Better get going to Atlanta! Money Magazine named Atlanta the best place to live in 2022, praising it for its great schools, rich culture, and flourishing economy.
Yet some people find living in Atlanta a little overwhelming. Living in the suburbs can give you peace of mind and let you find a spacious and luxurious place to live. But the Atlanta metropolitan area covers nearly 8,400 square miles and includes more than 100 cities and towns.
If you’re a parent or looking to start a family, you can narrow your options down by focusing on the best places to live in Atlanta for families and children. Here are the eight best suburbs of Atlanta for families.
Alpharetta GA | Top schools, incredible homes, and friendly neighbors
- Population: 65,811
- Median household income: $133,920
- Homes for sale in Alpharetta GA
- Median home price: $657,500
- Median rent: $2,015
- Crime rate: 1,326 offenses per 100,000 residents (43% lower than the national average)
Ask an Atlanta resident about the best suburbs of Atlanta, and they’ll talk to you about Alpharetta GA. Money Magazine named Alpharetta one of the top 25 places in the country to live in 2018, praising the city for its fun, family-family attractions, and civic engagement. Top kid-friendly attractions in the city include Avalon, a shopping mall with an on-site movie theater, and several affordable Alpharetta restaurants.
US News and World Report ranks Alpharetta High School in the top 400 high schools in the country and in the top 20 high schools in the state. The high school has state championship athletics, speech and debate, quiz bowl, and chess teams. 97% of students graduate on time and 82% test at or above the proficiency level in reading.
Alpharetta Georgia has one of the most diverse real estate markets amongst suburbs of Atlanta. You can find more than 100 Alpharetta GA homes for sale, including townhomes, condos, and detached single-family properties. Large families can live in European-style properties containing five bedrooms and covering 1.5 acres. Smaller families can enjoy recently-constructed two-bedroom homes covering more than 1,250 square feet. Prices vary, but the median sale price per square foot is $261, less than the Atlanta median of $285.
Johns Creek | One of the safest Atlanta suburbs with great high schools
- Population: 82,444
- Median household income: $133,948
- Homes for sale in Johns Creek GA
- Median home price: $691,875
- Median rent: $1,978
- Crime rate: 442 offenses per 100,000 residents (81% lower than the national average)
Johns Creek is one of the safest suburbs of Atlanta; SafeWise ranks Johns Creek as the fourth-safest city in the state. Money Magazine ranked Johns Creek Georgia in the top 20 places to live in 2019, praising it for its low crime rates and exemplary education system.
Johns Creek GA has three different high schools. US News ranks Johns Creek High School in the top 20 high schools in the state. 71% of students test at or above the proficiency level in math, 41 percentage points higher than the state average.
US News also ranks Chattahoochee High School in the top 20 Georgia high schools. 62% of students pass at least one AP exam. The school underwent renovations in 2014 and 2015, giving it a new computer lab and HVAC system as well as a refurbished front office and theater stage.
US News considers Northview High School to be the sixth-best high school in the state. 85% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in mathematics and reading. The school offers more than 30 AP programs and five foreign language courses. Nearly 80% of Northview students identify as being in a minority group, making Northview one of the most diverse high schools in the country.
Roswell GA | Perfect Atlanta suburb for attractions and public events
- Population: 92,835
- Median household income: $111,214
- Homes for sale in Roswell GA
- Median home price: $625,000
- Median rent: $1,799
- Crime rate: 1,505 offenses per 100,000 people (36% lower than the country)
Roswell GA is a hub for the arts and culture in suburbs of Atlanta Georgia. You and your kids can attend numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Frances McGahee Youth Day Celebration. The celebration includes a parade where hundreds of children ride on themed floats and carry signs. Your kids also have opportunities to get free candy and affordable meals.
If your child loves history, they can visit various historical sites, memorials, and museums around town. The Roswell Mill is an abandoned mill that is a perfect spot for historical walking tours, photography, and drawings. The Computer Museum of America is the largest technology museum on the East Coast and is an extremely popular site for school field trips.
If your child loves nature, you can take them on nature walks through the Chattahoochee River Recreation Area. The recreation area contains a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River that you and your kids can swim and fish in. The park also has more than seven miles of bike trails, including short fitness loops that are perfect for a Saturday bike ride.
Milton | Beautiful green spaces with unique kid-friendly public events
- Population: 41,290
- Median household income: $136,020
- Milton GA homes for sale
- Median home price: $1,015,000
- Median rent: $2,077
- Crime rate: 550 offenses per 100,000 people (77% lower than the national average)
Milton GA is just 30 miles from Atlanta, but it has a quaint and quiet rural aesthetic that many families find relaxing. Milton is one of the best suburbs of Atlanta GA for outdoor activities. The community is dotted with parks and green spaces, most of which have playgrounds and walking trails open to children. Bell Memorial Park is one of the most popular parks in Fulton County, containing four baseball fields, two artificial turf fields, and picnic areas.
You can enjoy the outdoor spaces at kid-friendly festivals and public events throughout the year. The Touch a Truck event in September gives children the opportunity to explore trucks, heavy-duty equipment, and other large vehicles for free. The Crabapple Fest is Milton’s leading festival, taking place in October. You and your children can view unique works of art and antiques from more than 100 different vendors.
Kennesaw GA | One of the most affordable Atlanta suburbs with a great parks department
- Population: 33,234
- Median household income: $73,977
- Homes for sale in Kennesaw GA
- Median home price: $375,000
- Median rent: $1,915
- Crime rate: 1,315 offenses per 100,000 people (44% lower than the national average)
Kennesaw GA offers some of the most affordable homes for sale in any Atlanta suburb. The median home price has fallen by 3.0% since 2022. The median sale price per square foot is $183, which is down by 3.4% since 2022. You have many options for Kennesaw apartments, including three-bedroom apartments covering more than 1,200 square feet, providing plenty of room for families. Many buildings are pet-friendly and have kid-friendly amenities like swimming pools and high-speed internet. You can rent a three-bedroom apartment for less than $2,100 a month.
Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation Department runs more than 100 recreation programs for kids and young adults throughout the year. Your children can enjoy sports camps during the summer, STEAM classes during the school year, and dance classes. Many of these programs are at low prices, costing less than $100 a month. The department also plans various special events. During A Day with Santa, your child can sit on Santa’s lap and get a photograph of themselves with him. They can also enjoy a Christmas-themed parade, a scavenger hunt, and a Christmas tree lighting.
Decatur | One of the best Atlanta suburbs for young families and elementary schoolers
- Population: 24,927
- Median household income: $123,617
- Homes for sale in Decatur GA
- Median home price: $450,000
- Median rent: $1,533
- Crime rate: 1,994 offenses per 100,000 people (15% lower than the national average)
Decatur GA is a terrific Atlanta suburb for commuters. It’s only six miles from downtown Atlanta and has three MARTA stations, providing quick access to Atlanta neighborhoods. Decatur also has its own public transportation system, including shuttles that provide access to Emory University. The city has more than 60 miles of sidewalks, making it one of the most walkable and accessible suburbs in Atlanta. Most Decatur restaurants and attractions are within walking distance of the downtown center. Decatur is known as one of the most affordable suburbs of Atlanta; many restaurants offer meals for less than $20.
Decatur is home to six different elementary schools. US News ranks Oakhurst Elementary School in the top 10 Georgia elementary schools. 87% of Oakhurst students test at or above the proficiency levels in mathematics and reading, more than twice the state average. US News ranks Westchester Elementary School in the top 100 elementary schools in the state. More than 90% of teachers at Westchester Elementary School have more than three years of experience. Westchester has a unique K-2 Spanish program and gifted services, helping qualifying students take more personalized and challenging courses.
Duluth | One of the best suburbs in Atlanta for middle schoolers
- Population: 31,873
- Median household income: $77,516
- Homes for sale in Duluth GA
- Median home price: $438,000
- Median rent: $1,768
- Crime rate: 1,549 offenses per 100,000 people (34% lower than the national average)
Duluth GA is well known for being a hub for middle school students. US News ranks Hull Middle School in Duluth in the top 25 Georgia middle schools. 95% of Hull Middle School teachers have at least three years of experience. The school is home to dozens of unique clubs, including fiddle-playing and jigsaw puzzle teams.
US News ranks Coleman Middle School in Duluth in the top 40 Georgia middle schools. More than 80% of students identify in a racial minority group, with 36.6% identifying as Black or African American and 23.2% identifying as Hispanic or Latino. 67% of Coleman Middle School students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 12 percentage points higher than the district average.
Avondale Estates | Best Atlanta suburb for artistic kids
- Population: 3,140
- Median household income: $122,009
- Avondale Estates homes for sale
- Median home price: $520,000
- Median rent: $1,230
- Crime rate: 2,340 crimes per 100,000 residents (0.3% lower than the national average)
Avondale Estates GA is best known for its downtown area. Downtown buildings were modeled after Tudor structures in England, providing a unique aesthetic to stores, restaurants, and attractions. The Waffle House Museum is the site of the first Waffle House, and you and your kids can take guided tours. Rising Son serves unique brunch options like breakfast dumplings and curry bowls, while My Parents Basement serves burgers and sandwiches at affordable prices.
Avondale is home to many Atlanta-based artists. You and your children can visit various art studios and see painters and photographers as they work. The DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts is a K-8 magnet school with a unique focus on the arts. All students participate in at least one arts class, ending the year with a public performance. 65% of DeKalb students test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 23 percentage points higher than the state average.
Atlanta Suburbs Map
You can find the best Atlanta suburbs for families and children with this suburbs of Atlanta map.
You’re going to love living in Atlanta suburbs! If your kids are aspiring artists, you can take them to Roswell and Avondale Estates. If your top priority is great schools, your family can live in Johns Creek, Decatur, or Duluth.
No matter where you are in the Atlanta area, you must hire the best Atlanta movers for a smooth journey to your new home. Wirks Moving has more than 2,000 five-star reviews from satisfied customers. Get a free moving quote by calling 404-635-6683.
