Best Places to Live in South Fulton, Georgia

Georgia’s south Fulton County is a great place to live for many reasons. Resident perks include top-notch schools, world-class shopping and dining, and plenty of recreation options. There’s always a festival or special event happening in the various cities in this Atlanta metro area, so you’ll never get bored. As a bonus, the people who live here are friendly and welcoming, so you’ll always feel right at home. 

If you’re moving to south Fulton County, you’ll be pleased with your options. Each of the distinct cities has a unique charm and reasons to call it home. Some are all about location; others offer a rural lifestyle while being close to Atlanta’s urban advantages. 

Since there are many great cities and neighborhoods in south Fulton County, we’ve selected a few of the best places to live to help your home search.

College Park

This historic small city is adjacent to southern Atlanta and is home to about 15,000 residents. College Park is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and historic homes. Over 800 homes and buildings are on the Historic Register.

Residents and visitors alike appreciate that this rejuvenated city extends Southern hospitality throughout its city services, local eateries, lodgings, parks and recreation experiences. For commuters, the town is ideally located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Interstates I-85 and I-285, the CSX Railroad, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

College Park is popular among families seeking top-notch education for their children. The largest independent school in the United States, Woodward Academy, as well as The Main Street Academy, a K-8 public charter school proudly serving the Tri-Cities area, are here.

College Park’s real estate market had a median list price of $290,000 in June 2022, with 130 homes for sale. Prices ranged from $29,000 to $3.4 million.

East Point

This city of about 38,000 residents is south of Atlanta and curls around northern College Park. It is known for its small-town feel and diverse population. East Point is home to many families, young professionals, and retirees.

Sprawling lengthwise from east to west, East Point is all about options. The downtown area is in the midst of a diverse residential community known for its walkability, tree-lined streets, and charming bungalows. You’ll discover larger brick ranch houses with bigger yards, garages and/or basements as you move further out to the west.

It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for a close-knit community with plenty of things to do. The Downtown includes a distinctive historic district as well as the State’s only Velodrome and the popular Camp Creek Marketplace. Wednesday Wind Down is a popular concert series hosted in downtown.

East Point has 23 public parks, as well as a recreation center and a nature park. The city also has a farmer’s market, an annual art festival, and hosts special events throughout the year through the recreation department.

Furthermore, residents appreciate the low traffic, convenient access to the airport, highways, and MARTA bus and rail transportation system.

East Point is conveniently just ten minutes from downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Interstate I-285 runs north-south down the western city limits and I-85 in through the eastern part of the city.

East Point has 25 recognized neighborhoods to choose from, with high activity in Jefferson Park, Conley Hills, and Center Park. There were 188 houses for sale in June 2022, ranging from $31,000 to $8 million. The median list price was $289,500. Affordable condos and townhomes are available in East Point. 

Hapeville

Just east of East Point, historic Hapeville is a small city with a population of about 6,700. It’s known for its charming historic downtown area as well as being the home of the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta Airline Headquarters and a Ford Assembly Plant are critical parts of Hapeville’s economy.

Hapeville has a lively and vibrant downtown area with a strong arts scene. Inside and around the mix of shops, restaurants, and businesses, there are unique creative displays – including sculptures, murals, and the city’s signature butterflies. If the festive artwork wasn’t sign enough, Hapeville’s tagline is “A Home for the Arts.” Residents enjoy ongoing festivals, concerts, art walks, and even a cycling series.

The Porsche Experience Center is at its North America Headquarters. Other attractions have historic value, like The Dixie Gray Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the original Dwarf Chick-fil-A house.

The city is conveniently tucked between I-75, I-85, and the airport. 

Hapeville had 41 homes for sale in June 2022, ranging from $53.5K to $649.9K. The median price was $315,000.

City of South Fulton

Several towns, neighborhoods, and cities in the southwestern part of the county came together to form the City of South Fulton in 2017. Today, it’s the state’s fifth-largest city with a population of about 200,000.

The original towns include, but are not limited to, Red Oak, Stonewall, Ben Hill, Sandtown, Cliftondale, Cedar Grove, Lester, Enon, Welcome All, Peters Woods, and part of Campbellton. These areas retain their distinct character, giving home buyers many options for living.

From vibrant downtown commercial areas on both Roosevelt and Old National Highways, to vast rural settings along the city’s beautiful southeast boundary, this is the ideal of all worlds. Communities like Red Oak, Campbellton, and Sandtown have a long illustrious past that dates back hundreds of years. Their historic homes add character and charm to their neighborhoods.

The greater area was historically agricultural, but has since transformed into a hub for logistics and transportation. Large areas in the western and northern sections still remain more agricultural or maintain their rural character. The northern border include the Chattahoochee River, if you’re interested in waterfront living. 

South Fulton had 897 homes for sale in June 2022, ranging from $9.9K to $12.5M. The median list price was $330,000. With the city covering a vast area, your options include everything from a downtown townhome to a rural homestead.

Union City

Union City is a wide city nestled between the City of South Fulton and Fairburn. It has a population of about 21,000 living in a diverse setting. It’s a growing, ethnically diverse city with a rich history.

The downtown area is ten miles from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, making it an attractive location for businesses and residents alike who need access to domestic and international travel but don’t want to be adjacent to the airport. I-85 and GA-29 connect residents into the Atlanta metro.

The local parks and recreation options include athletic fields, walking trails, and a multipurpose center.  The Farmer’s Market is hosted at the Union City ball fields. The Arts and Music Festival is an outdoor event on Jonesboro Road. 

Union City had 257 homes for sale in June 2022, with a median list price of $325,000. Prices were up 35% year-over-year.

Fairburn

South of Union City awaits Fairburn, a town home to about 16,000 residents. It’s a historic city with a charming downtown area that’s been revitalized in recent years. Downtown has been reimagined as the focal point for music, special events, and the Fairburn Farmers Market. Conveniently 20 minutes to the airport up I-85, the town has been used as a backdrop for filming.

The downtown area hosts a farmer’s market, unique shops, and restaurants. The city hosts the Georgia Renaissance Festival every spring. 

The Fairburn Education Campus serves as the base for Georgia Military College and Brenau University’s Atlanta campus, allowing people in the region and other locations to pursue higher education in Liberal Arts.

Fairburn had 492 homes for sale in June 2022, ranging from $28.5K to $5.3M. The median list price was $340,000.

Chattahoochee Hills

Located in southwest Fulton County, Chattahoochee Hills is known for its beautiful rolling hills and rural setting. Enjoy peaceful drives along farmlands with barns decorated with quilt squares, wooded landscapes, and nature preserves.

Chattahoochee Hills is a great place to live if you’re looking for a small-town feel with access to big-city amenities. Chattahoochee Hills was established in 2007 in an attempt to negate Atlanta’s urban sprawl. Today it is home to about 3,300 residents. The town is dedicated to keeping its quiet, rural feeling by enacting legislative and zoning measures to preserve pasture lands and tree-lined roads. It has a master plan that allows concentrated development in specific areas.

At the same time, the city is a short drive from downtown Atlanta thanks to the South Fulton Parkway. Like other local towns, it’s close to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

The real estate market in Chattahoochee Hills had a median list price of $599,400 in June 2022, with 108 homes for sale. Prices ranged from $88,000 to $5.3 million.

Palmetto

Right on the Fulton County border southeast of Chattahoochee Hills lies Palmetto, a historic city with a population of about 5,000. The small town sits at the southern end of the Appalachian foothills. Fun fact: it’s the highest point between Atlanta and New Orleans.

Expect a calm, rural lifestyle in Palmetto. The major attractions include the Cochran Mill  Nature Center and the Legacy Theater. When you want to visit an attraction in Atlanta, I-85 runs along the southeastern part of town.

Palmetto had 95 homes for sale in June 2022, ranging from $15,000 to $1.6 million. The median list price was $350,000. You’ll find everything from starter homes to luxury estates in Palmetto.

Living in South Fulton County

South Fulton County is a large and diverse county with many neighborhoods and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for an urban, suburban, or rural setting near Atlanta, you’ll find it here. The real estate market is strong, with prices on the rise. If you’re thinking of moving to south Fulton County, now is a great time to do it!

Choosing the best place to live in south Fulton County depends on your lifestyle and budget. With so many great options available, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for you and your family.