Consider Festivals in Your House Hunt

By Charlotte Sears
President, Atlanta
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Atlanta may be a big city, but it’s made up of many smaller neighborhoods and communities, each with its own unique feel and flair. And each, it seems, with its own festival.

Yes, if there’s one thing Atlantans love, it’s a festival. A glance at a local events calendar reveals that there are festivals of every size and type happening all around the metro area, all year long. We have a beautiful city with beautiful weather, and we love to take advantage of every opportunity to get outside and enjoy it.

While festivals are a fun weekend diversion for most, for potential home buyers, they’re also a valuable source of information. Local festivals reflect the culture of their neighborhoods, giving you the opportunity to get a taste of what life there might be like and to meet your potential neighbors.

Just like a community pool or tennis courts, living near the site of a popular festival is a neighborhood amenity. A festival creates a warm and friendly atmosphere, making the area seem more welcoming and desirable. It’s a source of community pride, and a way for residents to feel connected to their neighborhood and to each other. And, of course, being able to walk out your front door and go join the fun, without the hassle of driving and searching for parking, is a huge benefit.

Whether you’re house-hunting or just looking for low-cost entertainment, here are a few of the many upcoming festivals and neighborhoods that might be worth checking out.

Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, is the Candler Park Fall Fest. Just like its festival, Candler Park is a fun and funky intown community with an appreciation for local food and artisans.

The Smyrna Fall Jonquil Festival will take place the weekend of October 24 and 25 at the Smyrna Village Green. While its close-in location makes it attractive to commuting professionals, Smyrna’s small-town atmosphere is what many residents love most.

For those who prefer intown neighborhoods, October 24 and 25 is also the Atlanta Arts Festival at Piedmont Park. Home to many of Atlanta’s popular festivals, Piedmont Park is bordered by the vibrant and trendy Midtown and historic Ansley Park communities – walkable, active areas filled with cafes, bars, shops and more.

November 7 and 8 is the annual Chastain Park Arts Festival. The Chastain Park neighborhood offers easy access to the 268-acre park and all its amenities, including jogging paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, a pool and the Chastain Amphitheater and its renowned summer concert series.

Also happening on November 7 is the Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off and Bluegrass Festival. Cabbagetown is an old Atlanta mill town now known for its residential lofts, home to many local artists and musicians.

The Woodstock Art & Wine Festival takes place November 14 and 15 at The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock. Located in Cherokee County, Woodstock offers a quaint, hometown feel within reach of big-city conveniences.

And perhaps the granddaddy of them all is the Helen Oktoberfest. Now in its 45th year, this is the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States, happening daily from mid-September through November 1. Life in Helen offers the charm of Bavaria, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In addition to these and many, many other annual or bi-annual events, communities often hold frequent “mini-festivals” – weekend farmers’ markets, food truck days, seasonal tours of homes and more. If you’re thinking about buying a home in an area you’re not familiar with, visit the community website, make note of upcoming events and plan to attend some of them. This will enable you to experience life in the area first-hand and even to talk to some residents to get their input. You’ll be gaining valuable insight, while getting to know the neighborhood and the people who live there.