9 Best Places to Live in Brookhaven, GA

If you’re moving to the Atlanta area but want a classic family-friendly community with shopping, restaurants, and great schools, then explore Brookhaven in DeKalb County.

One of the region’s newest cities–established in 2012–Brookhaven is just 12 square miles but is home to about 55,000 residents. The city prides itself on a small town feel while still being a short drive into the heart of the Atlanta metro.  

Learn more about living in Brookhaven, GA. Use our guide to start your home search with some of Brookhaven’s top nine best places to live.

Why live in Brookhaven, GA? 

Brookhaven has a reputation for being a classic, family-friendly community with great schools. It’s an affluent community with residents with a high median income and homes typically offering larger lots compared to other Atlanta suburbs.  

While Brookhaven may be a new town, it has old roots. The first European settler started a plantation here in the 1810s. In the 1900s, it became a destination for wealthy Atlanteans, who built summer cottages to escape the city.

Modern Brookhaven features year-round events that make it a festive destination. From Movies on the Town to a Cherry Blossom Festival, it feels like there is always something to do.

A vibrant arts scene is centered around the Oglethorpe Museum of Arts and its stunning Gothic-Revival building. Outside the museum, the town has bright and inventive murals plus art galleries with local works. Regular art festivals showcase the talent of Georgia’s artisans and musicians. 

Get outside at one of the town’s 20 parks and recreation spots. Some popular outdoor places are Lynwood Park, with its splash pad and zero-entry pool. The recently completed multi-use Peachtree Creek Greenway will eventually extend from the BeltLine to the Lindbergh Center MARTA station. Murphey Candler Park, the largest park in the metro area, has sporting fields, a central lake, and a surrounding trail. Ashford Park, its themed “The Island of Misfit Toys” playground, and the train are popular with children and their families.  

Walkable neighborhoods and shopping districts make it easy to window shop. Dresden Village is a pedestrian-friendly retail and restaurant experience with more than 29,000 square feet of boutiques and locally owned restaurants. Town Brookhaven is a major shopping area, with stores from Costco to LA Fitness. It’s all bordered by several communities, both single-family neighborhoods and mixed-use, giving locals options for a work-play-live lifestyle. 

Brookhaven’s dining options can satisfy all your hunger pangs, from farm-to-table fine dining to Asian-style to-go. Buford Highway is a popular destination for traveling the world one plate at a time. 

The job market in Brookhaven is strong, although many residents work in the nearby Atlanta metro area. In town are a few major corporate employers, like Emory Orthopedics, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Hawks.

The DeKalb County School District, the state’s third-largest public school system, operates Brookhaven’s local schools. The district has some of the top schools in Georgia. Chamblee Charter High School and the DeKalb School of the Arts are both highly ranked, with the latter ranked no. 8 in Georgia by US News and World Report. Chamblee ranked no. 29, and four other schools placed in the top 100.

Marist School, a private school for grades 7 through 12, is ranked the 14th Best Private High School in Georgia.

Higher education opportunities await at Oglethorpe University, a liberal arts school featured in the “Dead Poets’ Society” and now on the National Register of Historic Places. The private university dates to 1835 and today enrolls over 1,100 students. 

Brookhaven is located about 10 miles north of Atlanta’s downtown area on the edge of the interior perimeter (ITP) formed by I-285. You’ll have no trouble traveling between Brookhaven and Atlanta, even with the city’s notorious traffic. Driving usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. A MARTA station provides access to public transportation if you want it.

About the Brookhaven real estate market

Brookhaven is known for being an affluent community, and housing prices reflect that. Most real estate is owner-occupied single-family homes.

In June 2022, it had 254 houses for sale ranging in price from $179.5K to $12M, with a median listing home price of $680K. The median price was up 13.3% year-over-year. On average, homes in Brookhaven were selling for 1.3% above the asking price with a median of 37 days on the market.

If you’re considering moving to Brookhaven, here are some top choices for neighborhoods.

What are the best places to live in Brookhaven, GA?

Ashford Park

The homes in this area are larger, and many of them are new construction. The neighborhood is near shopping, restaurants, parks, and recreational activities. It also has easy access to MARTA, Atlanta’s public transportation system. Ashford Park includes a community center, picnic shelter, tennis court, and playground area with a “Trike Track,” among other things.

Homes range in style with a predominant bungalow, ranch, and modern aesthetic.

Brittany/Cambridge Park

Brittany and Cambridge Park are well-known communities with Silver Lake views located near Marist and Our Lady of Assumption (OLA). Residents are ten minutes drive from Buckhead and its retail amenities.

At the private The Brittany Club, members enjoy a pool, tennis courts, picnic pavilion, and three-story clubhouse with views of Silver Lake. It also has a boat ramp. The club runs swim and tennis teams, plus an active social calendar with the Fourth of July celebration being a highlight.

Brookhaven Historic District

For those seeking unique properties, Historic Brookhaven is a must-see. A curvilinear street layout, lovely landscaping, mature shade trees, and hilly terrain distinguish this area. Capital City Country Club is at the center of the community and has a long reputation for attracting Atlanta’s wealthiest. 

Development spans over three decades, with many structures erected in the early 1900s. House types range from the Colonial and Georgian Revival to Tudor Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, Spanish Revival, American Small, and other eclectic designs that combine several architectural traditions. Many of Atlanta’s prominent architects of the time were hired to construct the homes.

Be prepared to pay a top price because these residences have a median list price of $1.8 million. In July 2022, 14 homes were for sale ranging from $240,000 to $6 million. 

Brookhaven Lakes

Brookhaven Lakes is a gated and prestigious residential neighborhood with around 46 houses built primarily from 2001-2007. Located just south of I-285, residents can conveniently move around the Atlanta metro. Inside the community is a private lake.

Each custom property has European-inspired and traditional architecture construction with beautiful gardens and elegant design. In July 2022, one home was on the market for $550,000.

Drew Valley

Drew Valley is a great family area with ranch-style homes, typically three bedrooms and two baths, as well as several houses with more modern designs like the farmhouse and craftsman. The region is easily accessible to a variety of shopping and dining choices in Brookhaven and Buckhead.

Hillsdale

The Hillsdale area of about 200 houses has shaded, peaceful streets with no through traffic. Fairway Circle makes an inner loop great for dog walkers and runners. Hillsdale homes have mature landscaping. Styles range from 1950s ranches to new construction homes.

Lynwood Park

Lynwood Park features a namesake 10-acre park with a picnic pavilion, playground, mixed-use sports fields, and acres of greenery. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Community Center’s basketball court, swimming pool, tennis courts, and the Brookhaven Parks & Recreation headquarters. 

In July 2022, 11 homes were on the market with a median list price of $990,000.

Pine Hills

Pine Hills straddles Buckhead (Fulton County) and Brookhaven (Dekalb County), as well as two zip codes, 30324 and 30329. Shady Valley Park and Roxboro Valley’s pool, picnic pavilion, and tennis courts are popular attractions for locals. 

Despite being split between two counties, this community still has a strong sense of unity supported by a strong neighborhood association. Established in 1960, it runs events like an Annual Yard Sale, Halloween Carnival, and greenspace initiatives.

Village Place

Village Place, a mixed-use development with apartments, townhomes, and condos, is just minutes from retail, restaurants, and nightlife. Residents can walk to these amenities, making it a popular place to live with young professionals and retirees.

Additional Best Places

Brookhaven has even more excellent communities to explore. For example, Village Park is a condo and brownstone community walkable to Village Place. The Reserve at Brookleigh has single-family and townhomes near Blackburn Park. A local real estate agent can help you find the right neighborhood for your preferred lifestyle.

Living in Brookhaven, GA

Overall, Brookhaven’s unique neighborhoods offer a variety of lifestyles to choose from, whether you’re looking for an upscale gated community or a more family-friendly atmosphere. Brookhaven is a great place to call home with its convenient location and excellent job market. 

If you’re looking at living in Brookhaven, contact a local real estate agent to find the right neighborhood for you.