neighborhood 1: ormewood park

Last year, we decided to buy a house together in an attempt to become more grown-up, financially stable, etc... but also to establish our partnership and relationship a little bit more concretely. As I write this, it seems so American and consumerist to base a move in our relationship on a large financial decision and the incursion of significant debt. But in a different frame, choosing to bind ourselves to something more permanent, something owned, protected and cherished is kind of a big deal. We are claiming a piece of the world in our names and becoming responsible to a community as a pair. This next phase of our lives, in dual-form and part of a collective pursuing a common success (of the neighborhood and city, etc...) makes us something more than we ever were as individuals. The force of our movement in the world is stronger together than apart. That's pretty freakin' cool. Recently, we took a big step and decided to take our search from the Internet Super Highway to the streets of Ormewood Park. We visited a couple of open houses, which we liked. Since we're just window shopping for the moment, our critique meters are set pretty low. Our plan is to buy something this summer when our lease ends at the rental. Ormewood Park was surprisingly quaint, tightly-knit and established for a South Atlanta neighborhood, especially without an older village center. While Ormewood Park technically has a "square" which features, Little Azio Pizza & Pasta, Fitness Factory, Helmet Hair Studio, Salsa Havana, E2 Coffee House and H&R Block, it sits on the eastern edge of the neighborhood, and is pretty new, as opposed to the older, more centralized East Atlanta Village or Grant Park. The houses are mostly bungalows and older ranches, many lovingly restored and maintained. The median price range is just over $200,000, making it accessible to first-time buyers like ourselves but is within walking distance to Grant Park and the newish Glenwood Park, an eco-friendly development with restaurants like Slice and Vickery's, salons, spas, coffee shops and really cool (but expensive), EarthCraft homes. I have to admit that Ormewood Park is so far our favorite neighborhood. We were relieved to find a nicely established neighborhood with loads of charm not overrun with McMansion prospectors (yet). In an added bonus, we frequent Vickery's in Glenwood Park for brunch and my salon is also in the little development. We could be equal walking distance to both good highlights and tasty brunchskins! Taking on a venture as big as the financial and personal commitment of buying a house with someone requires the fortification of cute hair and a belly full of comfort food. This new adventure is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying, but knowing that I'm forging ahead with someone next to me, making our imprint on the great wide world is comforting. For more information about Ormewood Park, the surrounding area and neighborhood resources, check out SAND - South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development.