West End

The West End neighborhood of Atlanta is found on the south side of I-20 at the Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard exit. The I-20 is an interstate which was expanded through the region by the widening of Gordon Street, a street which ran across the northern portion of the West End neighborhood.

Home values in the West End are roughly 54% of the average for Atlanta as a whole. The average home value in the West End is $190,344, while the average through the entire city of Atlanta is $355,573. The West End has much to offer families.

The neighborhood has been an early participant in the Belt Line project in Atlanta, a project to recreate old rail lines as walking and biking trails. This project has also expanded to include White Gordon Park and a park behind Brown Middle School. The West End is also home to the Shrine of the Black Madonna.

The Mall West End is the retail shopping hub of the neighborhood. Other significant attractions to the West End neighborhood include the Joel Chandler Harris Home, or the “Wrens Nest, the West End Performing Arts Center, and Hammonds House Museum of African American Fine Art.

The West End area is rather unique in its own right. It is located off of the south side of Interstate 20, and is home to four prominent historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This school hub is comprised of Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. The school collective is also sometimes referred to as the Atlanta University Center (AUC).

There are a plethora of really inexpensive living options that cater directly to the needs of students who want to reside in close proximity. Residents can easily sift through choices of affordable apartments, luxury townhomes, and spacious lofts. There are also opportunities to rent or buy larger historic homes (many of which were built during the early 1920’s through the late 1950's), for great prices. If you are a real estate investor who is looking to build your portfolio or a first-time homebuyer, this is a nice neighborhood to check out.

There are several nearby places to visit if you are in the West End area. The West End Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre offers a creative performing arts outlet for community members and visiting professionals alike. The Mall West End is a small mall that is in walking distance close enough for students and local residents to shop, or just hang out. There are several Caribbean and soul food restaurants that serve up some really awesome dishes. Not to mention, MARTA, public transportation, is easily accessible within walking distance. Downtown Atlanta is only about 5 minutes away for drivers in the area who are ready to explore the city.

There are some concerns about safety in the West End. However, most crime seems to happen late at night (which is really not uncommon for most inner cities). So, as long as you are not out extremely late at night, walking completely alone, there is nothing to stress out about. It is truly a nice neighborhood that has a lot of potential.

The West End is by far one of my favorite places in the Atlanta metropolitan area. One of the main reasons is because there are some hidden treasures there; from little known restaurants who's cuisine is to die for, to eclectic and interesting shops you can't find in strip malls, the West End needs to be a place every tourist makes it their business to stop through.

There are many nice things that can be said about the West End. If you want to talk about schools, then look no further. There are at least 4 well respected historically black colleges within a 5 block radius of each other that predominate the west end. Because of the high number of students, housing in the area is relatively inexpensive. More than in most areas in the city, rental values remain relatively consistent because there are always students in need of a place to live.

The community and neighborhood is ideal for students. Housing is affordable, and decent food is inexpensive. Public transportation is readily accessible, and the West End is not too far from downtown. Being located near two major highways doesn't hurt either.

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.