Reynoldstown, Atlanta: A Local Guide to One of the City’s Most Evolving Neighborhoods

Reynoldstown is one of Atlanta’s most walkable, historic, and rapidly changing intown neighborhoods. If you live in the city, are thinking about moving closer to the BeltLine, or just want to explore a new area, Reynoldstown is worth understanding in a little more detail.

This guide focuses on what Reynoldstown is like today, how it fits into Atlanta as a whole, and what you can expect if you live in, visit, or invest time and money there.

Where Is Reynoldstown in Atlanta?

Reynoldstown sits on Atlanta’s east side, just a couple miles from Downtown.

Roughly speaking, Reynoldstown is:

  • North of: I-20
  • South of: the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Edgewood
  • West of: Moreland Avenue and the Little Five Points area
  • East of: Cabbagetown and the Memorial Drive corridor

You’ll often see Reynoldstown grouped with nearby neighborhoods like Cabbagetown, Edgewood, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward as part of the broader “eastside” or “BeltLine neighborhoods.”

For many Atlanta residents, “Reynoldstown” is shorthand for:

  • Easy BeltLine access
  • Walkable restaurants, coffee shops, and bars
  • Rapid redevelopment and new construction townhomes/condos
  • A mix of long-time residents and newer arrivals

The Feel of Reynoldstown: What It’s Like on the Ground

Even with all the new development, Reynoldstown still has a residential, neighborhood feel.

You’ll notice:

  • Tree-lined streets with bungalows, shotgun houses, and renovated cottages
  • New townhomes and mid-rise apartments, especially close to the BeltLine and Memorial Drive
  • Sidewalks and bike traffic, especially during evenings and weekends
  • Murals and public art, similar to nearby Cabbagetown and Krog Street areas

The vibe is often described as:

  • Urban but residential – closer to city energy than a suburb, but not as dense as Midtown
  • Creative and active – frequented by artists, young professionals, and long-time homeowners
  • In transition – visible gentrification, rising home prices, and changing commercial spaces

If you like being able to walk or bike to coffee, groceries, and nightlife while still living on a relatively quiet street, Reynoldstown is one of Atlanta’s stronger options.

A Brief History of Reynoldstown

Reynoldstown is one of Atlanta’s historically Black neighborhoods, with roots going back to the late 1800s.

Key historical points:

  • It developed as a railroad and working-class community after the Civil War.
  • The neighborhood is named after L.G. Reynolds, a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent local landowner.
  • For decades, Reynoldstown was a tight-knit, predominantly Black community with strong local churches and families.
  • In more recent years, Reynoldstown has experienced significant redevelopment, property value increases, and demographic shifts, similar to many BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods.

You can still feel the historic character in the older homes, churches, and street layout, even as new construction and modern developments fill in open lots.

Getting Around: Transportation & Connectivity

Reynoldstown is especially attractive if you’re trying to reduce car dependence in Atlanta.

MARTA Access

The neighborhood is served by the Inman Park / Reynoldstown MARTA Station on the Blue/Green line:

  • Inman Park / Reynoldstown Station
    1055 DeKalb Ave NE
    Atlanta, GA 30307

From this station, you can access:

  • Downtown and Midtown (westbound)
  • East Lake, Decatur, and beyond (eastbound)

For daily commuters, this makes Reynoldstown a viable home base without relying solely on I-20 or surface streets.

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail runs along Reynoldstown’s northern edge and is one of the neighborhood’s biggest draws.

From Reynoldstown’s stretches of the BeltLine, you can walk or bike directly to:

  • Krog Street Market
  • Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward
  • Ponce City Market and the Ponce corridor
  • Cabbagetown, Edgewood, and connections toward Memorial Drive

This trail is heavily used for:

  • Daily exercise (walking, jogging, biking, skating)
  • Commuting to nearby neighborhoods and offices
  • Socializing and going out at BeltLine-adjacent restaurants and bars

Driving and Major Roads

Reynoldstown is bordered by some key Atlanta roads:

  • I-20: Quick access at Moreland Avenue and Boulevard exits
  • Memorial Drive SE: A major east–west corridor with rapid commercial growth
  • Moreland Avenue NE/SE: Connects to Little Five Points, Edgewood, and I-20

Traffic can be heavy on Moreland and Memorial, especially during rush hour and weekend evenings, but the grid of neighborhood streets provides local workarounds for shorter trips.

Housing in Reynoldstown: What to Expect

Housing in Reynoldstown is varied and changing fast. You’ll find:

Common Home Types

  • Historic bungalows and cottages
  • Shotgun-style homes and smaller single-family houses
  • New townhome communities and modern single-family infill
  • Mid-rise apartment buildings and mixed-use developments

Many homes have been:

  • Renovated and expanded with open floor plans and modern finishes
  • Rebuilt as larger modern homes on existing lots
  • Converted to rentals, especially close to the BeltLine

Home Prices and Rents (General Patterns)

While specific prices change frequently, general patterns include:

  • Home prices in Reynoldstown are typically higher than many farther-out neighborhoods, reflecting its BeltLine location and strong demand.
  • Rents are often comparable to other trendy intown areas like Edgewood or Cabbagetown, especially for buildings directly on or near the BeltLine.

If you’re considering Reynoldstown, many residents compare it to Inman Park, Edgewood, Old Fourth Ward, and Grant Park when weighing location vs. price.

Everyday Living: Groceries, Parks, and Essentials

Groceries & Daily Errands

Within a short drive or bike ride of Reynoldstown, you’ll find:

  • Publix Super Market at Madison Yards
    905 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

  • Kroger – Edgewood Retail District
    1225 Caroline St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

  • Smaller markets, bodegas, and convenience stores around Moreland Ave and Memorial Dr

Nearby centers like Madison Yards, Glenwood Park, and the Edgewood Retail District provide:

  • Pharmacies
  • Fitness studios
  • Big-box retail and basic services

Parks and Green Space

Reynoldstown doesn’t have a huge central park of its own, but residents often use:

  • Lang-Carson Park (in nearby Reynoldstown/Edgewood area)
  • Cabbagetown Park in neighboring Cabbagetown
  • The BeltLine Eastside Trail as an everyday recreation space

These spots are used for:

  • Dog walking
  • Pickup sports
  • Community events and casual gatherings

Dining, Coffee, and Nightlife Around Reynoldstown

Reynoldstown itself and its immediate surroundings on Memorial Drive and along the BeltLine host a growing mix of restaurants, bars, breweries, and coffee shops.

Without focusing on specific businesses (which can change quickly), you can generally expect:

  • Casual eateries and quick-service spots along Memorial Drive
  • Coffee shops and bakeries within walking distance of many Reynoldstown blocks
  • Bars and breweries scattered along the BeltLine and nearby streets

Many residents also walk or bike slightly farther to:

  • Krog Street Market
  • Little Five Points
  • Inman Park

These areas provide a dense cluster of places to eat and socialize, all reachable without getting on the highway.

Community, Culture, and Neighborhood Identity

Reynoldstown has a strong neighborhood identity that balances its history with ongoing change.

Neighborhood Organizations

Local groups help coordinate events, zoning discussions, and community information. One of the primary bodies is the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League (RCIL), which typically:

  • Holds neighborhood meetings
  • Communicates with the City of Atlanta on zoning, development, and safety issues
  • Shares updates on projects like BeltLine expansions and traffic calming

If you move to Reynoldstown or are considering it, attending a neighborhood meeting is one of the best ways to understand what’s happening on the ground.

Arts and Public Events

You’ll notice murals, small art installations, and creative touches around the neighborhood and the adjoining BeltLine. Reynoldstown residents also frequently participate in:

  • Eastside art walks and BeltLine events
  • Community cleanups and tree plantings
  • Seasonal neighborhood gatherings

The area around Krog Street Tunnel and the BeltLine gives Reynoldstown easy access to Atlanta’s broader street art and creative scene.

Safety, Noise, and Quality-of-Life Considerations

As with any intown Atlanta neighborhood, Reynoldstown has strengths and trade-offs.

Things residents often appreciate:

  • Walkability and bike-ability relative to much of Atlanta
  • Quick access to Downtown, Midtown, and Decatur
  • A strong sense of neighborhood pride and history
  • Access to both quiet residential streets and lively commercial areas

Things to be aware of:

  • Construction activity: Ongoing new builds and renovations can mean daytime noise and changing streetscapes.
  • Parking: On some streets, parking can be tight, especially near multi-family buildings and popular spots.
  • Typical urban crime concerns: Like much of intown Atlanta, residents pay attention to car break-ins, porch thefts, and nighttime safety, and many use common-sense precautions such as lighting, cameras, and not leaving valuables in vehicles.

If you’re evaluating Reynoldstown as a place to live, it’s helpful to visit at different times of day—morning, evening, and weekends—to get a realistic feel.

How Reynoldstown Compares to Nearby Atlanta Neighborhoods

Here’s a simple side-by-side look at how Reynoldstown stacks up to a few nearby eastside neighborhoods many Atlantans consider:

NeighborhoodGeneral VibeWalkability / BeltLine AccessHousing Mix
ReynoldstownResidential, historic, rapidly changingDirect BeltLine + MARTABungalows, new townhomes, apartments
CabbagetownArtsy, tight-knit, quirkyWalkable, near BeltLineMill cottages, older homes, small apts
EdgewoodTransitional, busy retail corridorsSome BeltLine access nearbyOlder homes, new townhomes/duplexes
Inman ParkEstablished, upscale, leafyExcellent BeltLine accessHistoric homes, condos, townhomes
Old Fourth WardUrban, lively, nightlife-orientedStrong BeltLine presenceLofts, apartments, townhomes

This comparison is general but can help if you’re trying to decide which eastside neighborhood best fits your lifestyle and budget.

Schools and Public Services Around Reynoldstown

Reynoldstown falls within Atlanta Public Schools (APS) boundaries. School zoning can change, so families typically:

  • Use the APS school zone lookup tools
  • Confirm with APS or the City of Atlanta if school assignment is a major factor

Nearby, you’ll also find:

  • Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branches in adjacent neighborhoods for study space, computer access, and community programming
  • City of Atlanta services and recreation options accessible via nearby neighborhoods and community centers

Because Reynoldstown is compact, most residents access a combination of in-neighborhood and nearby eastside resources for schools, after-school activities, and youth programs.

Practical Tips if You’re New to Reynoldstown or Considering It

If you’re planning to move to, rent in, or spend more time in Reynoldstown, a few practical steps can make the transition smoother:

  • Walk the neighborhood on foot or by bike 🥾
    Explore side streets as well as major corridors like Memorial Drive and Moreland Avenue to understand traffic, noise, and general activity patterns.

  • Test your commute
    If you work in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur, try the commute at rush hour by MARTA, car, and BeltLine (if applicable) to see what feels realistic day-to-day.

  • Follow neighborhood communications
    Many residents keep up with updates from groups like the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League and City of Atlanta zoning boards to stay aware of new development and infrastructure projects.

  • Check parking and access
    For condos, townhomes, or apartments, confirm guest parking, street parking rules, and access to EV charging if that matters to you.

  • Look at future projects
    Planned BeltLine extensions, traffic calming measures, and new mixed-use developments can affect everything from noise levels to property values over time.

Reynoldstown, Atlanta is a compact, historic, and highly connected eastside neighborhood that offers daily walkability, BeltLine access, and quick trips to many of the city’s most popular destinations. For Atlantans who want an urban neighborhood feel without being in the high-rise core, it’s one of the city’s most notable areas to know and consider.