East Lake
The comeback story. Strong investment, community renewal, and a neighborhood that rewrote its narrative through deliberate, sustained effort.
About East Lake
East Lake's transformation is one of the most studied neighborhood revitalization stories in the United States. In the 1990s, East Lake Meadows (the public housing project on the neighborhood's eastern side) was one of the most distressed communities in Atlanta. The turnaround, led by the East Lake Foundation and Tom Cousins, replaced the project with mixed-income housing (Villages of East Lake), revitalized East Lake Golf Club, and established Drew Charter School, a public charter that now ranks among Georgia's best.
The result is a neighborhood that looks and feels fundamentally different from what it was 25 years ago, with momentum that shows no sign of slowing. The housing stock ranges from original Craftsman bungalows and cottages (1920s-1930s) to new-construction townhomes and the Villages of East Lake mixed-income community. Glenwood Avenue serves as the commercial corridor, connecting East Lake to East Atlanta Village to the west and Decatur to the northeast.
East Lake Golf Club, where Bobby Jones learned to play, is the neighborhood's most recognizable landmark. The course hosts the TOUR Championship annually, which brings national attention and reinforces the neighborhood's identity as a place that's invested in its own future.
The neighborhood's appeal comes down to fundamentals: proximity to Decatur, future BeltLine connectivity, Drew Charter School (well-regarded by GreatSchools.org), and a revitalization story backed by infrastructure and sustained community investment rather than speculation.
East Lake Rental Market
Average Market Rent
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East Lake shares the 30317 zip code with Kirkwood, and the price bands are similar. East Lake's unique story and Drew Charter School create a demand profile that differs from Kirkwood's, particularly for family renters and those seeking proximity to the golf club and Glenwood corridor.
Rent data reflects the 30317 zip code area (shared with Kirkwood) and is updated regularly. Actual rents vary by property condition, location, and amenities.
Last updated July 2026
For a rent estimate specific to your property → Get Your Rent Estimate
Schools & Transit
Schools
Drew Charter School (K-12, public charter) is the defining educational asset. It is highly rated by GreatSchools.org and is a significant driver of rental demand in the neighborhood. The school's success is directly tied to the East Lake Foundation's community investment model. The traditional APS option is the Maynard Jackson cluster.
Transit
No MARTA rail station in East Lake, but bus service connects to the Edgewood/Candler Park Station (Blue/Green Line). Glenwood Avenue is the primary east-west corridor. Memorial Drive provides access south. I-20 is close via Glenwood or Candler Road. The planned BeltLine extension will eventually improve connectivity. For up-to-date bus routes and accessibility options, visit itsmarta.com/accessibility.
Local Highlights
East Lake Golf Club
Bobby Jones' home course and host of the PGA TOUR Championship. The club's restoration was the catalyst for the entire neighborhood's renewal.
Drew Charter School
The K-12 public charter school that consistently ranks among Georgia's best and drives family demand in the neighborhood.
Villages of East Lake
The mixed-income housing community that replaced East Lake Meadows. A national model for community revitalization.
Glenwood Avenue Corridor
The commercial spine connecting East Lake to East Atlanta Village. Restaurants, shops, and a growing sense of place.
East Lake Park
Community park with sports fields, a playground, and the neighborhood's outdoor gathering space.
Owning a Rental in East Lake
East Lake is a neighborhood that has seen consistent growth, which creates opportunity for owners who position correctly. Drew Charter School is a significant demand driver, and highlighting school access in listing descriptions measurably affects lease speed.
The housing stock is a mix of renovated bungalows, new-construction townhomes, and the Villages of East Lake mixed-income community. Renovated single-family homes near the school and the golf club command the neighborhood's highest rents, while properties on the southern edge price lower and attract a value-oriented renter base.
The BeltLine's planned extension through the area adds a long-term connectivity factor. The Eastside Trail drove significant rent and value growth in the neighborhoods it connected, and the planned route through East Lake is already a consideration for buyers and renters evaluating the area.
Drew Charter gives East Lake something most emerging neighborhoods can't offer an owner: a built-in, school-driven renter pipeline. Pair that with a reasonable entry point and the trajectory is hard to argue with - as long as the property is run well from lease one. That's where we come in. See what we handle →
Available Rentals in East Lake
See what's currently available in East Lake and the rest of our Atlanta portfolio.
Browse Available RentalsFrequently Asked Questions
In East Lake (ZIP 30317), the average rent is about $2,489/month - roughly $1,719 for a one-bedroom and $3,150 for a three-bedroom - with the market down about 7.4% over the past year. East Lake shares the 30317 zip with Kirkwood, so the price bands are similar, but Drew Charter School and the golf club shape a demand profile of their own, especially for family renters. Renovation level and proximity to the school move the needle most, so for your specific property, a free rent estimate is the quickest read.
East Lake's revitalization story, Drew Charter School demand, and BeltLine extension plans have drawn significant interest. Entry costs remain below closer-in markets. We can walk you through the numbers for your specific property.
Exploring East Lake?
Thinking about buying in East Lake? Our agents at Allay Realty Group can help.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Kirkwood
Artsy, neighborly, and one of Atlanta's fastest-evolving communities, with a village center that's finding its stride.
Decatur
A real town square. Well-regarded schools. The highest walkability score in Georgia. Decatur isn't a suburb of Atlanta. It's its own city with its own character.
East Atlanta
Creative, eclectic, and still one of Atlanta's best values. East Atlanta Village is the anchor, but the neighborhood is larger than most people realize.