Druid Hills

Druid Hills

Serene and sprawling community with standout features that make it a great place to call home, Druid Hills ages back to the 1890s and is an expansive neighborhood designed with livability as top of mind — a high standard for what a modern suburb should be.

Druid Hills continues to be one of the Atlanta metro area’s finest communities to settle, whether you’re planning to raise a family or moving for a new job in the city.

You’ll find well-maintained roads, acres of parks and green space, excellent schools, historic mansions, charming homes on generous lots, and a magnificent golf course. There’s plenty to do, especially considering the city of Atlanta is right next door.

Living in Druid Hills also offers convenient access to lucrative job opportunities.

If you’re in the market for a new home or a promising real estate investment in the Atlanta area, do yourself a favor and explore homes for sale in Druid Hills, GA.

Here’s what you need to know about this fantastic community:

A closer look at Druid Hils

What is commonly referred to as Druid Hills has two notable areas: a census designated place within DeKalb County and a western portion that is technically part of the city of Atlanta.

It’s a sizable community that’s bounded by the southern fork of Peachtree Creek to the north, Atlanta city limits to the south, the CSX railway track to the east, and the DeKalb County limit to the west.

It takes about 15 minutes to reach downtown Atlanta. The main thoroughfares traversing the community include Briarcliff Road, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and Clairemont Avenue. Proximity to Interstate-85 makes it convenient to reach other parts of the metro area.

Within the bounds of the community, there’s a great number of parks, museums and lot of great restaurants. The area surrounding Emory University (annexed by the city of Atlanta in 2017) is where you’ll find a small commercial core lined with shopping malls, office buildings, and schools — but there are more elsewhere in Druid Hills.

Real estate market in Druid Hills, GA

Homes for sale in Druid Hills are typically priced anywhere from $500,000 to $4 million. The housing stock is composed of single-family homes, as well as quarter to half acre luxury estates — offering prospective buyers plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy their preferred lifestyle.

Simplicity and understated elegance are the defining traits of many of these properties, which are often styled in Tudor, Mediterranean, and Traditional styles, as well as ranch, bungalow, and cottage-style homes. Regardless of which architectural expression suits you, many homes throughout the community come with well-appointed living spaces, custom wood cabinetry, spacious patios, resort-style sunbathing terraces, impeccably landscaped lawns, and an array of other high-end amenities.

Some of the most sought-after properties are situated near Ponce de Leon Avenue, where you’ll find manor homes and historic mansions. Well-kept historic properties rarely list in the market and go as far back as the 1920s. Apart from provenance, these homes hold great appeal thanks to the beautiful blend of old and new, whether it’s original oak floors complementing new floor-to-ceiling windows or a one-of-a-kind garden accentuated by a newly renovated pool.

Browse these featured listings to get a headstart on your property search. Additionally, if you require expert real estate guidance in Druid Hills, consider sending an inquiry to Carter and Associates today.

Schools in the area

Druid Hills is excellent for families of various sizes, not least because of the top-performing schools throughout the community. Residents have convenient access to Atlanta Public Schools and the DeKalb County School District, which include the following top-rated schools:

• Little Forest School
• Atlanta Montessori International School
• Fernbank Elementary
• Briar Vista Elementary
• Druid Hills High School
• Ben Franklin Academy
• Emory University

Brief history of Druid Hills, GA

On the cusp of the new century, Atlanta entrepreneur Joel Hurt unveiled the idea of a verdant suburban community. With a sizable tract of land to the east of a burgeoning city, Hurt sought out arguably one of the 19th century’s most brilliant landscape architects and park designers, Frederick Law Olmsted.

A staunch conservationist, Olmsted’s underlying philosophy in designing Druid Hills was the emphasis on naturally-occurring features and outdoor enjoyment. This was evident in his previous projects like New York City’s Central Park, the US Capitol grounds, and various park and parkway systems in Boston and Chicago, among others.

A massive undertaking at the time, the project would be temporarily stalled by budget limitations and the retirement of the aging Olmsted, who was already in his 80s. Fortunately, The Olmsted Brothers Company (established by Frederick Law Jr. and John Charles, sons of the elder Olmsted) would see the project through.

The completion of Druid Hills in 1905 set a precedent for subsequent Atlanta suburbs. The open spaces and wooded areas surrounding Ponce de Leon Avenue would serve as the defining features of the neighborhood. Each of these median parks also had distinct landscaping, showcasing Olmsted’s penchant for creating breathtaking scenery using mostly the area’s natural topography. Additionally, green canopy lined the streets to encourage residents to go around the community.

Using parks and public spaces as focal points and developing residences on acreage lots, Druid Hills saw its population grow through the decades. In the 1970s, the Druid Hills Historic District was designated in the National Register of Historic Places to preserve its original lot configurations and picturesque open spaces.

To this day, urban designers and landscaping experts look to Olmsted’s last major suburb commission for inspiration. For residents, it’s one of the most highly prized neighborhoods in the Atlanta metro area — one that balances the serene pleasures of suburban living and the fast-paced connectedness of today’s urban lifestyle.

Outdoor recreation

As you might expect in a suburb like Druid Hills, a plethora of green spaces and heavily wooded preserves await to be explored.

• Olmsted Linear Park is a string of public parks that serve as greenspace buffers along Ponce de Leon Avenue. Composed of six sections (Springdale, Oak Grove, Brightwood, Shady Side, Dellwood, and Deepdene), this verdant 45-acre stretch contains playgrounds, ADA-compliant pathways, open spaces, gravel path trails, a wildland area, and a creek. The largest section lies in Deepdene Park, a calm wooded area that’s ideal for a leisurely stroll or a vigorous trail run.

• Other parks like Rutledge Park and Burbanck Park are situated further inside the community and offer more space to stretch out, get a brisk walk in, walk your dogs, or simply bask in the calming atmosphere.

• Located beside the Fernbank Museum, Fernbank Forest offers over 70 acres of space for educational outdoor activities. From thrilling and hands-on exhibits to immersive trails and safe interactions with wildlife, the area has something for everyone — be it among families with young children or lifelong learners of all ages.

• Although it’s just outside community bounds, Lullwater Preserve offers residents in the northern section of Druid Hills quick access to a sizable green space. Located within Emory University grounds and intersected by Peachtree Creek, the area features trail loops, wildlife, a small waterfall, and Candler Lake.

• Nestled in the heart of this historic community, the Druid Hills Golf Club offers an array of luxury comforts one can expect from a premier private club. Apart from the Bob Cupp-redesigned 18-hole golf course, you’ll find 11 top-tier tennis courts (seven sub-irrigated clay and four hard courts), and a world-class fitness center. The lavish clubhouse is complete with casual and fine-dining options and a range of appropriate spaces for a variety of social events.

Cultural and educational attractions

A number of homes and buildings throughout Druid Hills hold cultural significance. There are also quite a few museums and art centers that offer a unique educational experience that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere.

• The “Driving Miss Daisy” House, popularized by the 1989 movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, is situated within the neighborhood. The Oscar-winning film was set at 822 Lullwater Road North East. But according to Alfred Uhry, the author of the original play, a different house inspired him to write the story (850 Oakdale Road North East, which is also in Druid Hills) — the former home of his Aunt Clementine Montag.

• The historic Lullwater Estate is an Italianate-style property which has as its centerpiece, a 12,000-square-foot mansion built in 1922 by Henry Heinz for his wife, Lucy Candler — daughter of prominent Coca-Cola magnate, Asa Candler. The estate is infamously known as Rainbow Terrace, widely considered to be haunted following the murder of Heinz in 1943. The case is one of the Atlanta area’s most notorious murder mysteries.

• Located within the grounds of Emory University, Michael C. Carlos Museum contains an impressive collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts. Here, you’ll find ancient artworks and mummified remains to more mundane objects like textiles, jewelry, and ceramics made by bygone societies. There’s also a revolving roster of temporary exhibitions showcasing Hindu gods, unique gemstones, and early filmmakers who made a lasting impact in cinema.

• The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center sits on a historic 12-acre estate that was once owned by Charles Howard Candler, former Coca-Cola president and son of Asa Candler. Since 1972, the center has been providing top notch art classes (and summer camps) to the community — from pottery, writing, and dance lessons to photography and even gardening. The center also displays various artworks and regularly holds outdoor concerts year-round.

• Fernbank Science Center is the local area’s noteworthy natural history museum, which features an observatory, a planetarium, and over 25,000 specimens (a mix of wildlife, fossils, rocks, minerals, and meteorites) highlighting the distinct natural history of the southeastern US. One of the center’s famous exhibits contains the original Apollo 6 Command Module, borrowed from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

• Inside the David J. Sencer CDC Museum are public exhibitions that trace the beginnings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and offer a glimpse into the agency’s methods on containing outbreaks and monitoring urgent health emergencies. The museum also tackles a variety of public health topics, from the lingering health effects of 9/11 to the extensive history of influenza viruses.

Dining scene in Druid Hills, GA

Druid Hills has a vibrant local dining scene, filled with an assortment of cuisines from all corners of the world. Below is a snapshot of what’s in store for you:

• The General Muir pays homage to time-honored staples in New York Jewish Deli while injecting a bit of creativity. From the reuben sandwich and double stack burger to the sumptuous Scottish salmon and an array of delicatessen offerings, this modern American restaurant should easily be on your food crawl list.

• For your authentic Japanese fix, Wagaya has you covered. Whether you’re craving for some ramen or sushi, this branch in Emory Village is quickly accessible no matter where you are in Druid Hills.

• Another excellent casual eatery in Emory Village is Falafel King, well-known in the area for its savory Middle Eastern offerings like shawarma and the popular vegetarian-friendly falafel.

• BORUBORU is another great Japanese restaurant in the neighborhood. But what sets them apart from the rest is their sushi burrito, a bold take on a traditional dish. The poke bowls are also a frequent crowd pleaser.

• Double Zero takes inspiration from the classic dishes of southern Italy. Whether you’re in the mood for beef rigate or any of their pizzas (margherita and pepperoni are some of the favorites), this local restaurant is perfect for a fun night out with the family or a romantic date.

• The SriThai branch along Clifton Road not only offers the traditional Thai fare of egg rolls, chicken satay, and Pad Thai — there’s also a decent sushi selection to spice up your meal.

• Pig-N-Chick BBQ‘s value proposition is simple yet effective: good old fashioned barbecue done right, with delectable Southern-style side dishes.

Commercial areas

• Emory Village has a small selection of shops and restaurants that’s well within walking distance from the Emory University campus.

• The Toco Hills shopping district has an array of big-name chains, local retailers and excellent restaurants — from Publix Super Market and Kroger to Westside Market.

• Sage Hill is a relaxed and well-stocked shopping mall along Briarcliff Road Northeast.

• Briar Vista Shopping Center is mostly composed of restaurants and shops offering repair and tutoring services

Learn more about Druid Hills, GA from Carter and Associates

There’s so much more to discover in charming Druid Hills. Whether you’re exploring homes for sale or getting to know the neighborhood better, seasoned Realtors from Carter and Associates are ready to help.

With more than 30 years of experience in real estate and intimate knowledge of the Atlanta area’s various communities, the team is in the best position to ensure your home buying journey goes smoothly without unnecessary delays.

Gain access to expert guidance as you navigate the local market, whether it’s in Druid Hills, Decatur, or elsewhere in Atlanta. You may contact the team through Chad Carter at 404.944.6577. Alternatively, you can also reach out to us via email.