Not sure which Atlanta neighborhood you should call home? Morningside, sometimes called Morningside/Lenox Park because these two neighborhoods are so closely tied, is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Atlanta! Morningside, Atlanta is known for its walkability, beautiful and historic homes, short commute times, and nearby shopping and entertainment district. It’s also home to the Morningside Nature Preserve with green space, walking trails, and a suspension bridge that crosses the South Fork Peachtree Creek. There’s even a Morningside Community Garden in this close-knit community where you can make friends and grow your own food. So, is Morningside, Atlanta a good place to live? Absolutely! Here’s why you’ll love living in Morningside.
Morningside History
The history of Morningside goes back to the mid-19th century. Some of the first settlers in the area came from Northeast Georgia and built mills in the area. The first school, Union Sunday School in the Rock Spring School House, was established in 1868 and a church was founded two years later.
Soon, a steam train, the Airline Belle, was constructed and began transporting residents of the community, then called Easton, between Toccoa and Atlanta for work. By the 1920s, neighborhoods were beginning to develop. In 1923, eight homes were built that established Morningside Lenox Park and the advertisements for the community advertised it as “a new type of suburb” allowing commuters to travel to work by streetcar or car. When Atlanta annexed the region just two years later, Morningside really began to thrive as a streetcar line was expanded and homes were quickly built. Soon, the Morningside Shopping Center and a row of shops were built and the Morningside Elementary School opened.
Morningstar’s growth picked up after WWII due to post-war housing shortages and the popularity of VA and FHA loans. Many residents of nearby Jewish communities relocated to Morningside. Today, there are more than 8,000 people living in Morningside, Atlanta enjoying an exciting intown lifestyle with outdoor recreation, entertainment, and dining within walking distance.
Morningside, Atlanta Location & Transportation Overview
Morningside/Lenox Park is located in Atlanta west of Druid Hills, east of Ansley Park, and north of Virginia-Highland. Morningside is mostly defined by Piedmont Ave NE on west, Herbert Taylor Park on the east, the Morningside Nature Preserve and Cheshire Bridge Rd SE to the north, and Amsterdam Ave NE to the south. Morningside is about 13 minutes northeast of downtown. It’s just over 4 miles from Morningside-Lenox Park to downtown Atlanta via Monroe Drive NE.
The primary form of public transportation in Atlanta is MARTA, a rapid transit rail system. Morningside has two nearby MARTA stations: Lindbergh Center and Arts Center. There are also two bus routes serving Morningside: Bus 36 which travels between the Avondale and Midtown MARTA stations and Bus 816 which follows N. Highland Avenue from downtown Atlanta. The latter is a good option for commuting to downtown Atlanta for work while living in Morningside.
Living in Morningside, Atlanta – Culture & Lifestyle
What’s it like living in Morningside? Imagine the fun of intown living but with an old-world, wooded atmosphere. Morningside is a fun and hip Atlanta neighborhood with a walkable layout and fun restaurants and shopping nearby. The neighborhood boasts a great quality of life and the community is fairly close-knit and active.
Many Morningside residents appreciate a healthy lifestyle thanks to the neighborhood’s amazing parks, walking paths, community garden, and farmer’s market. Morningside residents are generally affluent with a small household size of just two people per household on average. Most people living in Morningside, Atlanta do not have children and the average age is higher than Atlanta as a whole. About 40% of residents have at least a Master’s degree!
Be prepared for a higher-than-average cost of living in Morningside, though. Morningside-Lenox Park is about 39% more expensive than the U.S. average and it’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia.
Guide to Shopping, Dining & Morningside, Atlanta Attractions
Curious how you’ll spend your time after moving to Morningside, Atlanta? This beautiful neighborhood has more to offer than quiet, residential living; it’s also home to exciting restaurants, local shops, and great attractions! Here are just some of the fun things to do in Morningside, Atlanta for couples, friends, and families.
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One of the best places to eat in Morningside is Alon’s Bakery, a local favorite European-style bakery with a 30-year history. Want to combine a great meal with a night of dancing? One of the top things to do in Morningside on a date is Loca Luna which has live music and tapas-style dining at Amsterdam Walk, an entertainment complex near Piedmont Park. The Original El Taco is one of the top-reviewed restaurants in Morningside, Atlanta and it offers tasty Tex-Mex cuisine with a lively neighborhood hangout scene.
Want to enjoy some retail therapy while living in Morningside? The two top destinations for shopping are Amsterdam Walk, a major complex, and Morningside Village. Ansley Mall is also easy to reach from Morningside via public transit. Shop locally in Morningside by visiting the Sprouts Farmer Market and Phidippides, a long-standing running store.
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Shopping and dining are great but what are the best things to do in Morningside, Atlanta for fun? There are plenty of Morningside attractions and activities to keep you busy in your own neighborhood, especially if you love outdoor recreation.
One of the top activities in Morningside is the Morningside Nature Preserve, a hidden and beloved preserve of 33 wooded acres next to the South Fork Peachtree Creek. You’ll also find the Eastside Trail, part of a ring of walking trails and parks throughout Central Atlanta, on the west side of Morningside.
- Alon’s Bakery, 1394 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 872-6000
- Nowak’s Morningside, 1397 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 (678) 705-4231
- The Original El Taco, 1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 873-4656
- Amsterdam Walk, 500 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 635-0027
- Morningside Village, 1409 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 (678) 778-5408
- Sprouts Farmers Market, 1845 Piedmont Ave NE Ste 500, Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 751-0605
- Phidippides, 1544 Piedmont Ave NE #119, Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 875-4268
- Morningside Nature Preserve, 2020 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 546-6788
Morningside Real Estate
Morningside is known for its historic and charming homes, most of which were built between 1918 and 1935. This historic Atlanta neighborhood still has an old-town atmosphere with many restored Tudor, Four Square, and Craftsman style homes on tree-lined streets. You’ll also notice many streets in Morningstar, Atlanta are named for early settlers like Cheshire and Plaster.
If you’re thinking about moving to Morningside, you’re probably curious about Morningside home prices and average rent. As one of the most affluent and desirable neighborhoods in the city, Morningside/Lenox Park is more expensive than many areas of Atlanta. The average home price in Morningside, Atlanta is $415,000 and $204/square foot compared to the Atlanta average of $302k. Morningside is home to many luxury homes priced over $1 million. You can see what your budget can get you by searching online for Morningside, Atlanta homes for sale.
One of the most popular areas of Morningside for families is the center of the neighborhood surrounding Morningside Elementary School, one of the top-rated schools in Georgia.
Planning to rent while living in Morningside, Atlanta? While the average rent in Atlanta is $1,025, Morningside, Atlanta rent usually starts at $1,300 for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. The newest addition to Morningside is Morningside Atlanta by Windsor, a luxury apartment building with studio to 3-bedroom apartments ranging from 476 to 2,016 square feet with upscale amenities.
Morningside, Atlanta is a unique and fun neighborhood that has something for everyone. Known for its safety, rich history, beautiful architecture, and great parks, it’s not only a great place to raise a family but also an exciting community for young professionals and singles. Have you settled on relocating to Morningside, Atlanta? Turn to the award-winning Atlanta movers at Wirks Moving & Storage for a stress-free move to get you settled into your new Morningside home in no time!
