I hear it all the time. “I want to live in Virginia Highland”. So what are the reasons to love Virginia Highland anyways? As a resident of Virginia Highland myself, I am probably a bit biased to say there are thousands of reasons to love Virginia Highland. But, in case you are considering whether the Virginia Highland neighborhood is a good match for you, I’ve narrowed my list down to 7 points.
7 Reasons to Love Virginia Highland
Walkability – I think my #1 reason why residents love their Virginia Highland neighborhood is the walkability. I know this word gets overused, but there is no other way to put it! The VaHi neighborhood is a fairly small neighborhood shaped in a neat rectangle. Thus, from almost any corner that you live in, you can easily walk to the main VaHi drag filled with shops and restaurants. It’s also close proximity to Piedmont Park, which is always a plus to live by during big festival events (Music Midtown, the Dogwood Festival, the finish of the AJC Peachtree Road Race, etc). And don’t forget about it’s proximity to the Beltline!- Friendly Neighbors – I think everyone in Virginia Highland loves their neighbors and watches out for one another. Most streets have a safety street captain which sends out a monthly newsletter of any recent crime/issues in the VaHi area. Yes…VaHi does have crime once in awhile. But honestly, anywhere in Atlanta is going to run into some monkey business. Don’t forget to visit the VaHi website and sign up for their “Voice” email notifications. It’s full of information of events happening in the neighborhood and ways to become involved.
Restaurants, Pubs, and Shops – It seems like the shops are forever changing but most of the restaurants/pubs are pretty main staples in the area. Looking for a nice dinner to take out of town guests? Try Murphy’s, La Tavola, or Goin’ Coastal. But, if you want something more casual, there is always Moe’s & Joe’s, Taco Mac, Fontaine’s Oyster House, Atkins Park, and several more. Speaking of Atkins Park, it is also a great tavern and is the oldest in Atlanta. The nightlife scene in Virginia Highland is always bustling in the evenings, mainly on weekends. Expect a younger crowd (think college students and young professionals).
A Great Place to Raise Kids – It’s true, the young population has invaded VaHi to raise their kiddos. But you can’t blame parents for wanting to be able to take their toddlers for walks and bump into others doing the same. Virginia Highland is zoned to the Springdale Park Elementary School district (a very highly ranked Atlanta public school), Inman Middle School (also known as being one of the better middle schools) and Grady High School. Kids attending the elementary school can be picked up by bus at several convenient neighborhood corners (the school itself isn’t very far away) and once they are in Jr. High/High School – it’s a manageable walk for all. If you need to take your kids somewhere to burn some energy, don’t forget that VaHi has it’s own park with playground equipment (and sand volleyball courts) located at John Howell Park on Virginia Ave & Barnett Ave.
Classic bungalow, craftsman, and tudor style homes – Since I am in real estate, I cannot help but mention the charming and distinctive homes in the neighborhood. The VaHi area is filled with brick bungalows and tudor style homes. Prices are going to be steep and sacrifices may have to be made if you are buying on the lower side of the price range. Homes start in the mid $500’s and escalate well over the $1 million range. If you want to stick to a budget of under $600K, expect to find smaller square footage (the average is about 1,700 sq ft) with small closets, possibly a funky layout, and maybe just a driveway with no covered garage. As you move up in the price range, you can start to find homes more updated and have all those features everyone loves in a home. There are new builds in the area, mainly the craftsman look, and they will generally be over $1 million.
More affordable homes — Condos! – Virginia Highland does have a handful of condos in the area. The first several streets just north of Ponce are zoned for multi-family use. Expect condos and apartments in these areas and streets to be packed with cars (since some complexes may only offer street parking). The condos here are generally older and small (500-700 sq ft for a 1 bedroom). The condos can look a little worn, but sometimes sacrificing an old condo interior for an awesome location and prices under $200K can be worth it!
Location, Location, Location! – That’s right, the VaHi neighborhood is a desirable location because it is so close to so many other wonderful neighborhoods. So when you are tired of eating out in the VaHi village area, drive (or walk on the Beltline) over to Inman Park, Midtown, or Decatur. All are under a 5-10 minute drive. Don’t forget that VaHi is next to one of the few Trader Joe’s around the city! Lots of events happen around the VaHi area including the annual Summerfest (arts/crafts/music/food), Taste of the Highlands, and several 5K runs usually based out of John Howell Park.
There you have it! This is my list of why Virginia Highland is such an extraordinary place to call home. If you are curious to view homes for sale in the Virginia Highland neighborhood, view all homes for sale in VaHi HERE.
