Central Vinings - Atlanta, GA

When settlers first arrived to the area, the only way to get across the mighty Chattahoochee River was by ferry boat. Hardy Pace operated a ferry that took residents from today's Vinings area to Atlanta. The area became known as Paces. During the 1840s, Vinings became a stop on the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The architect who designed this stop was William H. Vining. Supplies sent during the railroad construction were shipped to "Vining's Station." The name caught on, and the area officially became Vinings.

The original rail line is now the Silver Comet Trail, which stretches nearly 62 miles, ending near the Georgia/Alabama state line. This paved trail has a two percent grade, making it a terrific path for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, dog walkers, and roller-bladers. The path is wheelchair accessible, as well.

During the Civil War, the Union Army occupied the Vinings area. The headquarters for General Sherman during this period was the Pace House, a 17-room plantation home built by Hardy Pace (the ferry boat operator). General Sherman planned his siege of Atlanta while occupying this home. When Hardy's son returned home after the Civil War, the house was in ruins. He rebuilt the home from the remnants of what survived the fire. The Pace House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated by the Vinings Historic Preservation Society. The house and the Old Pavilion are available to rent for weddings and other private events.

Even though it is slightly removed from the city proper, Vinings still provides that Atlanta vibe through great food and exciting nightlife. After moving to Vinings, make one of your first destinations Paces & Vine. This terrific restaurant works with local farmers to provide the freshest ingredients. The Old Vinings Inn is a history lesson and a great meal. The inn was built in the 1880s and once served as everything from a private residence to a gas station. Today, this terrific destination serves Southern cuisine made with seasonal and local ingredients. It also offers a selection of boutique wines and craft cocktails. Upstairs, the Attic Bar is the place for live music, performed every Wednesday-Saturday.

If you prefer Broadway shows and classical music, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center provides all of that and more. Catch the latest play, see the hottest new comedian, or enjoy a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

On those nights when you'd rather just catch a movie, the AMC Parkway Pointe 15 movie theater is located off Cumberland Boulevard. If you want to make it dinner and a movie, this area contains several restaurants, including Maggiano's Little Italy, Copeland's, and the Cheesecake Factory.

If you decide to rent in Vinings and work in Atlanta, you'll have an easy 20-minute commute via I-75. Another alternative is I-285, which connects to I-20. If you prefer to take mass transit, catch the bus at the Cumberland Transfer Center and take it to the MARTA Arts Center Station. MARTA's Red Line will take you to Atlanta's Five Points Station. For longer trips, the Red and Gold lines will take you to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. (If you prefer to drive, I-75 will get your there in about 25 minutes.)

If you prefer to walk, there are sidewalks throughout the neighborhood. But keep in mind -- unless your Vinings apartment is close to shops and restaurants, you could be walking quite a while. This is a spread-out neighborhood with a lot of green space between destinations.

When you aren't walking, jogging, or bicycling the Silver Comet Trail, you could be fishing, boating, kayaking, or tubing along the Chattahoochee River. You can go hiking, explore historic sites, and nature-watch along the Chattahoochee River Trails, a 48-mile-long trail that ranks as one of the most dog-friendly trails in Georgia. If you are moving to Vinings with a pet, be sure to look for apartments near the river for access to the trails. The Vinings Mountain Dog Park is another terrific location for pet-owners. This park offers a fenced-in area for dogs to be off-leash, or you can take your dog on a walk along the paved path.

Renting an apartment in Vinings will cost you -- this is an upscale neighborhood with rents averaging about $1,000. If you love living in the neighborhood and decide you want to buy a house, you'll pay more in Vinings than the state average. Homes here cost about $382,000, while the state average is $142,000. Vinings residents tend to earn more, as well. The median household income for Georgia is $48,000. In Vinings, that jumps to $57,000.

From antique stores to upscale boutiques, Vinings is famous for its shopping. People from all over the Atlanta area come to explore the specialty stores as well as the Cumberland Mall, Akers Mill Square, and the Galleria Specialty Mall.

If you want something unique, head to Vinings Jubilee, a collection of boutiques located in the historic Vinings Village. Here, you'll find shops like LOFT, Talbots, Fab'rik, and Banana Republic. Cumberland Mall contains big-name stores like Macy's, Sears, Costco, and DSW. Other stores include Michael Kors, Forever 21, and Chico's. The Galleria Specialty Mall features places like Beads on the Vine, It's You Boutique, and Design Faze.