EXPLORE THE METRO AREA’S BEST COMMUNITIES

By Anna Bentley

Moving to a new city can be daunting, and one of the first decisions you have to make may be the hardest: Which neighborhood should you call home? However, Atlanta’s diverse communities and cities offer something for everyone, including quality education, affordable housing, family-friendly events and tight-knit neighborhoods. Whatever you’re looking for, Atlanta has many perfect spots to choose from. Here we’ve got you covered, showcasing 17 of Atlanta’s most popular communities, located all around the metro area, to serve as a starting point for your exploration.

INSIDE THE PERIMETER Central

Midtown F E Y

The heart of Atlanta is Midtown, the city’s second largest business district and a booming live-work-play community. Its network of walkable, tree-lined streets puts the area’s shopping, dining and employment just steps away, and access to the MARTA rail line, Interstates 75 and 85, and Amtrak put the rest of the city—and the world—within easy reach. It’s also home to city’s art district, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, the Alliance Theatre, the Fox Theatre and more. And at its center are the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park: “Atlanta’s back yard” and the scene of numerous events and festivals throughout the year. midtownatl.com

Old Fourth Ward F Y

Spurred by the development of the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile biking and walking trail, the “O4W” has rapidly become one of the city’s most vibrant districts and a beacon for progressive but thoughtful revitalization. Attractions in this area just northeast of downtown include Ponce City Market, a mixed-use development with premier dining and shopping; the bustling Freedom Farmers Market and Sweet Auburn Curb Market (also known as the Municipal Market); numerous restaurants and bars, several parks; and, of course, the BeltLine itself, which connects the neighborhood to the rest of the city with a walkable scenic path that features dining, art and community life along the way. Housing options range from historic bungalows to modern new townhomes, with plenty of starter options. o4wba.com

VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND F Y

Just east of Midtown is the vibrant neighborhood of Virginia-Highland (or “The Highlands”), named for the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues at its heart. This fun, funky neighborhood is filled with eclectic shopping and diverse dining and nightlife options, including some of Atlanta’s oldest bars and pubs. Its network of short blocks and residential streets lined with historic bungalows makes it one of Atlanta’s most walkable communities. It’s also right off the BeltLine and a short walk from Piedmont Park, making it ideal for active young professionals. Its Summerfest arts and music festival is one of the largest in the Southeast. vahi.org

North

Buckhead F E Y

The public face of this wealthy historic district is its Peachtree Road corridor, home to its business district and lined with high-rise offices and glitzy hotels, dining and shopping. Its private life stretches away from Peachtree in a sprawling area made up of 43 distinct and unique neighborhoods, stretching from I-285 to I-85 and making up a fifth of the city. Notable neighborhoods include Tuxedo Park, with palatial mansions nestled on rolling manicured lawns; Chastain Park, home to one of the city’s largest parks, which includes a golf course, amphitheater, equestrian center, tennis courts and a pool; and Garden Hills, with its winding, tree-lined streets. buckhead.com

East DECATUR F E Y

A vibrant city with a tight-knit community, Decatur is located just 15 minutes from Atlanta. The city puts a premium on walk ability with its historic downtown, full of charming restaurants, pubs, boutique shops and specialty stores. Events are held down town throughout the year, including the popular Decatur Craft Beer Festival and the Decatur Book Festival. Decatur is also on the MARTA rail line, allowing for easy access to Atlanta’s top destinations and events. decaturga.com

South COLLEGE PARK F Y

College Park truly presents the best of both worlds for the rising professional who enjoys a little quiet time. Its easy proximity to downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offer the convenience of big-city living balanced with a relaxing, small-town feel. The airport and the Georgia International Convention Center also make this an increasingly desirable destination for business travelers. There’s affordable housing in the historic College Park neighborhood, and there are numerous attractive dining options. The main campus of Woodward Academy, the largest independent day school in the continental United States, is located here as well. collegeparkga.com

Hapeville F E

This charming city boasts a small-town feel and is the home of the Dwarf House, the first Chick-fil-A restaurant. A designated Main Street city, Hapeville takes pride in its downtown that features historic sites like the Depot Museum and Visitor Center, the Christ Church and Carriage House, a conference center and numerous businesses. There’s also a picturesque downtown park and a unique public art program that has created a number of murals to beautify the city. Hapeville has experienced significant revitalization. Porsche Cars North America built its world headquarters and the Porsche Experience Center here in 2015. hapeville.org

West VININGS F E

This unincorporated village is unique in bordering the city of Atlanta but located in Cobb County. Situated northwest of Buckhead, Vinings offers walkable charm, quality schools, great shopping and dining and plentiful housing of every type. With recreational opportunities on the Chattahoochee River, Vinings provides easy access to the entire metro area. Generous property tax exemptions make it attractive to empty nesters and retirees. vinings.com

Adair Park F Y

“Go west!” is the new watchword in Atlanta for young professionals seeking an affordable community with access to the city. Longtime residents of this community on the National Register of Historic Places are welcoming newcomers who are finding good values on existing homes with vintage charm, while trendy lofts and townhomes are springing up rapidly. An artists’ mecca, Adair Park’s location on the BeltLine has spurred the growth of small businesses and the creation of parks, with playgrounds and sports facilities as well. The neighborhood comes together to host the annual Porches and Pies Festival. adairpark.com

OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER North

Sandy Springs F E Y

Directly north of Atlanta, Sandy Springs is one of Atlanta’s biggest employment and high-end shopping destinations. Recently, Sandy Springs developed a new city center called City Springs to serve as the heart of the community. Officially completed in 2018, City Springs offers office space, greenspace, residential and retail space and a performing arts center. The city hosts the Sandy Springs Artsapalooza fine arts festival each spring and the popular City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs concert series each spring through fall. sandyspringsga.gov

Northeast

Duluth F E

Voted one of Georgia’s best affordable suburbs by Businessweek magazine, Duluth sports a small-town feel thanks to its familyfriendly town green and historic downtown district, filled with charming specialty shops. The Town Green, with its amphitheater and fountain, hosts community events throughout the year, such as the annual Duluth Fall Festival each September. Duluth is also home to the Atlanta Gladiators (a minor league ice hockey team) and the Gas South District, which hosts major festivals, concerts and events. The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning presents exhibits by well-known masters and local artists, with classes in pottery, drawing, painting and more for both adults and children. duluthga.net

Gainesville F E

Gainesville is a top pick for active families and nature lovers alike. Lake Lanier, on the western and northern edges of town, offers swimming, fishing and camping options, while the Blue Ridge Mountains just north of town are another perfect option for hiking or camping. The city’s Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and Quinlan Visual Arts Center are just two of its many family-friendly attractions. Gainesville has also been recognized by AARP as one of its top 10 affordable places to retire. Retirees can tee up at the Chattahoochee Golf Club, take a swim at the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center and enjoy an abundance of recreational opportunities. gainesville.org

Johns Creek F Y

Just a neighborhood 17 years ago, Johns Creek officially became its own municipality in 2006—and it hasn’t stopped growing since. The young, affluent city boasts some of metro Atlanta’s top schools and the awardwinning Technology Park mixed-use development, which hosts several Fortune 500 companies. And with the Chattahoochee River forming a large part of the city’s southern and eastern boundaries, Johns Creek offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation— including miles of recreational trails, such as the Johns Creek Greenway, a 4.2-mile trail system; and the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, which sits on 46 acres of woodlands. johnscreekga.gov

Lilburn F E

With an estimated population of about 15,000, this Gwinnett County city is one of the smaller ones on this list, but that makes a big difference when it comes to its sense of small-town community. Top attractions include the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the largest traditional Hindu temple of its kind in the world outside of India; Lilburn City Park; and the Camp Creek Greenway: a 4.2-mile paved and gravel trail. Lilburn has experienced substantial growth in recent years, and has recently completed a new city hall and library complex and revitalized its downtown corridors. cityoflilburn.com

Northwest SMYRNA F E

Attractive neighborhoods, a thriving downtown and plentiful greenspace are highlights of this Cobb County city, which in the 1980s was one of the area’s first to complete a master plan for revitalization. Its Williamsburg-style Village Green is now the scene of many annual concerts and festivals and a vibrant town center hosting the city hall, library and community center; along with shopping, office space and residential options. Residents also have access to more than 33 additional acres of parks and greenspace, all located within one mile of downtown. With immediate access to I-75 and I-285, Smyrna is minutes away from virtually everywhere in Atlanta. smyrnaga.gov u

Woodstock F E Y

Woodstock calls itself “a city unexpected,” and this community of about 36,000 offers amenities you might not imagine in a city of its size. More than 2,500 businesses are located here, and residents have a wide choice of housing options: many accessible from downtown on foot or via the free downtown trolley service and bike share program. The city boasts hiking and biking trails, concerts, festivals and other special events. It’s easy to see why Woodstock has been steadily racking up accolades from national media outlets and was the only Georgia city to make Money magazine’s 2020 list of Top 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. visitwoodstockga.com

South

Peachtree City F E

This master-planned community has the feel of a vacation resort. Golf carts are a primary means of transportation here, zipping along 100 miles of multi-use paths that are also great for strolling and bicycling. The area’s lake, golf courses, playgrounds, nature areas and sports fields offer numerous recreational opportunities, and the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater hosts a number of outdoor concerts. The city is also a magnet for film and television productions and boasts a Southern Hollywood Film Tour that visits popular filming locations. peachtree-city.org