Atlanta’s Finest Communities
12 Great Places to Call Home
By Anna Bentley
Gathering for a concert on the square in downtown Decatur, Georgia.
When you’re relocating to a new city, the first choice you have
to make can seem like the hardest: Which neighborhood should you call home? The good news is that Atlanta’s diverse neighborhoods and cities offer something for everyone. High-quality education, affordable housing, family-friendly events and tight-knit communities are only some of the amenities you’ll find in our top 12 neighborhoods. So stop stressing—and start house-hunting!Alpharetta
Why: Nicknamed the “Technology City of the South,” Alpharetta is a northern suburb best known for its excellent schools and strong technology sector. It’s an affluent city with a recently revamped historic downtown and unique attractions, including Georgia’s only American Girl Boutique and Bistro; Topgolf Alpharetta, a golf entertainment complex; Wills Park, a 110-acre park with an arboretum, equestrian center, and a 1.8-mile walking trail, among other features; and the recently opened Avalon, a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development with high-end shopping options. Plus, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park hosts legendary bands and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra every year.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters, Young Professionals
For More Info: www.alpharetta.ga.us
Brookhaven
Why: One of Atlanta’s newest cities, Brookhaven officially incorporated in 2012. This intown city stretches from just northeast of downtown Atlanta to its northern suburbs, and in its 12 square miles are an incredibly diverse mix of residents and amenities. In Brookhaven, you’ll find pre-war estates; newer mixed-use developments; Oglethorpe University; a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf club; plenty of parks; and Buford Highway, Atlanta’s most culturally diverse corridor, famed for its variety of ethnic cuisine.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters, Young Professionals
For More Info:www.brookhavenga.gov
Decatur
Why: A vibrant city with a tight-knit community, Decatur is located just 15 minutes from Atlanta. The city puts a premium on walkability with its historic downtown, full of charming restaurants, pubs, boutique shops and specialty stores. Events are held downtown throughout the year, including the popular Decatur Craft Beer Festival and the Decatur Book Festival. Decatur is also on the MARTA line, allowing for easy access to Atlanta’s top destinations and events.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters, Young Professionals
For More Info:www.decaturga.com
Duluth
Why: Voted one of Georgia’s best affordable suburbs by Businessweek magazine, Duluth sports a small-town feel thanks to its family-friendly Town Green and historic downtown. The Town Green, with its amphitheater and fountain, hosts community events throughout the year, like the annual Duluth Fall Festival each September. Duluth is also home to the Gwinnett Gladiators (a minor league ice hockey team) and the Gwinnett Center, which often hosts major festivals, concerts and events. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is another highlight, offering classes for adults and children in pottery, drawing, painting and more.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters
For More Info: www.duluthga.net
Gainesville
Why: Located about an hour northeast of Atlanta, Gainesville is a top pick for active families and nature lovers alike. Lake Lanier, on the western and northern edges of town, offers plenty of swimming, fishing and camping options, as well as a vacation resort and water park; and the Blue Ridge Mountains just north of the city are another perfect option for hiking or camping. The city’s Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and Quinlan Visual Arts Center are just a few of its family-friendly attractions. Gainesville has also been recognized by the AARP as one of the top 10 affordable places to retire.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters
For More Info: www.gainesville.org
Grant Park
Why: Located inside the city, just east of downtown Atlanta, Grant Park is best known for its 100-year-old Victorian estates, Queen Anne homes, and Craftsman bungalows; its sweeping, scenic public park; and Zoo Atlanta, founded in 1899. The park from which the neighborhood gets its name is the city’s fourth-largest, and includes a recreation center and a pool in addition to the zoo and and the Atlanta Cyclorama, a Civil War museum that features a 358-foot cylindrical painting. The neighborhood is also home to Oakland Cemetery, resting place of famous Atlantans, including “Gone With the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell and golf legend Bobby Jones.
Perfect For: Families, Young Professionals
For More Info:www.grantpark.org
Johns Creek
Why: Just a neighborhood a decade 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 award-winning 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; the Johns Creek Greenway, a 4-mile (and growing!) trail system; and the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center, which sits on 46 acres of woodlands.
Perfect For: Families, Young Professionals
For More Info:www.johnscreekga.gov
Lilburn
Why: With an estimated population of around 13,000, 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, a traditional Hindu stone temple; 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 plans are underway to build a new city hall/library complex and revitalize its downtown corridor.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters
For More Info:www.cityoflilburn.com
Marietta
Why: Anchored by the charming Marietta Square, this northwestern suburb is one of the largest on our list—it’s about 23 square miles, with an estimated population of 59,000. Still, the city maintains a sense of community with family-friendly events, including theatrical performances from the Atlanta Lyric Theatre and Marietta Players, among others, and plenty of festivals throughout the year. There’s also plenty of history in Marietta—the Marietta Museum of History, the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum and the Marietta Fire Museum are all a short walk from Marietta Square. And Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, an important Civil War site, is only a short drive away.
Perfect For: Families, Young Professionals
For More Info:www.mariettaga.gov
Sandy Springs
Why: Directly north of Atlanta, Sandy Springs is one of Atlanta’s biggest employment and high-end shopping destinations. The city recently began work on creating a new City Center to serve as the heart of the community. Though still in its planning stages, the City Center will include office space, green space, residential and retail space, and a performing arts center to build on its arts focus. The city hosts the Sandy Springs Artsapalooza fine arts festival each spring, and the popular Sandy Springs Festival, complete with its popular pet parade, in the fall.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters, Young Professionals
For More Info: www.sandyspringsga.org.
Suwanee
Why: Suwanee has been recognized as a stellar place to raise a family by the likes of Family Circle magazine and Kiplinger.com for years. A big part of Suwanee’s family appeal is its mixed-use Town Center, envisioned by city leaders in 2002 as the city’s “front yard.” Today, the Town Center boasts plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options for all ages, in addition to the 10-acre Town Center Park, which features the Big Splash interactive fountain and an amphitheater for concerts and other performances. The city has also focused on its network of multiuse trails and parks, each with its own distinct personality.
Perfect For: Families, Empty Nesters, Young Professionals
For More Info: www.suwanee.com
Virginia-Highland
Why: Just east of Midtown Atlanta is the vibrant neighborhood of Virginia-Highland, named for the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues that sits 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 Summerfest arts and music festival is one of the largest in the Southeast, and its network of short blocks and residential streets lined with historic bungalows makes it one of Atlanta’s most walkable communities. Plus, it’s right off the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile biking/walking trail, and a short walk from Atlanta’s sprawling Piedmont Park, making it ideal for active young professionals.
Perfect For: Families, Young Professionals
For More Info: www.vahi.org
Six More Communities We Love
Fayetteville: The Fayette County seat boasts a stellar school system and Pinewood Atlanta Studios, a major film-production facility. Recognized by Forbes as a “Top 25 Suburb for Retirement.”
Hapeville: This charming city boasts a small-town feel and is the home of the Dwarf House, the first Chick-fil-A restaurant.
Midtown: The heart of Atlanta is home to such jewels as the Fox Theatre, the Woodruff Arts Center, and the city’s most prominent green space, Piedmont Park.
Peachtree City: Named one of Money’s “Best Places to Live” five times in the last decade, this appealing community features 90 miles of paths enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and some 10,000 golf carts—one of the area’s primary sources of transportation.
Smyrna: Attractive neighborhoods, a thriving downtown and plentiful green space highlight this Cobb County city.
Woodstock: This Cherokee County suburb offers public beaches, a historic downtown and proximity to Lake Allatoona.
Atlanta's Top 100 Neighborhoods
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