Do people find Atlanta a movable city? You bet they do! Besides its thriving economy, the city’s neighborhoods, each one-of-a-kind, draw people from all over the country! For instance, while you’ll get to see breathtaking Victorian houses in Inman Park, you’ll view high-rise buildings in Midtown. Some communities have a long and rich history while others are up and coming! No wonder the city’s home to over 400,000 residents! Interestingly, Atlanta’s known to have more than 242 proper neighborhoods! Like everyone else, you’d want to narrow down the list of choices to a more doable number, wouldn’t you? That’s where we come in!
Complete guide to the 10 best Atlanta neighborhoods:
1. Castleberry Hill
What was earlier an industrial center has now turned into a refined neighborhood full of residential lofts. Castleberry Hill is an affordable community focused primarily on art and a great place to find a perfect tenant for your rental.
While taking a stroll around the neighborhood, you’ll find plenty of art galleries housed in warehouses, along with pop-up shops, restaurants, and bars. The community runs an event on the second Friday of a month, the 2nd Friday Art Strolls, which is essentially an art walk, where people get to move around and view the work of local artists. Located next to Downtown Atlanta, you’re a stone’s throw away from the most amazing nightlife scene of your life.
The area’s known for its live music, so if you’re interested, this is your place. Castleberry Hill is also famous for its margaritas from No Mas! Cantina, a Mexican restaurant. If you’re hungry, drop by Elliott Street Deli and Pub and be sure to try out their homestyle chicken salad sandwich and a drink to go with it.
It’s a pretty in-demand community as far as the Georgia movie industry goes. Interestingly, movies like Driving Miss Daisy and the Walking Dead were shot in the neighborhood!
2. Midtown
Midtown is amongst the sought-after neighborhoods in Atlanta. You’ll find many old Victorian homes and contemporary condos here, although the area’s a little pricey. Both professionals and students find the place perfect for living with roommates here. You can reach public transit modes, green spaces, and eateries quite easily from here.
The art and music scene is booming in this place. While you’re there, check out places such as the Fox Theater, the Woodruff Arts Center, which houses the famed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Arts. Also, remember to drop by the Midtown Mile, dotted with boutique shops and unique restaurants on Peachtree Street. The place has seen immense growth in the last decade or so.
Atlantic Station is the ideal destination of the neighborhood for nightclubs, restaurants, bars, movies, shopping, and a ton of other entertainment options that run late into the night. So, you have another option if you’re thinking of things to do.
Should you run out of activities, head over to Piedmont Park, walk, or bike. It’s the biggest park in the city. When hunger strikes, visit Mary Mac’s Tea Room, which offers mouth-watering banana pudding, cornbread, and cinnamon rolls and has been in business for over 70 years!
The community’s close to reputed institutions, such as Georgia Tech and SCAD Atlanta, in case higher education falls into your plans. The 10th street and Piedmont Avenue junction now has a rainbow intersection to honor the gay community that lives here. In a word, the community’s an inclusive one!
3. Decatur
Although a city, it’s regarded as a top-notch neighborhood for young professionals, students, couples, and even families. Bungalows, apartments, and present-day ranches line the area and is amongst the best Atlanta suburbs to find a roommate. The area’s notable for its excellent public school system, minimal crimes, and stunning architecture. The neighborhood exhibits a community vibe and people look out for each other.
Some of the events that bring people together are the Decatur Book Festival and the Decatur Wine Festival held every year. Drop by Eddie's Attic, a music place well-known for providing a platform to many wannabe artists who went on to become famous. Decatur’s downtown area is filled with eateries, ice cream shops, and microbreweries.
Also, activities are held throughout the year in shopping centers and venues dotted with restaurants, so families have a place to entertain themselves. The community has a rocking nightlife scene. So, if you’re a night person, visit the SOS Tiki Bar for Caribbean music and tropical cocktails. For lip-smacking enchiladas and tacos, Taqueria del Sol is the place to be!
Some visitor attractions include Emory University, Agnes Scott College, and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, one of the most prominent natural history museums in the city, encompassing huge forested areas. Fascinated by diseases? David J. Sencer CDC Museum is your go-to place to learn more about different infectious diseases and pandemics.
You can travel to and from Decatur with your perfect roommate, thanks to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transport Authority (MARTA). It’s a walkable and bikeable neighborhood too, so consider reaching places on foot or by bike as alternatives.
4. Old Fourth Ward
Old Fourth Ward is a reasonably-priced and trendy neighborhood suitable for young professionals and students as they can find budget rooms for rent in Atlanta here. The area has undergone a massive change of late, but has retained its originality and historical identity. The influx of sophisticated folks has led to its large-scale improvement.
The community has some beautiful brownstone homes that can be rented out without any harm and could easily compete with those in Manhattan! The area has a historical significance because it was home to the late Martin Luther King, Jr., who is known to have honed his preaching skills here.
The neighborhood is finding its way into the limelight, courtesy of the Ponce City Market, serving a multitude of world cuisines, with eateries, shops, apartments, and offices taking up most of the space. Another reason the area rose into prominence is the BeltLine, made from outdated rail tracks to serve as a walking and biking path across the city. This ingenious concept was the brainchild of a Georgia Tech student.
The community attracts people from different backgrounds, and is where imagination’s put to good use to create something extraordinary and useful.
If you’re looking for things to do, visit Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Any clue about what improv is? If you wish to know more, head over to Dad’s Garage. Miss yoga? Drop by the Historic Fourth Ward Park for outdoor yoga classes.
Foodies can attend the food truck festival in the neighborhood. Do you fancy skateboarding? If so, visit the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark and watch the skateboarders practicing away. You could probably learn a thing or two from them! Also, Renaissance Park Atlanta is a family and pet-friendly park where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones or fur babies.
If you’re famished and have nothing to do on a Sunday, you should spend time gorging on the most famous southern brunch in the city. Eat till you explode! Some exciting places to eat are Cold Beer, where you can enjoy a rooftop view, Staplehouse, or Sound Table. Overall, the neighborhood is walkable and bikeable.
5. Cabbagetown
A lively neighborhood, Cabbagetown stands out due to its bright neon murals everywhere. In fact, its fascination for art culminates into Forward Warrior, a huge block event held every year, where people have the freedom to paint murals with no space restrictions!
The community was set up for the workers of a cotton mill close by but is now a happening place for the young, the artsy, and the musically inclined! The area mostly has renovated warehouses, art galleries, and eateries such as Six Feet Under Fish & Pub House, serving all seafood delicacies.
Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off is another wonderful event, a culinary celebration with individuals and restaurants across the neighborhood competing for the best chili ever, while the audience sits back and enjoys some fantastic music by prominent bluegrass artists.
It’s a warm and welcoming neighborhood. If you’re extroverted, you’ll enjoy chatting with the locals who own plots at the community garden that they use to grow vegetables used for sumptuous brunches at the Carroll Street Cafe, a popular hangout spot for residents. Among other exciting restaurants and bars, there’s Agave Restaurant and Milltown Arms Tavern.
Last but not least, take a tour of the Oakland Cemetery. It’s a historically important place because Margaret Mitchell, the author of the renowned novel “Gone with the Wind,” is buried here. It also happens to be the oldest park in the city, so take some time to wander through it while reveling in its beautiful sculptures and gardens!
6. Inman Park
Inman Park is regarded as the city’s first residential neighborhood and many successful landlords reside in here. The area is interspersed with new apartment and condo buildings, along with lovely Victorian houses and an ideal neighborhood to find a 4 bedroom rental houses in Atlanta. The community was established on a Civil War Battlefield in Atlanta, which took place in the mid-18th century, so it has a deep connection to history.
Those who live and breathe food shouldn’t miss this place! It houses the well-known Krog Street Market, akin to the Ponce City Market, an outdoor space spread over 12,000 square feet, with tons of eateries, markets, and apartments. Since we’re talking about food and restaurants, we should also add that the food served here ranges from Chinese to Middle Eastern to Tex-Mex, a combination of Spanish, American, and Mexican cuisines!
Among the prominent eateries, you have the Victory Sandwich Bar, which offers tiny sandwiches accompanied by soda or slushies laced with alcohol. How do you feel about bratwurst (German sausages) and beer? Deadly combination! To experience both, drop by the Wrecking Bar Brewpub. What do we do about dessert? Revolution Donuts is where you should head!
As far as community events go, the Inman Park Festival runs for three days with a blend of music, food, and home tours. Let’s not forget the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade held annually in September with beautiful lanterns, paving the way for a marching parade while bands play music. If you’re more of a quiet person who likes to keep to themselves, there are tons of parks in the area that you can visit to walk or read a book while watching joggers and bikers. In the end, you can count it amongst the safest neighborhoods in Atlanta.
7. Buckhead
A high-end neighborhood for the moneyed folks in Atlanta, Buckhead is a one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and recreational activities. It’s an excellent area for families with a school system to boast of. The place is also ideal for young professionals since it houses the city’s tech hub with top-notch startups, such as Calendly, Pindrop, and MailChimp, to name a few.
You’ll find many present-day condos and huge estates, besides old and new townhouse communities. Let’s add extravagant hotels and gorgeous mansions to the list too!
Buckhead houses the largest shopping center in the city, with big-branded and boutique stores existing side by side. Some prominent names include Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square, and The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. At Phipps, you can find everything from Saks 5th Avenue to Tiffany and Co. to Gucci. Now you know why the area’s called the Beverly Hills of the South!
Tourist hotspots include the Atlanta History Center, where you can learn more about how the city came into being, Chastain Park Amphitheatre, the biggest park in the city, and the city’s oldest outdoor music space. Savor the live music here if you’re into it.
If you’re in the mood to stay out late, you can head over to any of the multiple rooftop bars and have cocktails with delectable dishes while you watch the mesmerizing sunset! Some incredible dining options include Aria or Bones Restaurant.
Finally, Buckhead’s divided into smaller areas, so try Peachtree Park if you wish to live in a tranquil neighborhood.
8. East Atlanta Village (EAV)
The neighborhood is perfect for young professionals due to its numerous bars, eateries, and other special places. Although it’s a friendly community that welcomes artists and musicians, you’ll get more of a hipster feel here. So, what makes the area hipster? The endless music places, tattoo parlors, street fairs, and a drive-in theater are what set EAV apart from the rest. In other words, people here don’t follow the crowd!
The area holds the title of the best seasonal farmer’s market in the city. Yet another neighborhood highlight is the East Atlanta Strut, an event that celebrates music and arts with lots of food and beer!
Do you feel like getting a drink? Flatiron Bar and Restaurants, Midway Pub, or Glenwood are some of your choices. You may want to start with some food, though. Should you have a hankering for Vietnamese cuisine, drop by We Suki Suki. For creative American cuisine, Banshee’s your place. You get interestingly different cocktails here too, so make this a part of your to-do list!
Other options that combine food with entertainment include alternative music sessions at the Earl while having Irish nachos or getting espressos at the quaint Joe’s East Atlanta Coffee Shop.
To sum up, if you’re a maverick, this is the ideal place for you!
9. Westview
Westview’s development has been fairly recent, courtesy of the Atlanta BeltLine and the Westside Trail. You’ll get to see a blend of old homes, fixer-uppers, new condos, and apartment buildings, not to mention beautiful Tudor-style cottages and pleasant bungalows. The residents are in the older age group, and there’s a strong community vibe you’ll sense here.
Also, you’ll find some very unusual food options and a few places that are worth your while. Check out Slutty Vegan for its gigantic plant-based burger if you wish to avoid meat. To digest the heavy meal that you’ve just had, explore the Westview Cemetery on foot, sprawled across 600 acres of land! Westview is the biggest civilian cemetery across the entire southeastern part of the country! Don’t forget to explore the Westview Cemetery Abbey, a mausoleum and chapel built in 1943.
New markets and restaurants are coming up now and then, so the area’s likely to attract many more residents in the future. My Potato Factory is the only eatery specializing in a range of baked potato dishes and served with multiple toppings.In the end, drop by Stokes Avenue Pocket Park, which serves as a park and a community garden for some precious time with nature. Yoga classes at sunset and many other exciting community programs are run here should you wish to participate.
10. Virginia - Highland
Virginia - Highland or VaHi is located close to Downtown and in the eastern part of Ansley Park. It comprises four separate villages linked via a series of blocks, and is on the pricier side. You’ll find a variety of homes here, from lovely bungalows to stunning Victorian houses to contemporary townhouses.
The homes here are pretty old. When we say ‘pretty,’ we mean more than 100 years! So, it’s a very in-demand neighborhood. Students studying at an institution in the area or families with kids make up the community’s residents. Your rental will never lie vacant if you plan to list your property for rent here.
The older part of VaHi houses numerous dining, shopping, art, and nightlife options that are among the city’s most frequented places. And with so many varied options, boredom will be the last thing on your mind! If you’re a movie buff and have a thing for indie films, you’ve come to the right place! This area runs several screenings of movies starring newcomers. It also has many yoga studios if you wish to align your mind, body, and spirit with the universe!
Let’s talk about food and beverages. For your regular dose of caffeine, you could drop by Press and Grind, serving cold-pressed, not blended smoothies and juices, besides coffee. They also offer sandwiches and pastries in case you’re starving. If you prefer tea, Tipple + Rose Tea Parlor is the right place.
If you don’t mind oysters, drop by Fontaine’s Oyster House. For Italian, which is an all-time favorite among most, head over to La Tavola Trattoria that offers spaghetti with veal meatballs and excellent Oregon pinot noir.
To conclude, the neighborhood is walkable, so spend some alone time with your thoughts by taking a nice stroll around the place. Soak in the sights and sounds of the community.
Conclusion
Although our intent isn’t to scare you, you should consider both the pluses and minuses before making a critical life decision. Know that compared to other cities, Atlanta is considered unsafe, though crimes have reduced substantially. As with most big cities, there’s also the traffic issue, so be prepared to be stuck in traffic for at least an hour during peak hours. Should you choose to use the public transit system, remember that there aren’t too many train routes and they’re infrequent.
However, none of that holds a candle to the flourishing economy, generating employment opportunities galore, and the family-oriented vibe of the city that makes it ideal for raising kids. Did we forget something? The weather’s fantastic too! There, now you can sleep on it and see what works best for you. Good luck!
