If you’re looking for a house in Atlanta, your biggest challenge is probably deciding where to start. The city has so many neighborhoods, each of which has so much to offer.
Nonetheless, as hard as it can be to stand out in this kind of market, neighborhoods along the Atlanta BeltLine are dominating the market. Aside from some amazing houses, these neighborhoods enjoy many benefits of the incredible trail that keep them in extremely high demand.
A Brief History of the Atlanta BeltLine
The history of the Atlanta BeltLine goes almost as far back as that of the city itself. During the 1800s, this 22-mile loop featured a number of active rail lines that helped fuel Atlanta’s growing commerce.
In 1895, the beltway helped bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for all the sights and sounds of the Cotton States and International Exposition.
Atlanta would continue as a major railroad hub for the better half of a century before it began favoring automobiles, buses, and planes. Once the transition began, the BeltLine started seeing fewer and fewer trains until only the northwest and northside corridors were still in use.
It wasn’t until 1999 that the Atlanta BeltLine would see new life after a student at Georgia Tech majoring in urban planning named Ryan Gravel surveyed the area and, eventually, used his master’s thesis to explore how it could be transformed. Instead of locomotives and stations, the rails would be transformed into a pedestrian and cyclist trail, one that would serve as the backbone for affordable housing, parks, new developments, and more.
5 Reasons Living on the Atlanta BeltLine is So Popular
Today, Gravel’s vision is alive and still growing. The Atlanta BeltLine’s development is expected to continue into 2030, but there’s also plenty to love about it right now.
In fact, if you’re in the market for a home, here are five reasons to consider living near the Atlanta BeltLine.
1. It's Easy to Get Around
Needless to say, living in a house on the Atlanta BeltLine means it’s extremely easy to get around. On any typical day, you can find the trail packed with walkers, joggers, cyclists, and more.
The Atlanta BeltLine isn’t just great for exercise, though. At 22 miles long, it’s incredibly convenient for getting all over the city without having to get on the street. Imagine being able to enjoy a nice stroll or bike ride to get around Atlanta instead of sitting in traffic. In fact, many who live on the BeltLine take it to get to work or to pick up groceries from neighborhood stores along the trail.
If you don’t own a bike or feel like walking, then you can pick up a scooter along the way or rent a bike from local places like the Atlanta Bicycle Barn and Skate Escape.
2. The Natural Surroundings
The Atlanta BeltLine is absolutely gorgeous, too. There are stretches that go on for miles but hardly feel like they’re in a major U.S. city. It’s easy to think you’re just walking through the woods in a rural part of Georgia while being right in the heart of Atlanta.
The Northside Trail is nothing short of idyllic. Walk under an actual railroad trestle that would have fit in perfectly 100 years ago or just enjoy the calm of Tanyard Creek Park.
This is only going to continue, too. With a recent acquisition of 63 acres, the BeltLine is extending another 4.5 miles connecting the Eastside and Westside trails from University Avenue to Glenwood Avenue through some amazing scenery.
If you're interested in taking a walking tour to learn more about the BeltLine, you can visit the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum along the Eastside and Westside Trails. Guided tours include a given by local experts in horticulture for a better understanding of this city’s natural beauty.
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3. All the Art
Nature’s not the only thing that makes the Atlanta BeltLine beautiful, though. While there’s no denying its effect, plenty of artists have also lent their talents to make this area beautiful.
Regular exhibitions are displayed along the BeltLine. In 2019/2020, these public displays included A City for All (Sculptures) and BeltLine Walls (Murals) among many others. There is even performance art like BeltLine Flow, a popup-style event that features immersive interactions.
There are permanent installments of sculptures, paintings, and murals that turn whole sections of the trail into an art exhibit, too.
As the trail continues to develop, expect even more eye-dazzling art to grow right along with it. Living nearby means you’ll see these beautiful works on a regular basis.
Keep in mind, too, that the easy access the trail means it’s easy to walk or bike to places like The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.
4. You'll Never Be Far from a Good Meal
Atlanta is known all over the country for its food. This cuisine’s influence has reached to every corner of the nation and beyond. If you love amazing food, there’s no bad place to live in Atlanta — but living on the BeltLine could put you just steps away from some of the city's best restaurants.
The Eastside Trail currently provides the most options in terms of eateries with direct access to Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and many other restaurants. However, with the recent expansion and growing popularity of the BeltLine, more and more restaurants are starting to pop up along the trail.
All in all, those who live in houses on the Atlanta BeltLine are never far from one-of-a-kind menus full of the flavors that have helped make this city famous.
5. The Prospect of Your Home’s Value Increasing
Finally, while there are many reasons to buy a home, an especially important one is that it can be a promising investment. Of course, this isn’t always the case. And, usually, you have to live in your home for decades before that happens.
However, people living in houses along the Atlanta BeltLine have already started to see their home values skyrocket. While most of them have already grown, the BeltLine’s continuous development is only going to push the trend.
View Homes For Sale on the Atlanta BeltLine
Work with a Real Estate Agent to Find a House on the Atlanta BeltLine
With rising popularity and homes selling hours after being on the market, you are going to want the guidance of a qualified real estate agent to help you make a competitive offer.
At SimpleShowing, our full-service agents are skilled in winning homes along the Atlanta BeltLine. Plus, we offer a Buyer Refund Program which pays out an average of $5,000 towards your closing costs.
To get started, you can book a tour of any home on the Atlanta BeltLine or contact us today to learn more.