A recent report by Inrix listed Metro Atlanta as the 9th most traffic-congested city in the world. Surrounding us in the rankings were international cities such as Paris, NYC, London, and Moscow. However, Buckhead residents actually enjoy commutes around 20% shorter than the national average thanks to Buckhead’s central location.
“Metro Atlanta” refers to a massive 10-county area with a population of 5.7 million that is much larger than what most of us consider Atlanta to be. Buckhead, on the other hand, is a tight collection of 45 neighborhoods on the North side of the city limits and has a relatively modest population of around 80,000 people.
Living in such a convenient location is what has made Buckhead the most desirable area in Atlanta. The map below shows that the vast majority of Buckhead residents have commute times of 18-19 minutes:
Despite these favorable statistics, traffic in Buckhead is still a problem….and it is getting worse. With our growing local economy, an influx of new residents, and recent major developments such as the new Braves Stadium and the rapid development of the Buckhead Village, congestion around Buckhead will continue to increase.
The solution to moving people around and through Buckhead is thankfully in sight! More roads, bridges, lanes or interstates are not desirable or feasible in our established area. Instead, the next 10 years will usher in the age of driverless cars that, I believe, will dramatically reduce congestion and make time spent driving safer and more enjoyable.
Watch a Tesla drive itself.
Already, Tesla cars have become nearly ubiquitous around Buckhead. Many of those cars will be capable of autonomous driving by the end of this year. I recently took delivery of my own Tesla and, while it currently drives like a six-year-old, I have noticed substantial improvements each time Tesla has pushed a software update my way. All of the major car manufacturers are racing to catch up and within 5-10 years most new cars will be capable of driving themselves. Just a few days ago the California DMV took steps to legalize autonomous cars…with no human required in the car. The Georgia State Legislature is now considering new laws to regulate and encourage self-driving cars here.
I am thankful to be living in Buckhead, and enjoying the quality of life it offers. With maddening congestion being the #1 detriment to that quality of life, I am excited and hopeful that the rapid advent of technology of driverless technology will drastically change our lives in the next decade and improve life for all in Metro Atlanta.
| ZIP CODE | COMMUTE TIME | NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDED |
| 30305 | 18.8 mins | Buckhead Village, Garden Hills, Peachtree Hills, Memorial Park, Argonne Forest, Arden- Habersham, Peachtree Heights East, Peachtree Heights West, Tuxedo Park, Peachtree Park, Haynes Manor. |
| 30327 | 19.9 mins | West Paces Ferry – Northside, Brandon, Mt Paran/Northside, Randall Mill, Paces, Vinings, Margaret Mitchell, Hanover West, Chastain Park, Kingswood, Atlanta Memorial Park, Castlewood, Cross Creek, Sandy Springs ITP, Wesley Battle, Whitewater Creek. |
| 30309 | 20.6 mins | Brookwood Hills |
| 30339 | 21.3 mins | Vinings, Whitewater Creek |
| 30324 | 22.9 mins | Brookhaven, North Buckhead, Lenox |
| 30326 | 23.5 mins | Lenox |
| 30342 | 24.5 mins | Chastain Park, North Buckhead, Sandy Springs ITP |
Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan (2016 NFL MVP) has made big moves this year, both on the field and in the Buckhead real estate market. Since signing a six-year $72-million contract with Atlanta in 2008, Ryan and his wife, Sarah, have made their home in Buckhead’s Ritz Carlton Residences.
In 2015 (soon after signing a contract extension worth over $100 million) they purchased a prime 6.3 acre parcel of land at 3727 Tuxedo Road in the Tuxedo Park neighborhood and had a large estate home designed. However, things don’t always go as planned. In a flurry of three recent deals Ryan has unloaded his penthouse condo at the Ritz for $3.7 million and sold his 6.3 acres on Tuxedo Road last week for a break-even price of $4.75 million.
The apparent cause of Ryan’s change in plans was a new home that caught his eye, also in Tuxedo Park. He purchased that home for nearly $4.5 million just as it was being completed (address withheld to protect privacy).
With the completion of Mercedes-Benz Stadium this year and the 2019 Super Bowl being held in Atlanta, Atlanta Falcons fans can look forward to some very exciting times ahead. We are proud to call Matt Ryan a member of our Buckhead community and look forward to watching him lead the team to a Super Bowl win.
Buckhead Ritz Carlton Residences
Aerial View of 3727 Tuxedo Road Site
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
