What Are the Top Places to Live in Atlanta? Your Guide to the Best Atlanta Neighborhoods

We’ve combined data from various sources and included criteria such as the cost of living, housing options, general safety of a neighborhood, access to amenities, commute time, and entertainment options to come up with six favorite places to live in the capital of Georgia. Consider your criteria, the best time of the year to move, as well as some house-hunting and moving day tips to avoid common moving mistakes, and let’s take a closer look.

#1 North Buckhead – One of the Best Places to Live in Atlanta for Families

North Buckhead is located about a 15-minute drive away from Downtown ATL. In other words, it is close enough to provide easy access to all the amenities you’ll need, yet far away not to be too busy and loud. It is well connected by public transport – the Buckhead metro station is located on the south end of the neighborhood. If you’d rather transport your vehicle across the country, learn how car shipping works, get auto transport services and drive to work, I-85 will be your commute route.

North Buckhead is one of the best places to live in Atlanta for families. If you’re moving with kids, you can send them to one of several excellent schools in the vicinity, such as Jackson Elementary School and Sarah Smith Elementary. If you’d instead send your kid to one of the best private schools in Atlanta, you’ll have lots of options, too. Most of the population here have university-level education, and families with children account for almost a third of the community. The area also has several parks, such as Little Nancy Creek and Blue Heron Nature Preserve, where classes for kids take place.

Live, Eat, and Drink As Locals Do

Just because North Buckhead is one of the most suitable places for families in the US, it doesn’t mean that life here is boring. If you enjoy an occasional night out and dancing to good music with your friends or you like going on dinner dates, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from along the east border of this community. No matter if you chose to move during the holidays or in the summer, we suggest visiting Buttermilk Kitchen, Johnny’s Hideaway, The IVY, and Chama Gaucha, to begin with.

#2 Old Fourth Ward – an Ideal Neighborhood for Young Professionals

Old Fourth Ward, also known as OFW, is located in the middle of it all – right next to Downtown ATL. Whatever you need, this up-and-coming place has it – several supermarkets including the colossal Ponce City Market, the best restaurants in Atlanta, the WellStar Hospital, and so on. Due to its excellent location, most young professionals who work in the city center decide to live here, as the commute time is short, and the rent is reasonable – around $1,200 a month on average, so it’s not impossible to afford to move into a smaller home alone if you sell or donate some unwanted items. Create a household inventory list to get a better idea of the stuff you have.

If you’re moving with dogs, we highly suggest considering this place. This is where Freedom Barkway is located – a vast off-leash area for your furry friend to enjoy. As for other parks, you can enjoy a walk in Central, Freedom, or Historic Fourth Ward Parks.

The Historic Heart of Atlanta and African-American History

Yes, when you were contemplating the reasons to move and deciding where you should move, you choose the right place. Old Fourth Ward has a great location and lots of amenities, but there is another reason why this neighborhood has a special place in the heart of locals – this is where Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. His Birth Home has been turned into a museum that you can visit from 9 am to 5 pm every day. A short walk away, you’ll also find the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and Historic Park, as well as the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was a pastor. You can also visit his resting place and pay homage to one of the most significant figures of the fight for civil rights.

#3 Midtown – the Artistic Hotspot

If your perfect weekend afternoon consists of walking around museums and galleries and listening to classical music, you’ll love Midtown. This densely-populated artsy hub is the address of the Woodruff Arts Center, Center for Puppetry Arts, Museum of Design, Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, etc. Even the metro station in this area carries the name Arts Center. This means that if you are moving for a relationship there will be plenty of places for you to go out and have a fun date.

Due to its central location, Midtown can get quite busy and congested, but it provides easy access to most amenities you’ll need, from grocery stores to night clubs. The median rent is around $1,300 on average. This is higher than the ATL median, but you’ll definitely get a bang for your buck.

Studying in ATL

Are you planning to move here to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology? Then you should definitely consider Midtown for your new address – if you can afford it, of course. The neighborhood is right across the street from the Georgia Tech campus, and getting there would barely take away any time of your day, and that’s only one of many advantages of moving alone here. As for daily expenses and the cost of living in Atlanta, consider getting a roommate or two and splitting the rent.

#4 Decatur – One of the Best Atlanta Suburbs

Would you rather live slightly further away and commute than deal with constant noise and traffic? We completely understand; every big city can get quite overwhelming. No wonder there has been an increase in the trend of moving to the suburbs. In that case, we suggest you take a look at Decatur, one of the best Atlanta suburbs located west of the city proper.

Of course, peace and quiet come at a price. The overall cost of living in Decatur is much higher than the average for Georgia, and even for the country as a whole. This is mostly due to housing – the median home price is around half a million – which is three times as much as the average home in the state.

The People of Decatur

Decatur is home to around 25,000 residents. The population is relatively diverse, with about a third of residents belonging to a visible minority group. Around a quarter of the community is under 19 years of age, and a third of the population are young adults. Over half of the locals here hold a university degree, and the average household makes just short of $1 million. Since this is a place for young adults, if you and your partner are moving in together and planning to grow a family in the near future, this is where you should be.

#5 East Chastain Park – Buckhead’s Neighbor

Buckhead’s west neighbor, East Chastain Park, is yet another area that offers the best of both worlds – easy access to downtown without the hustle and bustle. The north and south of the neighborhood are its liveliest areas. It is where most restaurants, grocery stores, shopping centers, and banks are situated.

This is a small community of around 5,000 people. The median home value exceeds $500,000, while the average rent is less than $900. Still, most people here are homeowners rather than renters. The community is quite safe, and the average household makes around $110,000.

ATL’s Largest Park

One of the greatest things about East Chastain is its vicinity to Chastain Park, completed in 1945 and named after Fulton County Commissioner Troy Green Chastain. This 270-acre parkland provides vast opportunities for numerous outdoor activities you can check out when you unpack after the move.

To the north, there is a horse farm where you can take your kids to horseback riding lessons. They also offer therapeutic programs and event organization. Right next to it, there is a pool that’s open to the public, as well as a golf course, tennis courts, playgrounds for kids, a sports academy, and so on. There is also a three-mile trail running through the area. According to PATH, around 250 walkers, joggers, and bikers use the trail every hour.

#6 Piedmont Heights – History in the Heart of ATL

Piedmont Heights is yet another historic neighborhood located close to downtown. This is where the second-oldest house in the city is located – it dates back to the mid-19th century. The neighborhood itself is around a century old. Just imagine how enjoyable and scenic your evening walks will be.

The average home here costs around $420,000. However, most of the locals here rent their homes, which comes at about $1,300 a month on average. On the other hand, the median household income in the area is almost $80,000, which is more than enough for a comfortable life.

Where to Shop in Piedmont Heights

Piedmont Heights is popular even among the residents of surrounding neighborhoods. The main culprit for this is Ansley Mall. This is an open-air historic shopping destination lies on the intersection of Monroe Dr and Piedmont Rd. The list of stores includes Publix, High Country Outfitters, Cook’s Warehouse, Mattress Firm, I Play Tennis, LA Fitness, Starbucks, and Panera Bread, to name just a few. If you’re out of ideas on things to do in Atlanta, a trip to the mall could help you pass the time. Also, we’ve heard shopping is great therapy for moving stress.

Ready to Move?

Have you found your favorite corner of ATL? Then there’s no time for relocation depression, it’s time to plan your moving budget, find the cheapest way to move out of state to reduce the costs of moving, and relocate! If this is a long-distance relocation, we highly recommend finding a job before moving to another state and hiring widely recommended and reputable professional Atlanta movers who know all packing tips and tricks. With the right moving services all of your clothes, furniture and valuables will be taken care of, and you’ll have more free time to explore ATL and get to know your future city. If you choose to move in winter which is the cheapest time of the year to move, you can even save money on relocation costs. Remember to find free boxes and other packing materials for moving as well. Good luck!