We’re kicking off our Neighborhood Spotlight series on Metro Atlanta In-town neighborhoods with the place MJ Howard Group calls home: East Atlanta Village.

 

 East Atlanta has EVERYTHING you need to leave the authentic in-town Atlanta life. A booming nightlife in the main “village” with tons of shops and restaurants plus popular and historic bars. The term “hipster” was born in East Atlanta. 

Aside from the hip vibe, the actual “living” in East Atlanta is quiet, comfortable, and safe, with gorgeous homes and tree-lined streets covered with the usual, splendid Atlanta canopy. 

East Atlanta lies entirely within DeKalb County and is bounded by*:

In 1981, the East Atlanta Community Association was founded to bolster a sense of community in the neighborhood. In 2005 East Atlanta acquired a new library building which is located at the corner of Flat Shoals and McPherson. That same year, the first phase of a public works project to enhance the pedestrian environment in the business district occurred. The result was much wider sidewalks and benches to sit on. In 2007 and 2008, the East Atlanta Village was voted “Best Neighborhood” in the city by readers of the Atlanta weekly newspaper Creative Loafing. Due to determined efforts by residents to improve their neighborhood and demand for affordable in-town housing, the average price of a house in East Atlanta has risen steadily since the late 1990s.

In 2017 the East Atlanta Community Association began efforts to include the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 

In recent decades, East Atlanta has seen a rise of street art. Many of East Atlanta’s murals were brought to the neighborhood by Living Walls and the Outerspace Project. Some of East Atlanta’s murals are easily visible from the street, but an equal number of murals are hidden in back parking lots, alleyways and behind buildings. Images and locations of East Atlanta’s murals are found on the Atlanta Street Art Map.

East Atlanta hosts a number of popular annual events, including:

  • East Atlanta Strut – East Atlanta’s free annual one day neighborhood festival, always on the third Saturday in September featuring a parade, food, live music, art, and events. The festival is held to highlight the businesses in East Atlanta Village as well as raise funds for schools, senior programs and Neighbor In Need East Atlanta. The Festival is run completely with Volunteers.
  • B*ATL – Neighborhood festival commemorating the anniversary of the Civil War’s Battle of Atlanta, which was fought on July 22, 1864 on land that is now part of East Atlanta. Events include a period costume gala dinner and house tour; a 5K fun run; van and walking tours of neighborhood historic sites including Oakland Cemetery; Civil War Battle re-enactment featuring soldiers, live artillery, and civilian re-enactors; and historic music concerts.
  • East Atlanta Craft Beer Festival – Annual one day craft beer festival held the third weekend in May at Brownwood Park in East Atlanta, Georgia. Festival includes over 230 beers from all regions of the planet, music and food vendors. Produced by The East Atlanta Foundation, a 501c3 non profit, 100% of proceeds benefit local charities via a grant process that serves the Atlanta Community.
  • East Atlanta Twilight Criterium – A day of bicycle races and events that takes place in East Atlanta Village and the surrounding residential streets every August.
  • EAV Farmers Market – A local non-profit farmers market each Thursday evening (4:00 to dark) from April through December.

East Atlanta is in the Atlanta Public Schools System and nearby charter and private school alternatives are also available.

*from Wikipedia