From celebrities and business people to artists and diplomats, approximately 432,000 people call Atlanta, Georgia home. The Southern state is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., and is one of the most visited cities in the country, drawing thousands of tourists who come to enjoy the Georgia Aquarium as well as its diverse dining and cultural scene. Atlanta encompasses one of the strongest economies in the United States, making it no surprise that big name celebrities such as Sean Puffy Combs and world-renowned singer, Elton John reside in the city. But where have the elite decided to lay down their Georgia roots? Take a look to see a few of the most expensive Atlanta neighborhoods.
Buckhead
Notable Residents: Elton John, Tyler Perry
Median Home Price: $804,742
“Where old money lives, new money parties,” is how the Atlanta Journal-Constitution describes this upscale subcity, often touted as the “Beverly Hills of the East.” Situated in the uptown district of Atlanta where the city’s famed Peachtree and Lenox roads intersect, Buckhead is where some of the city’s wealthiest (and most famous) residents live. Elton John, Janet Jackson, Outkast band member, Andre 3000 and director Tyler Perry, among others all have homes in the Buckhead district of Atlanta. The district has been listed on The Robb Report’s “Top Ten Affluent Neighborhoods” and has been rated by Demographics Daily as the number one metropolitan area for women and minorities to achieve business success. A few of the area’s most prominent architectural fixtures are the historic Alhambra apartments, located in the Garden Hills neighborhood, as well as the district’s tallest building, The Sovereign luxury condominium complex.
From mansions to gentleman’s country clubs, the area is a playground for the rich and famous. However, despite the extremely high cost of living, Buckhead’s residential vacancies remain some of the lowest in the country—a testament to the bewitching nature of the region, which boasts both contemporary homes that linger beneath shady canopies as well as historic Southern architecture set amidst mixed-use development areas. While Peachtree Street, with its bars, shops, restaurants and taverns, draws the rowdy, wallet-wielding night crowd, the sprawling, wooded neighborhoods are where the richest have their properties, creating a paradoxical line between the stately, old affluence in Buckhead and the flashing portraiture of new money.
Druid Hills
Claim To Fame: Developed by Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler
Median Home Price: $497,975
Famous for lending it space as the location for the Morgan Freeman film, Driving Miss Daisy, Druid Hills is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the greater Atlanta area, with a median income in excess of $238,500. It was designed as one of Atlanta’s first suburban neighborhoods (planned by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same man who laid out New York’s Central Park) and is listed on the National Historic Register. Interestingly, in February of this year, Miss Daisy’s brick home (above), which is just steps from the Druid Hills Gold Club and south of Emory University, went on the market for $1.9 million for those interested in collecting cinematic history. And like this beautiful example of old, Southern design, the district is known for its signature architecture, such as the Tudors and Mediterranean-style villas that wind between its many parks, thick with hickory trees, beech and tulip poplar.
Many of the homes that were built in the 20th century still stand, including handsome-faced mansions and bungalow-like retreats. Druid Hills is known for its eclectic arrangement of building styles, which includes everything from Georgian and Jacobean to revivalist, Italian Renaissance structures.
Ansley Park
Claim To Fame: First Atlanta suburb designed for automobiles
Median Home Price: $315,000
Located north of downtown Atlanta and west of Piedmont Park between Piedmont Avenue and Peachtree Street, Ansley Park is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in Atlanta. The area of the city is densely wooded in between neighborhoods, winding roads and parks. Ansley Park’s architecture encompasses contemporary suburban-style homes smattered with a mix of Colonial, Federal, Neo-Classical and Queen Anne renderings. Ansley Park’s architecture encompasses a contemporary suburban style homes smattered with a mix of Colonial, Federal, Neo-Classical and Queen Anne renderings. Its 275 acres are comprised of tree-lined, cleanly curbed streets, glossy-edged parks and well-landscaped lawns, lending the impression that the region is more of an expansive community park, rather than a neighborhood. This “garden suburb” is where former NBA, Atlanta Hawks player Al Horford and his wife, Amelia Vega (former Miss Universe) live, along with many other prominent Atlanta business people, inventors and authors.
Dunwoody
Notable Residents: P. Diddy
Median Home Price: $304,700
A small suburb outside of Atlanta, Dunwoody is home to super stars such as Sean Puffy Combs, who resides in a large white stucco home he bought for 2.5 million dollars in 2004. The home reportedly has seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and a five-car garage, sitting statuesquely behind a grand entrance and mile-long drive. Other celebrities, like Tony Braxton also live close by, enjoying a quieter side of Atlanta. But despite being a bit out of the way of Atlanta’s major city buzz, Dunwoody’s location makes it easily accessible to Downtown Atlanta’s flashing nightlife and rave restaurants. It also has its own upscale shopping center, Perimeter Mall. However, despite the high profile residents it has attracted, Dunwoody is small community comprised of art centers, local theaters and cultural activities. The Spruill Center for the Arts, located in the center of Dunwoody Village, is the largest community arts education site in the Southeast, and situated nearby is the Stage Door Players, a community theater that was founded in 1974.
Brookhaven
Claim To Fame: Atlanta’s newest affluent subcity
Median Home Price: $315,800
Considered to be Atlanta’s newest “city,” Brookhaven has been operating as its own submetro since December of 2012. However, despite its newly acquired status, Brookhaven has approximately 49,000 residents. The enclave is located just north of Atlanta’s prestigious Buckhead region, and like many of the city’s other neighborhoods, boasts a wide range of architectural styles. Homes from the 1920’s coexist with multimillion dollar homes and craftsman-style bungalows. The area is built around a series of smaller neighborhoods and “villages,” creating a unique blend of cultural and stylist influences. Within Brookhaven’s limits lies the Capital City Country Club, Lenox Park and Peachtree Road, connecting Brookhaven to Buckhead and the Chamblee region. The area is also home to Georgia State University and Oglethorpe University as well as a growing group of specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues. Considered to be a meeting of affluence and contemporary trends, Brookhaven blends a community of wealthy families and country club-bred students. Pro Football Hall of famer Lance Alworth, Earsell Mackbee and MTV founder and former CEO of AOL, Robert W. Pittman have all called Brookhaven home.
