East Lake at a Glance:
East Lake is the eastern most neighborhood in Atlanta, nudging up against Decatur and Oakhurst. An area with an inspiring history, not long ago East Lake was one of Atlanta's most rundown, crime-ridden neighborhoods. In recent years it has been revitalized and become a national model for ending urban poverty. Now home to classic bungalows and a luxury golf club, East Lake is becoming a popular neighborhood for vibrant, intown living
On the Map:
East Lake is a pocket of the City of Atlanta bordered on the west by Kirkwood and East Atlanta, on the West by Decatur, on the north by Oakhurst and on the South by Glenwood Avenue. This position, coupled with easy interstate access to I-20, puts East Lake within just a few miles of many other desirable Atlanta neighborhoods and entertainment options. East Lake is located approximately four miles from the city center.
Real Estate:
Bungalow, ranch and Tudor homes are scattered throughout the neighborhood and run from the low $200,000s to high $700,000s. The beautiful, new the Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income apartment complex in the East Lake community.
Activities and Attractions:
East Lake is home to two popular golf courses:
- East Lake Golf Club is a majestic, historic golf course where legend Bobby Jones played his first and last game. It is a permanents stop on the prestegious PGA Tour.
- The neighboring Charlie Yates Golf Course is a smaller, public course with views of the Atlanta skyline
East Lake has a public park with a large playground and hosts a Farmer's Market on summer weekends at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Hosea Williams Drive. There is also a large, new East Lake Family YMCA.
Historic Landmarks:
- East Lake Golf Club was founded in 1904, celebrating over 100 years of history. The Tudor-style clubhouse that stands today was designed by renowned architect, Philip Shutze, who also designed Atlanta’s Swan House and the Academy of Medicine.
- East Lake is home to the antebellum home of Civil War Col. Robert A. Alston. Built in 1856, it still stands today and is the second oldest home in Atlanta.
Bars, Restaurants, Shopping and Entertainment:
Though East Lake does not have many restaurants and entertainment options within its actual neighborhood boundaries, one of the attractions to the area is that it offers easy access, and is even within walking distance to a number of different Atlanta and Decatur neighborhoods. East Lake boasts is a large, new Publix grocery store - quite the luxury for intown living.
Within less than a mile of many East Lake homes is Oakhurst Square. Oakhurst is home to a variety of restaurants, including Steinbecks Pub, Matador, Palate, Universal Joint and more.There is also an active community coffee house, Kavarna. The Oakhurst Square hosts a number of outdoor events including free jazz concerts and community festivals.
Just about a mile away is the downtown Kirkwood area where you'll find Vinocity Restaurant and Wine Bar, a popular Doggy Day Care, Urban Pie and Le Petit Marche, or The Little Market, for gourmet sandwiches, brunch and speciality grocery items.
The shops and restaurants of the Decatur Square, too endless to name, are only a short three miles away from East Lake. Similarly, the funky East Atlanta Village is just over two miles the west of East Lake.
Transportation:
The East Lake community is easily accessed by I-20 and is located near several major east-west throughways, including Glenwood Avenue, Memorial Drive and Hosea Williams Drive.
- The East Lake Marta Station is located on the East-West Rail Line
- There is no shortage of bus routes along the major roads in East Lake, including routes 21, 22 and 28.
Schools:
The majority of East Lake falls in the following school zones:
- Drew Charter School, Atlanta's first public charter school, was founded as part of the revitalization efforts. There is no true school zone for Charter Schools, but members of the East Lake community are given priority.
- East Lake Elementary School
- Coan Middle School
- Grady High School
By the Numbers*:
*Source: AJC HomeFinder
East Lake Essentials:
Zip code: 30317
Post Office:
1926 Hosea L Williams Dr
Atlanta, GA 30317
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
For Saturday hours (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.):
520 W Ponce DE Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030-9998
Police Station:
Atlanta Police Department, Zone 6
2025 Hosea L. Williams Dr. S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30317
404-371-5002
East Lake History:
In the early 1900s' the East Lake area was a popular recreation area for Atlanta residents. The then suburb was home to an amusement park, a golf course and other leisurely activities for the well-to-do. The East Lake Land Company laid the structure of the East Lake community, building a 22-street subdivision of cottages, only one of which still stands today.
By the 1960s, the golf course and the community began to fall into disrepair, and, in 1970, a public housing project called East Lake Meadows was constructed on what had been East Lake’s No. 2 golf course. Over the next two decades, the area continued to deteriorate and was called a war zone by local police because of its high crime rates and drug trade. The once beautiful golf course had trouble attracting golfers, who were afraid to visit the area due to the surrounding neighborhoods.
In 1995, East Lake Meadows was shut down, providing the area the opportunity to undergo a great transformation. The East Lake Foundation was started to revitalize the area and breathe new life in the community. Through the neighborhood programs put in place, violent crime has been reduced by 95%, all adults receiving government housing assistance are working or in job training, the area once home to East Lake Meadows is now an upscale, mixed-income community and the Drew Charter School has boosted student success in the area. East Lake has become a national model for urban redevelopment.
History information provided through the East Lake Foundation and the East Lake Neighbors Community Association.
