Historic West End (Atlanta, East Point, Carl: house, colleges, theater)

[davesm]

The best thing to do is visit the area. West End and Westview have some of the most beautiful housing stock in Atlanta. When these homes were built it was a neighborhood for the affluent and wealthy. As Utsikt mentioned a rare opportunity has presented itself for first-time home buyers to own a beautiful home in a beautiful area and have a mortgage less than what many apartments rent for. It also is a good opportunity for those looking to financially simplify and at the same time live in a beautiful intown home.

This portion of SW Atlanta has had to deal with a reputation earned 15 -20 years ago, but for several years there has been a forward moving momentum that I'm sure the upcoming documentary/video will show. I know the docu-video is in the works, but not certain when it will be completed. In the meantime why not visit the West End and Westview neighborhood websites (check out the pictures) until you can visit the area. Also, for 180k you will surely find a lovely historic home surrounded by 300 y/o Oak and Pecan trees, and very possibly have some cash left over. As the map shows these neighborhoods are next door to Downtown, so access is no problem.

West End Neighborhood Website, Map, and a couple of Creative Loafing articles where West End was a highlighted neighborhood in the Urban Explorers Guidebook 2005, 2007.
www.westendneighborhood.org
http://www.arch.gatech.edu/~dapa/rep...ages/t05m.html
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/g...id=oid%3A18648
http://atlantahappenings.creativeloa...y=oid%3A275612


Westview Neighborhood Website, Map, and residents' home renovation blog.
www.westviewatlanta.com
http://www.arch.gatech.edu/~dapa/rep...ages/t03m.html
www.westviewbungalow.com (Be inspired by a couple's home renovation in progress.)

[sd4202]

WOW!! Thanks everyone! You're great!!

[sd4202]

One last question...anyone know what streets are best? I told my husband about Westview and we're going to look into it this wknd!

[intoeyes2001]

I would recommend starting with Peepels, Gordon, and Oglethorpe street. The houses on Peepels and Gordon are over your budget, but you would not like to miss two, probably, the most beautiful streets in West End. Just start there and take a drive around. Other nice streets are Lawton, Queens, Grady, Matthews, Beecher, Hopkins, Oak. West End is not really that big and in no time you will find yourself in neighboring West View. I do not know the the best streets there - probably S Gordon, E and W Ontario, and just streets around.
I am sure you will love the houses in West End as well as West View.
I hope that we will end up having a trilogy about SW Atlanta. First movie is being created right now about the mortgage fraud. Second movie, that is being created right now, pictures positive changes in West End, West View, and how these neighborhood fight back their past. Hopefully, we will have the third one in a few years about people that rehabbed all these beautiful houses and created unique "urban oasis" (davesm wish) here. I really believe we will..........

[sd4202]

Thanks again everyone

[VirtualM]

Now we own a house in both East Point and West End! I have a dog and a baby, and let me tell you, we're always all over our neighborhood in East Point. We haven't even started on our home in West End yet (just got the key this week), but I think that once I've been there for awhile and get used to the area, I'll be all over there as well. One plus for East Point is that there's a strong group of young parents that have playgroups, but I might try to move to start something like that in West End (I noticed some other tots the same age as mine at the last WEND meeting.) West End has better houses for cheaper - we were floored when we found out what we could get for under $100k. It just really depends on what you want. (And you can always rent my East Point house for awhile to get a feel for the area if you're undecided LOL.)

[intoeyes2001]

Hi VirtualM - welcome to our street. Your toddler can ride on our dog! LOL
I walk my dog almost everyday, so you are welcome to join me. It would be fun to have company.

[sd4202]

It's great to hear such positive things! My husband was kind of leery when I told him the prices, but I've convinced him to take a look w/ me! What's the suggested way to get there from about West Peachtree and 6th?

[davesm]

Take 85 South to I-20 West. Both neighborhoods have I-20 as their northern boards so exit left at Lee St, Joseph Lowery Blvd, and Langhorn St for West End, and MLK for Westview. You could also use Langhorn St to get to Westview, but make the first right turn onto Lucile St. The link to the maps will have the street names to help guide you. Every street in both neighborhoods have nice homes on them, and the architectural variety will speak to the inner architect in you. No two homes are alike.

From Midtown should take you 10-15 mins (even in rush hour) to get here.

[Atlantasfinest]

Originally Posted by VirtualM

In addition, what are some other neighborhoods in SW Atlanta that might have great homes like West End? I'm realizing, that for living on the SW side of Atlanta, I actually know very little about what lies between East Point and downtown.

Oakland City has some nice homes, Capitol View, Adair Park, try some of the neighborhoods near the Oakland City Marta Station & Lakewood/Ft. McPherson Marta Stations bordering West End and Campblleton Road/Campbellton/Main Street.

These houses are not as nice as West End' overall housing stock.