Not only is Atlanta the economic capital of Georgia, but it also inspires cultural and dining trends. If you have a niche interest or a specific lifestyle, you’ll feel at home here in the city of transplants. But where’s home? Let’s talk about the best neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Before picking a neighborhood, make a note about what it means to be ITP (inside the perimeter) and OTP (outside the perimeter). The I-285 loop is what the locals call the perimeter. Inside the perimeter, you have the metro Atlanta neighborhoods and the in-town neighborhoods.
It all depends on how close you want to be to the hustle of the city, public transportation or your work. Just keep in mind that Atlanta’s traffic is infamous — especially on the Connector.
Ready to find the best Atlanta neighborhood for you? Keep on reading.
Best neighborhoods in Atlanta for singles
In 2019, Atlanta was voted the best city for singles in the entire country, thanks to its dating and recreation opportunities. If you’re single in Atlanta, we have a few of the neighborhoods you should keep an eye on for your next apartment — packed with bars, speakeasies and even karaoke opportunities.
Midtown
Midtown is the heart of nightlife in Atlanta — from the hipster bar at the top of the Hotel Clermont to Blake’s on the Park, a quintessential gay bar and club. There’s truly something for everyone. The walkable neighborhood is close to Piedmont Park, home to the Dogwood Festival and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside entrance.
Jump on your bike, ride down one of the neighborhoods many bike lanes and meet your next date at one of the bars nearby. The Fox Theatre and the many surrounding restaurants also provide some lovely spots for meet-cutes.
Buckhead
While Buckhead can be a polarizing neighborhood among locals due to its traffic, it’s an excellent area for singles. As Atlanta’s business district, happy hour and after-work drinks opportunities are many in the area. They often turn into dancing at Tongue & Groove, Havana Club or Johnny’s Hideaway.
The upscale neighborhood offers fine dining, luxury shopping, as well as outdoor opportunities at Chastain Park. You can also enjoy a little history lesson at the Atlanta History Center. High rises in the area feature higher rents, but they come with great amenities like a pool, concierge service, spa access and more. Maybe you’ll run into a celebrity or two.
Inman Park
Source: Mariposa Loft Apartments @ Inman Park
Are you more of a homebody who enjoys a good walk with your dog and being a regular at the corner coffee shop? Inman Park is a quiet residential neighborhood to the south and west of Little Five Points, composed of historic houses and small apartment buildings. The in-town neighborhood has a wide variety of apartments and lofts that can fit your solo lifestyle, including being pet-friendly and near the BeltLine.
Down the tree-lined streets, you can find small restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bars and even an ice cream shop or two that are perfect meeting spots for your next Tinder date.
Other neighborhoods to consider: Old Fourth Ward, Ansley Park and Edgewood
Best neighborhoods in Atlanta for families
Whether you’re just starting your family or have teenagers in tow, these three Atlanta neighborhoods are great places to raise kids. These neighborhoods have a plethora of playgrounds, parks, sidewalk restaurants and kid-friendly activities.
Virginia-Highland
Virginia-Highland has a small-town feel, especially in its small downtown area at North Highland Avenue and Virginia Avenue. The streets are lined with small stores, restaurants and specialized boutiques and grocers. Pick up Italian ingredients at Tuscany At Your Table and gelato to-go at Paolo’s just across the street.
Nearby, you have access to the 20-acre Virginia Highlands Park, and in the summer, you can enjoy the Virginia-Highland Summerfest with tons of artists and music performances. The area is quiet and within a few blocks from schools in the area.
Kirkwood
Source: The Kirkwood Apartments
Located on the east side of Atlanta, Kirkwood exudes family-friendly with its beautiful Craftsman-style homes and small apartment communities. Right in the neighborhood’s downtown, you have access to the local butcher, a small coffee shop, a sports bar and a delicious French-inspired brunch.
Homes remain affordable in the area, plus it has two MARTA stops nearby for easy accessibility to the city, only a few miles away. You can also find a few green spaces and dog parks for the whole family to enjoy.
West End
Did you know that Atlanta’s West End historic neighborhood was spared during the Civil War? Thanks to this, there are several beautiful spaces like the Westview Cemetery, the Hammonds House Museum and the Wren’s Nest for your family to enjoy and learn a bit more about Atlanta’s history.
The neighborhood was recently added to the BeltLine trail, and the area around it has exploded with local restaurants, breweries and more. Homes remain affordable, and the close-knit community makes for a very outspoken neighborhood. Not too far from downtown, it’s a great, diverse location to raise a family.
Other neighborhoods to consider: East Atlanta, Druid Hills
Best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Atlanta
Atlanta is composed of more than 45 neighborhoods, and they’re all rapidly changing. With prices going up in some of the most popular neighborhoods, others are quickly capturing the attention of couples and young families.
Here are a few of the up-and-coming neighborhoods you should keep an eye on.
Ormewood Park
Source: Glenwood Park Lofts
While nearby East Atlanta and Cabbagetown are some of the most popular neighborhoods in town, Ormewood Park has taken its time to build up momentum. As the BeltLine has arrived and connected the neighborhood to other parts of the city, it’s quickly growing.
You can find homes and apartments in the residential area. New coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques have opened both on Moreland Avenue and The Beacon shopping center. Now it’s time to join the neighborhood.
Mechanicsville
Source: Columbia at Mechanicsville Crossing
As Georgia State University grows its campus across downtown, the surrounding neighborhoods are experiencing a new kind of popularity. Mechanicsville offers beautiful Craftsman homes and apartments at affordable prices with strong community ties. Nearby Summerhill now features several award-winning restaurants, a brewery, a coffee shop and other attractions.
If you’re looking to be close to the city, yet enjoy the quiet of Grant Park, Mechanicsville should be your pick as a family or couple.
Berkeley Park
Source: Berkeley Heights
Right near Atlantic Station on the Westside, Berkeley Park has risen in popularity for its proximity to the city and all of the new buildings in the area, including apartments and lofts. The site skews a bit industrial, thanks to the former warehouses that operated in the neighborhoods.
You have several art galleries nearby, the Westside Provisions District, breweries like Monday Night Brewing and easy access to Midtown and Georgia Tech.
Other neighborhoods to consider: Summerhill, Hapeville, East Point
Best neighborhoods in Atlanta suburbs
The suburbs can get a bad rap, but neighborhoods 30 to 40 minutes outside of Atlanta often bring significant benefits to families, such as good schools and affordable housing. Here are the best neighborhoods in Atlanta suburbs.
Smyrna
Located in Cobb County, Smyrna is situated only 10 miles from Atlanta, but it truly feels like suburbia. Market Village, Smyrna’s small downtown area, remains an entirely walkable development with a library, small shops, a community center and more. Children of residents attend Cobb County schools, some of the highest-rated in the state.
For those families craving the outdoors, you can quickly jump on the 61-mile Silver Comet Trail for a car-less adventure via bike or walking or visit Taylor-Brawner Park to enjoy the walking trails and playgrounds.
Decatur
Source: Cortland Decatur East
The city of Decatur tops the best neighborhood to live in year over year. Thanks to its small-town feel, Decatur boasts excellent schools, a walkable community, an extensive bike lane setup and an impressive dining scene. The neighborhood also skews younger as young families move from Atlanta to the area as their family grows.
Housing remains expensive, thanks to the neighborhood’s benefits, along with proximity to MARTA, which allows for easy commuting to the city. Don’t miss Decatur Square’s events and pick up an ice cream cone after at Jeni’s by the gazebo.
Marietta
About 20 miles northwest from Atlanta, Marietta is one of the most coveted spots for families looking for suburban life yet accessibility to the city. Marietta isn’t just a family-friendly spot with good schools and walkable areas, the city is also close to several headquarters like the Weather Channel, Home Depot and more.
Marietta Square anchors several restaurants, boutiques and the Marietta Museum of History near the train tracks at the center of it all. Every Saturday, the Square also hosts a farmers market with growers from all over the state.
Other neighborhoods to consider: Stone Mountain, Woodstock, Johns Creek
Find the best Atlanta neighborhood for you
In Atlanta, you have plenty of choices when it comes to finding a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re a young parent or single looking for friends, you can find them just around the corner. The city comes alive within its festivals, dining scene, tree-lined streets and beautiful parks. Check out the apartments to rent and homes to buy in the city. There’s sure to be something that meets your needs.
