druid hills
{ Friday, March 16th, 2012 }
Emory Match Day
Medical School students all over the country are participating in an annual rite of passage today: Match Day. Approximately 16,000 graduates from U.S. medical schools and 15,000 graduates from osteopathic or foreign medical schools compete each year for approximately 24,000 residency positions at U.S. hospitals. And today – Match Day – is when they all find out where they’re headed for further training.
To the Emory students who will be matriculating to training programs outside our fair city, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. May you evolve into outstanding physicians.
To physicians who have been fortunate enough to be “matched” with Emory University… mazel tov! On behalf of Atlanta, welcome to our outstanding city. As you may be training and living in Atlanta for many years to come, consider me as a resource for finding the perfect place to live. While I know that many of you are strongly considering renting, don’t rule out home ownership. Prices have ebbed to dramatic lows, interest rates are insane, and as a physician you qualify for loan programs that the rest of us mere mortals have no access to. That being said, here are some quick housing/neighborhood recommendations for you:
1-You’re thinking: “I’m going to spend a few years shuttling back and forth between Emory University Hospital and Grady Hospital, and I need something in between the two.”
I’m responding: Inman Park. Specifically, my one bedroom condo listing at Brickworks. Two miles to Grady and four miles to Emory. Phenomenal community that’s walking distance to restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Perfect for the 4 hours of free time per week that you have to look forward to!
2-You’re thinking: “I’m relocating from Boston, where I’m used to walking everywhere. My week is going to be spent primarily at Emory, so I’d like to be as close to Emory as possible without being near a dorm.”
I’m responding: Decatur all the way. Tons to do, and some great options under $250,000.
3-You’re thinking: “I really need some space- a couple of bedrooms and a yard. I don’t care if I’m a few minutes from Emory, so long as I can buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home for under $300,000. Oh, and as long as you’re asking, I’m really interested in mid-century modern architecture.
I’m responding: We need to take a drive up to the Northcrest subdivision, located right at the junction of I-285 and I-85. Perfectly situated on two of Atlanta’s primary highways, you’re looking at a twenty minute drive to the hospital. If mid-century is your game, than this is the neighborhood for you. You’ll love it.
4-You’re thinking: “You seem incredibly knowledgable, the perfect real estate person to help me find a new home in Atlanta. How do we move forward?”
I’m responding: That’s an awfully nice thing to say! I’d love to assist you. Here’s my contact information- be in touch at your convenience!
{ Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 }
Six Relatively Important Letters: SPLOST
This is a voting booth. Next Tuesday, you should get to know one.
While you’re probably overwhelmed with just figuring out how you’ll recover from the Kardashian divorce, get ready to deal with a bigger issue: To SPLOST, or not to SPLOST.
SPLOST – which stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – is an opportunity for local communities to levy a one cent sales tax to fund “special purposes.” If you were looking to build schools, fix a decrepit sewer system, or fund a once-in-a-generation transportation system overhaul without raising property taxes… SPLOST is for you!
There are passionate voices on both sides of the debate. There’s obviously a certain level of NIMBYism going on- if you’re neighborhood is set to benefit from the construction of a new school, it’s safe to say that you’re going to vote “yes.” Do yourself a favor- learn more about the issue, and vote next Tuesday, November 8 to vote. As a bonus, you’ll also get to vote on Sunday alcohol sales!
{ Monday, August 15th, 2011 }
Amy Handler, The Kids Are Alright
The Kids Are Alright is one of my favorite programs on my favorite radio station in Atlanta, 1690 The Voice of The Arts. Host Amy Handler’s weekly show is a cornucopia of all things fun, nostalgic, brainy, artsy and good. I was listening to it pre-baby, and still set my clock by it every Saturday morning at 9 (replays on Sunday at noon). I’ve always wondered where the inspiration came from, so I was thrilled that Amy shared a peak behind the curtain…
Q. Where do you find inspiration to put together such an original, wonderful radio program?
A. Aw, shucks- an thanks! I have always worked in the field of children’s entertainment – television, theatre, radio, dance, and education. When I teach I do the same thing that I do with my show – integrate every single facet into a shiny neat little package of info and fun for the kids. Because I like everything to relate and interconnect, I use what’s around me for show ideas. Examples: For Mother’s Day I played all mummy songs. When our best pals had their sweet baby Adelaide, all baby songs. And for April Fool’s day, all banana songs because don’t you know how hilariously funny bananas are? (the next week we did all monkey songs becuase the monkeys supposedly heard last week’s show and took over the radio station to get all those bananas they heard about). So, yeah, I come by it all very honestly – it’s how I live, what I do, what I love, and, suddenly most importantly, what I want my actual kids to be exposed to. Once I asked one of my student’s parents how they kept their kids from liking Barney and Brittany. They told me “we all listen to the same music together”. That really stuck with me. And that’s what I do with my family. You gotta expose your kids and lead by example. If not, they will turn into mindless zombies swaying and singing along to Justin Bieber. If I can inspire some kids to reach past that, I have done my job.
Q. You’re in charge of creating the ultimate ‘The Kids Are Alright Weekend” in Atlanta. What’s on the agenda?
A. First of all, you would wake up and listen to my show that has an appropriate theme for the weekend – places to go. Then we would get on our tandem bike tour (I am imagining a huge long Dr. Seussish bike that spans the whole block) and have coffee and breakfast at Parkgrounds in Reynoldstown. It has a dog park so we can watch the dogs play while we play battleship. Then off to the new BeltLine park with the spraying water and 3 people swings and a trampoline enveloped by ropes. Now we are tired and hot so we head to Lotta Frutta for fruit cups and smoothies. We grab some extra bags of chulpe (ecuadorian corn. a total obsession of mine) to fuel us for our hike at the Fernbank Forest. Did you know you can go to the forest in the middle of the city? Its behind the science center, not museum, and you feel like you’ve driven far, far away. Last we stop by Antico Pizza (all other pizza is dead to me) and pick up a pie and some cannoli to take to the Starlight Drive-In.
Next morning the Grant Park Farmer’s Market, where we will and always do have the King of Pops for breakfast. Then off to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Star Provisions for lunch (fluffernutter sandwiches- they’re are all you’ve dreamed of and more), then to the Oakhurst Community Garden to play with their chickens, hang out in their cob house, catch frogs in their pond, and wade in their stream. And then for dinner, how about a drive out to Marietta for amazing chinese food – Tasty China. Driveling messes falling asleep in car on way home if you are lucky but at least you squeezed it all in. Well, not all, but it’s enough for now.
{ Monday, August 1st, 2011 }
Terry Kearns, Architecture Tourist
Terry Kearns is the author of Architecture Tourist, one of my favorite blogs. It was fitting that we recently met one another while touring a home, and serendipitous considering that I’ve wanted to feature Terry on A Is For Atlanta for quite some time. If you’re interested in Atlanta architecture, history or neighborhoods, Architecture Tourist is not just a must-read, it is the must-read. I’m really not sure how else to put it. Fortunately for me, Terry was generous enough to field a few questions from me recently- I hope you enjoy as much as I did…
Q. You’ve got three hours to meander through any neighborhood in Atlanta. Which one are you choosing, and why?
A. I’d choose the Dekalb Avenue east from Krog. It’s not an obvious place to look. Start at Krog Street Bridge and head east, turn anywhere into Inman Park, just anywhere. Make sure to check the “war” streets just west of Moreland: Battery and Degress. After you cross Moreland, cruise the “lady” streets in Candler Park: left on Josephine, right on Euclid right on Elmira. In Lake Claire you’ll see the huge continental divide mural at the Arizona Avenue underpass. Then turn left at Connecticut and tour the “state” streets: Connecticut, New York, Arizona, and Delaware. Then cruise “Southerland Hill.” Turn left on Southerland Place just east of the Lake Claire swimming pool to see Southerland, Oxford, and Gordon. Finally, tour the “garden” streets. Cross East Lake and turn left at Drexel. Make sure to see Melrose and Emerson, home to Ryan Gainey’s Garden of Poetry and Prose. Go home via Oak Grove, Kirkwood, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, and Cabbagetown…but that’s another meander.
Q. What are the essential “must sees” for Architecture Tourists in Atlanta?
A. How about downtown’s public lobbies? Whatever your tastes these lobbies impress. The Grant Building lobby is straightforward and reserved. The former C&S Bank is Atlanta’s Pantheon. The Healey Building has a gothic ribbed rotunda. The Hurt Building’s main entrance is an elegant rotunda that softens this huge building. The Candler Building lobby is small and perfect and ennobling. Visit the Victorian portrait gallery at the Ritz. At 191 Peachtree see the colossal Helena Hernmarck tapestry “Urn” and ride the escalator down to see Ray King’s “Atlantis.” The Peachtree Plaza’s lobby conveys the sense of the colossal hotel almost floating overhead. The Regency’s groundbreaking lobby remains spectacular and cozy. The Marriot Marquis’s lobby is a multi-level playground that my eye can never fully take in. When it’s busy – think Dragon Con – it’s one the best people watching places in Atlanta. Finally, the Sun Trust Tower’s elevator lobby is a pyramid in a square in a circle in a square with breathtaking clarity.
Q. Hidden Atlanta gems?
A. There are so many. I enjoy small scale public or public facing places: Oglethorpe Hill, The Villa Apartments, the former Scottish Rite Hospital in Oak Grove, the Cator Wolford Gardens on Ponce, the Little Chapel at Glen Memorial. Allow me to add the renovated Hinman Building at Georgia Tech though it’s not open to the public. It may be the most exciting indoor space in Atlanta.
Q. If you were given an unlimited budget, unquestioned power and the edict: “make Atlanta more beautiful”, what would you do?
A. Beautiful things continue to enrich us. It may be physical beauty; it may be functional beauty. But I’m rather an anti-planner and would be a terrible Tsar. So I’d abolish the position and retire with a big pension. Then I’ve volunteer to help folks enjoy these places and to find ways to preserve them as best we can.
Q. What is Architecture Tourist, and why is it awesome?
A. The most awesome thing about Architecture Tourist Blog is meeting people. Blog posts connect people. Once in a while we meet in person. What a pleasure.
Photo Credit: Architecture Tourist
{ Monday, June 6th, 2011 }
Atlanta Real Estate Rebound… In Some Zip Codes
Real Estate Recovery Through The Eyes of a Clip-Artist
It occurred to me over the weekend that I’ve had some pretty grim posts recently. Between “The Ring Of Death” or “When Bad Condos Happen To Good People“, I’ve really put out some Debbie Downers. Of course, the real estate market has its share of depressing news…but it also has plenty of bright spots.
Lucky for me, Rachel Tobin and Tammy Joyner, superstar real estate reporters over at the AJC, have come to the rescue. Their Home Sales Report yesterday included just the news that I was looking for. From the Sunday AJC:
Intown home values rose while suburban home prices continued to slide. For example, prices of existing homes increased 7.5 percent to $625,000 in the Mount Paran/Northside area (ZIP: 30327), 13.9 percent to $380,000 in the 30306 ZIP of DeKalb, and 19 percent to $260,000 in the 30339 ZIP of Cobb that includes Vinings.
A few recovering zip codes may not mark an entire market’s recovery, but it’s a start. The report is interesting, as is today’s follow up story “Deals that feel like steals require effort“.
If you’d like to discuss either articles, and how they might impact your decision to buy or sell real estate, don’t hesitate to contact me.
