Monday, January 24, 2011
Neighborhoods Behold! Pine Lake, DeKalb County's diamond in the rough
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 9:01 AM
- Pecanne Log
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Have a pro look it over before you take the plunge in Pine Lake, T. I noticed some significant roof damage (sagging) on several homes last time I drove through. Cute as hell lake-community feel, though.
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The Pine Lake area is cute, however, all the blighted suburban crunkness that surrounds it is not. I suppose if you never had to leave to go shopping this would be an ideal location.
Diamond in the rough. Sure. I prefer to think of us as DeKalb County's Smurf village. If you don't know where to look, you'll never find it.
I was chewing on the New York Times census map of DeKalb County a few weeks ago. Pine Lake has a weird Cabbagetown-like demographic profile, in terms of race, class and income, from what I see every day. But the census tract containing Pine Lake includes the surrounding area, and is one of the poorest in the county. Much of the surrounding community is foreign born -- West African, I believe -- and in the lowest quintile of household income.
The difference can be stark. It's why Pine Lake is such a "hidden jewel." From Rockbridge Road, there's nothing distinguishing it from the sketchy-looking stuff up the street.
Yes, the lake is pretty, even when it's half frozen over and peppered with confused geese. But it's the people who make the place interesting, in a weird, quirky Northern Exposure kind of way.
Our mayor, Greg Zarus, is a CDC scientist, surrounded by funky artist types, with a few schoolteachers and entrepreneurial-types sprinkled in. The police chief, Sara'i Y'hudah-Greene, is a New York transplant and may be the only Black, Jewish female police chief in America ... for whatever that distinction might be worth. I only bring that up to note that unexpected cultural weirdness is the rule here.
For example, it is tradition on New Years Eve for us to gather at a house on Spring Drive at midnight, to ceremonially throw a vacuum cleaner from the second story balcony and then beat the crap out of it after it lands to make sure it's dead. It's symbolic of ... something. I don't know what. I was drinking that night.
When the snow fell a couple weeks ago, we were basically trapped. So we closed Spring Street, built a snow ramp and went sled jumping.
I've been to more neighborhood house parties here than anywhere I've lived. People know their neighbors. People wave and make conversation on the street.
Halloween is a riot. Smoke displays. Projector screens on the front lawns. Wagon rides full of zombies. People drive in from other neighborhoods because the place is that cool. It helps that we have our own (small, underpaid) police force to patrol during trick-or-treating.
Our Fourth of July parade is an absurdity. I shall speak no more of it.
Yes, our aesthetic is architecturally funky. I have a bird house, wind chimes and weird lawn art, and I'm a lightweight around here. I also have an MBA. I try not to allow the cognitive dissonance to cripple the neighbors when I emerge from my house in a business suit.
Pine Lake is also extraordinarily LGBT-friendly. I haven't seen the exact census figure (and it's hard to suss this from the census at any rate), but Pine Lake might be "gayer" than midtown.
So, yeah. Thanks for the shout out. Some of my neighbors may disagree, but I think we could use the attention.
thanks, george. cl should let you do more articles on pine lake. i've never been there, now i would like to visit.
I rented in PL before I bought and as neighborhoods go it's one of the best! My neighbors are gay, straight, young, old, black, white and any other opposite you an think of and yet it all works perfectly!
Great article George! Pine Lake is a little bit of the country in the middle of a big city, and I have loved living and raising my children here. We have the best neighbors in Georgia. I hope you stay for as many years that I have been here.
I have lived in PL for 9 years, love it here ! I am white southern male who watches NASCAR, but my neighbors are very accepting of my shortcomings !
We are a proud bunch because we have a LOT to be proud of! Living here is a treasure and WE are working to make it even more wonderful! Wetlands, a swimming Beach, LakeFest Arts and Music Festival, Tour of Homes, First Fridays entertainment, First Saturdays Pancake Breakfast, and a newly renovated Clubhouse! We we are very social so come on by!
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