Most of the time when we help buyers who are moving into the North Atlanta area, they describe what type of “house” they are looking for. It usually entails something like this; “we need x number of bedrooms and baths, we want a big yard and a finished basement would be nice”. Most of the time they don’t ask for a specific type of neighborhood or c
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Most of the time when we help buyers who are moving into the North Atlanta area, they describe what type of “house” they are looking for. It usually entails something like this; “we need x number of bedrooms and baths, we want a big yard and a finished basement would be nice”. Most of the time they don’t ask for a specific type of neighborhood or community. But when they do, the ask for an “in-town” feel.
New Urbanism
It’s not a new term, you may have heard it before. It’s what some people think will save our planet from the suburban sprawl that leads to traffic, waste and pollution. Take a look at the following video to see what they mean:
New Urbanism is simply Traditional Neighborhood Design. A community that is walkable, offering mixed use developments. Entertainment, food, retail, office and park space. Really it’s more than a place to call home – it’s a “Lifestyle Community”. A place where residential development is intertwined with retail / multi-use and office.
The success of the outdoor shopping area like The Forsyth Avenues is an example of how many people want to walk, shop, meet and talk. They’re running from the large indoor shopping malls, but the Avenues isn’t a live-work-play development. It’s only retail and restaurants.
North Atlanta isn’t known for many walkable neighborhoods and those that would be considered walkable (Woodstock, Suwanee, Crabapple) still lack some of the amenities that would truly reduce the need for many of the car trips we make – like grocery stores. But these communities have the opportunity to truly become ‘walkable’ if they continue to promote smart growth and champion/support local businesses that add value, service and character to their communities.
Vickery and Vickery Village
Vickery is the residential development that wraps around the commercial destination. As you drive through the community you see the front’s of homes, not garages. It doesn’t look like your typical suburban community with cul-de-sacs and buildings appearing as if cars live there instead of people. And instead of honking “hi” at your neighbor as you drive by you can say “hey, want to go get a beer at Cinco’s or a slice of pizza at Sydney’s?”.
The retail and commercial office areas that make up the “main street downtown” called “Vickery Village” are within a short walk or bike ride and include residential lofts above the main street level making this a true mixed-use development, but in addition to single family houses there are also live-work flats, and multi-story, high density apartment/condos and attached townhouses. And thanks to the “Safe Routes to School” grant, the two schools just down the road, Vickery Creek Elementary and Vickery Creek Middle, will be walkable as well.
Do you live in a walkable neighborhood? Would you choose to? Tell us what you think.