Last Updated on: 30th March 2023, 06:14 pm
Are you ready for living to Atlanta? This thriving Southern city is packed with charm and excitement with tons of amazing neighborhoods to explore. Because you can only choose one neighborhood to call home, you’ll want to consider what’s most important to you. Do you have pets? Do you have children or plan to start a family? Do you want to live in a dense urban environment or do you prefer a suburban lifestyle? Will you use public transportation or drive?
Deciding where to live in Atlanta can feel a bit overwhelming. There are 243 official neighborhoods in Atlanta along with several large areas made up of multiple neighborhoods. This includes Downtown, Buckhead, and Midtown. Buckhead alone is made up of more than 40 distinct neighborhoods! As you explore the best places to live in Atlanta, it’s helpful to know the general areas or parts of Atlanta:
- Intown Atlanta – the most central neighborhoods around downtown
- Downtown Atlanta
- Midtown Atlanta
- West Side – neighborhoods west of I-75/85
- East Side
- Northwestern Atlanta
- Buckhead – large area of Northwestern Atlanta
- Southeastern Atlanta
- Southwestern Atlanta (sometimes called SWATS)
Ready to find the best Atlanta neighborhood for you? Here are the nine best areas to live in Atlanta to give you the lifestyle and amenities you’re looking for.
Cabbagetown – One of the Most Affordable Atlanta Neighborhoods with an Artsy, Close-Knit Community
- Known for: Street art, colorful and historic cottages, and close-knit environment
- Area of Atlanta: Eastside
- Average rent: $1,892
- Median home price: $485,000
Cabbagetown is one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta for young professionals, families, and artists. This charming neighborhood is distinctive with its narrow streets, close, turn-of-the-century homes with unique and colorful architecture, and street art around every corner. The iconic small cottages in the neighborhood, built close to the curb and each other, are sometimes called “shotgun homes.”
There’s a lot to love about the Cabbagetown neighborhood: good walkability with nightlife, shopping, dining, and public transit all within reach not to mention low crime. You’re close to the Beltline, Candler Park, and Krog Street Market with plenty to keep you busy.
Old Fourth Ward (O4W) – One of the Best Atlanta Neighborhoods for Foodies
- Known for: History, eateries, nightlife, and the Martin Luther Jr. National Historic Site
- Area of Atlanta: Eastside (intown)
- Average rent: $2,095
- Median home price: $415,000
Old Fourth Ward, or O4W, is an historic Eastside neighborhood famous for Martin Luther King, Jr’s childhood home and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta and now one of the hippest and nicest areas in Atlanta thanks to revitalization efforts.
Residents enjoy close proximity to the Atlanta BeltLine and Freedom Parkway plus great community amenities like a fantastic skate park, two-acre lake, neighborhood park with a splash pad, an outdoor theater, and 17 acres of newly developed green space. There are tons of restaurants, bars, and nightlife options along Edgewood Avenue plus Ponce City Market, a mixed-use space with apartments, a mall, and a food hall.
Top attractions in O4W:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park
- The King Center
- Ponce City Market
- Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark
Piedmont Park – Good Neighborhood in Atlanta for Outdoor Enthusiasts & Active Families
- Known for: Piedmont Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Area of Atlanta: East Side (Midtown)
- Average rent: $2,395
- Median home price: $399,000
While technically part of Midtown, most people consider the residential area around Piedmont Park its own neighborhood. Piedmont Park is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Atlanta if you like to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. The community is anchored by Piedmont Park, a paradise for joggers and dog owners with a farmer’s market, dog parks, jogging paths around a lake, and an aquatic center. It’s also home to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, one of the city’s top attractions, and it’s a fun place to visit on the weekend when there are usually food trucks.
From Piedmont Park, you can reach the Beltline access via a series of wooded trails. Take a walk or bike and stop at the nearby Ponce City Market for shopping and a bite to eat.
Midtown – One of the Best Neighborhoods in Atlanta for Young Professionals & Millennials
- Known for: Nightlife, culture, and walkability
- Area of Atlanta: Intown
- Average rent: $2,328
- Median home price: $345,000
- Guide to living in Midtown, Atlanta
Want to live close to the action? Look forward to walking to your favorite restaurant, watching the activity on the street from your balcony, and attending festivals just blocks from your home? You’ll fall in love with Midtown, Atlanta!
Midtown is the best neighborhood in Atlanta for excitement, nightlife, and fun. This large neighborhood is known for its incredibly walkable layout and endless attractions. It’s home to two historic districts, including the Fox Theatre Historic District, and located right between Buckhead and Downtown. Midtown offers a convenient location close to downtown with excellent access to Atlanta public transportation, including three rapid rail transit stations. While you’re in the neighborhood, however, you can walk to just about everything.
The best thing about Midtown? Its unique culture and lifestyle. Along with several neighborhoods with single-family homes, Midtown is home to tons of high-rise condos and lofts. The neighborhood is Atlanta’s art and entertainment district with almost 65% of its residents identifying as a Gen Xer or millennial.
It’s the best place to live in Atlanta for the perfect combination of city living and entertainment with green space and quiet. You’ll enjoy a dense, urban lifestyle but there’s plenty of beautiful green space right around the corner. Midtown is home to the stunning 200-acre Piedmont Park with the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Top amenities in Midtown:
- Piedmont Park
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Fox Theatre
- Woodruff Arts Center
- Plaza Midtown
Buckhead – Affluent Neighborhoods & the Best Area to Live in Atlanta for Families
- Known for: Affluence, large estates, and family-friendly neighborhoods
- Area of Atlanta: Northwestern
- Median home price: $574,000
- Guide to living in Buckhead, Atlanta
Buckhead is one the best areas to live in Atlanta if you want excitement, great amenities, and world-class dining at your fingertips. This large community is home to over 40 different subdivisions and neighborhoods like North Buckhead and Paces, two of the richest neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Buckhead is known for its affluence and it’s home to some of the most expensive homes in Atlanta. However, you can also find more affordable homes priced under $400k, particularly in the neighborhoods on the west side.
Buckhead has an uptown atmosphere with art galleries, upscale shopping malls, and trendy restaurants at every corner. Its tree-lined streets and unique style appeals to people from all walks of life including families, young professionals, and retirees. Learn more about the best neighborhoods in Buckhead to find the perfect subdivision or community for your family!
Top amenities in Buckhead:
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
- Buckhead Village District
- Swan House at Atlanta History Museum, a restored 1928 neoclassical mansion and gardens
- Lenox Square Mall
Morningside-Lenox Park –One of the Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Atlanta
- Known for: Walkability and beautiful homes
- Area of Atlanta: Eastside (intown)
- Average rent: $1,915
- Median home price: $975,000
- Guide to living in Morningside, Atlanta
Morningside, Atlanta is also known as Morningside-Lenox as these two neighborhoods are tied closely. Morningside is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Atlanta thanks to its walkability, beautiful homes, and short commutes.
Morningside’s history goes back to the 1920s when a new type of suburb was designed in the city for commuters to reach work by vehicle or streetcar. Located near Virginia-Highland, Ansley Park, and Druid Hills, Morningside-Lenox is just 4 miles from downtown and it has two MARTA stations.
The biggest appeal of this charming Atlanta neighborhood is its walkability and lively atmosphere. You’ll see neighbors jogging and walking to the farmer’s market, enjoying the neighborhood’s many paths, and working in the community garden. You’ll enjoy restaurants, shops, and attractions within walking distance!
Morningside-Lenox Park is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Atlanta for buyers. However, you’ll find charming historic Craftsman, Tudor, and Four Square homes that lend an Old World feel to the neighborhood.
Top amenities in Morningside-Lenox Park:
- Morningside Nature Preserve which features walking trails and a suspension bridge
- Morningside Community Garden
- Morningside Village
Atlantic Station – Top Atlanta Neighborhood for Buyers
- Known for: Cultural attractions and the open-air Atlantic Station shopping mall
- Area of Atlanta: Midtown (intown)
- Average rent: $2,395
- Median home price: $315,000
Atlantic Station is an upscale residential and commercial neighborhood on the northwest edge of Midtown. Named for the Atlantic Station shopping center, Atlantic Station is a surprisingly affordable community for buyers considering it’s one the best neighborhoods in Atlanta for entertainment and shopping. However, rent doesn’t come cheap – it’s at the high end for the city.
Along with the open-air mall, Atlantic Station is located next to the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, Clark Atlanta University, and Georgia State University. This makes it a popular neighborhood for college students.
While living in Atlantic Station, you can enjoy a 24-hour lifestyle with pedestrian-friendly boulevards, sidewalk cafes, and a fun nightlife. Atlantic Station is divided into three main areas:
- The District is home to the neighborhood’s retail and office space
- The Commons which is home to townhomes, low-rise condos, and apartments
- The Village has two apartment buildings and an IKEA
Condos, apartments, and townhomes account for most housing in Atlantic Station. You’ll find lots of exciting opportunities like The Lofts at Atlantic Station right at the shopping center with upscale amenities and Seventeen West in the heart of Atlantic Station with two swimming pools and a clubroom with an outdoor kitchen.
Top amenities in Atlantic Station:
- Atlantic Station shopping center
- High Museum of Art
- IKEA
Virginia-Highland (ViHi) – One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Atlanta
- Known for: Walkability, boutiques, and bungalow homes
- Area of Atlanta: Eastside (intown)
- Average rent: $2,156
- Median home price: $800,000
- Guide to living in Virginia-Highland, Atlanta
Virginia-Highland is an historic community that started with the creation of the Atlanta Street Railway Company. The Nine Mile Trolley was used in the early 19th century to take tours of the countryside, and today its remnants are visible in the neighborhood’s curving streets. After falling into decline, Virginia-Highland or ViHi was revitalized in the 1980s and became became one of the safest neighborhoods in Atlanta. Today, residents love ViHi’s walkability and its excellent public transit with four city bus lines and a nearby MARTA train station.
Top amenities in Virginia-Highland:
- The Plaza Theatre, Atlanta’s oldest operating cinema and an Atlanta landmark
- John C. Howell Memorial Park
- North Highland Park
- Virginia-Highland Summerfest, an annual neighborhood music and art festival and 5k run
Chastain Park – Best Neighborhood in Atlanta for Families with Great Schools
- Known for: Large, upscale estates and Chastain Park, one of the best and largest city parks in Atlanta
- Area of Atlanta: Northwestern (Buckhead)
- Average rent: $1,818
- Median home price: $2,145,000
Chastain Park is actually located in North Buckhead but it feels like its own small town. Centered around the Chastain Memorial Park, one of Atlanta’s largest parks, this neighborhood is located in the prestigious north edge of Atlanta. The small residential community is known for its large homes on wooded lots, but there are a handful of more affordable homes in Chastain Park including The Townes at Chastain, an upscale townhome community.
About one-third of the residents of Chastain Park are under 18. This small community is one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta for families thanks not only to its parks and amenities but its great schools. Kids living in Chastain Park attend the highly rated Jackson Elementary School, Sutton Middle School, and either North Atlanta High School or Riverwood International Charter School, one of Atlanta’s top-rated schools.
Top amenities in Chastain Park:
- Chastain Memorial Park, a 268-acre park with hiking trails, a golf course, horse park, public pool, amphitheater, playgrounds, and much more!
- Chastain Horse Park with a therapeutic horse riding program for kids and summer camps
- Chastain Park Golf Course, an 18-hole public golf course located in the park
Best Neighborhoods in Atlanta Map
No matter which Atlanta neighborhood you decide to call home, you can count on the trusted Atlanta movers at Wirks Moving & Storage to help you get there. Call us today for a free moving estimate and the unrivaled customer service you deserve.
