Living in East Lake Atlanta GA: History, Golf, Drew Charter School & Home Prices 2026

Apr 20

East Lake is the neighborhood where a golf course and a public school rebuilt a community, and buyers who understand that story end up paying a premium to live inside its footprint. It is the easternmost of the 238 neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta, about 4.5 miles from downtown, mostly in the 30317 zip code, sitting on the DeKalb County side of the city line and running right up against Kirkwood, Oakhurst, and the City of Decatur. The address most buyers picture when they hear "East Lake" is the one surrounding East Lake Golf Club, home of the PGA TOUR Championship and the finale of the FedExCup every year. The address most buyers actually shop for is the one zoned or priority-zoned for Charles R. Drew Charter School.

I work with buyers across Metro Atlanta, and East Lake is one of those neighborhoods where the casual search does not line up with how the market actually works. The Zillow pin drops on the right street, the comps look reasonable, and then the buyer finds out there is a golf course that can reshape an entire sub-block of pricing, a charter school whose zoned priority raises or lowers demand street by street, and a 30317 ZIP code that shares a MARTA station with Kirkwood but does not share its price curve. Most buyers who relocate here have never heard of Tom Cousins, the Villages of East Lake, or the East Lake Foundation. By the time they close, they know all three.

Nearly a decade helping Atlanta buyers means I have walked clients through the Drew Charter lottery window, the difference between a bungalow on Daniel Avenue and a new build on Alston Drive, and why a house two blocks from the golf course can list at $1.2 million while a house a mile south of Memorial Drive sits at $375,000 with the same square footage.

East Lake is historic, walkable, commuter-friendly, and tied to one of the most studied community revitalization stories in the country. It is also not uniform, and the price you pay depends heavily on which part you buy into.

Here's what you need to know.

What Is East Lake, and Where Is It?

East Lake is a City of Atlanta neighborhood in DeKalb County, roughly bordered by Memorial Drive to the south, the City of Decatur line and Oakhurst to the east, Kirkwood to the north, and East Atlanta to the west. It lies mostly within 30317, with portions extending into 30316 and touching 30032 south of Memorial. It is 4.5 miles from downtown Atlanta by car and one stop past Inman Park/Reynoldstown on MARTA's blue line at the East Lake station.

The neighborhood was founded in 1892 as a trolley-car suburb. Developers built it as a country retreat from downtown Atlanta, with a swimming beach, a penny arcade, and steamboat rides on the lake itself. The Atlanta Athletic Club built its first golf course here in 1904, and East Lake Country Club opened its 18-hole course and clubhouse on July 4, 1908, designed by Tom Bendelow. Donald Ross redesigned the course in 1913. A second course, "No. 2," opened in 1930.

In 1928, the neighborhood was annexed into the City of Atlanta. In 1970, the second golf course was sold and redeveloped into East Lake Meadows, a 650-unit Atlanta Housing Authority project. The decades that followed saw significant decline — the Atlanta Athletic Club sold the remaining course and relocated to Johns Creek, and by the 1980s, both the club and the surrounding neighborhood had deteriorated.

In 1993, Atlanta developer Tom Cousins and his wife Ann purchased the golf club through their foundation. In 1995 they established the East Lake Foundation. Together with the Atlanta Housing Authority and community leaders, they demolished East Lake Meadows and built the Villages of East Lake, a mixed-income housing development. They partnered on Charles R. Drew Charter School, which became Atlanta's first charter school. They built the Charlie Yates Golf Course, a 9-hole public course where the old No. 2 course had been, and launched a First Tee chapter for youth golf education.

That story is not decorative. It is the reason East Lake is shaped the way it is today, and it is the reason the real estate market operates the way it does. Tom Cousins died in July 2025 at age 93. The model he built at East Lake has since been replicated in 14 cities through Purpose Built Communities, the organization that grew out of his work here.

If you are buying in East Lake, you are buying into a neighborhood that was deliberately rebuilt around three anchors: a private golf course, a public charter school, and a mixed-income housing development. The home you buy sits in a specific relationship to those three, and that relationship is what determines price.

East Lake Golf Club: What It Means for Real Estate

East Lake Golf Club is not a neighborhood amenity that residents use. It is a private club where membership is by invitation, and annual dues, initiation fees, and access structures are not something most East Lake homeowners will ever experience directly. It is also the home course of Bobby Jones, the site of the PGA TOUR Championship every year since 1998 (and the permanent home of the tournament since 2004), and the closing venue of the FedExCup Playoffs. The 2025 TOUR Championship was won by Tommy Fleetwood, the 25th tournament held at East Lake.

The course itself was completely restored in 2024 by architect Andrew Green, who used a 1949 aerial photo and archival sources to rework the full 18 holes in 10 months. For 2025, the TOUR Championship returned to a par 70 at 7,490 yards, with Green's restoration now playing a year more mature. The restoration kept Donald Ross's original routing — each nine ending at the clubhouse — and modernized grasses, bunkers, greens, and fairways.

Here is what this means if you are buying a house in East Lake:

You are not buying course access. Proximity to East Lake Golf Club does not make you a member. Membership is separate and competitive.

Proximity to the course is a price driver anyway. Homes on streets that run along or near the course — particularly on Alston Drive, 4th Avenue, and the streets immediately north of the course footprint — tend to carry a premium compared to homes of equivalent size and vintage a mile south or west.

Tournament week affects the neighborhood every August. TOUR Championship week brings traffic, temporary closures, security perimeters, and tens of thousands of spectators to the area. For a lot of residents it is fun. For some it is a logistical headache. If you work from home in August, it is worth understanding the footprint before you buy.

The Charlie Yates Golf Course is public. This is the 9-hole executive course built on the former No. 2 site. It is open to the public, profits support the East Lake Foundation, and it is a real part of daily neighborhood life — unlike the private club.

Drew Charter School: The Real Price Driver

Charles R. Drew Charter School is the single biggest reason buyers with school-age children target East Lake over other intown options at the same price point. It is a public charter school serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, organized into three divisions: the Charles R. Drew Charter School (PK-5) at 301 East Lake Boulevard SE, and the Junior and Senior Academy (grades 6-12) at 300 East Lake Boulevard SE. It is tuition-free and is part of Atlanta Public Schools.

How the lottery works:

Drew is a public charter, which means enrollment is by annual admissions lottery for families who reside in the Atlanta Public Schools district. The lottery application window for the 2026-2027 school year ran from February 1 through April 30, 2026. Drew uses a weighted lottery designed to serve a mixed-income population consistent with its charter.

Seats are awarded by lottery in order of defined enrollment priorities. Priority zones favor students who live in the Villages of East Lake, then students who live in East Lake or Kirkwood, then students enrolled in partner pre-K programs, and then other APS-district students. The specific priority structure has evolved over the years, and the exact current priorities should be confirmed with the school directly. But the general pattern matters for real estate: buying a home inside the Villages of East Lake, inside the East Lake neighborhood itself, or in Kirkwood gives your student an elevated priority for seats, though no address guarantees admission.

What Drew is known for:

The school integrates STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) with project-based learning across all grades. According to state testing data, 55.6% of 3rd graders at Drew scored proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 34.9% district and state averages. In 5th grade math, 72.5% of Drew students were proficient or better, against 35.2% district and 42.6% state. The Junior and Senior Academy has been ranked among Georgia's high schools by U.S. News & World Report, with AP coursework available to students.

What this means for buyers:

If Drew is a priority, you are not just buying in East Lake. You are buying in a specific priority tier, and that tier affects the lottery math. Parents touring homes here should ask about the exact address in relation to the priority zone boundary, not just the general neighborhood. Lottery admission is never guaranteed — it is a lottery — but address can meaningfully shift the odds.

For families who do not plan to pursue Drew, the rest of East Lake's zoned public school options fall under Atlanta Public Schools (for homes inside the city limits) and DeKalb County Schools (for homes south of Memorial Drive that fall inside DeKalb's unincorporated area). Assignment varies by specific address. Always verify school zoning by the specific property address, and research and visit schools to determine fit for your family.

What Does East Lake Cost? Home Prices by Zone in 2026

East Lake is not priced uniformly. The best way to think about it is three zones.

Zone 1: North of Memorial, near the golf course and the Hosea & 2nd commercial node

This is the heart of what most buyers think of as East Lake, and it is the most expensive slice of the neighborhood. Streets include Alston Drive, 4th Avenue, Daniel Avenue, Hooper Street, 2nd Avenue, Carter Avenue, and the streets running between Hosea L. Williams Drive and the golf course. Housing here runs from restored 1910-1940s bungalows to newer Craftsman-style builds and luxury renovations.

As of the most recent available data, homes in this section transact in the $650,000 to $1.25 million range. Recent active listings include homes on Hooper Street at $689,000, Daniel Avenue at $950,000, Alston Drive at $1,235,000, and Hosea L. Williams Drive townhomes at $734,999.

Zone 2: Middle of the neighborhood, between Memorial Drive and the commercial node

This is where you find more original-condition bungalows, partially renovated homes, and newer infill Craftsmans on streets that are not directly tied to the golf course. The Villages of East Lake mixed-income community is located here, between Alston Drive and East Lake Boulevard. Homes in this section transact in the $450,000 to $700,000 range for single-family detached, with townhomes and smaller condos ranging $269,000 to $634,900.

Zone 3: South of Memorial Drive

South of Memorial, you cross into DeKalb County unincorporated territory and into the adjacent East Lake Terrace neighborhood. Housing here is predominantly post-war ranch and bungalow stock, some renovated and some not. Homes here transact in the $269,000 to $500,000 range, with the average East Lake Terrace house price at $393,000, up 2.2% year-over-year. This is often the entry point for investors, first-time buyers, and renovation-focused buyers.

Overall market numbers:

As of February 2026, the median home price in East Lake, Atlanta was $499,000, with an average sale price of $548,687. Houses spent an average of 42 days on the market before selling, with homes ranging from $269,000 to $1,275,000. Townhomes ran a median of $524,900, with average sale at $534,599, and 40 days on market. Over the trailing 12 months, the median sale price in East Lake was $490,000, down 15% from the prior 12 months. That drop is part of the broader Atlanta market correction and consistent with what we saw across Metro Atlanta in 2025 and early 2026. It does not mean East Lake has gotten cheaper in a structural way — it means 2022-2023 pricing was elevated, and the market has reset toward a more normal range.

For the most current price data by specific street and property type, reach out directly. These numbers move.

What You Get for the Money

East Lake has one of the more layered housing stocks of any intown Atlanta neighborhood. Here is what you should expect at each price point.

Under $400,000: You are typically looking at older post-war ranches and bungalows south of Memorial, smaller condos and townhomes, or homes needing significant renovation. This is an investor-heavy price range, but it is also where first-time buyers willing to renovate can still access the neighborhood.

$400,000 to $600,000: Three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family homes in the 1,300 to 1,800 square foot range, typically partially renovated or fully renovated bungalows and Craftsmans in the middle zone. Also modern townhomes like the ones at the Ell Square development on Hosea L. Williams Drive. The Ell Square development is a 2021-built boutique collection of 20 townhomes.

$600,000 to $900,000: Fully renovated bungalows, Craftsmans, and newer construction in the 1,800 to 2,700 square foot range, particularly north of Memorial. Homes with modern open floor plans, updated kitchens, master suites, and detached garages. Recent sales in this range include a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home at 32 4th Avenue NE that sold for $659,000 at 2,679 square feet, and a 3-bedroom at 424 Carter Avenue SE that sold for $699,000 at 2,023 square feet.

$900,000 to $1.3 million: Larger historic homes near the golf course, newer high-end construction with detached garages and guest suites, and fully custom renovations. Example: the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom at 2882 Alston Drive SE listed at $1,235,000, or a 5-bedroom at 34 Daniel Avenue SE at $950,000.

$1.3 million and up: Rare, typically reserved for historic homes with direct golf course adjacency or full luxury custom new builds. This tier exists but is thin.

The practical advice I give buyers: set the target price range based on the specific home you want, not the neighborhood median. Because East Lake has such range, median alone is a misleading signal.

Getting Around: Commute Times From East Lake

East Lake's geographic position gives it real commute advantages. Here are honest numbers, including rush hour.

Downtown Atlanta: 15-20 minutes off-peak via I-20 West or Memorial Drive. During morning rush (7-9 AM), expect 20-30 minutes. Downtown is about 4.5 miles away, which is close by any intown standard.

Midtown: 15-25 minutes off-peak via the Connector or Freedom Parkway. During morning rush, 25-35 minutes. Heavier traffic on I-75/85 is the variable.

Buckhead: 20-30 minutes off-peak via Ponce de Leon, Freedom Parkway, or I-85. During morning rush, 30-45 minutes.

Perimeter / Central Perimeter (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs): 25-40 minutes off-peak via I-85 or GA-400. During rush, easily 45 minutes to an hour.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 20-30 minutes via I-20 West and I-75/85 South off-peak. Rush hour adds 10-15 minutes. The proximity to the airport is one of East Lake's under-appreciated commuter advantages.

MARTA Blue Line: The East Lake station at 2260 College Avenue sits on the Atlanta-Decatur city line and serves Kirkwood, East Lake, the Villages of East Lake, and Oakhurst. Blue Line service runs directly to Five Points (downtown Atlanta transfer station) and west to Dome/GWCC/CNN Center/Philips Arena. Train time from East Lake station to Five Points is about 12 minutes. For commuters to downtown, Georgia State University, or events at the Philips Arena, MARTA is a real option.

Decatur Square: 10 minutes by car, or two MARTA stops east on the Blue Line.

For East Lake residents, the commute story is genuinely good by Atlanta standards. Downtown is close, MARTA works, and you can get to the airport in 30 minutes off-peak. Where it gets harder is anything north of I-285 at rush hour.

Things to Do in East Lake

The epicenter of East Lake's commercial life is the Hosea + 2nd development at the intersection of Hosea L. Williams Drive and 2nd Avenue, a compact but evolving cluster that has anchored neighborhood restaurant and retail growth over the last decade.

Restaurants and bars at Hosea + 2nd:

Poor Hendrix (2371 Hosea L. Williams Drive SE) — Opened in 2016, an East Lake gastropub named for the owners' late pit bull rescue, with a compact menu of bar food and a loyal regular base.
The Greater Good BBQ — Southern barbecue with a patio, a neighborhood gathering spot.
Salaryman — A newer concept from George Yu and Michael Lo of Korean Wives Hospitality Group (also behind Son of a Bear in Oakhurst and Ramen Station in Grant Park).
Lake & Oak BBQ — Todd Richards's barbecue spot, which opened in the Hosea + 2nd development.
Babygirl — Hudson Rouse, who owns Rising Son in Avondale Estates, Michelin Bib Gourmand Whoopsie's in Reynoldstown, and Pure Quill Superette in Edgewood, is opening Babygirl in the former Mix'd Up Burger space, targeting an April 2026 opening.
Gene's — BBQ spot with frozen Bushwackers.
PERC Coffee (2380 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE) — Neighborhood coffee shop.
La Fonda Latina — Mexican, Cuban, Spanish.

Along Memorial Drive:

My Coffee Shop at Eastlake (2462 Memorial Drive SE) — Longtime neighborhood coffee and brunch spot.
Morris Restaurant & Lounge (2254 Oakview Road SE) — American lounge.

Parks and green space:

East Lake Park — The neighborhood's main public park, with walking paths and open space.
Charlie Yates Golf Course — Public 9-hole executive course built on the old East Lake No. 2 site, with all profits going to the East Lake Foundation.
DeKalb Memorial Park — Just outside the neighborhood to the south, with a playground, baseball field, and tennis courts.
PATH Trail access — The Stone Mountain PATH Trail runs near the East Lake MARTA station, connecting downtown to Stone Mountain and providing a major cycling and running route.

East Lake Farmers Market (ELFMarket): Started in 2009 by community members at the then-empty commercial intersection of 2nd Avenue and Hosea L. Williams Drive, the market has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running Saturday mornings from April through October.

Nearby shopping and retail: Oakhurst Village, a walkable commercial district, is just east of East Lake in the City of Decatur. Decatur Square is 10 minutes away. Kirkwood's commercial strip on Hosea L. Williams Drive extends directly west. For grocery, there's a Publix on Glenwood Avenue SE and larger grocery options in nearby Decatur.

TOUR Championship week: Every August, the FedExCup finale brings the top 30 players on the PGA TOUR to East Lake Golf Club. The 2025 tournament was played at 7,490 yards, par 70, on Andrew Green's restored course. For residents, this is either a highlight of the year or a traffic headache. Understanding this rhythm matters if you live within the tournament security footprint.

Schools Serving East Lake

East Lake has a layered school landscape that depends heavily on the specific property address and on whether a family pursues the Drew Charter lottery.

Charles R. Drew Charter School (301 East Lake Boulevard SE for PK-5, 300 East Lake Boulevard SE for 6-12) — Atlanta's first public charter school, PK-12, operating in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools and the East Lake Foundation. Enrollment is by lottery with weighted priorities for residents of the Villages of East Lake, East Lake, and Kirkwood, and for students enrolled in partner pre-K programs. Drew Charter School elementary is ranked #90 in Georgia Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report, with 70% of students scoring at or above proficient in math and 63% in reading, and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. The Junior and Senior Academy is ranked 62nd within Georgia and #2,514 in the U.S. News National Rankings, with a 63% AP participation rate.

Atlanta Public Schools zoned schools (for homes inside the Atlanta city limits): Attendance is zoned by specific address. Current zoned elementary, middle, and high school assignments for any specific property in the Atlanta Public Schools district can be verified through the APS School Zone Lookup at aps.k12.ga.us.

DeKalb County Schools (for addresses south of Memorial Drive in unincorporated DeKalb): Portions of the East Lake area fall outside the city of Atlanta limits and into DeKalb County Schools. Assignment is by address.

Private and independent options nearby: The Paideia School in Druid Hills, Trinity School in Buckhead, Wesleyan School in Norcross, and a number of other independent schools are within drive range.

Always verify zoning by specific property address, whether you are pursuing Drew, APS zoned schools, or DeKalb County Schools. Research and visit schools to determine fit for your family.

Nearby Neighborhoods: How East Lake Compares

East Lake vs. Kirkwood: These two neighborhoods share the MARTA station and blend together along Hosea L. Williams Drive, but they price differently. Kirkwood has a denser walkable main street, more turnkey renovated inventory, and a more established commercial base. East Lake has the golf course, Drew Charter priority zoning, and in many pockets, slightly more affordable entry points for renovation-focused buyers. If you want more bang for your buck and are willing to navigate Drew's lottery, East Lake often wins. If you want fully renovated walkability without a charter school consideration, Kirkwood often wins. Living in Kirkwood Atlanta GA.

East Lake vs. Oakhurst (City of Decatur): Oakhurst is across the Decatur line and falls into City of Decatur Schools — one of the reasons it commands a premium. East Lake homes are often $150,000-$300,000 less than comparable Oakhurst homes, driven mostly by schools. If the Drew lottery outcome is not certain and you want a school district guarantee, Oakhurst or the broader City of Decatur may be the better fit. If you want East Lake's character at a lower entry price and are comfortable with the charter school pathway, East Lake delivers. Living in the City of Decatur GA.

East Lake vs. East Atlanta Village: East Atlanta is further west along Glenwood and has a different feel — more bars, more music venues, denser nightlife, less of a school-focused buyer base. East Lake has more green space, a quieter residential fabric, and the charter school ecosystem. East Lake skews more toward buyers with school-age children. East Atlanta skews toward a younger renter-heavy demographic and creative professionals. Living in East Atlanta GA.

East Lake vs. Grant Park: Grant Park is further west, closer to downtown and Zoo Atlanta, and has historically commanded higher prices on its bungalows and Victorians, particularly near the park itself. East Lake is further from downtown but offers more house for the money and proximity to the golf club and Drew. If walkability to Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park itself, and Glenwood Park are the priority, Grant Park wins. If Drew Charter is the priority, East Lake wins. How Much Is My Grant Park Home Worth in 2026.

East Lake vs. Edgewood: Edgewood is closer to the Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail and the Pullman Yards entertainment district. It has less of a golf course presence and different school zoning. Edgewood generally prices higher per square foot than East Lake on fully renovated inventory, driven by BeltLine proximity. East Lake competes on school pathway, historic character, and slightly more yard per home.

Streets and Subdivisions in East Lake

Popular streets and corridors:

Alston Drive — Runs along the northern edge of East Lake Golf Club. One of the more prestigious addresses in the neighborhood, mix of historic Tudors, Italianates, and newer high-end construction.
Hosea L. Williams Drive (formerly East Lake Drive) — The main commercial and residential corridor, named for the Civil Rights leader. Connects Kirkwood directly to East Lake and hosts the Hosea + 2nd development.
Memorial Drive — Southern boundary of East Lake proper. Retail, fast food, grocery, and connecting routes.
2nd Avenue — Intersects Hosea L. Williams Drive at the commercial core. Historic homes running north and south.
4th Avenue — A few blocks off the commercial core, with a mix of bungalows and larger two-story homes.
Daniel Avenue — Historic residential with both original bungalows and renovated larger homes.
Carter Avenue — A mix of bungalows and post-war housing, strong for first-time buyers and investors.
Hooper Street — Mix of newer Craftsman builds and renovated older homes.
Candler Street — Southern side of the neighborhood, closer to the Memorial Drive corridor.
Oakview Road — Eastern edge, transitioning toward Oakhurst.

Key subdivisions and communities:

The Villages of East Lake — The mixed-income development built by the East Lake Foundation and the Atlanta Housing Authority, roughly 542 units across the footprint. Residents of the Villages receive the highest lottery priority for Drew Charter School.
Ell Square — A 2021-built boutique townhome community of 20 homes at 2347 Hosea L. Williams Drive, featuring contemporary four-level townhomes with EV-ready garages and 10-foot ceilings on the main floor.
The Trust at East Lake — A 40-home affordable for-sale townhome community built by the East Lake Foundation in partnership with the Atlanta Land Trust.

The second-oldest house in Atlanta: Meadow Nook was built in 1856 as a Greek Revival home for Col. Robert Alston as a wedding gift for his bride, making it Atlanta's second oldest home and one of the few private residences to survive the Civil War. The entire neighborhood of East Lake was originally built on land owned by Alston. The house still stands.

Who Is East Lake Right For?

East Lake tends to be the right fit when:

You want an intown Atlanta address with a historic character, a strong tree canopy, and walkable commercial life on Hosea L. Williams Drive, without paying the highest intown prices.
You have school-age children and are willing to pursue Drew Charter School through the lottery, understanding that priority zoning improves odds but does not guarantee admission.
You want a real MARTA option for downtown commuting without giving up yard and character of a single-family home.
You care about being part of a neighborhood with an active community organization, a farmers market, and a demonstrable track record of long-term investment in place.
You want proximity to Oakhurst, Decatur, Kirkwood, and East Atlanta without paying Oakhurst or City of Decatur prices.
You value the mix of 1910s-1940s historic bungalows alongside modern Craftsman new builds.

Think carefully about East Lake if:

You need certainty about school assignment and cannot tolerate the lottery risk at Drew. In that case, City of Decatur or specific APS magnet options may be a better fit.
You expect every address to deliver equal experience. East Lake is not uniform — a house one mile apart can feel like a different neighborhood entirely.
TOUR Championship week traffic in August is a dealbreaker. If you work from home and cannot tolerate temporary street closures and crowds for a week a year, consider something further from the course footprint.
You want a dense, 24/7 walkable commercial district. East Lake's commercial node at Hosea + 2nd is compact and growing, but it is not Oakhurst Village or Decatur Square in scale.
You need high-rise amenities, a doorman, or a concierge. East Lake is almost entirely single-family and small townhome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Lake a safe neighborhood?

East Lake's long-term safety trajectory has been defined by the post-1995 revitalization led by the East Lake Foundation. The redevelopment of East Lake Meadows into the mixed-income Villages of East Lake, combined with the Drew Charter School partnership and investment across the commercial corridor, drove substantial improvement. Like any intown Atlanta neighborhood, crime patterns vary block by block and change over time. I encourage buyers to check current APD data for specific street addresses and to talk to neighbors on the block they are considering. For specific property-level safety research, I can help walk you through the available tools.

What is the median home price in East Lake?

As of February 2026, the median home price in East Lake, Atlanta was $499,000, with an average sale price of $548,687 and 42 days on market. Townhomes ran a median of $524,900. Single-family homes ranged from $269,000 to $1,275,000 depending on location, vintage, and renovation level. Expect wide variance across the neighborhood.

Can I get my kids into Drew Charter School if I buy a house in East Lake?

Buying a house in East Lake does not guarantee admission to Drew Charter School, but it can meaningfully improve your odds in the lottery. Drew uses a weighted lottery with enrollment priorities that favor residents of the Villages of East Lake first, then residents of East Lake or Kirkwood, then students enrolled in partner pre-K programs. The lottery application window for the 2026-2027 school year ran February 1 through April 30, 2026, and all new students are enrolled through the annual admissions lottery. Always confirm current priority rules directly with Drew before making a purchase decision based on charter school access.

How far is East Lake from downtown Atlanta?

East Lake is about 4.5 miles from downtown Atlanta. Drive time is 15-20 minutes off-peak via I-20 West or Memorial Drive, and 20-30 minutes during morning rush hour. MARTA Blue Line service from the East Lake station reaches Five Points in about 12 minutes.

Does East Lake have a MARTA station?

Yes. The East Lake MARTA station is located at 2260 College Avenue on the Atlanta-Decatur city line, serving East Lake, Kirkwood, Oakhurst, and the Villages of East Lake. It is on the Blue Line with direct service to downtown Atlanta (Five Points) and west to the CNN Center/Dome/GWCC area.

Can I join East Lake Golf Club if I buy a house in the neighborhood?

No. Buying a house in East Lake does not give you access to East Lake Golf Club. Membership is private and by invitation. Residents can use the Charlie Yates Golf Course, the public 9-hole executive course built on the old No. 2 site, with profits supporting the East Lake Foundation.

What is the TOUR Championship and how does it affect East Lake residents?

The TOUR Championship is the final event of the PGA TOUR's FedExCup Playoffs, held every August at East Lake Golf Club. The tournament was first played at East Lake in 1998 and has been held at East Lake 25 times since, with 2025 marking the most recent installment. The 2025 TOUR Championship was won by Tommy Fleetwood. During tournament week, expect road closures, increased traffic, and large crowds in the area immediately around the golf course. Most residents work around it; some embrace it as a highlight of the year.

What school district is East Lake in?

East Lake properties inside the Atlanta city limits are served by Atlanta Public Schools. Properties south of Memorial Drive in unincorporated DeKalb County are served by DeKalb County Schools. Drew Charter School is a public charter school within Atlanta Public Schools and serves students by lottery, not by residential zoning alone. Always verify by specific property address.

What are the best streets in East Lake?

The streets commanding the highest prices are typically those running along or near East Lake Golf Club — including Alston Drive, 4th Avenue, Daniel Avenue, and the streets between Hosea L. Williams Drive and the golf course. For more affordable entry points with renovation potential, streets south of Memorial Drive or along the Candler and Oakview corridors offer opportunity. The "best" street depends on your priorities — golf course proximity, Drew zoning, walkability to Hosea + 2nd, or investment potential.

Is East Lake a good investment?

East Lake has been one of the more consistently appreciating neighborhoods in intown Atlanta over the last two decades, driven by the East Lake Foundation's sustained investment, Drew Charter School's reputation, and the broader intown renaissance. Like any neighborhood, appreciation varies by specific address, property condition, and market timing. The trailing 12-month median is down 15% from the prior year, consistent with the broader Metro Atlanta reset. For investors, the south-of-Memorial section has historically offered the best entry price for renovation projects.

What is the Villages of East Lake?

The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income apartment community developed by the East Lake Foundation and the Atlanta Housing Authority on the former site of East Lake Meadows, the public housing project that was demolished in the 1990s. The redevelopment was undertaken in phases, with the Villages of East Lake Gardenside comprising 108 housing units with 70% offered to families at 50-60% of AMI or below, and the 2022 grand reopening of the legacy properties representing the largest preservation of affordable housing in Atlanta's history. Residents of the Villages receive the highest enrollment priority for Drew Charter School.

What are the newer construction options in East Lake?

East Lake has a growing inventory of newer Craftsman-style infill homes built over the last 10-15 years, particularly north of Memorial Drive. The Ell Square townhome community at 2347 Hosea L. Williams Drive opened in 2021 as a 20-home boutique development. The Trust at East Lake added 40 affordable for-sale townhomes through an East Lake Foundation and Atlanta Land Trust partnership. For buyers who want new construction without leaving the neighborhood character, both exist.

How does East Lake compare to Oakhurst for families?

Oakhurst falls inside the City of Decatur and is served by City of Decatur Schools, which commands a significant price premium. East Lake falls inside the City of Atlanta and is served by Atlanta Public Schools plus the Drew Charter lottery. Families who want a guaranteed school district outcome and can afford the premium typically choose Oakhurst. Families who are comfortable pursuing the Drew lottery, or who prioritize East Lake's specific character and golf course proximity, can often save $150,000 to $300,000 by buying in East Lake instead of Oakhurst for comparable square footage.

What is the history of East Lake Golf Club?

East Lake Country Club opened on July 4, 1908, on land the Atlanta Athletic Club purchased in 1904 — a 178-acre tract in DeKalb County that had previously been the site of a former amusement park. The original course was designed by Tom Bendelow, with Donald Ross redesigning in 1913. The club declined through the mid-20th century, and the No. 2 course was sold in 1970 and redeveloped as East Lake Meadows public housing. In 1993, a local charitable foundation led by Tom Cousins purchased East Lake with the intent to restore it as a tribute to Bobby Jones. The course was restored in 2024 by architect Andrew Green using a 1949 aerial photo and archival sources.

Who was Tom Cousins and why does he matter for East Lake?

Tom Cousins was an Atlanta real estate developer and philanthropist who led the revitalization of East Lake Golf Club and the surrounding community. He and his family formed the East Lake Community Foundation in 1995, purchased the club, and partnered with the Atlanta Housing Authority and community leaders to build mixed-income housing, an elementary school, and a YMCA in the East Lake neighborhood. Cousins died in July 2025 at age 93. The East Lake model has since been replicated in 14 cities through Purpose Built Communities, the organization that grew out of his work in East Lake. Understanding the East Lake story means understanding what Tom Cousins and the East Lake Foundation built, and what they are still building.

I work with buyers across Metro Atlanta and know East Lake's streets, school zoning, lottery dynamics, and golf course footprint in detail. If you are relocating, considering East Lake among other intown options, or ready to start your search, let's talk.

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Kristen Johnson