A Diverse, Tight-Knit Community Close to Atlanta
by Crissy Davis
I was born and raised in the Atlanta Metro area. After college, I moved away and stayed away for almost 15 years. Though I enjoyed my experiences in different parts of the country, the Atlanta Metro area is home, so it was time to move back with my husband and three young children. Schools were a huge determining factor in the process of deciding where to purchase our next home; however, we also wanted to be closer to Atlanta, since we enjoy what the city has to offer.
We chose Parkview High School district for several reasons:
1. The school has not changed much since I was in school.
2. The area does not suffer from “urban sprawl” like other areas of Atlanta.
3. It is a close drive into the heart of Atlanta compared to other areas.
4. The Parkview community is tight-knit and very supportive of the schools and students.
The Parkview community was the clear choice.
I visited Parkview High School when I was attending Pickneyville Middle School in what is now Peachtree Corners, since I performed with the Gwinnett County Honors Orchestra and Parkview was the practice location. I recall the drive over to Parkview High School. It seemed very rural, since only houses and neighborhoods broke up the tree-lined streets leading to Parkview. The one main thing that I remember is that you did not see shopping centers, gas stations, and apartments on every corner. Which was much different from where I lived on the other side of Gwinnett County. The same landscape remains today.
The Parkview community consists of three mailing addresses: Lilburn, Lawrenceville, and Stone Mountain. This area did not see the urban sprawl that developed in other neighborhoods. Many of the houses are on septic systems. Because there were few sewer lines throughout this area, development of multifamily housing and commercial properties was limited. Whether intentional or not, it created a wonderful close-knit community that does not suffer from the same hustle and bustle as other areas around Atlanta. It created a sense of a small town community close to the city.
Highway 78 and Lawrenceville Highway border the Parkview High School district. These two main thoroughfares provide easy access to Atlanta, Tucker, and Decatur, plus I-285. We have many residents who move to this community because they want an easy commute to Atlanta and homes that are a great value compared to homes inside the perimeter. This community boasts neighbors who work for Emory, CDC, and VA, plus police officers and teachers.
Locals often describe the tight-knit Parkview community as “Mayberry.” It is a large community, but residents always seem to cross paths with people they know—or play the “name game” with others. You can see the support of the community while driving through the streets. There are yard signs and car magnets supporting student athletes and activities, people visiting our five community parks or local area restaurants, and local business owners supporting the community. The Parkview community is very diverse, with a mix of different cultures that provides a worldly experience when speaking with and learning about the neighbors. This diversity is not seen in too many places in the Atlanta Metro area, and it makes for a culturally rich environment in which to raise families.
I cannot say enough about the Parkview High School community. Great neighbors, award-winning schools, awesome parks, and great local events. My family has lived in Parkview for 15 years, and we’ve enjoyed being here. It is definitely an area that home buyers should consider when purchasing a home. Call me today to get started on your next home purchase.
Crissy Davis is a Realtor with Nest Realty Atlanta. Thanks to her corporate experience and her empathetic nature, she has the ability to assist clients through the real estate process with professionalism, integrity, and honesty.