Kirkwood, Atlanta: A Community With Small City Appeal

Updated September 2020.

Kirkwood is a national historic neighborhood located on the east side of Atlanta, in DeKalb County. Once a bustling streetcar suburb, this area is now a melting pot of cultures and diversity. It’s been welcoming a younger generation of newcomers to the area since the early 2000s when they began to show an interest in the redevelopment of the community.

Kirkwood still retains its old charm, with its beautiful Victorian-style homes and lovely cottages. Yet, improvements began to occur and the old has now blended in with new. There have been improvements made to the area’s landscape with the addition of its 1.5 million streetscapes, which included new crosswalks, improved lighting, bicycle lanes, and newly opened boutique businesses.

Lifestyle

The residents of Kirkwood enjoy award-winning restaurants and sprawling green spaces. It has become an area where newcomers move to be a part of an established neighborhood that gives them a sense of community.

What to Do

There is no denying that this is a great place to live and raise a family. Life here is what you make of it. There are several parks in the area, such as Gilliam Park, where you’ll find a community garden, and DeKalb Memorial Park, which has several tennis courts, basketball courts, and athletic fields. Coan Park and Bessie Branham Park are also situated in the Kirkwood community.

Since there are so many young families that make up the Kirkwood community, it only makes sense that there would be a place for them to take their children, other than the park. Youths gather at the YMCA Youth and Teen Development Center, where they can enroll in a variety of sports programs. Adults in the neighborhood who wish to stay fit work out at the Atlanta Sports & Social Club. There are various membership packages to suit any budget.

Where to Eat & Drink

Le Petite Marché is a restaurant that feels like home, serving delicious, freshly-cooked dishes that you are sure to enjoy.

At Sun in My Belly you’ll find good food, good coffee, and good people. You can come here to relax and enjoy a wonderful breakfast or lunch, accompanied by delicious coffee. The atmosphere is very inviting.

If you’re looking for a different experience, try Dish Dive, a place that serves food “that is as inventive as it is affordable”, according to their website. Located in the heart of Kirkwood, this place looks and feels like a fresh breath of air.

The Taproom, a hip place that serves coffee and craft beer, has become a communal workspace for local business owners to work and connect with other entrepreneurs in the area.

Moving to Kirkwood

Real Estate Snapshot

The household distribution in Kirkwood shows a majority of 69% of homeowners, compared to 31% renters. The median household income in Kirkwood is $68,588, which means that most residents can afford higher home prices and rental rates; however, the area’s average rent of $1,379 is around 7% less than the Atlanta average. If you’re interested in finding out more about the rental rates in this desirable neighborhood, see what you can get for your money by visiting RentCafe. You’ll get much more than you bargain for by living in the community of Kirkwood.

Transportation

You can easily access the neighborhood from Memorial Drive and Interstate 20 from the south, and DeKalb Avenue from the North. You can also get to Kirkwood from 1^st Ave from the east and Montgomery Street from the west. Kirkwood is situated between Candler Park and East Lake MARTA stations on the blue line.

Schools & Employment

The Atlanta Public School District serves this community. Most students attend Fred A. Toomer Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Maynard H. Jackson High School, or Charles Drew Charter School. The Charles Drew Charter School is known for its excellent teaching programs, high-test scores, and scholastic achievements.

Many who live in Kirkwood have their own businesses, which are also located within the community. With its proximity to downtown Atlanta, many residents work for businesses in town, such as Georgia Power, the Southern Company, The Coca Cola Company, and SunTrust Bank.

Kirkwood is a neighborhood with a small city appeal, perfect for those who want to be close to Atlanta, but still want to enjoy life at a slower, more relaxed pace. Check it out, Kirkwood might just be the right place for you.