LeahM

The Mellwood area is located in southwest Atlanta. It is a pretty interesting area. Some parts of this neighborhood are quiet residential areas, while others are hectic retails spaces. This neighborhood is essentially located north of Rue Royal and south of Meadowbrook Forest. Mellwood seems like it is one of those neighborhoods that always has a lot going on. The odd mixture of houses and retail stores, probably yields a bit of crazy traffic.

If you are thinking about living here, there are some nice affordable ranch-style homes in the vicinity. Many of the properties also have nice-sized yards; this is always a great perk for creative gardeners as well as antsy children. This neighborhood is just minutes away from several schools including, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Heritage Preparatory Academy and Therell High School.

Local parks include, Ben Hill Recreation Center and Deerwood Park. The Ben Hill Recreation Center is fairly large and offers plenty of amenities. It has a tennis court, gymnasium, dance room, basketball court, arts and crafts room, baseball fields and so much more. Feel free to swing by and check it out. Just to let you know, there are fees for some of the activities, so be sure to have your payment options nearby.

There is some concern about crime in this area- mainly because this community has gone down a bit. I know that everyone has different “crime meters”. So, I’d say if you really want to know if this neighborhood is right for you, just visit it.

Butner / Tell is a neighborhood that is located in southwest Atlanta. It gets its name from the two intersecting streets nearby, Butner Road and Tell Road Southwest. This is a nice little area, that has a wonderful woodsy feel. It is totally infused with big pine trees, winding hills, and large yards.

This community has plenty of beautiful well-maintained, ranch-style brick homes. The cost of living is pretty reasonable as well, which is just an all around good deal. So many times, there are neighborhoods that have great prices, but the structures might not be as nice. Consider this neighborhood one of the better choices for middle class families.

This place is perfect for nature lovers. There are so many nearby parks to choose from (if you are looking to get out and catch a nice breeze). Tucson Trail Park, Deerwood Park and Ben Hill Recreation Center are just a few green spaces to put on your “to visit” list. This community is also close to several small lakes.

Shoppers might like the fact that Butner / Tell is just minutes away from Greenbriar Mall. This mall is a bit lackluster when compared to malls like Lenox Square, and Phipps Plaza. But... hey, I guess it’s not too bad .

Nearby schools include, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Deerwood Elementary, and Ralph Bunche Middle School (just to name a few). Over all, this is a nice area to check out.

The Orchard Knob neighborhood is located in southeast Atlanta. It is situated between Browns Mill Road and Jonesboro Road SE. As for the good stuff, this area is not too far from the Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve. This is great for families and country lovers alike. Nearby schools include, Humphries Elementary School, South Atlanta High School and Kipp Academy. There are a few additional schooling options as well.

Outside of that, there is not too much to say about this little neighborhood. If you drive through Orchard Knob, you’ll notice that not all the neighbors living here share in their part to help make this place as nice as it could be. You’ll see a few nice houses, but, you’ll also notice sporadic abandoned homes and un-kept yards. Oh... and lets not forget, those pesky neighbors who have about two or three broken-down junk cars (or trucks) just sitting smack dab in the middle of their front lawns.

Things like this really irritate me, because it makes the whole neighborhood look bad. I would avoid places like this with the quickness. I mean... maybe you might get lucky enough to find a particular block that has neighbors who really care about the aesthetics of the entire community, but don’t hold your breath.

I guess, it is also fitting to say that property value here is fairly reasonable. I would say that the residents of this neighborhood are most likely working class families and retirees. Sorry to be so harsh folks, but I think this neighborhood could be so much nicer if everyone did their part.

The Cross Creek community is located in north west Atlanta west of interstate 75. The neighborhood is minutes away from Buckhead, Vinings and Howell Mill but has its very own character and flare. The Cross Creek golf course serves as the center piece of the area featuring gated access for about 900 homes and access to an 18 holes of play. The neighborhood is great for families and young professionals seeking a tight nit community that has retained a lot of its home values.

In addition to the golf course, Cross Creek is a very attractive place because of its proximity to peach tree creek. Peach tree creek is a beautiful water way that is an extension of the Chatahoochee river and give residents a front row view of the local wildlife that this water way supports.

Cross Creek is also not a bad area for down home dining. If you are a fan of fried pickle spears and cat fish burgers, the Cross Creek cafe may be the place for you. Although the homes are a little on the expensive side, if you have the money this area is a great investment because it is highly sought after, safe and beautiful.

Florida Heights is located on the southwest side of Atlanta. This area is not necessarily a neighborhood that I would consider living in for several reasons. The first thing, is that a lot of the houses in this neighborhood are pretty average to say the most. Most of them are quite small and need a little love. There are some nicer ones, but every now and then you’ll notice several abandoned homes with wild grass growing up all around it.

This brings me to my next concern with this neighborhood. The resale value on many of the houses in this area is really questionable. By this, I mean that you can find houses anywhere from 10K to 180K in close proximity to each other. I guess from one perspective, this is great if you want to buy a nice little affordable home to live in. But, if you are ready to sell, you might not get as much as you’d hope for.

There is not a lot to do here in terms of nightlife and shopping... So, lets move on to something a little brighter now.

On the positive side, this area does have a few local parks that are pretty close-by. Lionel Hampton Park and Anderson Park are both within a 1 mile radius to the Florida Heights neighborhood. This is great because there are playgrounds, picnic areas, and swimming pools just minutes away. Nearby schools include, Peyton Forest Elementary School, Beecher Hills Elementary School and Douglass High School (to name a few).

I would say that most of the people in this neighborhood are working class families, first-time homebuyers, and retired folks. If you are thinking about moving to this area, I would recommend considering several of the other surrounding neighborhoods that might offer nicer housing options.

Capitol Gateway is a pretty new housing community that is practically located in Downtown, Atlanta. I’m assuming that it gets its name from the fact that it is just minutes away from the Georgia State Capitol building. I’m not sure if I would call this an actual “neighborhood”, per say. I’d say it’s more like a community of apartments and townhouses situated in close proximity to each other.

Contrary to what the other reviewer wrote, there are actually several different floor plans here, out side of just the lonely little one bed room apartments. This community actually offers, one, two and three bed room options for its residents. I only know this because I had a friend in college who lived here, who had the two bed room option. For added convenience, Capitol Gateway is completely MARTA accessible.

This area attracts mostly students and young professionals, who are looking for affordable housing, that is close to school as well as the city. This community has quick access to several popular Atlanta schools including, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University.

This area is also less that 1 mile away from Grady Memorial Hospital. This popular hospital is practically a historic landmark. It is the 5th largest public hospital in the US. In addition, it’s the birthplace of many Atlanta locals; including several popular Atlanta rappers.

Underground Atlanta is also about a half a mile away. This little collection of “underground” shops and restaurants attracts Atlanta locals as well as city tourists. Now, I will be honest and say that although parts of this area are nice and newly developed, there are still some areas that are a little sketchy. Enjoy!

Princeton Lakes is located on the south-side of Atlanta, in what some might consider the Camp Creek area. Rightfully so, it is situated a little ways off of Camp Creek Parkway. It is just minutes away from Interstate 285, which is super convenient for accessing nearby amenities.

There are several popular attractions near this area. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is only a few miles away. This is perfect, if you are a frequent traveler, because you don’t have to stress yourself out about the drive to and from the airport.
This area is a fairly new development, and has plenty of new shops, restaurants and housing options for people in the community to enjoy.

If you are an avid shopper you might want to swing by the Camp Creek Market Place. This shopping center houses stores such as Ross, Lowe’s, Marshall’s, Old Navy and Target. There are also several popular restaurant choices in the vicinity as well. Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday and Carino's Italian, are just a few places you might opt to choose from. I must admit, that I’m a big Red Lobster fan. I think the cheese bread that that they have, really has a hold on me. So, when I’m in this area, I like to swing by to grab a bite. There is also a nice movie theater nearby.

Housing is still relatively affordable in this area (especially for the amount of space you get). Most of the structures are newer, and were built sometime in the mid 2000’s or sooner. A lot of the subdivisions here have “cookie- cutter” homes that are almost 100% identical to the other homes in close proximity. Sometimes this area gets a bad rep. People like to say that there is a lot of crime here. But, I don’t think there’s more crime here than most other parts of the city. I guess the best way to know is to try it out for yourself.

The Washington Park neighborhood conveniently surrounds a park that shares the same name. This historic African American community is located in northwest Atlanta and is not too far from several other historic Atlanta sites. In recent years, this area has been the center of several revitalization initiatives. This community is a part of the the Atlanta BeltLine- a recent development that aims to join several neighborhoods together by using trails and green spaces.
This is great for hikers and bikers who reside nearby.

Investors, and first-time homeowners flock to this area to get affordable pricing on beautiful historic homes. There are also some new condos and townhomes nearby, which draws in young professionals as well as college students that desire to call this community home.

The Atlanta University Center (AUC) is not too far away and consists of a collection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); which includes Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine. These schools are some of the top-ranked institutions for African Americans, seeking to achieve higher education.

There are not a lot of shopping options in this area. So, I would definitely recommend venturing out a bit further if you are an avid shopper. On the other hand, there are a few cool eateries close-by which is always a good thing. If you love good soul food, you might want to try out The Busy Bee Cafe or Paschal's (both are less than 1 mile away). Both restaurant’s have some of the best fried fish and chicken dinners, with sides like greens, mac -n -cheese, and tons of others, you’ll be sure to find something delightful.

Over all, Washington Park has so much potential. I do hope that new developments continue to help make this community into the success that it deserves to be.

Oakland city is one of my favorite neighborhoods on the west side of Atlanta. There are so spacious historic homes in this area and the residents really take pride in preserving the history in this community. Located about a half of a mile from the Atlanta University Center, Oakland city is an area that most students from Spelman, Clark Atlanta and Morehouse College are familiar with. Many alumni and current students reside in this community. Despite the the beauty in design of many of the homes here, Oakland City has had its fair share of challenges involving the housing market. For every renovated and occupied home, there still exists many homes that are boarded up and vacant. Despite the resiliency of many of the residents remaining in the community, many more have decided to relocate to areas offering more resources.

The main market place for Oakland City is the West End Mall and Oakland City MARTA station. Along Ralph David Abernathy boulevard, are several local restaurant establishments that have served this community for years. One of my favorite restaurants is Soul Vegetarian Cafe. Soul Veg offers up a unique and flavorful approach to preparing vegetarian meals. Their desert menu isn’t bad either!

Chosewood Park is located on Atlanta’s southeast side. It shares its name with a park that is in the area. This neighborhood is basically a little south of the Peoplestown community. Similar to Peoplestown, Chosewood Park is yet another Atlanta neighborhood that is undergoing several redevelopment initiatives. This is a mixed neighborhood that consists of a conglomerate of renovated houses, abandoned homes (and businesses) and vacant lots. This area attracts developers, first-time homebuyers and panhandlers alike.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this neighborhood. On one end, I’d really like to say that this neighborhood is great for first-time homebuyers, but on the other hand… I’m not so sure. There are a few reasons for this. On the plus side, this area has a nice assortment of colonial homes and bungalows, but there are also some sketchy-looking shabby public housing structures as well. Cost of living is weird too. Some houses are extremely affordable (which I think is appropriate given the condition of this area); while others are grossly over-priced.

Perhaps one of the reasons for overpricing is the fact that this neighborhood is located about 1 mile from the beautiful Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta. This park is one of the city’s most beautiful hidden attractions. It’s the perfect place to take a summer jog because it has plenty of massive trees that provide shade from the blaring sun. Ironically, Chosewood Park is also less than a mile away from the US Prison Bureau... See what I mean.... a positive plus a negative equals...

Outside of taking a visit to the park, there is not much else to do in this area. I mean, there are some new developments not too far away, but this area still needs a lot of work. Hopefully, someday the over-priced homes here will live up to their prices.

Thomasville heights is essentially the site of a former housing project development that was closed down along with many other developments by the Atlanta housing authority. It is located on the south east side of the city accessible by Moreland Avenue and McDonough boulevard.

The area has many older residents who are also home owners that have seen this community undergo little change in the last 25 years. Due to a lack of resources, not much development has taken place in this area. The area still hosts many low income residents despite the city’s demolition of the Thomasville Heights Housing projects. The area seems to be populated with mostly auto repair shops, thrift stores, pawn shops and title loan establishments. Upon visiting Thomasville Heights, you will find mostly locals as many do not venture out to this section of town.

With property values at an all time low, the schools near this community have suffered as well. Thomasville Heights Elementary school was featured in the CRCT cheating scandal probe in 2009. The probe discovered that cheating was widespread at this school. Thomasville heights may not be the most family oriented neighborhood in the Atlanta metro area. I would not suggest moving here do to the poor quality of life here.

Laurens Valley, Atlanta

Laurens Valley is located in southwest Atlanta. It is situated near two very popular Atlanta streets, Campbellton Rd SW and Cascade Rd. Many of the homes in this area are ranch-style structures that were built during the 1950’s through the 1970’s. This is the perfect middle-class neighborhood for so many reasons. For starters, it has plenty of lovely affordable brick homes, with big yards and large shade trees.

This is a nice neighborhood for nature lovers. Nearby parks include, Adams Park and Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. These beautiful green spaces are perfect for mid-summer hikes and occasional picnics. The Alfred Tup Holmes Golf Course is also nearby, which is such a wonderful added bonus.

Laurens Valley is also an ideal community for families. The neighborhood’s schools include, Renaissance Montessori School, Kimberly Elementary School and Therell High School.

This area is also not too far from Greenbriar Mall. Which can be a good thing depending on how you look at it. Lately the stores in this mall have gone down a bit. Some of the major retailers have moved and left a host of weird random shopping selections to choose from. Lastly, there are several local nightclubs within a 1-mile radius to Laurens Valley- perfect for the younger crowd. Over all, I’d say that this is a pretty nice neighborhood to look into. One of the only downfalls is that property value is down a bit.

Woodfield is a nice Atlanta suburb that is situated between Howell Mill Rd NW and Northside Dr NW. It is located roughly 10 minutes from Buckhead and 12 minutes from Midtown. The community is slated to be a Belt line connected community which will connect Woodfield with many other communities through light rail.

The quiet middle class neighborhood is relatively unknown to most but it is definately one Atlanta’s best kept secret gems. What attracted me most to this area was its proximity to Peach tree creek. Peachtree Creek is a small water way that draws its source from the Chattahoochee river. Although, the creek is not as large as the hooch, its size is ample enough to get the feeling that your home is a river front property. Homes in the woodfield area are also significantly less expensive than properties located in the Hambersham and Peach tree battle areas. This is true partly because the area is mostly over looked due to many would be residents being attracted to living in more prestigous communities like West Paces ferry or the Vinings.

If you are a golf fanatic, you’ll also enjoy Woodfield’s close proximity to Atlanta Memorial Park. The park features Bobby Jones Golf course, considered a local favorite to many Georgians.

Westview is an up-and-coming neighborhood that is located in southwest Atlanta. It is only minutes away from Midtown and Downtown. During the past years, recent renovations to this area have attracted a swarm of new residents who call this place home. There are several benefits of living in this area.

Westview has some of Atlanta’s most beautiful historic bungalows. Cost of living is still somewhat affordable. So, if you are considering this area, you better move quick. I’m sure in the next few years, the value of these homes will increase - assuming that this neighborhood keeps the improvements coming.

Another great perk about his neighborhood is that is has a fairly ideal location. It is not too far away from Interstate 20, which means easy access to local city attractions. The Georgia Dome and Turner Field are both roughly only 11 minutes away. This is the perfect combination if you are a sports lover, because you’ve got the Braves and the Falcon’s both at your fingertips.

This area also has quick access to the schools of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), which includes Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine. Georgia State University and Georgia Tech are also roughly 3 miles away. I would recommend this neighborhood for anyone looking to get a good deal on a quality home. The only downfall is that this area does have a little crime.

Arguably one of the most beautiful in town neighborhoods in Atlanta, Inman Park has been a neighborhood with character and flair for decades. The north east Atlanta community is located west of Moreland avenue and North of Dekalb avenue. Inman Park shares a border of North Highland avenue with Old Fourth Ward. This community is perhaps most famous for its hipster slash bohemian slash alternative neighborhood referred to as “Little Five Points.” Little Five Points is polar opposite to everything that Yuppie Buckhead and North West Atlanta stands for.

There may be the highest concentration of mom and pop record stores in Inman Park than anywhere else in the south east! My favorites are Moods Music and Wax n Facts, two establishments serving the area for years. If you are an Atlanta History buff, Inman Park offers a unique glance into the past with its historic homes along Elizabeth St. and Euclid Ave. dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. Residents in this community are also very active and involved. A long standing community radio station, WRFG 89.3, is located in this community on Austin Ave. This station is unique in that it is totally community funded and has been a supporter of local artists and activists since the 1970s.

Norwood Manor is located on Atlanta’s southeast side. It is a quiet, neighborhood that has some of the cutest little 1940’s homes. Although some of the homes are single family, there are quite a bit of duplexes and triplexes in this community. I would say that the residents in this neighborhood mostly consist of your working class families, first-time home buyers and the elderly. Cost of living is relatively inexpensive here. But, there are occasional properties that have questionably higher resale values.

Norwood Manor is another one of the many Atlanta neighborhoods experiencing redevelopment. Some parts of this neighborhood look fairly nice, but then, there are random abandoned boarded-up homes and uncut vacant lots of land. These eyesores are a big pain, especially for neighbors who are trying their best to maintain their part of the deal. Hey... it takes a village.

Norwood Manor is home to a few local small parks and it is only about 10 minutes away from Grant Park (one of the city’s most beautiful hidden gems). There is honestly not much to do in this area in terms of shopping and eating out. I mean, there are a few local auto parts stores and random food marts around, but who really calls that entertainment?

Nearby schools include, Atlanta Youth Academy, Thomasville Heights Elementary School and Dobbs Elementary School. This area is also less than 2 miles away from the Fulton County Board-Education. Over all, I have mixed feelings about this area, but feel free to test it for yourself, if you are close-by.

After the U.S. military shut its doors in 2005, Fort McPherson’s expansive site remains in limbo as developers make plans to change the face of this site. Located on the south west side of Atlanta, Fort McPherson lies to the south of Cambelton road and to the north of Lakewood parkway. The site sits on a very underdeveloped and under served section of town. It is home to thousands of residents in west Atlanta. Despite having a huge college town that is the Atlanta University Center, this area has only 1 grocery store in a 5 mile radius. Residents near Fort McPherson have to travel between 15 and 20 minutes for access to retail options. The area could be a perfect asset for residents of the West End, Capitol View and East Point.

Today, Fort Mchperson’s plight lies in the hands of a group called the “McPherson Planning Local Redevelopment Authority.” This group is a not for profit organization charged with organizing a new direction for the site. There’s no word on what progress has been made in the last 6 years. I just hope that this opportunity does not turn into another stalemate like so many other development projects around the city of Atlanta.

The Mount Paran community is nestled along interstate I-75 in north west Atlanta. The community is considered one of the most affluent areas in the country with many homes valued above 1 million dollars. Mt Paran shares its prestige with several other high profile neighborhoods including; West Paces Ferry, Randall Mill, Kingswood, Westminister and the Vinings. The prominent roadway that travels through this area is Mt. Paran road.

If you love shopping, the Mt. Paran community rests between two of the best retail districts in georgia. To the south, there’s Buckhead which includes Phipps Plaza and many other high end boutique retailers like Hermes Paris. In the north west, Cumberland mall offers the traditional middle class shopping experience. There are numerous public parks with the largest and most popular being Chastain Memorial Park. If you’re new to the Buckhead area, Chastain is a great way to meet local residents while walking your dog or jogging. Most people in this area seem to be health conscious and this is a great way to stay motivated.

Mt. Paran may be out of the price range of most young professionals but I believe it is an excellent community for families. Families tend to stay in this area for generations taking pride and upholding the legacies as years past by.

This trendy little neighborhood is located on the east-side of Atlanta. It is only about 7 minutes away from Midtown and about 10 minutes away from Downtown, Atlanta. Piedmont Heights is situated off of the Atlanta BeltLine- a newer development of trails and green spaces that connects different neighborhoods together. Although this project has some phases that are completed, it is still under development. Piedmont Heights is so much more than just your average neighborhood. It is one of those cool sort of places that has a little bit of everything going for it.

For starters, this area is close to several of the city’s most attractive green spaces. Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden are wonderful lush nature-infused places to check out if you are in the area. There is also a dog park nearby for pet owners who want to mix and mingle with other pet owners in the city. I must also add, that Piedmont Park is home to several annual city events, including the very popular, AIDS Walk Atlanta. Every year, droves of people come out to put in their 5K to show support to this cause.

There are a few random trendy shops nearby, but if you are looking for a mall-like experience, you are only 2 miles away from Atlantic Station. Atlantic Station is an out-door mall shopping center, that attracts tons of eager spenders to relinquish their dollars at stores like Dillard’s, Express and Target. There are also several nice Thai restaurants in the area, if you are into delicious Asian cuisine. Over all, this is a wonderful area to check out.

If you have ever been to Mechanicsville, you know that this historic little neighborhood could certainly use a little lovin’ and fixin’ up. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are some nicely redeveloped parts of this neighborhood, but there are also some areas that still need a lot of work. This neighborhood, like many other neighborhoods around this area, has been undergoing redevelopments (gentrification), for quite some time now. I would actually say that Mechanicsville is one of the better neighborhoods to consider around this location, because it seems like a lot has went into making it look as good as it does now.

There are some really nice affordable condos, lofts and homes in this neighborhood. Some of the homes are rehabbed historic homes, while others are completely new. This is especially attractive to investors as well as first-time homebuyers. So, you might be asking yourself “What makes this area so desirable to live in?”. The answer is...location, location, location!

Mechanicville is practically located in Downtown, Atlanta, near Turner Field. Everybody who’s anybody knows that this area is prime real estate. It is about 6 minutes away from Underground Atlanta, and only about 10 minutes away from Midtown. In addition, it is about 1 mile from Georgia State University as well as the Atlanta University Center (AUC). There is so much potential for this neighborhood. I certainly hope that in time this neighborhood rises to its full potential.

Randall Mill is an Atlanta neighborhood located in the north west section of the city’s Buckhead community. Randall Mill is surrounded by Kingswood to the east, Tuxedo Park to the west and West Paces Ferry to the south. The homes featured in this neighborhood are designed for the more affluent crowd, with most average sized single family homes no lower than 500k.

Randall Mill, like it’s West Paces Ferry counterpart is an extremely quiet neighborhood. This makes the area suitable for families and the elderly. This area has preserved much of its green space and although some estates here are huge and assuming, the landscape provides natural privacy for its residents. Being the nature lover I am, the most attractive feature of this area is Chastain Park and the Chatahoochee river. Chastain features great running trails and its scenery rivals only Piedmont park for in town Parks. The Chatahoochee river is Atlanta’s life line, as it is the only major body of water in the metro area.

All sorts of wild life rarely seen in the city call this place home. I am so glad that the city does a great job at preserving this amenity for everyone to enjoy.

Sheerwood Forest is a ritzy Atlanta suburb that is located a little north of Ansley Park. It is one of those places where just about everyone would literally love to live. I mean, who wouldn’t want to call a mini-mansion “home” for a day (or two). Cost of living in this affluent neighborhood can get pretty high. Some residents who rest their heads here live in estates priced well over a million bucks.

This neighborhood is close to several of the city’s coolest attractions. Atlantic Station, a really trendy outdoor shopping mall, is essentially only 1 mile away. So, shops like Dillard’s, DSW and Bannana Republic are practically right in your backyard. Another perk is that Atlantic Station is also home to Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 16 & IMAX Movie theater. Moviegoers, feel free to insert applause here_____.

This area is surrounded by some of the most wonderful restaurants in Atlanta. R Thomas Deluxe Grill, Bluefin and Nan Thai Fine Dining are just a few popular choices for hungry shoppers in the area.

Savannah College of Art and Design and The Portfolio Center, are a couple of popular artsy schools that are within a 1 mile radius to the Sheerwood Forest neighborhood. This area is also not too far from Piedmont Hospital and the Shepherd Center. One of the only obvious downfalls about this community is that sometimes traffic gets really bad.

Reynoldstown is a community in east Atlanta that is emerging as a key stakeholder for the Beltline project. Located along Memorial drive, Reynoldstown borders Cabbagetown and Inman Park. These communities are at the top of my list in Atlanta for in town living. Reynoldstown has a nice selection of lofts that have not yet reached the ginormous asking prices as its counterparts in other gentrified communities in Atlanta. Triumph lofts is a new development that I’m excited about. The condos were converted from an old distribution warehouse and every floor plan I’ve seen hints to a contemporary design.

This area seems to be the perfect case study on the possible solutions for redeveloping antiquated communities. Reynoldstown, like its neighbor, Cabbagetown was once the home of one of Atlanta’s Industrial Park areas. Consisting mostly of families of mill workers, the area experienced a sharp decline as mills and factories shuttered its doors. Developments like the Triumph loft project have effectively converted a long standing eye sore into a work of art that benefits residents. Whether or not you’re a fan of the Belt line project, Reynoldstown hosts a belt line tour that provides new comers and residents of the city the opportunity to tour surrounding communities that will be connected with the proposed project. I learned so much about communities that I’ve never knew existed by taking this tour.

Mozley Park is located in southwest Atlanta, and is situated between Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW and Westview Dr SW. It is not too far from Interstate 20, which means that it is relatively close to many of the city's attractions. This neighborhood has definitely gone through its ups and downs. Most of the homes in this area were built around the 1920’s and consist of beautiful large bungalow and Victorian-styled structures. Some of the homes in this neighborhood have been rehabbed, but others still need a bit of work done to help bring this neighborhood up to speed.

There are some good things to say about this area. For starters, the location is relatively ideal. It’s only about 3 miles from Downtown, Atlanta. So, residents of this community basically have the city at their finger tips. In addition, the Georgia Dome is only about 7 minutes away (perfect for the Falcons fan). This neighborhood is also not too far from the Atlanta University Center (AUC). The AUC is home to several prestigious historical black colleges and universities, including Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Students and locals will find that the cost of living is pretty cheap here, which is a always a good perk. Hopefully, in time, this neighborhood will have new developments to make it as desirable as some other parts of Atlanta.

Resident “Hipster” approved, Poncey-Highland is a hip neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta located between Inman Park and Virginia Highland. The area houses about 1800 hundred residents and real estate in the area seems to be on an upward trend. One thing I love about the Poncey Highland area, is that it is home of many historical landmarks in the city of Atlanta.

My favorites by far are the Clermont Lounge and Plaza Theater. The Plaza Theater features many non-commercial films by local and indie film makers. It’s a great place to catch the latest plays and film adaptations as well. The Clermont Lounge, is considered to be Atlanta’s freaky hidden gem. Part odd ball strip club and part dive bar, anything imaginable can go down at the lounge after 1 am. This place is an awesome night cap after bar hopping with friends. The dancers are nationally known and have served this establishment for decades! Character isn’t the only thing that’s been preserved over the years here. Drink prices remain extremely low compared to other clubs in the neighboring Virginia Highland areas.

As you can see, Ponce-Highland is a very lively area. This community is one of a handful of authentic metro Atlanta neighborhoods that still has its own character. This is a must visit!

Castlewood is situated between Northside Drive and Howell Mill Road and is located in the Buckhead area. This is a really nice well-established suburb that is not too far from everything that the city has to offer. Nearby attractions include several high-end shopping boutiques and restaurants. Castlewood is also shockingly close to Lenox Square Mall as well as the illustrious Phipps Plaza.

This neighborhood has some of the most beautiful mini-mansions in town. There is a nice variety of 1950’s estates that give the area an older sophisticated sort of feeling. There are also some newer homes in the area, that were built to have a similar style. Castlewood is perfect for the well-established crowd.

There are several nearby parks to explore. In fact, Piedmont Park is only about 4 miles away. Another nearby amenity is the Bobby Jones Golf Course, which is a favorite spot for golfers to hang out.

Families are especially attracted to locate in Castlewood because there are several prestigious private schools and well-known public schools that share this community. Pace Academy, the Atlanta Girls School, Morris Brandon Elementary School and St Anne's Episcopal School, are just a few choices to pick from if you have children and reside here. Kids will also delight in neighborhood’s local playgrounds.

You guessed it right, the Chattahoochee area surrounds the Chattahoochee River. This is personally one of my favorite areas to visit, especially in the spring and summertime. This green space is home to the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area; which includes several different parks, rivers and trails. My personal favorite is the Island Ford. Not too long ago, I was visiting this place a good 2 to 3 times a week, and those $3 park fees really started to stack up. I had a nice collection of those little papers with the holes punched out (that verified the different days that I had visited) stashed around my car. Eventually, I ended up purchasing the annual pass for only $25, which really helped me save a bit.

This is the perfect area for hiking because you get to see so much nature along the way. Hiking paths trail though wooded patches and stream along-side the “Hooch” to give you a one-of-a-kind experience. On many occasions, you’ll see families of geese floating on the river. You might also see fly fishers, fully suited, waving their lines about- trying to see what they can catch.

This area is really nice for dog owners as well. On any given day, you’ll see people out jogging with their pets close-by. Parents will also be attracted to the Chattahoochee, because kids just love playing in the river, collecting rocks. If you are in Atlanta, you have to check out this area. I can’t tell you how many friends I have, who have never been to this place. There’s no excuse to miss out on something so beautiful. So, get out... and enjoy!

The Springlake neighborhood is situated between Northside Dr NW and Howell Mill Rd NW on the westside of Atlanta’s Buckhead community. Midtown is only about 3.5 miles away, while Downtown Atlanta is about 6 miles away. So, you can basically access local shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife in just minutes. Springlake is a nice middle class Atlanta neighborhood with well-maintained small to mid-sized homes.

If you are looking to get out to enjoy some fresh air and get a bit of exercise, this neighborhood is close to several beautiful parks. Ellsworth Park , Atlanta Memorial Park and Tanyard Creek Park are just a few of the many options that you can choose from. There is also a tennis center as well as a golf course nearby.

There are quite a few well-known schools that are in the surrounding communities, including the Suzuki School, Morris Brandon Elementary School and the Atlanta International School.
This is the perfect neighborhood for established families, retirees and young professionals. The only thing that I do not too much care for, is that a lot of homes in Springlake are “stacked” a little closely together. There are some homes with bigger yards that have more space (in between the homes), but don’t hold your breath.

Fernleaf is a cute little neighborhood located about 14 minutes away from Downtown, Atlanta. It is situated between Defoors Ferry Rd NW and Marietta Blvd NW. Fernleaf is an ideal, super nice middle class Atlanta neighborhood, with nice sized houses and large yards. It seems like the perfect place for families looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city (but still be relatively close enough to everything).

Piedmont hospital is only about 3 miles away. Plus, there are two nearby parks, Crest Lawn Memorial Park and Coronet Way Park (a smaller playground park). I must also clarify, that Crest Lawn Memorial Park is not your traditional park. It’s actually a historic Atlanta gravesite that played a part in the Battle of Atlanta, during the Civil War. On a more upbeat note, the area is also in close proximity to two golf courses; Cross Creek Golf Club and the Bobby Jones Golf Course. This is the perfect outlet if you enjoy golfing on beautiful hills surrounded by lush nature. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some ducks or geese when the whether is nice out.

This neighborhood is especially close to several prestigious Atlanta schools ( Pace Academy, The Westminster Schools and the Atlanta Girls’ School). If you are considering sending your little one to any of these schools, you better be financially prepared to fork out about 20K. Housing in this neighborhood reflects the schools, and can get pretty expensive as well. All and all, this is a great neighborhood if you can afford to live here.

Brandon is a fancy Atlanta suburb that is practically located in the Buckhead area. The neighborhood is nestled between two popular streets, Howell Mill Road and Moores Mill Road. Brandon, like many other similar Buckhead neighborhoods, enjoys the luxury of being close to several shopping boutiques and up-scale restaurants. Lenox Square Mall is only about 12 minutes away, while Phipps Plaza is about 14 minutes from the area.

This neighborhood is home to some of the most beautiful estates in the Atlanta area. Here, you will find gorgeous 1950’s historic single family homes, as well as newer (1990’s and up) mini-mansions all mixed together. This area is perfect for the well-established crowd.

Brandon is a wonderful place for families to live. Several prestigious private schools and top-notch public schools share this community including Atlanta Girls School, Morris Brandon Elementary School and St Anne's Episcopal School. In addition, there are some nearby parks with playgrounds. Parents will also enjoy the added perk of the Bobby Jones Golf Course as it is pretty close.

There are a few family practices and pediatrics facilities close-by. But, of course... what would a fancy neighborhood like this be like without your ever-popular plastic surgery centers? Over all, this is a nice up-scale neighborhood to consider if you are looking to experience all that suburban living has to offer.

If you’ve ever been to the West End are or the Atlanta University Center, you should be very familiar with the Hunter Hills neighborhood. Hunter Hills is located on the west side of downtown Atlanta situated in between West Lake and Washington Park. Visitors can access Hunter hills either by Simpson Road or Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. The area was established in the 1940s and 50s and has been comprised of mostly African Americans since then. Hunter Hills neighbors the AUC which is currently comprised of Morehouse, Spelman, Morris Brown and Clark Atlanta. The Atlanta University Center educates some 10,000 or more students each year, many of whom reside in the Hunter Hill area. Location wise, this community is moments away from the downtown and midtown areas.

Like many of its west side counterparts, Hunter Hills experienced an economic decline that has last some 30 years now. Since then, it has been a slow process for this community to redevelop and stabilize. In 2005 the city embarked on plans to create a park that would be larger than Atlanta’s Piedmont park. That park, Westside Park, would be a major landmark for the yet to be completed beltway project. As of 2011, there has been no word to the status of this project although residents are eagerly awaiting some form of progress.

Located on the southwest side of Atlanta is a tiny suburb called Harland Terrace. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW and Peyton Rd SW are two popular streets that run through this neighborhood. The area is only about 6 miles away from Downtown, Atlanta and it is somewhat MARTA accessible. It is mostly comprised of midsized homes that are surrounded by beautiful large evergreen trees. This neighborhood is pretty close to Interstate 20. So, you are basically minutes away from city attractions like shopping and dining.

Isabel Gates Webster Park and Columbia Gates Park are two local parks that are situated close-by. There are several schools that are in the vicinity. They include Peyton Forest Elementary, Douglass High, West Manor School, Worthy’s Christian Academy and a host of others. Hightower Station Shopping Center and Westridge Shopping Center are both within a 1 mile radius to this neighborhood. But, don’t set your hopes too high. Both centers are a bit below mall grade quality and mostly consists of random apparel shops, beauty supply marts and the occasional cell phone store.

Over all, I would say that the houses are pretty nice in this neighborhood, but as soon as you venture out of your driveway and lurk down the street, the area gets a little sketchy.

Sweet Auburn was perhaps the heart of “Old Atlanta.” When I say old Atlanta, I am referring to a period in history starting during the early 20th century and ending during the early 1960s. It was during this period, where the African American community in Atlanta thrived.

The neighborhood is located on the north east, near the center of downtown Atlanta.. Its borders are Boulevard to the east, Freedom parkway to the north, Interstate 85 to the west and Edgewood avenue to the south. I love this area of the city because it is rich in not only Atlanta history but also American history. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is located on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue. On Auburn avenue, you can visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, the place where the King family worshiped. This area is the location of the famed annual Sweet Auburn festival, a street festival that takes place during the spring season. I’ve visited the Sweet Auburn fest for many years and one cannot ignore the impoverished reality of many of the residents of this neighborhood. This area, like so many of its inner city counterpart experienced a sharp decline starting in the 1970 when many middle class residents relocated to other communities outside of Sweet Auburn. This past year I have seen much improvement to this area with new shops and restaurants. This gives me hope that one day this neighborhood will return to its state of glory.

Rosedale Heights is a neighborhood located on the south east side Atlanta. The community lies along Cleveland avenue and Jonesboro road. Jonesboro road connects Forest Park with Lakewood . The Rosedale Heights area is a mostly rural and suburban although Marta does provide bus service to many areas in this community.

Unlike many other predominately African American communities, Rosedale Heights is in close proximity to to a golf course. The Browns Mill public golf course offers residents of Atlanta extremely reasonable rates to play golf. Most residents attend either South Atlanta high school or George high School. The nearest institutes of higher learning are the Atlanta Technical College and Atlanta Metropolitan College. If you are looking for fine dining and entertainment, you may be disappointed about the amenities that Rosedale Heights and other areas on the south side have have to offer. The closest place to enjoy entertainment is Aaron’s Amphitheatre formally known as Lakewood Amphitheatre. I’m not really a fan of this section of metropolitan Atlanta. There’s too much traffic with no place to go. Interstate I-75 is a nightmare in the morning rush hours as well as in the evening as travelers rush to Hartsfield airport to catch a flight.

Peyton Forest is a small neighborhood located in southwest Atlanta. The area is essentially a nice middle class Atlanta suburb. The neighborhood is surrounded by beautiful large shade trees, which gives it a nice nature-like sort of feeling. Interstate 20 is not too far away, which means that you are minutes away from city shopping and dining. In addition, this neighborhood only about 15 minutes or so away from Downtown Atlanta, so that you can easily access to the big city popular attractions.

I would actually consider living here because I just love the houses in this neighborhood. I mean, who doesn’t love large affordable houses with big yards? Many of the houses are nice sturdy brick homes that were built around the 1980’s and have been nicely maintained. Nearby Schools include Peyton Forest Elementary, Douglass High, West Manor School and Worthy’s Christian Academy.

There are also several parks nearby, should you feel the need to explore around a bit. The only downfall about this neighborhood, is that there are some less desirable areas nearby. There are also not many shopping options or nightlife to entertain the younger crowd. I might recommend this area for families looking to get a good deal on houses, and possibly even retired individuals that don’t mind living tucked away from the city.

Chalet Woods is a small neighborhood located in southwest Atlanta. I am assuming that it gets its name from the fact that it is surrounded by so many beautiful large evergreen trees that accent the area. This neighborhood is quietly tucked away like a well-kept secret. It has a really wonderful location. Close-by is Interstate 20, which means that you are minutes away from city shopping and dining. It is only a little over 5 miles away from Downtown, Atlanta, so that you can easily access other local popular attractions.

Most of the homes in Chalet Woods are lovely single home brick houses. They are adorned with large yards and appear to have been well-maintained throughout the years (my speculations as an outsider looking in). I would say that this really seems like it would be a nice place for middle class families that want to live close to the city but still get that country feeling.

Nearby Schools include Peyton Forest Elementary, Douglass High, Beecher Hills Elementary and Worthy’s Christian Academy. There are also several parks nearby with playgrounds. The only cons that I can think of is that there are some surrounding areas that aren’t as nice as Chalet Woods, and there are not many shopping options (or nightlife for that matter).

Rue Royal is a neighborhood located in the south west section of Atlanta out side of the perimeter. (interstate 285). The community stands between Cambellton road and Green Briar Parkway. This area typically has a high concentration of the working class and low income individuals. Theft and break-ins are common here as many residents have moved away. According to crime reports, larceny is the number one crime for this area.

Like many other south west Atlanta communities, Rue Royal is in close proximity to several public parks. To the south, there’s Deerwood park, to the north west there’s Ben Hill Recreation Center. Ben Hill Rec center offers a great alternative to area youth to enjoy sports and other activities. Most residents attend either Therell high school or Tri-Cities high school and the nearest institutes of higher learning are Atlanta Christian College and the Atlanta University Center. There are two places that are attractions to the residents of Rue Royal. The closest place to enjoy entertainment would have to be Green Briar Mall. The second attraction is Hartfield-Jackson Airport. I would not suggest this area as an option for people seeking a place to reside. Rue Royal is very much the same place it has been for the last two decades with little change. Unfortunately, there’s not enough residents there truly interested in turning things around.

Center Hill is a neighborhood located in northwest section of Atlanta. The community stands between Donald Lee Hollowell Highway and Hamilton E. Holmes Drive. Donald Lee Hollowell was once known as Bankhead Highway, the famed Atlanta community. This area typically has a high concentration of unemployment, poverty and crime. Theft and break-ins are common here as many residents have moved away. According to crime reports, larceny is the number one crime for this area.

Like many other Atlanta communities, Center Hill is in close proximity to several public parks. To the south, there’s Anderson park, to the north there’s Center Hill Park. Most residents attend either Douglas High School or Benjamin E Mays high School and the nearest institutes of higher learning are Georgia Tech and the Atlanta University Center. Center Hill doesn’t really have a character of its own in regards to restaurants and happenings. The closest place to enjoy entertainment would have to be the Georgia dome for Falcon games or into the Midtown area. I would not suggest this area as an option for people seeking a place to reside. Center Hill has all of the trappings and ingredients that make it the destructive place that it is today. Unfortunately there’s not enough residents there truly interested in turning things around.

The Horseshoe Community is a newer residential neighborhood, that is essentially one of the many neighborhoods situated in what some might call the "Cascade" area. It is located in southwest Atlanta directly off of Cascade Rd, and is not too far from Dunwoody. An added perk, is that this community is just minutes away from Downtown Atlanta. Although the neighborhood appears to be a little average, there are several popular nearby attractions that are sure to keep you busy if you find yourself in this area.

If you need to get out to do some shopping, you might want to check out the shopping centers located in the Cascade or Dunwoody areas. Cascade Crossing, Cascade Corners and Perimeter West Shopping Center have a nice mixture of stores to choose from. There are also plenty of restaurants that surround the shopping centers.

Most of the homes in this community are newer properties that were primarily built between 2004 to 2009. You might occasionally find a few houses that are slightly older or newer. Property value is relatively inexpensive if you are looking to relocate here anytime soon. Although many of the houses are newer structures, they are reminiscent of beautiful older brick homes (like the ones that are located in more established neighborhoods throughout Atlanta). This is is beautiful place with lot of nature as well. I definitely recommend checking this neighborhood out.

Deerwood Atlanta is one of those average little neighborhoods, with nothing special to see. So, if you happen to be looking for excitement in some shape or form, you will most likely have to travel outside of this neighborhood to find it. It’s average residential living at its best. Deerwood is located in southwest Atlanta. It is in relatively close proximity to the Ben Hills neighborhood.

Many of the houses in this neighborhood are single family homes that were most likely built between the 1960’s through the 1980’s. Cost of living is pretty inexpensive. This mostly attracts middle class working families to this live in this area. There are several really nice charter schools in the vicinity, if you are looking to relocate here. Just a few nearby schools include Deerwood Elementary, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and Heritage Preparatory Academy.

Not too far from this neighborhood, you will find Deerwood Park and N. Camp Creek Parkway Nature Preserve. This is a nice perk if you are looking to explore the local neighborhood parks. Although there is not much to do immediately in this area, shopping stores in the Cascade area, and Greenbriar Mall are pretty close-by. There is not much of a nightlife or anything like that here. But, there are a few decent restaurants located by the shopping centers.

Woodland Hills is a community located in south east Atlanta, GA. Recently there has been much confusion about the location of Woodland Hills. Dekalb County has seen the emergence of a neighborhood called WH located between Lavista road and Briarcliff road. The Woodland Hills I am referring to however, is the community located below Ormewood Park bordering Moreland avenue. Moreland Avenue is a famous street in Atlanta that stretches from Fort Gillem in Conley, Georgia to the highlands.

Woodland Hills lies in the “No Mans land” portion of Moreland. A far cry from the lively atmosphere of this street in Little Five points, Woodland’s retail attractions are numerous beauty supplies, title loan businesses and auto repair shops. If you are into finding bargains on clothes and furniture, Woodland has several thrift stores including a Value village that has great prices. Every weekend this community also hosts an outdoor flea market that showcases dozens of vendors. The flea market is a great way to meet local residents and to make friends. By far my absolute favorite feature of the Woodland Hills community has to be its drive in movie theatre. To my knowledge, the Starlight drive is the only drive in movie theatre in Atlanta. Admission provides access to enjoy a double header movies show on various outdoor screens. This is by far the greatest deal there is for moviegoers.

Carver Hills is a neighborhood located on the westside of Atlanta. It is pretty much public transportation accessible, and is only about 6 miles away from Downtown Atlanta. Carver Hills is one of those neighborhoods that you almost love, but then you realize that there is something missing. What I mean is that the neighborhood is extremely beautiful, with lush Georgia hills, big yards and beautiful trees. It’s enough to make you consider locating here. But... the issue with this neighborhood is that the homes do not coincide with these beautiful surroundings.

Carver Hills has a lot of tiny little homes that look a bit run down. Perhaps the homes are nicer on the inside. But, from the outside, this neighborhood looks like it could use a dainty makeover. I guess the good thing is that pricing isn’t really bad if you are considering moving here.

There is not too much to get into in this area as for as shopping options. But, there are some pretty cool restaurants close-by. Johny’s New York Style Pizza, Nuevo Laredo Cantina and Hottie Hawg's Smokin' BBQ are all awesome dining choices for tourist as well as residents. In fact, Hottie Hawg's Smokin' BBQ won “1st Place Brisket” in the 2011 Atlanta BBQ Festival. So, I would say if you visit this restaurant, that you should give the brisket a try. Enjoy!

Carey Park is located on the westside of Atlanta. It is public transportation accessible if you're curious to know. This neighborhood is practically an extension of the Bankhead area. Like similar neighborhoods in Bankhead, this all too often means lower income residents, foreclosures, abandoned property and crime. The neighborhood is home to an actual park, from which it gets its name “Carey Park”. Nearby streets include Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy and James Jackson Pkwy. It is also not too far from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and the Atlanta University Center.

Housing is undoubtedly cheap because the neighborhood is not in the bests of conditions. So, you can literally purchase a home for 20k or less. But, realistically who would want to move into this area? I’m sure within time the neighborhood might get better (that’s a might not a guarantee). But who knows exactly how long you will be waiting for that to happen.

The area is also not too far away from Bowen Homes, a government project that was demolished recently. All in all, this is not an area that I would be interested in living in. Another reason is that there is also not much to do in the nearby vicinity, outside of shopping at auto parts stores or pawn shops. Maybe in the future the area might be nicer, but for now it is a bit of a gamble. If you have the money to buy low, and the patience to wait for better times, go for it. If not, you might do better looking into a different Atlanta neighborhood.

Westover Plantation is a quiet community located a short drive north of downtown Atlanta. Situated between Moores Mill road and Defoors Ferry road, Westover is the quintessential middle class neighborhood. Perhaps, the amenity that I love the most about this area is its proximity to the Chattahoochee River. Westover Plantation practically sits on the “Hooch” and during the summer months this is a favorite location for nature lovers to kayak, fly fish, hike or even feed local geese. Houses in this area are practically hidden due to Atlanta’s measures to preserve nature in this area. Entering Westover feels as if you are entering some distant lake front community.

Cross Creek golf course is also located near Westover. Golf lovers can enjoy an afternoon of a round of golf at this affordable public course. The Westover Plantation community has more family oriented areas than some of its Buckhead counterparts. It is close enough to the city to enjoy its lively night light, and yet far away enough to escape the night time sounds. This appears to be true the further Northwest you travel. After all, Westover Plantation is the last stop in Buckhead before the Vinings! If you can afford real estate in this area, I would suggest moving here. This place has the perfect balance of city life.

Located in Metro Atlanta’s south east region, Benteen Park has been a community in transition for the last 10 - 15 years. Benteen Park is a community member of S.A.N.D. or South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development which is an organization that seeks to raise awareness and capital to transform impoverished communities on the south side of the city. Since taking on several redevelopment projects, Benteen has seen significant property value improvements and neighborhood cohesion. Although the city over the past 5 years has significantly reduced the appearance of poverty (shutting down public housing), Boulevard remains an old relic of the past with its crime.

This is, in my opinion the achilles heel of Benteen Park and other south east atlanta neighborhoods. With crime on the rise again, many residents simply don’t have much faith in the police providing protection in this city. Besides the bad, Benteen Park is prime location for those that enjoy in town living. A few blocks north of the neighborhood, is Grant Park. Grant Park is a neat location because it contains a lot of history dating back to the Civil War and it also houses Zoo Atlanta. It’s the perfect place for a inexpensive date.

Chastain Park is home to one of the most beautiful concert venues that I have ever been to. The Chastain Park Amphitheater is a wonderful open spaced arena, that attracts concert goers from all over town. The first time that I ever visited this venue was a few months ago for the Jill Scott concert. Being outside underneath the open sky, really created a one-of-a-kind ambiance that intertwined into the mood of hearing the live music play. The sound wasn’t so good though; but, I’m not sure if it had anything to do with the fact that I was sitting pretty far away from the stage.

One of the added bonuses to seeing a concert here, is that you can save on the costs of food and drinks if you decide to bring your own snacks. You heard right... you can basically come with your own picnic and its totally cool; nobody is going to come up to you and and stop you from chomping into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. There is only one thing that I am curious about, and that is the whether. When I came here to see my concert, the whether was fairly nice. But, what if it starts to rain? Do you get your money back if you get stormed on? Who knows. All I know is that this is a beautiful area.

The homes nearby are beautiful as well, with lots of land to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, Chastain Memorial Park is a lovely park with flowing hills and plenty of nature to enjoy. All in all I would recommend that everyone visit this area at least once, if you are in Atlanta. The only drawback is that traffic can get crazy on the nights with exceptionally popular performances. Outside of that, the area is mostly very peaceful.

Peopletown Atlanta is an interesting area; I’m not quite sure where to start. Peopletown is located about 2.5 miles from Downtown Atlanta. In the nearby vicinity, you can find the oh so infamous US Prison Bureau. I guess that is one of the things that this neighborhood is most known for. But, fear not, there are brand new shops (mostly eateries) popping up on this side of town, which makes for an interesting experience if you should find yourself nearby.

Bullpen Rib House, Six Feet Under Pub & Fishhouse and Harold's Barbecue are all really great restaurant choices if you are looking for something yummy within a 2 mile radius. There are also several additional nearby attractions which make this area more than a prison town.

The Atlanta Zoo, Grant Park and Turner Field are just minutes away. This is great if you enjoy getting out to exercise. It’s also awesome if you are a big fan of the Atlanta Braves. This neighborhood has some newer apartments as well as a host of beautiful Victorian homes. The area is not completely redeveloped and it is still going through a bit of transition. Cost of living is relatively affordable. But, there are occasional houses that are a bit overpriced given the current state of this neighborhood.

The Arguably the most exclusive community in Metro Atlanta, West Paces Ferry is the epitome of “rich history.” In Atlanta’s early days, this area was a vibrant epicenter of trade and commerce for settlers wishing to strike it rich during the gold rush. The name is derived from Harvey Pace, an early Atlanta pioneer who operated a ferry service along the Chattahoochee river.

Today, the West Paces Ferry community is considered by most to consist of homes and businesses located a long West Paces Ferry Rd. This road spans from the center of Buckhead Village to Interstate I-75 in Cobb County. The area features some of the finest estates in the city including the governor’s mansion. The area serves as a urban oasis featuring vast green space and significantly limited city noise in comparison to the Buckhead community. This neighborhood is very community oriented. Matters concerning neighbors are generally brought forth to the Paces Civic Association. West Paces Ferry is also home some of Georgia’s top independent and religious private schools. Paces Academy, Atlanta Christian school and the Westminster School produce well rounded and well respected future business leaders. WPF offers the best of both worlds for residents seeking the benefits of accessing a large metropolitan city, as well as a tight nit community of individual working together for the common good.

Baker’s Ferry is the stretch of land along Baker’s Ferry road from Fulton Industrial boulevard to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The Baker’s Ferry Area borders Wisteria Gardens and Adamsville to the North and Boulder Park to the south. This neighborhood has two public parks; Herbert Greene and Utoy Boulder Park. Many Atlanta natives are born at the troubled Southwest Atlanta Hospital located near Baker’s Ferry. The hospital is most known to have closed twice in a span of three years!

Baker’s Ferry, like much of its Fulton Industrial neighbors is filled with many industrial parks and truck stops. I cannot count the number of sleazy motels and sex shops along Fulton Industrial catering to the horny trucker market! Is it me or it it pretty ironic that Atlanta’s main amusement park, Six Flags is also located in this area. On any evening after 6pm you can find an array of hookers looking to pick up truckers along this strip. It is safe to say that you should reconsider settling in a community like this. Outside of the criminal element, many others have taken a clue and have abandoned this area as well to settle in cities inside of Cobb county.

Bankhead-Bolden is not exactly the Bankhead that you might be thinking of. It’s actually about 5 miles away from the Bankhead that you may have heard about in countless Atlanta rap songs. Nearby streets include Fulton Industrial Blvd and Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. If you are familiar with this area, you probably already know that there is not too much of a difference between Bankhead-Bolden and Bankhead.

The area is a mixture of industrial warehouses and abandoned homes. First and foremost, I must say that I typically only recommend areas like this for investors and business owners. The reason being is that the property is super cheap. If you are looking to relocate here (as a resident), don’t bother anytime soon. Maybe wait until more investors start paying attention to this neighborhood a little more. Property value is extremely low and there is also some crime here.

There is also not too much to get into outside of visiting local auto parts, and supply stores. So, I would definitely not recommend this place for the younger crowd. You’d probably get bored to death. I guess a good thing about this area is that it is only about 10 miles away from Downtown Atlanta, which means easy access to other parts of the city as well.

The Atlanta University Center (AUC) gets its name from housing the largest collective of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It’s made up of four different schools: Morehouse College (all men’s school), Spelman College (all women’s institution), Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. The four schools are relatively close in walking distance and are nestled between two different neighborhoods, West End and Vine City (these are also the names of the two corresponding public transportation train stations nearby).
Public transportation is just a step away for students without vehicles. The Marta trains make stops at most popular shopping centers including: Perimeter Mall, Lenox Mall, and Lindbergh Plaza. The transit system also makes it easy for accessing the Georgia Dome, Midtown, Civic Center, and the Hartsfield International Airport. Although there is not much of a nightlife scene in the AUC, several local clubs send charter buses to bus the students to local parties.
If you are considering studying at any of these prestigious top-ranking colleges, take your pick. A unique perk is that most of the AUC’s schools give students the opportunity to “cross-register” when taking courses. This means that you can be enrolled in one institution and register to take classes at a fellow AUC school without any worries.
Other perks include affordable housing as well as a close-knit community environment. The AUC is a great place for students and professors alike. It is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.

Ashley Courts is a neighborhood on the south west side of Atlanta known as the SWATS. The name Ashley Courts is a bit misleading because this area has always been referred to as Kimberly courts based off of the apartment complex that is located there. The community is located on Kimberly road which intersects with Cascade Rd.

Ashley Courts is near an affluent African American community called Cascade. About 1 mile north, residents can enjoy Landon’s restaurant and winery. The Cascade corridor area is a glimmer of hope for southwest Atlanta where small business owners are firmly planting their roots to make this a more desirable area. This area may be ideal for a student that attends the Atlanta University Center (Clark Atlanta, Spelman, & Morehouse) It is only about 6 miles away from those campuses and rent may be a little less expensive with roommates.

As I have said many times before, the west and southwest portions of Atlanta are generally less desirable areas. The last remnants of development faded away way almost a decade ago and much of this area has become a ghost town. Although you maybe able to find great inexpensive deals on real estate, you will most likely commute to other regions for business and leisure.

Virgina-Highlands is one of my favorite little areas to hang out (especially in the summer). This neighborhood is essentially located where the two streets Virginia Avenue and North Highland Avenue intersect, creating “Virginia-Highland”. Up and down the streets, you will find restaurants, boutiques and fun bars. The homes in this area are older country homes with lots of space inside. This attracts many professionals and small families. There are also several nice apartments in walking distance (for the younger crowd).

Lets talk food! Virginia-Highlands has several really great restaurants that are the talk of the town. If you are ever close-by, you might want to try Fontaine’s Oyster House or Murphy’s. I like to rotate between these two places when I’m in the area and feel the need to treat myself. After dinner, you absolutely have to try Paolo's Gelato Italiano & Desserts. They have tons of gelato flavors to try. I think the flavors rotate too, so you do not have to worry about getting tired of the same choices.

The nightlife in this area is pretty vivid as well. Local bars bring out young professionals and college students in droves. The only thing I do not like about this area, is that street parking is really bad. On weekends it can sometimes get ridiculous. So, bring a little patience with you when you stop by.

Arlington Estates is a small subdivision community located along Campbellton Rd on the south side of Atlanta. The neighborhood borders Ben Hill, Greenbriar and Camp Creek Communities. Like many of its neighboring communities, Arlington Estates features inexpensive real estate and a lack of amenities for its residents. The Highlight of activities for this area is the Greenbriar shoping mall. This mall is one of the oldest in Atlanta and has had very little renovations since its opening in the late 1960s. In many ways, the community of Arlington Estates is a reflection of this neglect. Many of the homes have lost their value and have since become rental properties. There are not many young professionals and young homeowners in this area because of the lack of employment options.

The only positive perk that I can describe for this area is its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International airport. Arlington Estates is located about 2 miles away from one of the busiest airports in the country. Outside of this fact, I cannot find any other reason why anyone would want to settle in this area. It stands as a relic to the days when Atlanta over developed residential areas and neglected building the type of of infrastructure required to sustain them.

Collier Hills North lies north of the Collier Hills and Ardmore neighborhoods. The area is not too far from Interstate 20. In addition, it is only about 8 minutes away from Buckhead, and about 7 minutes away from midtown. It is essentially an extension of Collier Hills, a post civil war community that has quite a few tid bits of war infused history. There is a lot of nice stuff to say about this area.

For starters, this neighborhood has been well-maintained though out the years. Property value has definitely withstood the test of time (which is great being that many of the houses were built in the 1940’s).There are several nearby parks and community gardens. If you are in the area, you might want to check out Tanyard Creek Park and Howard Park. The Bobby Jones golf course is also in this area, along with a close-by tennis court.

I would recommend this area for the young, old and in between. Although there is not much to do in the immediate area, Atlantic Station is practically 1 mile away. This gives residents easy access to Dillard's, Banana Republic and Target (just to name a few). There are also a ton of restaurants in the Atlantic Station area as well.

Collier Heights is a historic neighborhood located in southwest Atlanta. It is just minutes away from Interstate 20 (making it easily accessible to local attractions) . The neighborhood has quite a bit of rich history; as it was built during the civil rights era, and was home to many middle-class African Americana's who sought suburban living during that time. Collier Heights has delighted in being the resting place for residents such as Cynthia McKenny (former US Congresswoman), Martin Luther King Sr., and a host of other well-established African Americans.

The houses in this area are just beautiful. Most of them are fairly large and have spacious yards, with lovely shade trees. Some of the housing structures are rather unique, unlike many other popular “cookie-cutter” Atlanta neighborhoods. There are several community gardens and parks nearby, including the recently revitalized Collier Heights Park. This park is the first park in the state of Georgia to have a completed LifeTrail fitness course. The trail has several fitness stations that are geared toward promoting fitness and healthy living for the neighborhoods senior citizens.

The Collier Heights neighborhood has certainly gone through its ups and downs, and there have been several developmental initiatives set in place to help bring Collier Heights back to life. There is a lot of community pride and effort that goes into neighborhood revitalization. Residents of this neighborhood should be commended for their continued dedicated.