We recently asked our readers: What makes your neighborhood unique — what are the best and weirdest things people should know?
We'll be publishing highlights from those responses for a weeks.
Many of the Buckhead and Brookhaven respondents discussed the night life and dining in their areas. But one answer about Brookhaven went above and beyond. We've included it in full here.
To the question, "What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood or city?"
It sounds cheesy, but the shared effort of our residents to transform a historic, albeit antiquated, Atlanta neighborhood into a vibrant, inclusive community the offers a healthy and happy quality of life for everyone definitely makes Brookhaven unique. You can't go down any street in Brookhaven without coming across positive change — new homes, restaurants and businesses; upgrades to schools, parks and roads. While there will certainly be ups and downs as Brookhaven evolves, it's exciting to be part of a community that is finding its place in Atlanta.
To the question, "What are three things people must do while they're in your neighborhood or city?"
1. Take advantage of the robust and diverse dining options in Brookhaven. From authentic ethnic food on Buford Highway; to Kaleidoscope, Haven and Valenza on Dresden Drive; to Shucks, Smash and Bua in Town Brookhaven, our neighborhood can satisfy even the most picky foodie — even John Kessler.
2. Walk, run and bike. Brookhaven doesn't need a multi-million dollar Beltline or Path400 for residents walk, run or bike around the neighborhood comfortably, safely and without being ridiculed by neighbors. In fact, any day, any time of year, you'll find people sharing pleasantries as they stroll the neighborhood with their family or dog.
3. Attend a festival or visit the farmers market. Pick your pleasure when it comes to festivals in Brookhaven — arts, beer, chili, music — with more planned for the future. They're fun for both residents and visitors and help support a variety of charities. If you can't make a festival, the Brookhaven Farmers Market is open nearly year-round and showcases locally-sourced goods. I'm biased, but you're also not smushed together like a heard of cattle at the festivals and the farmers market in Brookhaven, which is often the case in other Atlanta neighborhoods and cities.
To the question, "What is the weirdest thing about your neighborhood?"
Despite all of its positive attributes, Brookhaven remains a somewhat fragmented community. There is still a faction of residents that believe Brookhaven shouldn't have become a city and are reluctant to support the change. There are also seven districts in Brookhaven that, while similar in many ways, have conflicting nuances, including socio-economic status. Like any community, 100 percent of residents aren't going to agree on everything or get along with all their neighbors, but there is no disputing that Brookhaven is a desirable place to live and raise a family in Atlanta.
And to the question, "What's one thing that may surprise people or that they may not know about your neighborhood or city?"
The local police department has more than 50 officers serving Brookhaven, which covers 12 square miles. I'm not sure how that compares to others cities or neighborhoods in Atlanta, but it seems like a significant commitment to the safety and welfare of the nearly 50,000 Brookhaven residents.
Want to add your feedback? Click over to the survey and tell us what you love about your metro area neighborhood or city!
