What Locals Really Mean by “East Atlanta”

If you spend any time in Atlanta, you’ll hear people talk about “East Atlanta” a lot. But they don’t always mean the same thing. Sometimes it’s a specific neighborhood, sometimes it’s a whole side of town, and sometimes it overlaps with what people call “Eastside” or “Intown East”.

Here’s how East Atlanta is commonly understood, especially if you’re trying to figure out where it is and what to do there.

The Core: The East Atlanta Neighborhood (East Atlanta Village)

In the most precise sense, “East Atlanta” refers to the East Atlanta neighborhood, anchored by East Atlanta Village (EAV).

This is a city neighborhood in southeast Atlanta, not a separate city. It sits inside the City of Atlanta limits, mostly in DeKalb County, and is recognized by the City of Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system.

Rough boundaries locals recognize

While boundaries can be a little fuzzy, East Atlanta neighborhood is generally:

• North: I-20
• West: Moreland Avenue SE
• South: Bouldercrest Drive SE / Flat Shoals Road SE
• East: Around Clifton Road / Custer Avenue / Fayetteville Road SE area

If you’re at the Flat Shoals & Glenwood intersection with walkable bars, restaurants, and murals everywhere, you’re in East Atlanta Village, the heart of the neighborhood.

What’s in the “true” East Atlanta neighborhood?

Common landmarks and features people associate with East Atlanta proper include:

• East Atlanta Village (EAV):
  A compact commercial district with bars, music venues, coffee shops, and restaurants.
• Residential streets with a mix of older bungalows, renovated homes, and newer builds.
• East Atlanta Kids Club / Brownwood Park:
  A community hub and green space in the neighborhood.
• Strong neighborhood identity:
  Active neighborhood association, porch festivals, neighborhood clean-ups, and local events.

When people say, “I live in East Atlanta”, they often mean this specific neighborhood.

East Atlanta vs. “The Eastside”

In everyday Atlanta conversation, “East Atlanta” sometimes blends into the broader idea of “the Eastside” or “Intown East.”

This wider, more informal East Atlanta area can include several intown neighborhoods east of Downtown and south of Ponce, such as:

• East Atlanta (EAV)
• Ormewood Park
• Grant Park
• Cabbagetown
• Reynoldstown
• Edgewood
• Kirkwood
• East Lake
• Benteen Park / Boulevard Heights area
• Parts of Gresham Park and nearby communities

Locals might say:

• “I’m checking out spots on the east side this weekend.”
• “I moved to East Atlanta, near Kirkwood.”

In that context, they usually mean the general east-of-75/85, in-town cluster of neighborhoods and not just EAV itself.

How East Atlanta Fits into the City Map

To understand what’s considered East Atlanta, it helps to place it within the larger Atlanta geography.

East Atlanta vs. Downtown, Midtown, and Westside

• Downtown: West of East Atlanta, just across I-20 and the Connector.
• Midtown / Old Fourth Ward:
  North-northwest of East Atlanta, across I-20 and closer to Ponce.
• Westside:
  Opposite direction entirely (west of Downtown and the Connector).

If you’re driving:

• From Downtown to East Atlanta Village: usually via I-20 east to Moreland Avenue or by surface streets.
• From Midtown to East Atlanta Village: commonly via Freedom Parkway → Moreland Ave → Glenwood Ave.

City of Atlanta vs. Unincorporated “East Atlanta” areas

Another wrinkle: Some people who live farther east in DeKalb County may casually say they’re in “East Atlanta” because:

• They’re east of the city core, and
• Their mailing address may say “Atlanta, GA” due to postal routes, even if they’re not inside city limits.

However, in local conversation, “East Atlanta” usually means either:

1. The official East Atlanta neighborhood (EAV and surrounding residential streets), or
2. The cluster of intown east neighborhoods close to the city core.

Areas much farther out (like Stonecrest, Lithonia, or Tucker) are usually just called by their own city/community names, not “East Atlanta” in the way locals use the term.

Common Ways People Use the Term “East Atlanta”

Here’s a quick guide to how the phrase shows up in real life:

If You’re Visiting: Where to Go in East Atlanta

If you’re planning a day or night out and searching for things to do in East Atlanta, most people will point you straight to:

1. East Atlanta Village (EAV)

This is your main destination if you just plug “East Atlanta” into your plans.

Typical things people go to EAV for:

• Live music and nightlife
• Local bars and cocktail spots
• Casual restaurants and late-night food
• Street art, murals, and small boutiques
• Neighborhood festivals and events

It’s very walkable once you park or rideshare in, and it has a laid-back, creative vibe.

2. Nearby Intown East Neighborhoods

Many visitors bundle EAV with other nearby spots on the east side:

• Grant Park: Zoo, historic homes, and the big in-town park.
• Reynoldstown & Cabbagetown: BeltLine access, murals, and small-business corridors.
• Edgewood: Another nightlife area with bars and music.
• Kirkwood & East Lake: Quieter neighborhood feel with local restaurants and parks.

If someone suggests an “East Atlanta day,” they often mean hopping across several of these neighborhoods, not just staying in one area.

If You Live Here: How East Atlanta Affects Daily Life

For residents, understanding what’s considered East Atlanta helps with:

Schools, services, and government

• City of Atlanta vs. DeKalb County Schools:
  Parts of East Atlanta are inside the City of Atlanta but in DeKalb County, which affects which school system, zoning, and services you fall under.
• Neighborhood planning:
  The East Atlanta neighborhood participates in Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), which influence zoning, nightlife permits, and local improvements.
• Police and fire coverage:
  You may be under Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue, even if your area feels “DeKalb” in geography.

When you’re unsure which services you fall under, it helps to:

• Look up your address on the City of Atlanta or DeKalb County property tools.
• Ask your neighborhood association or community Facebook/Nextdoor group which area they consider you part of.

How to Tell If You’re “Really” in East Atlanta

Because definitions overlap, a few quick checks can help you figure out whether your place or a spot you’re visiting counts as East Atlanta in the local sense.

1. Check neighborhood maps

• If your address lands inside the East Atlanta neighborhood boundary on neighborhood or city maps, you’re clearly in East Atlanta proper.
• If you’re nearby (Ormewood Park, Benteen, Gresham-area, Kirkwood), many people will still lump you into the broader Eastside.

2. Look at nearby landmarks and corridors

If you are close to or commonly use:

• Flat Shoals Ave SE / Glenwood Ave SE intersection
• Moreland Ave SE south of I-20
• Terry Mill Rd SE, Bouldercrest Dr SE, or Fayetteville Rd SE

…people will often say you’re in or right around East Atlanta.

3. Ask how locals describe it

If your neighbors say:

• “We’re in East Atlanta Village.” → You’re definitely in East Atlanta.
• “We’re technically Benteen / Ormewood but we just say East Atlanta.” → You’re in the broader East Atlanta / Eastside area.
• “We’re in unincorporated DeKalb, but it’s kind of East Atlanta-ish.” → You’re in an outer east area that some people label loosely as East Atlanta.

Things To Do in and Around East Atlanta

If you’re building an East Atlanta itinerary, here are common types of activities people look for in this part of the city:

Food and drink

• Neighborhood restaurants with a mix of casual and creative menus.
• Bars and music venues that draw both locals and visitors.
• Coffee shops and bakeries popular for remote work or meetups.

Arts and culture

• Street art and murals throughout East Atlanta Village and nearby intown east areas.
• Pop-up markets, art shows, and festivals hosted by local businesses and community groups.
• Occasional film shoots and creative projects, since the area has a distinctive look.

Parks and outdoor spaces

In and around East Atlanta you’ll find:

• Local parks with playgrounds, sports courts, and walking paths.
• Easy drives or bike rides to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail via neighboring communities.
• Nearby Grant Park, Freedom Park, and others for larger green spaces.

Key Takeaways: What Is Considered East Atlanta?

To sum it up in practical terms:

• Strict definition:
  East Atlanta is a specific City of Atlanta neighborhood, centered on East Atlanta Village, mostly in DeKalb County, with recognized boundaries and a strong local identity.

• Everyday local usage:
  People often stretch “East Atlanta” to mean the cluster of intown east neighborhoods—EAV, Ormewood Park, Grant Park, Edgewood, Kirkwood, East Lake, and nearby areas.

• Visitor perspective:
  If someone recommends “checking out East Atlanta,” they usually mean spending time in East Atlanta Village and potentially exploring nearby eastside neighborhoods the same day.

Knowing which sense someone is using—the specific neighborhood or the wider Eastside area—will help you navigate conversations, pick where to go, and understand how Atlanta residents think about this part of the city.