Have you ever wondered what the best neighborhoods in Atlanta are? The beautiful city is such a fine mix and has almost everything anyone could look for in the same space. From the attraction sites and year-long sporting activities at Downtown to the artistic heartbeat that is Midtown, to mention a few, it can get a little confusing choosing a neighborhood to visit or settle in as the case may be. 

Many things like security, ease of access to schools or workplace, housing options, etc., will undoubtedly influence your choice of where to move. As a result, the more established neighborhoods highlighted in this review are often the popular destinations. However, many relatively unknown areas are growing in popularity and population and offer fantastic alternatives. 

In this article, we look at a few neighborhoods we think you should check and explain why.

Adair Park

• What’s Happening

Located in the southwestern part of Downtown, many people are coming into this closely knit and friendly neighborhood. And with new developments coming to better the area, it's beginning to grow on new residents coming into Atlanta. 

The westside beltline is also easily accessible, favoring bike riding and walking, enhancing the area’s car-free lifestyle, and making transportation more comfortable. 

 

• Schools

Accessibility to quality education is vital for anyone looking to start a family, and Adair Park has a fair few options. Dunbar Elementary School, Sylvan Hills Middle School, and Early College High School At Carver are popular public schools in the area for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, respectively.

 

• Types of Homes

Single-family homes and Condominiums form the majority of the homes in this neighborhood. With average prices starting at just under $200K, Adair Park is great for first-time homebuyers hoping to get quality on a budget.

• Attraction Spots

Fitness centers are in abundance in this part of town, offering a popular relaxation option for residents.

 

West End

• What’s Happening

Tagged the “hottest neighborhood” in Atlanta by Redfin in 2016 and Curbed Cup Champion in 2017 & 2015, West End is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Georgia and a favorite for young families. In recent years, due to several stellar developments, including plans for the renovation of the aging West End mall, the neighborhood is starting to grow in popularity again. West End sits directly on the Beltline and closely neighbors Adair Park - another fast-growing community.

• Schools

M. A. Jones Elementary School and Midtown International School epitomize the variety of educational facilities available to residents in the area as there are both private and public schools aplenty.

 

• Types of Homes

There are many historic homes in West Side but many more cute and affordable single-family homes and apartments which are pretty easy to find.

 

• Attraction Spots

The neighborhood is very close to the ever buzzing Mercedes Benz Stadium, while the Sports Museum is one of quite a few in the area with year-long sporting activities. Hammonds House Museum brings the artistic feel with loads of African American fine art, while the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail offers a fantastic view of the community’s diverse creative expressions.

 

Summerhill

 

• What’s Happening

Just off the eastside, Summerhill is one of the happening places in Atlanta at the moment. This neighborhood is rich with a diverse culture steeped in its local history and boasts a more affordable standard of living than most other communities on the eastside. Goerge Avenue and its empty storefronts are now such a buzzing and busy space with shops opening every day, from restaurants to fashion shops amidst others.

 

• Schools

There are a fair few public schools in the area, including Grady High School, Inman Middle School, Charles R. Drew Charter School, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School - Middle Campus, and Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School - Elementary Campus.

 

• Types of Homes

Connally Street is home to some of the finest, most exquisite, and as such, most expensive structures in the neighborhood. Many of them are traditional homes that have been redone to serve a wide range of residents comfortably. Summerhill by Hedgewood is a fast-growing group of homes, each two or three-story buildings fit with custom interior designs, personal gardens, and swimming pools starting at $400,000.

 

• Attraction Spots 

Summerhill is a beautiful place to walk through, under the bright rays of the sun. Over the past few years, the Living Walls conference brought muralists and artists to the town to create literal “living walls.” These murals and art that line the streets make for such a refreshing experience as you feast your eyes. The neighborhood is also very close to the Georgia State Stadium - home to the University Panthers football team meaning residents can get a first-hand view of live games.

Wood’s Chapel BBQ has some of the best barbeques in a relaxed outdoor setting, while Junior’s Pizza is your local source for New York-style pizza. Halfway Crooks Beer is another fabulous stopover - excellent service and unique dishes. You really are spoilt for choice.

Piedmont Heights

 

• What’s Happening

Piedmont Heights was initially created as a streetcar suburb and sat on the Atlanta Beltline on the west. It is also a fast-growing area and is home to the second oldest house in Atlanta - the Liddell house. The neighborhood is close to everything but yet secluded, offering a bit of everything.

 

• Schools

Schools in this area are top-rated by Atlanteans, including Morningside Elementary School, Inman Middle School, and Grady High School - Elementary, Middle, and High School students.

 

• Types of Homes

Homes in Piedmont Heights are aplenty. From single-family luxurious homes to Apartments to let, there is an option for every tom, dick, and harry. Starting at  $1,350 per month, Gables Midtown Apartments provides pet-friendly accommodation with a rooftop lounge and a fitness center. Also, Ansley North - one of the finest locations to live in Georgia, has tons of family homes close to almost everything you might want and for a relatively low price.

• Attraction Spots

Piedmont Heights has such an enviable list of things you can do for fun. Gotham Park is the community’s pride and creates a conducive atmosphere for residents to bond and relax. Atmosphere Bistro And Cirque Daiquiri Bar & Grill provide nighttime vibes, while Starbucks and Kroger are unique places to chill out during the day.

Buckhead Village

• What’s Happening

Buckhead Village was ranked as the 15th best neighborhood by niche.com for 2021, and this shows how far the community has come in recent years. Midtown Atlanta is very close by and has many of its facilities readily available to residents of Buckhead Village, giving those living in the community a densely populated urban feel. With a walk score of 93, a bike score of 59, and a transit score of 50, it makes movement easy for everyone, including non-car owners.

• Schools

The definition of a “good school” is somewhat subjective and depends on what the parents expect the school to prepare their children for. However, most public schools in Buckhead Village are rated above average by independent assessors like Niche and parents alike. North Atlanta High School, Jackson Elementary School, 

Charles R. Drew Charter School, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School - Middle Campus, and Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School - Elementary Campus are some of the best schools in the area, and Georgia, in fact, serving the residents of Buckhead Village.

• Types of Homes

Most people in the area rent their homes rather than buy the property, which suggests it’s a good place for people not looking to spend too long in the same vicinity. The Bryant at Buckhead Village is one of such created with a luxury feel and extreme comfort. Buckhead Village Lofts offer something similar for residents that are not precisely particular about luxury. There several condos and single-family homes also available for those that love their space.

• Attraction Spots

Buckhead Village has a plethora of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Cafe Agora and Bones are two of Buckhead’s most refined restaurants offering fantastic service and cuisines ranging from steaks and seafood to authentic Mediterranean cuisines. Brown & Co Jewelers has all the fancy jewelry you are looking for in one place. You will undoubtedly have a tough time deciding who makes the best coffee between Cafe at Pharr, Dancing Goats Coffee, Brash Coffee, and Caribou Coffee.

Kirkwood

• What’s Happening

Kirkwood is in DeKalb County, lies on the eastern side of Atlanta, only a few minutes away from Downtown Atlanta and is one very closely-knit community - one of the best places to live in Atlanta. Kirkwood is a classical example showing that housing in the New York of the South does not have to be overly expensive with family-friendly prices for all and sundry.

The neighborhood has spent considerable amounts in recent years to add pedestrian trails, bicycle lanes, bike racks, and crosswalks to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and encourage regular exercise. The proposed development of Pullman Yard means that there’s a lot more to come in this neighborhood.

• Schools

The Little Middle School, Whitefoord Early Learning Academy, and Mary Lin Elementary School are popular schools in Kirkwood.

• Types of Homes

The homes range from newly constructed and renovated single-family homes to freshly built loft apartments and quaint ranches. There is something for almost everyone.

• Attraction Spots

Coan Park is a buzzing space where you can relax with tennis courts & baseball fields and a lovely area where children can play. Kirkwood Urban Forest and its nature trails are also a beautiful sight to behold. The Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Aquarium are not too far away as well.

Vine City

• What’s Happening

Vine City is situated in Fulton County, just west of Downtown Atlanta and was notorious for being an infamous and unconducive place to live. However, the tides are changing. What used to be a largely unfavorable ground for investors is becoming a hotspot with recent developments like the Gulch development and the neighborhood’s closeness to the Mercedes Benz stadium.

 

• Schools

Grady High School, Inman Middle School, Charles R. Drew Charter School, Wesley International Academy are some famous public schools in the vicinity.

 

• Types of Homes

From 2-bedroom condos to single-family homes, there are a lot of options for families in Vine City. With the developments still to come, options can only increase in number and quality.

• Attraction Spots

There are a lot of bars and parks in Vine City. Vine City Park is a beautiful park with high-quality playgrounds for both children and adults alike. Another beautiful attraction spot is the Herndon Home Museum, a historic house museum with amazing views.

Conclusion

Here is our list of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta and why we think you should consider staying there. Atlanta has such a fantastic blend of neighborhoods that fully encapsulate its rich and diverse history. We know that different factors define what the best communities in a city are. Still, this article has tried to combine objective assessments with resident experiences to curate a list of the top places to check out if you are coming into the city.