23 Apr Druid Hills / Emory – Mixing Technology, College Life & the Suburbs
The Emory / Druid Hills area lies on the east side of metro Atlanta in DeKalb County and is comprised of the Emory University area, the CDC complex and several smaller areas to the north. It is also known as Toco Hills, Briarcliff and North Druid Woods.
The neighborhood is close to midtown Atlanta and is re-developing across the entire area. Homes in the neighborhood are generally pricier than other areas of Atlanta and represent an attractive series of communities. DeKalb History Center in nearby Decatur also provides a variety of resources available to DeKalb residents.
Several homeowners associations exist in the area, each of which has a program of events and community issues that they promote. North Druid Woods, Woodland Hills, Merry Hills, the Lindbergh-La Vista Corridor Coalition, LaVista Park Civic Association and Clairmont Heights Civic Association each represent a portion of the community and all are active in civic issues.
Emory University, now 175 years old, has been at the heart of the neighborhood since it moved to DeKalb County in 1915. The University is considered a premier academic institution with over 15,000 students. Like any university and the surrounding town, the school has a significant impact on the surrounding residents and their activities. Intercollegiate sporting events are available for local residents to attend. The Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts hosts professional and student performances throughout the year. Lullwater Park is over 100 undeveloped acres where automobiles are not allowed. It has hiking trails and other outdoor facilities available to local residents. In general, the University is a significant resource for those living in the Emory neighborhood.
Schools in the neighborhood include Briar Vista Elementary, Shamrock Middle, and Druid Hills High, operated by the DeKalb County public school system, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Other private schools include the Cliff Valley School, a private elementary school, and the Intown Community School.