Archive for the ‘Spotlight Series’ Category

Sandy Springs – A New City With Everything You Need

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Sandy Springs, GA, just north of Atlanta is one of the state’s most affluent suburbs, on par with its neighboring city, Dunwoody.   The newly minted city has all that could be asked for in a suburb.    Along with friendly people, great neighborhoods and schools, and an array of parks, trails and recreation outlets, Sandy Springs has a healthy, well-established business economy.    Such well rounded areas are rare in the best of times but almost unheard of  in these times.    This allows Sandy Springs to plan and complete improvement projects that add to everything that is good about the city.

Sandy Springs is well maintained, with regular upgrades in several sectors to keep up with the burgeoning population, along with preserving the quality of local facilities and services.   These include storm water infrastructure, transportation organization and planning, construction projects, and maintaining traffic control with new traffic lights, roadways and other various upgrades.

Sandy Springs also boasts numerous recreational facilities, which accommodate an array of activities.    The Big Trees Forest Preserve is one of the area’s largest landmarks, featuring over 1½ miles of walkways and paths to explore.    There is also Hammond Park and the Sandy Springs Tennis Center, which has been widely renowned as one of the state’s finest courts.    Sandy Springs puts forth a major effort to make the city a real community with a wide variety of specialized activities for all ages and many youth sport events to discover.

 

 

Dunwoody – A Place For Families

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

The homes in Dunwoody range from very affordable condominiums to million dollar homes.  There is a wide variety of architectural styles and neighborhood types.  Overall home values and sales have remained relatively stable during the past decade.   The stability and growth of Dunwoody also translates to a stable real estate market.   The market for Dunwoody homes has been propped up by the strong school system, mainly Austin and Vanderlyn Elementary.   Both Vanderlyn and Austin Elementary have some of the best test scores statewide which is a big draw for families with young children.

 Dunwoody homes have also been selling well because of location.   Unlike some of the more northern suburbs, Dunwoody sits on the perimeter and is only minutes from both Midtown and Buckhead.   With many attractions like Perimeter Mall, close-in public transportation, and a small-town feel, Dunwoody has quickly become on the premier destination “suburbs “ in Atlanta.

In addition to the many attractions and top-rated restaurants, there is a very strong community organization that has helped to bring parades and festivals to the newly minted city.   Once an un-incorporated part of DeKalb County, Dunwoody became its own city in 2008, with local service organizations better equipped to meet the community needs.

 Dunwoody homes continue to be in high-demand as many young families transition from in-town living to a more family-friendly atmosphere.   Dunwoody’s commitment to green space also is a draw for families, as exemplified by Brook Run Park and the Dunwoody Nature Center.   The natural beauty of Brook Run Park is accentuated by an adventure garden for children, a dog park, a skate park, and trails.   The purpose of the Dunwoody Nature Center is to conserve and maintain the beauty of the native plants, flowers, and trees at Dunwoody Park.   The Nature Center also provides nature education for both children and adults through camps, classes, and lectures.

Overall, Dunwoody is one of Atlanta’s top locations for families.   Some other areas nearby:

Chamblee Homes for Sale

Sandy Springs Homes for Sales

Roswell Homes for Sale

Garden Hills: A Historic Neighborhood Surrounded by Natural Beauty

Monday, March 19th, 2012


Garden Hills is one of the neighborhoods of Buckhead and located in proximity to Pine Hills, Brookwood Hills, and Peachtree Hills.    The neighborhood offers one-family residences, apartments, a church, a historic commercial area, two schools and a business center.   Homes in Garden Hills are charming with an antique style that blends in perfectly with the beautiful greenery and impresses every visitor that passes through.   It offers many activities for the residents of this premier Atlanta neighborhood.

 Garden Hills offers many parks next to extensive forested areas with creeks, valleys, and hills where residents can hike on the wild trails.   In between all of these green areas surrounding the homes in Garden Hills, one can find recreational areas such as playgrounds, baseball fields, swimming pools, tennis courts and picnic areas.   The three parks, Frankie Allen Park on Pharr Road, the Sunnybrook Park located at Brentwood Drive and Brentwood Terrace and the Alexander Park on East Wesley Road are close to the homes in Garden Hills.

 

Homes in Garden Hills are perfect for families, as residents live in close vicinity to the top-rated Garden Hills Elementary School and Atlanta International School, both of which are included in the National Register of Historic Places.   There are also many recreational options where families can enjoy their leisure time such as the Recreation Center and the Diving Club.   The purchase of homes in Garden Hills will guarantee entertainment with a number of events that are organized throughout the year such as the annual Garden Hills Ice Cream Social and many music events.

 Homes in Garden Hills where built in a paradise and the lifestyle of its residents can appeal to everyone.   Those who own homes in Garden Hills enjoy living in a healthy environment, a high-quality lifestyle in of the best residential locations in Atlanta.

Other nearby neighborhoods:

Buckhead Homes for Sale

Brookhaven Homes for Sale

Emory/Druid Hills Homes for Sale

 

Candler Park: Quiet Refuge near the Downtown Business Center of Atlanta

Friday, March 16th, 2012


In the midst of peaceful and green surroundings, homes in Candler Park feature a quaint Craftsman style and historical value thanks to which Candler Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.   However, living in Candler Park does not mean being far away from the bustling center of Atlanta.

 Neighborhoods in close vicinity to Candler Park are Lake Claire, Inman Park, Little Five Points, Edgewood, and Druid Hills.   All of these locations are close to the downtown business center. People with homes in Candler Park can reach their workplace in a stress-free way without having to sacrifice many hours of commute.  Candler Park offers very good public schools such as Mary Lin Elementary, Inman Middle, and The Atlanta School.   Residents with homes in Candler Park have access to facilities such as a swimming pool, ball fields, an indoor rock climbing place, a golf course, tennis courts, a belly-dancing studio, an extensive area for cycling and jogging, and playgrounds for children.

 

People with a good taste opt for homes in Candler Park.  Many of the houses are known for being among the most beautiful and classy ones in Atlanta, as the sophisticated front porches and the craftsman style perfectly harmonize with the surrounding environment.  Residents of Candler Park can spend time in parks in the area, such as Freedom Park and Iverson Park.   Shopping facilities and restaurants are equally in proximity to homes in Candler Park.   The community organizes a number of events and festivals such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Candler Park Movie Night, the Candler Park Fall Fest, Publix Marathon, and the Sweet Water 420 Festival.

 

Homes in Candler Park are at the heart of green and peaceful surroundings, not far from the bustling center of downtown Atlanta, with ideal recreational opportunities and a familiar environment.   It is a perfect residential location.

Lake Claire Homes for Sale

Inman Park Homes for Sale

Grant Park Homes for Sale

Historic Ansely Park

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Metro Atlanta has a number of neighborhoods listed as a historic districts and registered on the National Register of Historic Places.   Ansley Park is one of these and certainly one of the most lovely.  This distinctive historic  neighborhood lies just east of midtown Atlanta and consists of  single-family homes and apartments in an eclectic mix of architectural styles on winding roads through the neighborhood that give it a park like feel as the streetscape meets the landscape of the homes.  With most of the homes constructed in the early 20th century; house styles range from Colonial to Contemporary; Neo-Classical to Federal; and throw in a little Italian Renaissance, and Craftsman as well.  The former Georgia governor’s mansion is located in the Ansley Park neighborhood.

The Ansley Park Golf Club borders the neighborhood on Settindown Creek and provides members not only a golf course but also tennis and swimming along with a variety of dining and social opportunities.  All of the homes in Ansley Park are located less than 10-minute walk from the neighborhood’s two parks, Winn Park and McClatchy Park, providing residents a natural setting for recreation and a tranquil place to relax.  The Ansley Park Civic Association offers tours of the historic homes in the area.

The real estate market in Ansley Park is one of the strongest in the metropolitan area.  Prospective homeowners interested in relocating to this distinctive neighborhood can explore properties ranging from condominiums and townhouses, with listings starting at $65,000, to multimillion-dollar historic homes to new custom designed and built homes that fit the character of the neighborhood.  Those who relocate to this neighborhood can feel assured the value of their home will be maintained just as the natural distinction of Ansley Park has lasted during the past century.

Nearby neighborhoods:

Inman Park Homes For Sale

Druid Hills Homes For Sale

Grant Park Homes For Sale

Morningside – Beauty in the Heart of Atlanta

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Located northeast of downtown Atlanta, within minutes of midtown, Morningside is one of the older and most desirable Atlanta neighborhoods.    A lovely, well established neighborhood, it got its start in 1923 by a local real estate company looking to sell lots.   With recent sales averaging between $400,000 and $500,000, homes in Morningside are now among the more expensive in the Atlanta area but are well worth every cent.  A drive through the area will show an array of beautiful, well maintained, old style brick homes.

The local citizens group – Morningside Lenox Hill Association – was started to respond to a potential interstate highway through the community.   In a battle to protect the homes in Morningside, they successfully stopped the highway plans and the association now organizes and presents a wide number of community events.  This year they have a concert in Sunken Garden Park: the annual Monumental Ball, which is scheduled for October 2011. It is meant to be a celebration of summer where there will be a wide variety of activities for kids, food from a number of local restaurants, and an opening of the new Morningside Nature Preserve.

Birding is a popular activity in the neighborhood.  Morningside Lenox Park is a 34 acre refuge with two creeks where over 100 bird species can be observed.  Some are permanent residents while others are transient and in the park for a limited time.

 With playgrounds, local hiking trails and a very large section of open space, Morningside is a very “walkable” neighborhood.  Many residents regularly walk from their homes in Morningside to neighborhood destinations – restaurants and shopping are frequently visited via walking trips.  MLPA also produces a walking tour of the neighborhood, where many local points of interest are highlighted.

Schools in the neighborhood are a part of the Atlanta Public Schools system, and include the Morningside Elementary School, Inman Middle School and Henry W. Grady High School.

During the course of the recent economic downturn, the value of homes in Morningside has remained more stable than in other areas around Atlanta.  Approximately 3,500 families live in homes in Morningside, and call this neighborhood their home.

Inman Park Homes for Sale

Ansley Park Homes for Sale

Emory/Druid Hills Homes for Sale

Dunwoody – Family Living at Its Best

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Take a drive through historic Dunwoody Village and you’ll be intrigued by the Colonial Williamsburg inspired architecture.  Meander along the tree lined streets past the Dunwoody homes for sale and come to rest at the Cheek-Spruill Farmhouse or Dunwoody Nature Center.  Take time to gander at the smiling children playing amidst their natural surroundings or go for a quiet stroll through the intricately carved paths cascading throughout the park.

While in the neighborhood, you’ll be sure to see the beautiful Dunwoody homes for sale and may wonder why someone would want to sell such properties in a prime location.  The area is home to several public and private K-12 schools including a plethora of school centers.  The area schools are known for their sports teams including Dunwoody High School’s Championship baseball and football as well as girls and boys’ basketball teams.

The neighborhood welcomes families from around the world. If you are considering buying one of the Dunwoody homes for sale, the International Student Center will make your children feel right at home. The ISC employs a full multi-lingual staff to help your children acclimate to their new schools and surroundings.

If you are considering purchasing one of the Dunwoody homes for sale, make sure to visit the Dunwoody Homeowners Association which strives to preserve the community.  Their purpose is to ensure homeowners in the area receive the best quality of life and assist in actions taken in the neighborhood that will benefit its residents.

Dunwoody, located in metro Atlanta, offers many places to visit and is ripe with activity.  The Perimeter Mall, located on the edge of the city is easily accessible by interstates GA 400 and I-285.  Home to the annual Spring Home and Garden Show, its surrounding neighborhoods encase several Dunwoody homes for sale.

Chambee Homes for Sale

Redfield Homes for Sale

Sandy Springs Homes for Sale

Roswell Homes for Sale

Morningside – One of Atlanta’s Most Active In-Town Communities

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Morningside is a lovely, long established neighborhood of elegant brick homes, many with bungalows, located in mid-town Atlanta.   Created in 1931,  Noble Park, Hylan Park and Johnson Estates were the first of its subdivisions, with Lennox Park developed later and featuring several model homes for which the city is still famous.  Morningside’s location within the Perimeter of Atlanta makes it the envy of all commuters who live in the outlying suburbs.

Residents who work within the Atlanta perimeter may enjoy the ease of their commute, but it’s the weekends where the neighborhood truly shines!   A variety of activities located in and around the area offer something for everyone.

The extensive park system is the heart of the social and festive nature of the community.   The parks add even more beauty to an area already known for its loveliness.  There are acres of open green space and playgrounds.  The recently opened Morningside Nature Preserve is just another reason to enjoy these premier parks on a pretty spring day.

When the warm weather arrives, many residents venture out to the farmers’ market.  Every Saturday there, there are cooking demonstrations, fresh fruits, vegetables and crafts.  Bargain shoppers will certainly appreciate the annual Morningside Consignment Sale.  It is a great opportunity for the community to get together and lend a hand to fellow neighbors.  The Taste of Morningside highlights food from local restaurants and chefs.  Every November, residents can sample and enjoy local cuisine.

The Morningside community is truly one of Atlanta’s best and if you’re looking to live inside the perimeter, this is a neighborhood you must check out!

These nearly neighborhoods offer a similar flavor in the same area.

Ansley Park Homes for Sale

Druid Hills Homes for Sale

Virginia Highlands Homes for Sale

Brookhaven – Small Community, Big Profile

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Brookhaven  is a lovely landscape complete with gently rolling hills, broad winding streets and densely wooded hollows, all populated with English cottages and elegant Georgian, Tudor and Colonial homes.   Covering only about 8 square miles it is boardered by Chamblee to the east,  Dunwoody to the north, Sandy Springs to the west and Buckhead to south.  Brookhaven may even become the latest of metro Atlanta’s communities to achieve city-hood – once its exact boards are worked out.

Located northeast of downtown Atlanta in DeKalb county, is a community centered around the historic Capital City Country Club, which dates back to the early 20th century. Most of the homes surrounding the country club were built prior to World War II and exemplify the finest quality artisanship and design of that period. Both the Capital City Country Club and the historic Brookfield neighborhood are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Being so centrally located, access to the rest of the city is convenient.  With Peachtree and Peachtree Dunwoody Streets on either side, the area is also serviced by the Brookhaven MARTA station.  Some of the best schools in the city are in this area; Sarah Smith Elementary, Sutton Middle School and North Atlanta High School.  Brookhaven is also less than a mile away from the city’s best shopping in the Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza.

The residents of Brookhaven enjoy the many nearby parks that offer biking trails, pool, a lake, and sports fields. In addition to the Capital City Country Club, the Peachtree Golf Club also features offers golf. The neighborhood association of Brookhaven has street parties and other events, which create a strong feeling of community identity and belonging. While there are many places to shop within Brookhaven, there is easy access to the shopping, attractions, and cultural events in downtown Atlanta through the MARTA system.

Prices for homes in Brookhaven range from the low 100’s for condominiums to millions of dollars.  Home values have depreciated about 20 percent from their 2006 highs during the real estate bubble, but have remained stable during the past two years. The stability of prices, plus the few number of foreclosures in the market means there is little downward pressure on home prices.  This means a home purchased in Brookhaven is a relatively secure investment as well as an opportunity to live in one Atlanta’s premier neighborhoods.

Check out other neighborhoods near to Brookhaven:

Sandy Springs Homes for Sale

Chambee Homes for Sale

Buckhead Homes for Sale

Dunwoody Homes for Sale

Dunwoody: Living the Good Life

Friday, February 10th, 2012

When people think of Atlanta, Georgia exactly ‘where’ they think of depends on ‘wha’t they’re thinking of.  Traveling means Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  Shopping and dining, they think Buckhead.  When it comes to the best place to live and raise your kids, it’s Dunwoody, hands down!!  It’s long  been considered THE best of metro Atlanta’s communities and for very good reasons that are important to most families.  Great schools, convenient access to just about everything and even in today’s sometimes troubled world, an overall safe and secure area.  What more could be asked for?

Dunwoody’s roots go all the way back to the 1830’s, but this northern suburb of Atlanta didn’t incorporated as a city until 2008.  The new city consists of six districts and range from the historic districts of Dunwoody Village and Winters Chapel to the mixed use communities of Perimeter Center, Georgetown, Tilly’s Mill, and Jett Ferry/Williamsburg.   Each district has its own diverse architectural style and style of living but all of the districts are bound by the community’s focus on natural beauty, the arts and a vibrant business community, which integrates itself into community life as opposed to dominating the community.

 

The hallmark of Dunwoody is its commitment to green space as exemplified by Brook Run Park and the Dunwoody Nature Center.  The natural beauty of Brook Run Park is accentuated by an adventure garden for children, a dog park, a skate park, and trails. The purpose of the Dunwoody Nature Center is to conserve and maintain the beauty of the native plants, flowers, and trees at Dunwoody Park.  The Nature Center also provides nature education for both children and adults through camps, classes, and lectures.

The Dunwoody Preservation Trust provides oversight in the preservation of the heritage and history of the community. One of example of the organization’s work is their management and maintenance of the grounds and buildings of the reconstruction era Donald-Bannister farm. The arts are promoted and accessible to the community at the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center, which houses The Spruill Center for the Arts, The Stage Door Players and the Chattahoochee Handweaver’s Guild.

 

The homes in Dunwoody range from very affordable condominiums to million dollar homes.  There is a wide variety of architectural styles and neighborhood types.  Home values and sales recently demonstrated a slight downward trend, but they have remained relatively stable during the past decade. The stability and growth of Dunwoody also translates to a stable real estate market.

Other surrounding cities with similar charm:

Roswell Homes for Sale

Sandy Springs Homes for Sale

Brookhaven Homes for Sale

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