ATL people: tell me if this neighborhood is OK

looking for boots on the ground info regarding the Virginia Highland neighborhood in ATL.  friend of a friend is looking to rent an AirBnB and this is one of the options:

Thanks!

I used to go drinking there often at the Highland Tap and Moe's & Joe's. It's a nice area with easy access to downtown via Ponce. Kind of a pricey part of town. Should be a good place to stay.

I used to live in Virginia-Highland–right on Virginia Avenue and about a block and half from Highland. But now I don't think I could afford it. 

Yes

And, yes, it was hip then. I hear it's rather nice today. 

I lived in Va-Hi when I first hit town in '87. Mom came to visit me, she loved it so much she bought a house in the neighborhood. Offered it to me for about 170,000 in '92, but the woman I was married to at the time (and moved to the suburbs for) was from suburban Indianapolis. Absolutely aghast at the idea of moving into the city.

Last time I looked mom's old house up on Zillow, it was worth 675,000 dollars. You'll be fine. Charming neighborhood, smaller homes built between the teens and '30s. Plenty of small bars and nightlife. My favorite is Blind Willie's blues club. Live music most nights. Plenty of cool restaurants, too - food in all of Atlanta is better than folks realize.

I miss it every day, and have for 30yrs. You're going to have a great time!

In reply to friedgreencorrado :

I first starting visiting Virginia-Highlands in 1988. When I graduated four years later, that was really the only place I considered. I think I was paying like $200/month for my studio. 

The wife and I lived there when we were younger.  We loved it and I still enjoy hanging out in that part of town.  If I had to mention a gripe it is the game of chicken you end up playing with other drivers due to street parking on the narrow residential-only streets.  Often times there's not much room for two cars to pass each other comfortably.  Not a deal killer and pretty common for old neighborhoods in the middle of a city.

Nothing like going to Moe's & Joe's for some PBR. Good times!!

Not sure what your experience is in urban areas, but I felt like even the worst parts of ATL weren't bad spots.  My friend lives there and it's been a couple years, but I didn't think any of it was "lock the doors and keep driving" kind of area.

The reason I mentioned your experience with urban areas is because mine might be skewed comparatively.  I used to live in East L.A., Lincoln Heights, and I worked in Hawthorne and Compton.  I may be a little desensitized to urban landscapes.

Highland Tap is always on the list when I visit, and I never felt unsafe stumbling my drunken college-self out at ungodly hours of the night... 

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to friedgreencorrado :

I first starting visiting Virginia-Highlands in 1988. When I graduated four years later, that was really the only place I considered. I think I was paying like $200/month for my studio. 

David, I'm still kicking myself for not buying that house. Funny thing - girl I had a crush on in college (MSU, Starkville) now lives in Monroe. I live in Acworth Our "thing" now is to meet in the city and pal around together. Half the time it's for a United game (she fell in love with soccer after so many years of watching her students play). The other half, we just hit Va-Hi and walk around. First time she called and mentioned it, she said, "My sister discovered a wonderful little neighborhood in the city named Virginia Highlands. Have you ever heard of it? I'd like to go there." She flipped when I told her I used to live there. "Do you know a little place called 'Moe's and Joe's?!?" Know it? Honey, I've slept in it. :D 

Yup, we got snow when I lived there–no power, no nothing.

I believe we wound up at Moe's and Joe's. They had beer and fried food. 

My old address escapes me, but I can picture the place. It was a brick house converted into apartments. I had a studio in the upper-front corner. Good times. 

Just remembered it! Zillow says it's now worth $2.1m.

dyintorace said:

Nothing like going to Moe's & Joe's for some PBR. Good times!!

dyin', Since 1947! That woman I mentioned to David? She'd never had one before. I ordered her one (on tap, not canned). She sipped, I asked, "So, what do you think?" "Tastes like college.", she said. Witty as ever.

Holy crap, I think I'm still in love with her. :D

friedgreencorrado said:

dyintorace said:

Nothing like going to Moe's & Joe's for some PBR. Good times!!

dyin', Since 1947! That woman I mentioned to David? She'd never had one before. I ordered her one (on tap, not canned). She sipped, I asked, "So, what do you think?" "Tastes like college.", she said. Witty as ever.

Holy crap, I think I'm still in love with her. :D

LOL...this has the beginnings of a 'missed connections' feel to it, except that you're in contact with her!

My wife and I met in Atlanta in 1994, got married in 1996 and lived there until 2000. I have very fond memories of the city. Virginia Highlands was one of our favorite neighborhoods to hang out in. Lots of nights at Taco Mac and lots of brunch at Murphy's. 

Definitely a great part of town to stay in. Walkable to Virginia Highlands for nice neighborhood bars, or go the other direction to Ponce for a more rowdy time. If they're down for a very...unique... Atlanta experience, the Clermont Lounge is within stumbling distance. 

Oh - I forgot to recommend Ponce City Market. It wasn't a thing when we were there but it is super freaking cool now.

https://www.poncecitymarket.com/

Holy cow.  I assume Mr. Horace is long since departed, but is Moes and Joes really still there?  Selling PBR?

Patron, 1986-1990

When I lived mid town ATL Techwood was still there complete with full auto gunfire.  96 Olympics ruined the character of the area IMHO.  Is Ponce City Market the old Sears building?

Stampie said:

When I lived mid town ATL Techwood was still there complete with full auto gunfire.  96 Olympics ruined the character of the area IMHO.  Is Ponce City Market the old Sears building?

Yes. Right on the Beltline which is the new hot E36 M3 for in town living and working  

In reply to OHSCrifle :

E36 M3 has changed since 90.

Stampie said:

In reply to OHSCrifle :

E36 M3 has changed since 90.

The metro area population appears to be 3x since 1990. 

https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22922/atlanta/population