26 Jan Virginia Highlands: The Intersection of the 20th and 21st Century
The Virginia Highlands neighborhood, located in the in-town area of Atlanta just east of Midtown Atlanta, was founded at the turn of the 20th century as a “streetcar suburb.” Today, this neighborhood consists of seven distinct business districts or villages, separated by residential areas. In the shopping districts, you can find the studios of local artisans offering textiles, metalwork and other folk art as well as antique bookstores, boutiques, salons, spas, and restaurants with menus to please any palate. Creative Loafing named this highly walkable neighborhood as its Best Neighborhood in 2011.
In addition to the business districts and residential areas, the Virginia Highlands neighborhood is also home to three parks and is designated as a Neighborhood Arboretum. The Virginia Highlands neighborhood civic association hosts the annual Summerfest on the Fourth of July, featuring art and music to celebrate summer. Additionally, the civic association hosts a yearly tour of home in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood as well as an annual food festival highlighting the cuisine of local restaurants. The civic association also actively seeks to maintain the historic integrity of the neighborhood, while at the same time supporting new construction that adds to the beauty and function of the area.
The homes in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood range from historic Craftsman bungalows, dating from the 1910’s to the 1930’s, to modern LEED certified green homes, to large contemporary homes fully upgraded. The median home sales price is $497,000, which has remained stable for the past few years, as there have been very few foreclosures in the area. While large, upscale, recently constructed homes and recently renovated historic homes are listed at prices up to $1.5 million dollars, smaller historic Craftsman bungalows are more affordable, while apartments and condominiums start in the mid-$50,000. The blend of the old and new in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood, as well as the multitude of leisure opportunities, makes this area one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Atlanta.