The Top 10 Neighborhoods to Live in Atlanta, Georgia

Top 10 Neighborhoods to Live in Atlanta, GA

What are the characteristics that make a good Atlanta neighborhood? That’s subjective in different ways, but what’s certain is that Atlantans of all stripes need to be smart when it comes to location choices to live their best life.

Atlanta has a wide selection of neighborhoods with distinct character and features. The following eclectic choices were picked from more than 240 Atlanta-recognized communities. Your options range in location, architectural styles, and price points. However, each area listed below offers the culture and convenience that only living in Atlanta can offer.

Here are 10 of the best places to live in Atlanta:

Summerhill

This neighborhood is located just south of downtown and is known for its history and a strong sense of community. Ongoing revitalization has increased interest and growth in Summerhill. Georgia Avenue has seen new restaurants and shops open in its historic real estate. The Georgia State Stadium and repurposed Braves baseball stadium are attractions.

There are several parks and green spaces for outdoor recreation needs.

Much of the new development is in multifamily housing, but single-family homes are available. Apartments and larger houses are interspersed among pint-sized, shotgun homes and enormous bungalows. The homes in Summerhill had a median list price of $625,000 in March 2022. The 40 homes for sale ranged from $269,900 to $2.5 million.

Buckhead Village

This upscale neighborhood is located in the northern part of the city and is home to some of Atlanta’s best shopping and dining. Buckhead Village is considered “trendy” and “hip.” The village is highly walkable and packed with high-end and boutique retail.

Find family-friendly green space at Atlanta Memorial Park. Charlie Loudermilk Park is a place to chill out and has an interesting history in Atlanta. Other nearby attractions include the Chastain Park Amphitheater and Atlanta History Center.

The village is also close to several major highways, making it an easy commute for working professionals. It has high marks for safety and local schools.

Buckhead had 685 homes for sale in March 2022, with a median list price of $550,000. The prices ranged from $115,000 to $13.6 million.

Peachtree Park

Peachtree Park is a small, intimate neighborhood located next to Buckhead Village. Peachtree Park is home to a number of upscale shops and restaurants. Its biggest advantage is its location beside the Mathis Parkway and shopping in nearby Buckhead Village.

The homes in Peachtree Park are notably upscale, with a median list price of $754,500 in March 2022. The eleven homes for sale ranged from $400,000 to $1.9 million.

Midtown

Centrally located, Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most popular neighborhoods, and it’s easy to see why. This vibrant area is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options. You can see world-premiere performances at the Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Woodruff Arts Center.

Midtown is a popular destination for both professionals and students. Many people go to SCAD Atlanta or Georgia Tech. It is near the popular Piedmont Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Residents are a short walk or drive from downtown, making it convenient for working professionals. March 2022 housing prices were a median of $438,000. The 203 listings ranged from $159,900 to $2.7 million.

Piedmont Heights

Piedmont Heights is a transition area between the trendy Midtown and Buckhead, with exceptional access to Piedmont Park and all of Buckhead’s ritzy glory. Smith’s Olde Bar and Ford Fry’s Little Rey are just two of the neighborhood’s attractions, as is Atlanta’s second-oldest home.

Piedmont Park is a massive park located in the heart of Midtown and is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There are walking and biking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and more. Piedmont Park hosts many events throughout the year, including concerts and festivals.

The Piedmont Heights Beltline segment—a stretch of the Northeast Trail behind Ansley Mall–recently wrapped construction. The finished product adds a mix of Beltline and interstate access comparable to West End and Reynoldstown neighborhoods.

Beltline

The Atlanta BeltLine is a loop of abandoned railways that have been reborn as an urban greenspace. People also refer to it as one of Atlanta’s greatest places to live.

The Beltline’s 22-mile loop of trails and parks encircle the city. It’s a great place to get some exercise or enjoy the outdoors. The trail runs through Midtown to the Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta. The interior location means the Beltline passes by parks, restaurants, pubs, and grocery stores. The Beltline is also home to art installations. Overall, it’s a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

When people say they’re living “on the BeltLine,” it usually implies that they live in one of the condominiums, apartments, or townhomes that line this route. Homes here are in high demand.

Old Fourth Ward

This historic neighborhood is located just east of downtown and south of Midtown. It’s home to attractions like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Carter Center, and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Thousands come to the MLK National Historic Site every year.

The range of bars and clubs makes the Old Fourth Ward a hotspot for nightlife. The Historic Fourth Ward Park has several dining venues and breweries that make this area one of the most popular sites on the BeltLine. With so many attractive locations within strolling distance, it’s easy to see why this area is growing.

The feeling here is heavily urbanized, with lots of multifamily development. The March 2022 market had 63 homes for sale with a median $525,000 list price. The prices ranged from $173,000 to $1.3 million.

Virginia Highland

The north side’s trendy neighborhood is located in the city’s northern section. Locals know it as “VaHi,” and come for the stores, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Locals enjoy browsing the shops on Virginia and Highland avenues. 

It’s a walkable neighborhood but also has easy access to Midtown. Part of the western boundary runs along Piedmont Park, a recreation and local events destination.

The schools here are highly rated and often are some of the top-scoring on independent evaluator websites. It also has high safety marks.

Virginia Highlands real estate has century-old craftsman homes and modern apartment complexes. The homes in Virginia Highlands had a median list price of $872,500, with 53 homes for sale in March 2022. Prices ranged from $175,000 to $3.2 million.

Cabbagetown

This historic neighborhood is located just southeast of downtown. Known for its artsy vibe, it’s home to many small businesses and the Georgia State University campus. 

Cabbagetown is a popular destination for nightlife, with various bars and clubs. The community hosts a Bluegrass Festival and a Forward Warrior outdoor art celebration. Cabbagetown Park has walking trails, a playground, and sports courts. Downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stroll through Cabbagetown and discover tiny, colorful mill cottages from the 1800s. The weathered brick warehouses that were once full of goods have been converted into loft apartments dwarfing the colorful, pint-sized 1800s mill cottages on narrow streets.

March 2022 median list prices were $530,000 with 12 homes ranging from $275,000 to $789,000.

Underwood Hills

Underwood Hills was established in 1902 north of Atlanta as a worker settlement for the Seaboard Coastline Railroad. Today, Underwood Hills isn’t afraid to call itself “The Upper Westside,” something developers invented as a marketing tool for the wider region north of Atlantic Station. Redevelopment includes the 80-acre The Works, which will have a food hall and brewing facilities, and the Atlantic Station multi-use complex.

Underwood Hills Park has tennis and basketball courts, plus recreational facilities to keep the kids busy. Underwood Hills is also close to several major highways, making it an easy commute for working professionals.

Real estate includes condos, multifamily, and historic single-family homes. A concentration of Colonial-style homes distinguishes the streets visually in Atlanta. The March 2022 real estate market had 21 homes for sale with a median list price of $394,700. The prices ranged from $175,000 to $949,900.

East Atlanta Village

In East Atlanta Village, live music spills out into the streets. The bars, clubs, and restaurants cater to a youthful and creative clientele. Murals on the building walls, art studios, local coffee shops, and events like the East Atlanta Strut Music & Arts Festival add to the indie spirit.

The community is highly walkable but also connects to Interstate 20. One of the best seasonal farmer’s markets in Atlanta is in East Atlanta, operating from spring to fall. Brownwood Park on its edge has a playground, tennis courts, community garden, and walking trail. It hosts the annual East Atlanta Craft Beer Festival.

Housing options include classic Atlanta bungalows and craftsman-style homes. The median list price was $480,000 in March 2022, with eight homes on the market.

Top Neighborhoods for Living in Atlanta

People are flocking to Atlanta from all across the United States for a specific purpose. The city has economic, educational, and cultural benefits that attract new residents each day.

Our list has just a few of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta. Each one has its unique features and attractions that make it a great place to live. Whether you’re looking for a historic home, a trendy neighborhood, or a great location for commuting, find an Atlanta neighborhood perfect for you. If you’d prefer a more suburban lifestyle, check out Atlanta’s best suburbs.