, play – and transportation center serviced by MARTA’s public transit station is located there. The Plaza is home to a finite number of ‘requisite’ shops, chain restaurants and banks that serve the working set at lunchtime and evening happy hour. Beside it you will also find many newer multi-family residences and mid-rise buildings - including an arguably ‘failed’, multi-million dollar luxury-condo-turned-apartment complex which is now rumored to be home to Section 8 residents.

The Lindbergh community, in my opinion, fell victim of poor timing in a declining economy. Once the local home and commercial markets improve, Lindbergh with likely achieve its vision of becoming a mid to upscale live-work-play transportation hub. It’s a nice part of town that will become more attractive with time.

Secluded. Exclusive. Quiet. Cozy.

These are four perfect, little words that aptly describe Niskey Cove, a lovely wooded subdivision tucked located in a quaint rolling valley near the lake with the same name. It is amazing that in a city of over 5 million people, Atlanta still has a few secrets, like Niskey Cove. This divine hideaway in Southwest Atlanta is home to upwardly mobile yet warm professionals and their families.

Few other places in the Atlanta area allow buyers to own a 4 bedroom home on an acre lot for less than $160,000. However, this was not the case just six short years ago, when the real estate market was booming, and average home prices were reportedly $200k or greater. Suffering from an onslaught on foreclosures and short sales in South Fulton County, homes in Niskey Cove are a real deal today.

As with most residential areas in South Fulton County like Niskey Cove, I am greatly disappointed in the quality of public schools (as evidenced by students’ low standardized test scores and the grumbles heard from discouraged parents who want more for their children and community). While the Fulton County - Southwest Arts Center, area retail and restaurant offerings, and other parks and recreational activities in the area provide adequate social and family ‘outlets’ for the community, I am afraid that education has been underserved.

I hope that will change soon to make Niskey Cove a real find in Atlanta!

Take my word for it. As the festive holiday season rolls back around and the temperature dip, the fascinating jewel-shaded residents with their undeniable 'sparkle' will have you clamoring for an intimate get-together or a full blown party in the warmth of Morningside. Last year, my friend Amy, a Morningside maven with an artistic left of center style of her own, invited me to one such soiree that oozed with the magic and te hwonder that IS Morningside.

As I approached the door of her 1920’s Craftsman bungalow (characteristic of Morningside), I peered into her window and was captivated by the decorations – and the people! Only in Morningside, would I see a Christmas tree, a menorah, and a kwanza basket all in one place. It was the best party ever. Among her other guests were two gay couples, two artists (a sculptor and a painter), a Unitarian minister, a musician with the Atlanta Symphony, an actor from the Alliance Theater, a young couple with their 7-year old daughter, a rock climber, two university professors, a Chinese acupuncturist, a Jewish doctor and an African-American lawyer, two “Habitat for Humanity” volunteers, a professional cat sitter, and an octogenarian with sheering wit!

Nowhere else in Atlanta have I seen a more diverse and lively bunch. But, this IS Morningside.

Even if you cannot appreciate the well-manicured yards of its historic homes or its proximity to Piedmont Park, great Ansley and Lenox shopping and restaurants nearby, and some tame nightlife to keep things interesting, it will be the people that will definitely bring you back.

And, you might want to stay a while.

When I think of the Greenbriar area of south Atlanta, I think, “Old area, with greatly unrealized potential.” Flanked by Highway 166, a major east-west thoroughfare towards downtown and east Atlanta and Interstate I-285 to its west, Greenbriar is in an ideal location for growth.

I have been told that its namesake The Greenbriar Mall, which was built over some 25 or 30 years ago, was one of the first indoor malls ever built in America. Indeed, that was cutting-edge stuff for this largely African-American community back in the earlier days. With the exception of some spotty commercial development & re-development, isolated new home development, and an unending cycle of business openings – followed by business closings, I can confidently say in the year 2010 there is not much news to report about the Greenbriar area.

Greenbriar does have some positive features worth highlighting, including a decent, but unexciting mall and outparcel shopping centers. In brutal honesty, if you are looking for a place to buy beauty and hair products, new shoes, and fast food, Greenbriar has it. If you are looking for an older neighborhood with shaded streets, Greenbriar has that, too. For higher end shopping and restaurants though, I suggest you look elsewhere - at least for now.

Frankly, one of the most remarkable local ‘events’ here can be seen only in the early morning hours, just before area traffic cranks into high-gear. I call it the “Crossing of the Ducks.”

What is that you ask?

Well, at about 7 A.M. every morning, you can see a mommy (or daddy) duck usher 4 of her baby ducklings across a busy Headland Drive - presumably headed for a nearby creek bed and some vittles. Amazingly, traffic grinds to a halt to respectfully allow them safe passage to their destination. Strange and charming stuff! This scene alone is one reason to visit the area.

Another reason might be to invest in the area, so that it can maximize it true potential! Any takers?

What makes West End an attractive place for college student or a young single looking for an energetic and convenient locale? First and foremost, it has to be the quick and ready access to MARTA’s public transportation. By train or by bus, they can get to everything in Atlanta in a jiff – theaters, nightclubs, the hottest eateries are at West End’s doorstep. A close second reason for its popularity has to be the availability of affordable housing. From timeworn apartment rental to much newer and more colorful Frank Lloyd Wright-like single-family homes, they can find it there. The third plus is its location. Bordered by Interstate I-20 and the Atlanta University Center to the north, I-75 to its east, and the City of East Point and Vine City to its south and west, West End begins where Downtown Atlanta ends! This location places it in the epic center of ‘all things Atlanta’, including popular hang-outs. The final reason is its food options, of course! What is a college student without the oh-so-critical toe curling, smile-inducing comfort foods to help them to burn the midnight oil - or bear the occasional late night party? West End is the home of THE MOST DECADENT, warm and gooey doughnut shop in the whole world (whose name I will not mention, since it is well-known throughout the southeast), some of Atlanta’s best soul food restaurants, and vegetarian take-out joints.

My next door neighbor who originally hails from New York City said, “West End has a certain rhythm, a vibe and energy like Harlem, New York - but with a decidedly urban, southern style of its own.”

If you have a free day, fortify yourself with its cultural delights. Visit the historic Wren’s Nest House Museum, whose self-proclaimed mission is to preserve the “legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and the heritage of African American folklore through storytelling, tours and student publishing.” If you have more time stop in at the West End Performing Arts Center or The Hammonds House.

It does not look like much on the surface, but it is indeed a very special place. If you don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the crowds of young people bustling along its sidewalks and the intermittent street noise, you will see a place steeped in Atlanta history and culture. Go there and you’ll understand why West End is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Though there are no mountains here, there are certainly rolling hills in the older, suburban homestead called Mt. Gilead. If you look closely, you can see from its 1960-70’s ranch style and split level homes peek through worn siding, peeling paint, and cracked cement driveways. You can see that from the architecture, and the quality of the open floor plans were way ahead of their time. Gigantic front yards, towering pine trees, frolicking squirrels and cheerfully chirping birds, generously wide streets, and low crime – nonetheless create one very charming place. Any notable deterioration can certainly be fixed with a can of paint!

Mt. Gilead has seen a lot of family history – two and three generations of families have lived and still live there. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad thing. The neighborhood has remained immensely stable; everyone seems to know one another with revealing recollections of stories told and retold from the generation preceding. I know people that were born there; and inevitably others who have also died there.

Younger families are now attracted by its location. Fairburn and Cascade Roads, Greenbirar Mall, public schools, and every key interstate worth mentioning is nearby, too. Last week, while driving through the Mt. Gilead, I noticed that the cycle continues: some new family was moving into a home.

The cycle continues...

To me, living in South Atlanta means contending with inevitable weekday AM/PM traffic on commutes to and from downtown and other points north. But ask any other South Atlantan and they may tell you that the lower cost of living, the sense of ‘community’, and the privilege of being adjacent to most metropolitan conveniences, the peace of relatively wide open spaces, and the access to the airport and cities of College Park, Hapeville and East Point nearby – all make it worth the brutal bottlenecks during the daily commute.

However, a new breed of South Atlantans is making a self-contained community, free from reliance on downtown Atlanta attractions. Over the past 10 years, a new South Atlanta has emerged boasting a mixture of diverse districts: residential subdivisions, industrial areas, commercial offices, recreation and golf, nightlife, restaurants, and an developing Arts culture. It has created its own microcosm. So who cares about traffic on the way downtown, if you hardly ever go there?

And now, more entrepreneurs are also making this a live-work and play haven. Thanks to the efforts of the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the low cost and high quality of life drive a growing trend to move from expensive Midtown to a much more reasonably priced South Atlanta. A friend of mine, a successful consultant, moved his company from busy 14th Street to the relative tranquility of South Atlanta. He and his family have never been happier. They have a fabulous home in Jonesboro (just immediately to the south), send their two kids to a well-respected private school in South Atlanta. Now they have joined a growing population that only occasionally visits Midtown from time to time on weekends!

Life has never been richer and more fulfilling since they relocated to this area.

During Atlanta’s real estate boom in the 1990’s, real estate developers brought historic Summerville from a run-down stack of row houses to a stylish community with deceptively large homes which neighbor Turner Field (the home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team).

My most vivid recollection of Summerhill accompanied my first visit to this community. You see, I was visiting an old college friend and her family. They had just bought an enviable, new home in Summerville. Imagine a home with an inviting wrap-around front porch, a formal parlor, separate living and dining rooms, hardwood floors, a huge gourmet kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and marble and polished chrome laden bathrooms with separate steam showers and Jacuzzi tubs. No expense was spared in her $300,000 plus home. Like many of the homes on her block, hers was a strange but inviting blend of hominess and opulence. I think you get the picture.

But, here’s the strange part about my first visit to Summerville. As soon as I parked my car across from her house, I was approached by a homeless man who asked me to give him $5.00 to ‘look after’ my car to make sure it was safe while I was visiting! My friend did not discourage me from capitulating to his request!

If you can overlook possible safety issues, and terrible traffic and parking problems when the Atlanta Braves are playing at Turner Field, you can find a great home here with access to everything.

If you think the only institutions of higher learning in Atlanta are Midtown Atlanta’s Georgia Institute of Technology and DeKalb County’s Emory University, then you’ve got another thing coming to you. Situated on the western side of Atlanta on the border of Northside and Martin Luther King Drives, you will find a lesser known area called The Atlanta University Center. Sometimes referred to as the “AU Center”, the Atlanta University Center is made of up several traditionally African-American colleges: Clark-Atlanta University and Morris Brown College and Morehouse College and Spelman College, a women’s university. Often overlooked by Atlanta locals, the Atlanta University Center institutions have been the beneficiary of Oprah Winfrey’s philanthropic, financial support due to its important role in providing affordable, minority higher education.

For sports fans the Atlanta University Center is neighbor to some prominent landmarks on or around Northside Drive, such as the world-famous sports destination, the Georgia Dome, the home of the Atlanta Falcons football team, the historic Pascal’s Atlant Restaurant, a soul food hotspot.

After many years of being touted as a undesirable area, the AU Center is making a comeback, taking its rightful place as a great place to live.

Why?

Area crime is on the decline. Amazingly, despite extensive redevelopment, it is still one of the most affordable placed to call home around the city; and yet it is only a few short minutes from Midtown, Downtown and even Buckhead attractions. Great new condos and apartments with great amenities in the AU have been added to the stock of historical homes.

The AU Center is up and coming. Check it out!

From the exterior, The Villages at Carver is very appealing to the naked eye, and is a welcome bright spot of what seems to be an up and coming area. As a pretty, mixed-use complex, it is equipped with nice take-out cafes, pretty promenades for strolling outside on summer (and hopefully not too steamy ‘Hotlanta’ days).

The Villages is a mixed-use redevelopment near Pryor and Alabama Streets, adjacent to downtown Atlanta with excellent views of the golden ‘Georgia Dome’, the pictoresque Presidential Parkway, the City of Atlanta’s government center, plus it is just a few minutes away from Fulton County government offices. The Villages has quick access to I-20, I-75/85, University Avenue and Atlanta Technical College, availing you to a rich Arts community - particularly folk art and regional pieces. The area has good access to essential destinations like the Lakewood Amphitheatre,where major rock, pop, and hip-hop and R&B acts play throughout the summer and fall seasons.

My friend Ruby met her then soon-to-be husband at one of the local cafes there, reinforcing the reputation of The Villages as a great spot for singles to meet. Now, almost four years later they have a son and are looking forward to raising him there. They will be able to take advantage of some of the better public elementary schools that the City of Atlanta has to offer.

With close proximity to high-end shopping at Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza, museums, culinary delights for discriminating palettes, West Paces Ferry is the ultimate haven for the ‘beautiful people’ of Atlanta’s in-town jet set crowd. It is also home to the State of Georgia Governor’s Mansion.

Winding and lovely West Paces Ferry Road swarms with ‘ginormous’ estate homes, each with their own unique style, and of course ravishing grounds and gardens to boot. (Know that if you have to ask the price of the one of these near-palace homes, you must be a visitor!) In fact, it is rumored that some of these outrageously big homes are really rental properties for large parties and events for those 'in the know'.

But whether you live there, or are just a squatter-renter for the evening, you cannot deny the sheer beauty and opulence of this radiant neighborhood. Any traffic that you encounter on West Paces Road is usually attributed to gawkers like me, who strain to sneak a peek - and dream, as we pass through by car – or those on the way to extravagant shopping and eating off of Peachtree Road nearby.

I have promised myself that when I win the Georgia Lottery, I will relocate there. I have my new digs picked out! Don’t look for a forwarding address (smile).

Who can resist a neighborhood that features sparkling 1920’s Craftsman bungalows, fantastic parks and bike trails in the college town setting of Emory University?

Located within the Atlanta city limits, Candler Park is a destination that has the ideal qualities of truly livable in-town neighborhood: a genuine 'community atmosphere,' where people truly care about one another, a lively and involved business district, colorful shops and cafes to suit almost every taste, reasonably good public transportation access, super-duper public schools oozing with parental involvement and motivated children, a Candler Park movie night, and a community website that publicizes ‘all things Candler’ from local parades and festivals to important government issues. What more could you want?

The Candler Park shares its name with a substantial in-town park with plenty of neat amenities. Bordered by McLendon Avenue, Candler Park Drive and Callan Circle, at Candler Park you can find picnic areas, tennis courts, playgrounds, sports fields, and a golf course which are all popular with families.

My perfect October day in Candler Park would include a visit to the annual Fall Fest and parade with my friends and family. After gorging myself on the tasty delights at the Fall Fest, perhaps we would walk off the calories while touring captivating homes along the picturesque sidewalks along Terrace Avenue.

But I could be persuaded to laze in the park at poolside!

Overcoming its mostly lack luster reputation, Adamsville may be best known for its public recreation center located on nearly ten acres, named the Adamsville Natatorium and Gymnasium. The center boasts an Olympic sized pool and gym facilities. That’s about it, unfortunately.

Nudged between Interstate I-285 West and Interstate I-20 to the north of it, Adamsville defies description, not because it is highly exceptional. No, it’s actually quite the contrary; it is quite ordinary. As such, it is difficult to select an outstanding feature of this neighborhood!

If pressed, I could point to a few positives, like the ease of interstate access and public bus transportation throughout the area. Or, perhaps, I could talk about the affordable housing opportunities, since Adamsville has a healthy supply of modest single family homes and rental housing stock. Or, may be even the fast food restaurants sprinkled throughout the area.

On the negative side, public schools in the area are not the best that Atlanta has to offer – but I understand that the Georgia State Superintendent of Schools and the Atlanta Public School System are working to change this.

So in the meantime, I would recommend Adamsville for single people looking for a reasonably low cost for entering the Atlanta housing market. My husband, the real estate agent, thinks that this area is bound to grow and expand over the next five years.

Adamsville may be a diamond in the rough, whose tru value will be uncovered in the near future.
Let's hope!

Those who know me well accurately describe me as a strange mix of earthiness and sophistication. The interesting mix of glorious treescaped parks and ready access to all of the creature comforts that a ‘Cosmo’ girl like me needs to keep up appearances are what draw me in to this area. This neighborhood is on the eastern end of Cascade Road, just 10-15 minutes from Underground Atlanta and surrounding attractions. Despite its popularity and proximity, it is an easy drive eastward to downtown Atlanta – which I might add is stunningly unencumbered by traffic.

And who can resist the beauty of a canopy of 100-year old trees along the way? Certainly, not me! If you keep your car windows open, you too can breathe in the ultra-fresh greenery and perhaps you can spot stray deer and squirrels, too. East Cascade Road offers a profusion of modest, charming and completely affordable 50 to 70 year old homes, making it a great place for a growing family. Thankfully, the selection of higher quality elementary and high school options (both public and private) is greater as you travel east on Cascade, in my personal opinion.

Although you can find one of my favorite health food stores nearby, east Cascade Road does not offer much retail or restaurant diversions within this area. Alas, Atlanta hotspots are only a few minutes away, making this a total non-issue!

Fall has come to the Atlanta area in all of its glory, making this a super time to visit the Butner-Tell area of south Atlanta (named for Butner and Stonewall-Tell Roads). What’s so special about Butner-Tell this time of year? If you are an outdoor nut like me, you would appreciate an exhilarating time hugging the curves along Butner Road, as you watch the leaves change colors along the way. I have a sporty convertible so I love to take side trips to take in the beauty of the endless sea of mature trees there.

For the less 'outdoorsy' among us, this neighborhood has other great features. It is close to just about everything: Camp Creek Parkway and its easy access to the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and South Fulton government buildings; and newly developed shops and a nearby spa.

Butner-Tell has a ‘country feel’ with quick access to all of the amenities. Sometimes, it is hard to believe that on most days it takes a mere 30 minutes - or less - to get to Midtown Atlanta from there – even at rush hour. It may also be one of the only places in the Atlanta metro area where you can still easily buy a four-sided brick home with 5 bedrooms and 5 bath, 3,000 square foot home for less than $300,000!

Somewhat jokingly, Rachel (my best friend who has lived in this area for over the past 10 years) said this, “There are only two types of people in the world: those that boast that they live in Virginia-Highlands; and then those who envy them.” She's probably right.

Centered at the corner of Virginia Avenue and North Highland Avenue (thus the name), Virginia-Highlands is a much beloved area of Atlanta known for its artsy feel, liveliness and “organic” energy.

Virginia-Highlands is truly a feast for your senses, especially in the Spring and Fall months. Your eyes will appreciate its beautifully renovated, bungalow cottages and one of a kind historic homes – all maintained with scrupulous care. You can spend a day gazing at residences from the pleasant tree-lined sidewalks. If the attractively maintained neighborhoods are not enough, and you have a penchant for olfactory delights, you should stop into the adorable and eclectic coffee houses and restaurants. I can honestly say that I don't have a favorite; the host of bars, restaurants and bakeries there have never disappointed me. I encourage you to sample them all if you have the opportunity, as each has a wonderfully different experience to offer you. Vintage shopping is also fab there; you can find whatever you are looking for – from re-purposed clothing and recycled linens to antique books and art.

Relaxed...energized...cultured...connected...bohemian...at peace. Though hard to fully describe, you will feel at ease in Virginia-Highlands. When you go there, you feel like you are on a mini-vacation. Trust me, you will completely understand what I mean once you experience it for yourself.

More than anything, perhaps it is the diversity and warmth of the '30-somethings' who live there that make this place a special place in Atlanta.

Yes, Rachel, I guess I do envy you!

Three-car garages and circular driveways are not uncommon in this exceptionally beautiful neighborhood. If that does not say it all, then I will tell you more about a little-known place called Niskey Lake (located near the Loch Lomond community of South Fulton County)!

To say that Niskey Lake has stately and extravagantly well-appointed homes just might be a big understatement. Imagine this: a lush, forest-like subdivision in a secluded lake setting surrounded by palatial yet refined homes. It is definitely a superb place for the comfortably well- to-do family; those who have “made it” and are not afraid to express their financial accomplishments through their nearly estate homes!

In (almost) all respects, it is a perfect place for professional families, who value peace and the finer things in life.

The brick and stucco homes that characterize Niskey Lake have gorgeous entry ways, hyper-vaulted ceilings and chandeliers, massive square footage, and ample lot sizes with room to breathe. Even the smaller and older homes in the area are well-kept and quite lovely, too. The wide roads and towering trees only serve to enhance the entire neighborhood. To top it off, it is near a wonderful new South Fulton Amphitheater and Art Center which hosts local plays and events.

For me there remains one mystery – a mystery that keeps this area from being THE perfect place to raise a family. According to my friend who lives there, the public schools that serve Niskey Lake do not rise to the high level of achievement and education of its adult residents. With the growing number of attorneys, doctors and businesspeople living there, I hope this will change soon.

It’s hard to know where to begin with this multi-faceted area near Marietta. For my health minded friends, I could start with a description of the splendor of the ‘great outdoors’ and its obvious proximity to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation facilities. The ‘Hooch’ (short for ChattaHOOCHEE), as Atlantans like to name it, has lovely wooded areas, its whitewater rafting, biking and hiking trails, and quiet, family-oriented picnic areas. It is a fabulous area for a romantic Sunday stroll, or an exciting whitewater rafting ride.

Or, if you are one of my out of town girlfriends, Whitewater Creek is a mere breath away from the best shopping and restaurants that the Atlanta Metro area has to offer, like the recently updated Cumberland Mall and its sister, the Galleria Mall near Interstate I-75. For my highbrow, jet-set ‘ladies who lunch’ friends, Lenox Mall and Phipps Plazas with high-end eateries are certainly convenient.

As you venture away from the Hooch River, very quickly you become aware that you are in a hotbed of the financial center of Atlanta. For businesspeople, they can find many major corporations and employment centers in the high-rise buildings that flank the area. And for residents, you can find a nice mixture of single-family and multi-family apartments and homes. Great Mt. Paran Schools are also nearby and come highly-recommended. If you don’t mind the horrendous Friday afternoon traffic, check out Whitewater Creek.

It has so much to offer. Check it out if you can!

My husband and I are actually considering buying an extraordinary 75-year old home in this area for investment purposes in the next month or so. I found this area when I was referred to a neat little spa nestled nearby. Honestly, when I first visited the High Point neighborhood about two years ago, I did not think ‘much’ about it. After visiting the spa on a regular basis, my opinion began to change. What changed? I began to see new residential investments (new and renovated apartments and bungalow homes), as well as fresh-faced corner cafes/delis.

Located just south of I-20 and to the east of Interstates I-75 & I-85 North, High Point sits in what we hope will be an emerging residential area within a stone’s throw of downtown Atlanta and the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Our friends have asked us why we are considering buying here when all they see are really timeworn homes in a ‘marginal’ neighborhood for most. We see much more than just a fledgling neighborhood. We see signs that a younger, hipper set of residents are being drawn in by the low property prices and the promise of future profits. I love the wide streets and the trees – so close to the metro Atlanta area.

Wish us luck! I think it will be a sure bet in a year or two!

As a long-time graduate of the "North Avenue Trade School", or Georgia Tech, admittedly I have a biased affinity for my alma mater and its campus. Since the institution was founded in 1885, the city of Atlanta has been slowly encroaching upon it – in more ways than one. That can be a good thing, and a bad thing.

What do I mean? Well, Georgia Tech is truly a beautiful campus, which was originally bordered by just North Avenue, Northside Drive, Ferst Drive and 10th Street – making it a wonderful and safe academic haven in the shadows of Atlanta’s skyscrapers. This environment makes it a great place to learn for talented college students from all over the world. Picturesque rolling hills enjoin beautiful campus buildings from the School of Architecture to the Olympic Natatorium built to host swim events in 1996, when the Olympics Games came to Atlanta. Another campus improvement in the wake of the Olympics was the addition of high-rise housing (located on the extended Tech-campus along Techwood Drive), which were originally built to host the competing athletes during the games. In more recent times, the campus encroached more into the city when the school added a state of the art Georgia Tech Convention Center and Hotel on the other side of I-75. it’s an amazing environment to take continuing education classes.

And, a bad thing: increased violent crime on campus. Over the past 2 years there has been a sudden increase in violent crimes and crimes against women.

It’s a great place, a world-class institution but with its recent growth, one needs to be vigilant to stay safe!

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.

There are two bright spots in the Sweet Auburn area of Atlanta: Grady Hospital and the Sweet Auburn Avenue market. Housing, well, not so much...

Grady Hospital is a high quality hospital and regional southwestern U.S trauma center in a blighted area of downtown Atlanta off of I-75/I-85. Because of this the area tends to attract a sad and lowly ‘lot’ of homeless and others in need; this makes it 'feel' like an unsafe area at night. Grady is great, though; both my husband and daughter were born there. I was taken there for emergency treatment some years ago and never regretted it.

However, if you are looking for a wonderfully fragrant and interesting place to visit, go to the Sweet Auburn Street Market. From the outside it does not look like much. Come to think of it it does not look like much insider either. But, don’t let the lack of visual aesthetic stop you from going. Because I promise you that as soon as you enter the market and smell the wonderful fragrances of fresh and smoked meats, fish, local produce, and homemade ice creams and smoothies and multi-cultural music and wares, you’ll be glad you came. It is a great place to take young kids for an ice cream cone, and lessons on good, healthy food! The prices are great too. And if you like to bargain, it is acceptable there.

Personally, I avoid the Auburn area at night, but during the day I am a big fan of this bustling marketplace.

Just yesterday I dropped a friend off at a doctor’s appointment at an office located in the Westminster Milmar area of Atlanta. While waiting for her I thought I would drive around the area; it was finally a comfortable (not humid) late summer’s day in Georgia, and the breeze was just right. It struck me. In all of my years of living in Atlanta, I could not help to be amazed at the sheer number of joggers and walkers of every age, sex and races taking advantage of the cooler temperatures along the shaded hills of northern Howell Mill Road. It was a breathtaking site to see them whizzing by lovely brick homes and townhouses there, all seeming quite healthy --- and happy to be there. This is the mark of a community with a high quality of life!

When I got to Northside Drive, it occurred to me while sitting at the traffic light at the foothills of north Howell Mill Road that I was at the epic-center of everything: I-75, flower shops, little boutiques and shops and grocery stores at and across from the West Paces Shopping Plaza (that has a Starbucks to boot)), the Atlanta History Center – even Cumberland and Lenox Malls were mere minutes away. It has a great mix of characteristics; lovely homes, retail shops, professional (doctors’ offices), and excellent schools are nearby.

Perhaps the most endearing characteristics is that even at rush hour I could avoid, I-75 South traffic by using Northside Drive as an alternate route.

If the mere utterance of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co., or Jimmy Choo sends thrilling shivers up and down your spine, then the Lenox area of Atlanta might be a place for you. There you can find all of the big name luxury stores between Lenox Mall to the east of Peachtree Street and Phipps Plaza to the West. The Lenox area, the heart of Atlanta’s shopping district, is bordered by busy Peachtree, Lenox and Piedmont Roads with access to Interstate I-85, and Georgia 400 roadways. Lenox is also the home of fabulous and expensive hotels like the Hyatt, Intercontinental, and Ritz Carlton Hotels.

Just by being in the Lenox area, I just feel richer! I can feel the affluence rubbing off on me.

While Lenox shopping is great, the traffic, on the other hand, is maddening. Avoid the area during the AM/PM rush hours, and at lunch time when business people and students come out to look for mid-day vittles at the high-end restaurants like Maggiano’s and Emeril’s. Traffic is also nightmarish around Christmas time for obvious reasons.

With all of this activity and attractions, you have to look very closely for a place to live. But you will find a place, probably in the gated luxury townhomes on Lenox Road, in the tall and expensive high-rise condos bordering Peachtree Road, or on side streets north of the malls. Crime is not so prevalent, except for thefts of high end clothing at expensive boutiques and shops.

Due to the horrible traffic, I feel much more threatened, however, by inattentive drivers on Peachtree Road, than I do by any other crime there!

Between the urban jungle of Downtown and the high-brow neighborhoods of Buckhead is where) you will find Midtown Atlanta. Centered near 14th and Peachtree Streets, Midtown has a dual identity. It is the center of Atlanta’s business district, and yet is the place many Atlantans call ‘home’. Unlike other U.S. cities you will find a wide mix of residences in Midtown – from high-rise condominiums to traditional antebellum homes just west of Peachtree Street. If you cannot find the home you like here, it may only be that the traffic and noise from the I-75/85 connector does not suit your lifestyle well.

However, if you can overlook these turn-offs, you can be rewarded in so many other ways. The social scene is great – there are wonderful cafes and restaurants and outdoor cafes on or around Peachtree. If you like the outdoors, Piedmont Park provides an in town getaway for joggers and their dogs, picnickers and the occasional Frisbee throwers. My favorite Fall event there is the Atlanta Arts Festival - where hundreds of artisans and merchants showcase their works on the lawns there. And of course all year, one can visit The High Museum, the Atlanta Symphony and the Alliance Theater.

Georgia Tech’s campus also reaches into the Midtown neighborhood giving it the feel of a cosmo, college town. Midtown is a safe place to visit or to live, but my friends tell me that the taxes and costs of utilities can be high.

But otherwise, I recommend Midtown wholeheartedly.

Downtown Atlanta has seen a renaissance over the past several years. Beautiful modern condos and newly-renovated apartment complexes have replaced older units that used to litter the Atlanta skyline. Part of this rejuvenation included updates to Underground Atlanta, a six city block below ground commercial development that is the home to endless niche shops during the day, and bars and clubs like Kenny’s Alley at night. Above ground, you can find merchants peddling great ‘street food’ and Atlanta memorabilia. Eventhough it has been struggling with the issue of homelessness, the downtown is completely walk-able and feels relatively safe, when compared to other cities its size.

Living in Downtown Atlanta, you have a front row seat to annual events, like the Atlanta Peach Drop, the biggest outdoor New Year’s event in the Southeastern U.S., the St. Patrick's Day Festival, and the Veteran’s Day parade. For those who thrive on thrive on arts and culture, the downtown area is also home to the Heritage Arts Festival. Residents are also close to other cultural attractions. You can catch Broadway shows at the Fox Theater or other great performances at the Rialto Theater. The main branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library is also there. For those that like a little more action, one can also have easy access to The Georgia Dome, the CNN Center and Philips Arena.

If that is not enough, Atlanta’s rapid transit system of trains and buses, called MARTA, will whisk you aways to the suburbs.

The area's down sides include its high taxes and traffic.

What a lovely, tight-knit community. You can feel it as you enter on East Wesley Road from Piedmont Road, that this is a neighborhood that cares!

Well-kept garden, tidy hedges and inviting sidewalks are everywhere. I adore this little, family-oriented neighborhood of Garden Hills, especially during major holidays, like Christmas or Halloween. It seems that every home is tastefully decorated in all ways imaginable at holiday time. Even before they installed the speed bumps, you can not help but want to drive slowly in this neighborhood to admire the architecture of the cape cods “cottages, watch the families jog with 'Fido' over the wooden terrain, and see children swimming at the Garden Hills community pool in the summertime. Garden Hills is central to everything I love about Atlanta: beautiful cherry blossom tree-lined streets, proximity to Peachtree Road- and its great Buckhead shopping and restaurants locations, and Atlanta nightlife. It is even central to great institutions like Piedmont Hospital, and Christ the King Catholic Church (and school), the Atlanta International School – and three Starbucks. (Yes, I believe Starbucks IS an institution!)

Definitely an understated, yet upscale neighborhood with the best Atlanta has to offer, it is an ideal place to buy and home and raise a family.

Bordered by Nancy Creek and W. Wesley Roads, the Margaret Mitchell area of Atlanta is a little known area (at least by name). Just north of the heart of Atlanta, the most attractive things about this area are the stately homes along Kingswood and Moores Mill Roads. It is an ‘elite’ neighborhood near some of the most elite private schools Atlanta has to offer including Pace Academy, the Westminster Schools, and the Atlanta Speech School, among others. This is a great neighborhood for professional families, since it is located close lots of great things to do. For one, the shopping choices seem endless, with Atlanta Station, Cumberland Mall, Lenox Mall, and Phipps Plaza all nearby. But, if your family likes to attend cultural events, concerts and conferences, the Cobb Civic Center, Cobb Galleria, and the Fox Theater, which is a little further to the south. For the golf-junky, the Westminster golf course is also quite close.

As you venture beyond the neighborhood, you will find Interstate I-75 and Northside Drive close by. But in exchange for the convenient proximity to busy thoroughfares like these, one has to content with significant traffic-- and traffic noise. Ask anyone who lives there, and they will probably say that is a small price to pay for living in a premium area like Margaret Mitchell.

The Audobon Forest West area is a pretty neighborhood located along the somewhat peaceful and very picturesque side of west Cascade Road in Southwest Atlanta. This family-oriented subdivision is located in a desirable, middle-class area. It has ready access to downtown Atlanta and the decidedly ‘urban’ West End to the east, and lots of shopping choices to the west.

The things I like most about Audodon Forest West is that it is a safe and quiet area, convenient to the airport, midtown Atlanta, East Point, as well as I-285, I-20 and I-75/85. Cascade Road offers a relaxing drive – and an alternate route around Atlanta rush hour traffic jams. Many of the trees along Cascade are over 100 years old. This makes for a lovely drive in the Fall. Watching the leave change with the seasons is so relaxing – ahhh! Although it is a short drive to downtown, the air is so fresh and clean. It is an ideal location for jogging, or a leisurely walk.

For those who are less driven by recreation and outdoor living, nearby one can take advantage of stores, mom-and-pop as well as restaurant chain establishments, major grocery stores and shops. It has everything you need for a high quality of life.

I live about 5 minutes away from a neat neighborhood called Audobon Forest. In fact, one of my best friends moved into a beautiful two story stucco home there. Like her home, most of the residences are geared to upwardly mobile professionals. As such, you would be hard-pressed to find a home there without the prerequisite grand master bathrooms with garden tubs, fireplace(s), huge bedrooms, vaulted ceilings and well-maintained yards. It’s a well-appointed subdivision, if you catch my drift!

After looking at other subdivisions in southwest Atlanta, my friend and her husband chose to live in Audobon Forest not just because their fabulous home is located in a peaceful and safe neighborhood. They also wanted to have easy access to their downtown Atlanta offices - without the hassle of morning traffic on a major highway (they use Cascade Road, as a tree-lined surface road alternative). Cascade Road offers a relaxing drive – and detour around major thoroughfares. Less than a mile or two away, there is an established Montessori School; their daughter will attend the school when she is a bit older. Nearby along Cascade Road, there is also a small health food store, a take-out Chinese food restaurant, and other major grocery stores and shops to the east and the west of it -- and a nature preserve for family outtings.

It’s a hop and skip from everything you need.

The neighborhood originally named, simply enough, after a customer of a local bar killed a buck (a male deer) and proceeded to mount its head on a pole there, the area become known as ‘Buck’s Head’. Now known as Buckhead, this area has changed in more ways than just its name. It’s at the heart and soul of Atlanta elite and their entourage. New mixed-use development is bringing more commercial enterprises to this red hot social center. It is also the official home of the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, and famous The Atlanta History Center.

Whenever my friends or family come to town, we make a b-line for Buckhead. Why?

It could be that they love to gawk at ridiculously massive mansions (and I mean this in a good way) on West Paces Ferry Road. Or, it may be their love for its proximity ritzy stores at Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square Mall, celebrity salons and spas, or the only Whole Foods Store in the area to my knowledge. Or it could be the endless selection of cafes and restaurants. Or, it may be the nightlife; in Buckhead there is no shortage of dance clubs and bar, which unfortunately attract the criminal element at night.

High rise, high ticket condos and mansions – what’s not to love?

Multi-cultural neighborhood with historic touches in southwestern area of downtown Atlanta! Craftsman bungalows, Tudor, Victorian and mid-century houses with modern touches are pleasing to residents from various socio-economic levels. But, it’s a mixed bag of gorgeously maintained residences to more scary places off the beaten path.

But alas, there are some cool places to visit there, including the Wren's Nest and the Atlanta University Center, with Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, the historic Gillette Mansion, the Stewart Avenue United Methodist Church (which was built in 1921), as well as the teeny West End Mall. Adair Park restaurants include Georgia basics like Popeye’s and a selection of vegetarian and soul food restaurants. I admit my favorite restaurant is not really a restaurant at all, it’s a bakery. Krispy Kreme doughnut shop is there within walking distance!

Downtown Atlanta is never too far away. Adair Park is very close to the West End MARTA train station and local bus lines, and is immediately accessible by Interstates I-20, I-75/85 and Highway 166. So that means, you can get to Underground Atlanta, Moreland Avenue shops and boutiques, and all that downtown has to offer by car, train, bus, or even by foot (if you’ve got the guts).

What a neat neighborhood! Twenty years ago, I would not have been caught dead in Peoplestown – day nor night. Its reputation as a crime-ridden area is a distant memory, for the most part. Drug dealers have been replaced by a vicious neighborhood watch - intent on keeping it that way.

Gentrification is nearly complete; all of the once rundown shotgun homes in the area have been fully renovated complete with Jacuzzi tubs and granite countertops, attracting a diverse and inclusive community.

Now Peoplestown is a kaleidoscope of colorful houses, in this nicely revitalized neighborhood. Smart multi-cultural residents, who swooped in to snatch up fixer-upper bungalows back in the early 2000’s, are now sitting on their front porches, pleased as punch about their investments there. There are definite benefits of this neighborhood: access to MARTA, excellent views of the Georgia Dome, only moments away from downtown.

Located in the shade of Turner Field, there are two down sides of living here. One can hear the din of both Interstates I-85 and I-20 from this neighborhood at all hours. And in any given summer, the residents have to dodge Atlanta Braves fans – and the traffic during some 75 home games each year. But hey, if you are a Braves fan, game parking will never a problem for you!

If you are an avid shopper and ‘foodie’ like me, you might zoom by Peachtree Hills on the way to Buckhead, (my fav) Bloomingdale’s at Lenox Mall, or Coco Loco Cuban Restaurant nearby. Peachtree Hills is surrounded by everything – and I mean everything.

But hey, that is why I love this neighborhood. It has the requisite Starbucks to the south of it, another to the north, every high-end boutique and department store you can think of, and a complete compliment of restaurants and nightspots. It’s easy to speed pass this charming neighborhood. It is hidden by ancient tree-lined side streets, between the bustle of Peachtree, Piedmont and Lindbergh Roads which encircle it.

But, do slow down to peek at this urban, yet quiet oasis with palpably ‘good aura’.

It’s pretty pricey to live there. So this is why it is home to mostly upwardly-mobile professionals and their families. The quality of its historic craftsman homes with well-manicured gardens, or the huge, newly-built luxury condo apartments with oodles of amenities attract them here. It can also be argued that its location along Peachtree Creek and its accessibility to the majesty of modern convenience. Whatever the reason, it’s no wonder that this area is in great demand.

As the quote (almost) goes, “Paradise can be found on the back of horses, in books and…” in the landscapes of Fairburn.

Fairburn has ‘it’ all —breathtaking horse pastures, neat book shops, and lovely landscapes. And, there is more. It is located near a few of my favorite things to do and see in the Atlanta area. A trip to the area is far from complete without a visit to The Historic Green Manor Restaurant - a grand and quintessentially southern, mansion-turned-restaurant, complete with wrap around veranda and gardens. The food there is irresistible. But Fairburn is probably best known as the home of the annual “Georgia Renaissance Festival”, a re-creation of a 16th century European country fair, with countless re-enactment shows and shops representing the period. This fun festival brings about 200,000 people to Fairburn each year.

The neighborhoods there are truly LOVELY, attracting an eclectic mix of homeowners. It is home to professionals, entrepreneurs, airline pilots, politicians – and farmers. In fact, I have decided that ‘when I grow up’ or win the lottery, I too will buy a palatial, multi-million dollar home off of Senoia Road or along Westbridge Road. But for now, I would settle for something smaller but equally attractive for a fraction of that cost -- as long as it is in Fairburn!

Boasting a whopping 6,000 residents (excluding festival visitors, of course), it’s a quaint and charming hometown, for now. Be warned. Fairburn is growing quickly, so move there while you can!

Adams Park is probably one of Atlanta's least known areas in Southwestern Atlanta. On the surface, Adams Park is hardly a 'destination'. Tucked between Delowe Drive and Campbellton Road to the south, it certainly is not considered a highly sought-after locale to live, work or play. Why? Included among its unattractive landmarks are the dingy-looking Campbellton Plaza Shopping Center and an occasional loiterer hanging out along Campbellton Road. Unlike other southern Atlanta suburbs, re-development has been slow, if not sporadic. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a place that has nice, sit-down restaurants or a movie theater for date night, or a family night on the town, Adams Park is definitely NOT on the top of my list.

But this neighborhood does have a few bright spots, including easy access to downtown, MARTA, the Atlanta airport, and the Camp Creek Marketplace shopping center (about 5 to 10 minutes away). Also, its rough exterior has helped to keep the cost of homes and apartments there quite affordable. So if one is not put-off by the Adams Park 'aesthetic', one can generally find inexpensive housing there. It has some good inventory of older, ranch-style brick homes in quiet and nicely-wooded surroundings near Honeysuckle Lane and Venetian Drive – all with relatively large yards for just $50-70k. For this reason, Adams Park may be worth a second (or third) look.

Atlantic Station is truly a mixed bag. Developed in the early 2000's in a location just off (and around)17th Street, and to the west of Interstate I-285, it was touted as an up and coming mixed-income housing area in downtown Atlanta. It is close to Interstates I-75/I-85, MARTA public transit, and the amenities of downtown Atlanta. The 17th Street Bridge connect Atlanta Station to the rest of midtown Atlanta. Atlantic Station, a walkable shopping center lined with sidewalks, by the same name, is a convenient and wheelchair-accessible place to shop. It might also be the only place downtown where you can park for free (at least for the first hour)! Newly built high-rise office buildings, great stores like IKEA and Target, a huge movie theater, a high-rise community named “Twelve”, beautifully-designed new homes and town homes, and even a L'Arc de Triomphe-like monument in their midst, all made Atlantic Station the talk of this town when it was first completed. It was to be the best thing that ever happened to Atlanta neighborhood development. Unfortunately, in recent times a number of the residential properties have fallen into foreclosure, and reportedly crime has risen there - making it the 'talk of the town' for another reason! But the upside is that now it is even more affordable to buy in Atlanta Station, especially for singles who want access to its amenities and the Atlanta social scene, without the high Buckhead prices!

The Ben Hill neighborhood is a very affordable area of South Fulton County, close major thoroughfares such as Interstate I-285, Interstate I-20, Camp Creek Parkway, and Campbellton Road/Highway 166. In Ben Hill you will not find many things to do; however, it is located just a few minutes from the Greenbriar Shopping Mall (one of the oldest malls in the U.S.), Camp Creek Marketplace shopping centers, and the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and public outdoor recreational centers like Adams Park and Welcome All Park. It also borders the Lakeside Country Club and Wolf Creek. While in recent years new homes have popped up in the area, houses here are generally older (built in the 1960-1980s) and very inexpensive in this suburban locale, making it a good place to find a decent/smaller, brick starter home for a young family. One of the best characteristics of Ben Hill is that it is close to everything. It is also a tight-knit community, where everyone seems to know one another. Go to the gas station, grocery store, or the Ben Hill Post Office and you are likely to run into your neighbor, your pastor or the school principal. Near a choice of public, private, and charter schools, and just 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Dome and Turner Stadium, you have access to the best that Atlanta has to offer. If you are looking for animity this is not the place for you, but it you want a small town a stones' throw from everything, Ben Hill may be the place for you.

What's not to love about Ansley Park? If you can image yourself in a $750,000 (or much more) home on tree-topped rolling hills in the middle of downtown Atlanta, Ansley Park is the place for you. This community takes the Arts, culture and social activities, and downtown outdoor living quite seriously. Just minutes from the Robert Woodruff Arts Center, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the High Museum of Art, the Ansley Playhouse, eclectic shops, boutiques of every shape and size, coffee shops and restaurants galore - if you cannot find something to do in and around this neighborhood, I am afraid you cannot be helped! Although there is a fair amount of traffic on major area streets like Piedmont Road and Monroe Drive, Ansley Park is a completely walkable community with lots to offer. In fact on any given Saturday, you will see moms with strollers, joggers with their dogs, bicyclers, and skateboarders outside taking in the fresh air. Ansley Park is an escape from the congestion of Peachtree Street. As you turn onto The Prado (one of my favorite streets there), the noise and bustle of Piedmont Road seems to melt away. Ansley is a little oasis in the middle of a major city. If in the area, check out another favorite street, Inman Circle, with its breathtaking, historic southern homes with big veranda porches and well-appointed gardens. So I ask again, what's not to love about Ansley Park? Well, it's not cheap. Although homes closer to Ansley Park Golf Course and Ansley Shopping Mall can be a bit more affordable, and you can sometimes find apartment rentals in a wide range of prices here. But, if you want a beautiful neighborhood, convenient to everything cultural, this is the price you have to pay!

If I had to choose two words to describe Cascade Heights, I would choose picturesque and convenient. This decidedly suburban neighborhood is a hidden, little jewel in the Atlanta area. From the quiet, tree-lined drive along Cascade Road, you can not tell that this neighborhood is only 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta, minutes from several public parks, public and private golf courses, and less than 15 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Although Atlanta Mayor & United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, Mayor Maynard Jackson family, Mayor Shirley Franklin family, baseball player Hank Aaron, and prominent elite African-American doctors, lawyers and other professionals have lived in this neighborhood over the years, still many outsider do not know much about this great area. Nestled between Interstate I-285 to the west, Interstate I-20 to the north, and West End (downtown) Atlanta to the west, Cascade Heights seems like two neighborhoods in one. In the 1960-1970's this neighborhood was considered to be an upper middle class area. The sprawling mid-century homes of that era have remained on smaller side streets, as the new millennium real estate boom ushered in a period of brand new residential development along Cascade Road. Newer subdivisions brought huge, more luxurious homes, restaurants, shops and other amenities to bordering areas to satisfy its upwardly mobile population. Its historic charm, convenient amenities – at a relatively low cost of living - make this a great place to live.