Neighborhood Profile: Old Fourth Ward

The Old Fourth Ward sounds cool, eh? Edgy, nostalgic, rugged, hip? The neighborhood proves to be all that and more.

O4W, the Fourth Ward—the area goes by quite a few names but at the end of the day it boils down to one: awesome. It’s arguably one of the best places to live for residents who want an active neighborhood without the hype of better known areas. Locals are often young, single, and ready to soak up the city lifestyle with minimal pretense.

Buzz on the Streets You’re unlikely to run out of things to do in the neighborhood. O4W is home to the renowned hot live entertainment venues such as The Masquerade, Sound Table/Space2, and The Drunken Unicorn.

When it’s time to explore street fashion, grab your threads at Doubletake Recycled Luxury or The Lucky Exchange. (I’d put money on a few pop up shops here in the future. *wink*) Skip national chains and explore the locally-owned storefronts for unique finds. Lila, Bill Hallman and Rene Rene can dress you for any occasion.

Dining It’s still possible to find hole-in-the-wall restaurants here that surprise at every turn, the sort of places that residents cherish proudly. I’d recommend Miso Izakaya and Eats. There are also a few progressive chefs have settled in the neighborhood, dishing out tomorrow’s cuisine on today’s plates. Find a cluster of great eateries along the southeast border, including Two Urban Licks, 4^th & Swift, and Parish.

Rental Market  Real estate reports suggest that home values are up .4% in the last quarter, which show that the area is recovering from the economic bubble a smidgen faster than other Atlanta neighborhoods.

The Old Fourth Ward offers an array of housing options for multiple budgets, which makes finding the perfect rental a challenging and rewarding task. Over 59% of renters have opted for condos followed by single family homes; traditional apartment communities are scarce in this historic part of town.

Quality amongst rentals varies greatly in a matter of blocks, making a square foot-comparison difficult for renters who are unfamiliar with the O4W.  A word of wisdom for apartment hunters: value is not always signified in price and size. In an area that’s been ravaged/saved by gentrification, your best bet is to visit any potential rental in person.

 

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