Dunwoody vs Chamblee comes down to density and feel. Since cityhood, Dunwoody has added few new apartments and kept a suburban feel, while Chamblee turned old industrial land along Peachtree Boulevard into dense, walkable mixed-use areas that drew new restaurants and retail. Chamblee’s Van Pappas explains how branding, gateway signs and growth shaped both cities.
Van Pappas is a Chamblee guy through and through. He’s a financial planner, a former podcast host and a volunteer on several Chamblee boards. We get into city branding, gateway signs, restaurant review groups and how apartments changed Chamblee over the last decade.
It’s a friendly Dunwoody vs Chamblee conversation, but the takeaway is that we’re stronger together.
Listen on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Van at oXYGen Financial.
Why City Branding Matters
Van helped start a branding committee for Chamblee about a decade ago while on its Development Authority. He compares a great gateway sign to the Bull Durham line about announcing your presence with authority.
Dunwoody’s new gateway signs, like the one by the Georgetown Kroger, came out of a branding plan from around 2018 and 2019, funded with hotel-motel tax money set aside for wayfinding. Here’s more on who paid for the signs.
- Visibility: signs tell people where they are
- Brand: cities need recognizable markers, just like businesses
- Economic activity: strong branding helps tourism, business and home values
Van jokes about a “sign war” between Dunwoody, Chamblee and maybe Brookhaven, but his point is that good branding in one city helps its neighbors too.
Discover Dunwoody vs. Discover DeKalb
Discover Dunwoody focuses only on Dunwoody, so it can spotlight local events, businesses and even hyperlocal podcasters. Chamblee is covered by Discover DeKalb, which markets the whole county and big destinations like Stone Mountain. Van gave Discover Dunwoody a lot of credit.
Restaurant Review Facebook Groups
Van started the Chamblee Area Restaurant Review group during COVID to help struggling restaurants, inspired by my Dunwoody group. Owners can post twice a month, and honest reviews are welcome. He pointed to Moondog as a place that made real changes based on feedback.
As a restaurant owner myself, I know criticism stings. But these groups have become the modern town square, and that’s a good thing. Here’s the story of my Dunwoody Area Community Forum.
Dunwoody vs Chamblee: How Apartments Changed Chamblee
Since cityhood, Dunwoody has added very few new apartment complexes. Chamblee went the other way and turned old industrial land into mixed-use corridors. The Whole Foods sits on a former chemical plant site, and apartments line Peachtree Boulevard.
Van believes that density is what brought the restaurants and retail. It was controversial at the time, but it changed the city.
Trails and School Crowding
We’re both excited about connecting Chamblee’s Rail Trail toward Doraville, Brookhaven, Buckhead and eventually the BeltLine.
The pain point is schools. Van said Chamblee High was built for 1,600 students and was projected to pass 1,950. Dunwoody had crowding before COVID too, and growth keeps the pressure on DeKalb schools.
My Take
Chamblee and Dunwoody aren’t rivals. With Brookhaven and Doraville, we’re all part of north DeKalb, and when one city gets better, we all win. If you’re deciding between them, read my Moving to Chamblee guide and Moving to Dunwoody guide.
Buying in Dunwoody or Chamblee?
Search homes for sale, or text me or call 404-502-8683.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dunwoody vs Chamblee
What is the difference between Dunwoody and Chamblee?
Dunwoody has kept a more suburban feel with few new apartments since cityhood. Chamblee added dense mixed-use development along Peachtree Boulevard, which brought more restaurants and retail.
Who paid for Dunwoody’s gateway signs?
They were funded with hotel-motel tax money set aside for wayfinding, mostly allocated before the pandemic.
Who is Van Pappas?
A Chamblee financial planner with oXYGen Financial who volunteers on several Chamblee boards and started the Chamblee Area Restaurant Review Facebook group.
Are Chamblee schools crowded?
Van said Chamblee High was built for 1,600 students and was projected to pass 1,950, a challenge across growing parts of DeKalb.