TODAY’S CREATIVE LOVING PROFILE
Merry Hills
With street names such as Holly, Merry and Christmas lanes, Reindeer Drive and Pinetree Circle, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Merry Hills is filled with young children playing in the streets and neighbors waving to each other. The irony of the situation is that the majority of the residents in the Christmas-themed neighborhood are Orthodox Jews.
Nestled among trees behind Toco Hills shopping area, Merry Hills has grown popular due to its convenient location and family-friendly atmosphere.
"This neighborhood is like living in a forest," says Naomi Cohen, a five-year resident. "We have no plans of leaving the area. Kids are all around, and I know all my neighbors." Cohen is the mother of three children and is expecting a fourth.
Cohen was brought to the area by the nearby synagogues and tight-knit Jewish community. She also raves about the location, which is convenient to downtown and the interstate.
What has changed most since the neighborhood was built in the 1960s is the cultural diversity among residents. Merry Hills' Jewish residents flocked to the neighborhood because of its proximity to Congregation Beth Jacob, Young Israel and the recently established Torah Day School. Neighborhood grocery stores Publix and Kroger have taken notice of this large Jewish community; both offer Kosher foods in their delis, bakeries and elsewhere. This Orthodox contingent dramatically cuts down on the already sparse traffic through the neighborhood, following their religious tradition to eschew driving on Saturdays.
It isn't uncommon to see kids selling soda from a cooler on their front lawn or playing softball in the streets. An active Neighborhood Watch program is intact and the homeowners' association warns of local pick-pocketing occurrences and strongly encourages residents to maintain their yards.
Louise Shattles has been living in Merry Hills since the '60s. She says she enjoys the quiet, peaceful subdivision, and has become close friends with her neighbors. She intends to live in this area as long as she is capable, and often helps her less able neighbors in the yard, picking up the mail or taking out the trash.
Unlike most of Atlanta, Merry Hills has maintained its small-town atmosphere since it was built in the 1960s. While new residents are not uncommon, the majority of the changes in the landscape are small, mostly limited to a new garage or adding a finished basement. This has helped maintain a "Leave It to Beaver" feel in the area, says Re/Max real estate agent Sally English.
Merry Hills offers an unusual slice of heaven, providing shade and refuge to those seeking a suburban neighborhood that's also close to the city.
