Showing posts with label home purchase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home purchase. Show all posts

Friday, January 22, 2010

Little Five Points ("L5P") Neighborhood: A virtual tour of the urban amenities that could be within a short walk of your front door if you purchase a home here


Little Five Points ("L5P") is an intown neighborhood that is centered on Moreland Avenue, bound on the north by the Poncey-Highland neighborhood and Freedom Parkway and on the south by Reynoldstown and Dekalb Avenue.  Little Five Points has an edgy, artsy vibe with a character defined by a wide variety of locally-owned restaurants and bars, live music venues, unique vintage and new clothing and merchandise boutiques, and more. 

 

If you are searching for a home in Little Five Points, it is officially considered Inman Park (west side of Moreland) and Candler Park (east side of Moreland).  Home values in Candler Park are down approximately 6% from 2008 to an average of $300,500 (according to zillow.com). Home values in Inman Park are down 9.5% from 2008 to an average value of $287,500.

 


[caption id="attachment_273" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Infamous Junkman's Daughter Merchandise Store in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_272" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Front Page News in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_271" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Assortment of Boutiques Selling Vintage and New Merchandise at the Corner of Euclid and Moreland in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_269" align="aligncenter" width="449" caption="Tijuana Garage in Little Five"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_268" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_267" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Little Five Points Starbucks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Variety of Boutiques in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_275" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Star Bar in Little Five Points"][/caption]

 





[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Psycho Sisters Boutique in Little Five Points"]Psycho Sisters Boutique in Little Five Points[/caption]

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Poncey-Highland (30306): A virtual tour of an Atlanta neighborhood you should consider if you would like to purchase a home in a walkable location











 

  

A wide variety of home types are available in Poncy-Highland:  New and old, townhomes, condos, historic bungalows

 

 


[caption id="attachment_248" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Condos in Poncey-Highland Located on Moreland Avenue, Backing up to Freedom Park"][/caption]

     

Condos on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Poncey-Highland
    



Townhomes on Freedom Park in Poncey-Highland
     

Estate in Poncey-Highland
    
 

 

 

 

A true mix of restaurant types and Atlanta institutions characterize the Poncey-Highlands neighborhood 

    

Highland Inn, a Bed & Breakfast, and Other Restaurants on Highland Avenue



Restaurants on Highland Avenue, between Ponce de Leon and North Avenues
    

La Fonda Restaurant in Poncey-Highland
    

J Christopher and Java Jive, two Institutions of Atlanta Breakfast, in Poncey-Highland
    

Freedom Park - An expansive greenbelt park that runs through Poncey-Highlan, extending to Old Fourth Ward         

 


 

 



        

[caption id="attachment_250" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Freedom Park in Poncey-Highland"][/caption]

     

[caption id="attachment_251" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption=" "][/caption]

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 








Poncey-Highland (30306): If you have a strong desire to live in a walkable neighborhood, you should search in this location for your next home purchase

An Atlanta Landmark:  The Majestic Diner on Ponce de Leon, right at Highland Avenue An Atlanta Landmark: The Majestic Diner on Ponce de Leon, right at Highland Avenue

Many home buyers have a strong appreciation for being able to walk to the park, a cup of coffee, a quick bite to eat, or night on the town within short distance from their front door.  Those currently in or relocating to Atlanta are no different.  According to rankings by Walk Score, Poncey-Highlands happens to be one of the most walkable Atlanta intown neighborhoods and is designated a "Walker's Paradise" with a score of 93 points out of a possible 100. 

The Walk Score is a web based interface (www.walkscore.com) that allows you to plug in an address and receive an instant evaluation of how “walkable” the neighborhood is, or how easy it is for residents and visitors to conduct their daily business without cranking up a car (high score = very walkable). 

The Walk Score judges walkability by assessing whether (a) the neighborhood has workplaces, restaurants, shopping, civic and public spaces, parks, and public transit stations within walking distance as well as (b) a variety of characteristics that make the walk safe and easy.  For more detail on Walk Score criteria, see http://atlanta.homespace.com/2010/01/18/WalkScore.

Although Atlanta does not rank that high relative to many of the largest cities in the US (#22 of the 40 largest cities), there are still some very walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta.  And, if you agree with Walk Score's assessment, Poncey-Highland ranks among the top ten percentile in terms of walkability.

Where exactly is Poncey-Highland?  It is a neighborhood slightly northeast of Downtown Atlanta and just south of popular Virginia-Highlands.  Poncey-Highland is bound on the north by Ponce de Leon Avenue, south by Ralph McGill Avenue,  east by Moreland Avenue, and extends just west of Freedom Parkway.

Why does Poncey-Highland rate so high with Walk Score?

  • Regular and frequent public transportation available via MARTA bus;

  • Five different grocery stores within a one-mile walk of most residences in the neighborhood:  Trader Joe's Midtown, Whole Foods Midtown, Kroger on Ponce, Publix on Ponce, and Sevenanda, a co-op farmer's market in Little Five Points;

  • A bevy of restaurants and bars, coffee shops, bookstores, retail boutiques, and services located well within 0.5 miles walking distance - either within the neighborhood boundaries or located in the adjacent Little Five Points neighborhood;

  • Cultural and civic assets abound with an Atlanta Public Library branch, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, the Plaza Theater (an independent theater), Freedom Park and other smaller parks located within the neighborhood and and many small music and performance venues in adjacent Little Five Points;

  • Four Atlanta City Public schools within one-mile walking distance of the neighborhood, as is the well-known private school Paideia;

  • Sidewalks and pedestrian walk signs at traffic signals throughout the neighborhood. 

Monday, January 18, 2010

If it is important to have dining, shopping, and services for day-to-day living within walking distance of your home, use the “Walk Score” to help find the perfect Atlanta neighborhood for your next home purchase

Walkable District

One advantage of living within a major metropolitan area is having a bevy of amenities – great in volume and variety – within a short distance of your home and work place. Many home buyers, and particularly urbanites, have a deep appreciation for and seek a home that offers cultural amenities, parks, a cup of coffee, a quick bite to eat, a more upscale bite to eat, services like dry cleaning, convenience goods, and other shopping options within a short walk of their front door. 

 

Home buyers in Atlanta are no exception.  But, Atlanta is a big city with hundreds of neighborhoods.  Walk Score, www.walkscore.com, is a great tool for prospective home buyers that are:

  • New to Atlanta;

  • Less familiar with particular areas; or

  • Seeking more ground level intelligence and like to research.


 

The Walk Score is a web based interface (www.walkscore.com) that allows you to plug in an address and receive an instant evaluation of how “walkable” the neighborhood is, or how conducive a neighborhood is to reducing or eliminating the need for a car (high score = very walkable).  The Walk Score uses the following criteria to assess a neighborhood:

  • Does the neighborhood have a center, or a central gathering place it that helps make it a destination or define its character (e.g., a shopping district, a main street, civic space, or other public space such as a park)?

  • Does the neighborhood have good access to regular public transit and several businesses within it?

  • Are streets and building placement pedestrian-friendly, e.g., can employees walk to work without fear of getting run over a car?

  • Are workplaces within a close enough distance to workers so that a commute on foot or public transit reasonable? 

  • Are schools within close enough proximity that children can walk from home?

  • Are streets well connected, have a deliberately-controlled moderate speed, and accommodating to everyone in the neighborhood, regardless of physical challenges and mode of transportation?


 

Although Atlanta does not rank that high relative to many of the largest cities in the US (#22 of the 40 largest cities), there are still some very walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta.

For instance, Poncey-Highland receives a 93 out of 100 score for the number of eclectic restaurants, boutiques, grocers, and park spaces within the neighborhood. Midtown Atlanta, a hub of employment, new residential condo buildings, swank restaurants and bars, received a score of 85 out of 100.  Click here for the complete list: http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/Atlanta.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Square in Downtown Decatur: A Visual Tour of Homes & Amenities














Downtown Decatur Square:  A Walkable District with Something for Every Facet of Urban Life

The square in Downtown Decatur offers:



  • Residences (new construction and historic condos, townhomes, and single-family homes),


  • An eclectic collection of restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, services & more


  • Public gathering places (open square, parks, etc.)


  • Public transportation


  • Churches


 


[caption id="attachment_40" align="alignnone" width="272" caption="The Artisian - New Mid-Rise Condo Building in Downtown Decatur & Ted's Montana Grill, Other Retail on Street Level"][/caption]

Renaissance Condos, Java Monkey & Other Boutiques on Decatur Square

Two Decatur Square Institutions: The Brick Store Pub (Right) and Sweet Melissa's (Left)

Boutiques on Decatur Square

Downtown Decatur Mall-ternative

Decatur Square MARTA Station

Newly Reconstructed Decatur Square Surrounded by Restaurants, Boutiques, and Services



[caption id="attachment_37" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Church on Decatur Square"][/caption]


 

Typical Downtown Decatur Single-Family Home Architecture: Anti-Cookie Cutter

Downtown Decatur features mostly historic (1920's - 1950) brick, craftsman, and sided bungalows with some new construction infill sprinkled throughout the City.  Residents of Decatur are proud owners, which is shown in the well-maintained properties that have, for the most part, remained true to the vernacular of the features and characteristics of the year built. Each home boasts unique personality that distinguishes it from its neighbor while complementing and completing the progressive, artsy, and natural feel of the Downtown area. 


[caption id="attachment_32" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="New Construction Infill Home "][/caption]

Historic Bungalow

Historic Bungalow

Historic Brick Bungalow

Historic Brick Bungalow

Historic Craftsman Style Bungalow

Click on the following link for:

More information on the City of Decatur: http://ericamchampion.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/cityofdecatur/

A Visual Tour of Oakhurst, a Neighborhood in the City of Decatur: http://ericamchampion.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/oakhurst/