Getting to Know Buckhead
If you’re planning a move to Atlanta, Georgia, one of the first things you may want to do is familiarize yourself with various Atlanta neighborhoods. Probably the most well-known neighborhood in Atlanta is Buckhead. For those who are not too familiar with this area, this article will give you a general overview of Buckhead.
What attracts people to Buckhead
Buckhead is a sought-after neighborhood for many reasons, not the least of which is it’s location. Buckhead is within what is known as “the perimeter”, which is the Interstate 285 which loops around Atlanta. Although once considered a posh suburb, it’s close-in location just north of Midtown Atlanta makes Buckhead conveniently located to the central business district.
Another reason Buckhead is appealing to home buyers is the availability of excellent schools. Some of the most sought-after public schools in the area include Morris Brandon, Warren T. Jackson, Sarah Smith, and E. Rivers. Buckhead is also home to some exceptional private schools, such as Atlanta International School, Galloway School, Lovett School, Pace Academy and Westminster Academy.
What’s in a name?
Many people new in town are curious about how the area became known as Buckhead. I’ve heard many erroneous guesses at this. One person told me it’s due to the shape that the Interstates 75 and 85 make as they split and enclose Buckhead. They do form an unofficial boundary of the area, but Buckhead was named long before the interstates were built. I heard another person claim that Buckhead was named after a particular high-rise building with a distinctive rooftop ornament. Of course this building as well was built long after Buckhead became Buckhead.
The truth is that there was a tavern and general store which became an important trading post in the area. The owner placed a head of a large dear at a prominent location in the store, and soon people began referring to it in reference to this “buck head”. Before long, the whole area became known as Buckhead, and the name has stayed put ever since.
Within the last few years, a group of homeowners protesting high property taxes threatened to secede Buckhead from the city of Atlanta and form it’s own city, the same way Sandy Springs did a few years prior. However, there already is a city in Georgia called Buckhead, about 65 miles east of Atlanta, so it’s unknown what the new city would be called. At this time, Buckhead has remained a part of Atlanta, as it has been for most of it’s history.
Single-Family homes
The area of Buckhead itself is broken down into more than a couple dozen smaller neighborhoods of single-family residences. Each has it’s own unique history, and many are located on the sites of various civil war battles. Though it is true that Buckhead is known as an upscale area with some homes exceeding $10 million, there are also single-family homes available in some Buckhead neighborhoods from the $200,000’s.
Condominiums
Though some Buckhead neighborhoods are exclusively single-family, others have garden condos and townhouses within their boundaries. Most of the high-rise condos, however, are located along Buckhead’s main artery, Peachtree Road. Condo prices run the gamut, with many multi-million-dollar condo units available, as well as more affordable options even below the $100,000 point.
Hopefully this introduction has helped you get to know Buckhead. I invite you to explore the area more on your own, on the internet or in person. Perhaps you too will end up calling Buckhead home.
