Intown East Atlanta (east of I-75) (Moreland: HOA, high crime, houses)

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Also I want a one story house. It is just so much easier not to have to go up and down stairs constantly or to haul the laundry up and down etc.

After spending some time last week at Piedmont Hospital's joint reconstruction center, my life is all about removing obstacles and smoothing pathways for myself and others. So I couldn't agree more, LLD.

Keep in mind, though, that most intown/infill lots are quite small with strict codes applying to the "footprint" of the house.

I wouldn't rule out an otherwise great house as long as master bedroom/bath/laundry are all on the main level.

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I finally saw The Preserve East Atlanta.

Let's just say I didn't love it. Pictures to follow.

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At Phase II of The Preserve East, looking toward Phase I:

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To my left (west view) :



These houses back up a wide strip of wooded, unbuildable land along the steep banks of "Sugar Creek".
I guess that's the green space, the wildlife conservation area. The street that I'm on passes over the creek.
The tiny creek runs through a large culvert under this road.

To my right (east view).



This does not look like our traditional Atlanta bungalows.
I was disappointed by all the "fake" chimneys, vertical floorplans
with painted foundations and Crayola exteriors.

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Behind these homes, you have a clear view of busy I-20 with its long, metal noise-abatement wall on the opposite side of the interstate.

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Looking to the northwest across the development.

Skyline views:

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This is along the main road at the south side near the entrance of The Preserve (here, I was exiting and approaching the sales center).




Below is the first house (really nice with big trees) at the entrance to The Preserve East. It currently serves as the sales center.

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I really, really wanted to like this place. I've certainly seen worse even at higher prices.

Aside from aesthetics, I think what bothered me most was the constant traffic noise from I-20. It wasn't exactly LOUD, but it was... well, a constant low roar. I guess you wouldn't notice it much if you are the type who tends to stay inside with windows closed when you get home.

No matter what the attractive Preserve East website leads you to believe, get ready to drive everywhere. Unless you can easily walk to restaurants and shopping (and you couldn't here) then it isn't what I'd call a truly walkable neighborhood.

Technically, it is possible to walk to East Atlanta Village, but you'd have to walk quite a long way even to get to a MARTA bus stop. The Kroger shopping center looks close on the area map, but it is on Moreland Avenue. You would have to walk about three or four miles (and part of that distance through run-down residential rental areas) to get to East Atlanta Library.

With leaves back on those mature trees this spring and summer, hopefully the traffic noise will be muffled on all but the northernmost lots nearest I-20. My parents won't be moving there, but some of the houses are really cute and it seems ideal for lots of people who have already made The Preserve East their home.

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I was hoping to see more houses like this solid-looking Hawthorn Park home (below), which had the same builder yet blends beautifully and is in perfect proportion with our traditional intown neighborhood cottages and bungalows.



This home has a look of permanence about it which is lacking at The Preserve East.