Best Atlanta Neighborhoods for Families

“What are the best neighborhoods for young couples and families?” is a question we hear often from home buyers who are relocating to Atlanta each year. The answer is … it depends. Because every neighborhood in has its own unique characteristics and amenities, we thought it would be helpful to create a list of some of the most popular Atlanta neighborhoods for families. Please note that there are many, many fantastic family-friendly neighborhoods throughout Atlanta, we are just highlighting some of the most popular.

All of the following family-friendly neighborhoods have two things in common: all have good public schools and are located inside the perimeter (aka “Intown”). We’ve summarized many of the things you might be interested when searching for a home and neighborhood, including real estate prices, entertainment, parks, commute and more. Hopefully, it will help you figure out which neighborhood(s) might be the best fit for you and your family.

Chastain Park – Atlanta

HOME VALUES – Chastain Park homes range from $700K to more than $5.0 million.
COMMUNITY – With all the recreation facilities, Chastain Park residents definitely get to know one another! There is also a strong neighborhood association, the Chastain Park Civic Association, as well as the Chastain Park Conservancy.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – Chastain Park Amphitheater, Horseradish Grill and a fair amount of nightlife (live music, dancing) is just a 5 to 7-minute drive away in the Buckhead business district.
PARKS & RECREATION – 320 acres, 9 tennis courts, 2 baseball fields, pool, 18-hole golf course, gymnasium with basketball court, weight facility and 5 ball fields + Chastain Horse Park + Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, North Fulton Golf Course & Club, Northside Youth Organization (NYO), Athletic Club & Pool
WALKABILITY – Wonderful neighborhood for jogging and outdoor activities, but there isn’t a neighborhood “square” with shops and restaurants
SCHOOLS – Excellent public and private schools
COMMUTE – Only about 5 to 7 minutes from the Buckhead business district, less than 10 minutes to the interstate (I-285 and GA 400) and less than 35 minutes to Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.
FYI – Chastain Park is in the 9th wealthiest zip code in the nation (30327), with a household income in excess of $341,000 per year and is one of Atlanta’s most affluent neighborhoods (per Forbes Magazine)

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City of Decatur

HOME VALUES – Decatur homes typically range in price from $400K to $1.7 million. The average home sales price in the City of Decatur (zip code 30030) is in the $700s.
COMMUNITY – Decatur definitely has a sense of community with several neighborhood associations, garden clubs, running clubs and more. Special events and festivals bring thousands to the Downtown area each year, but there are also many neighborhood events, like the lunchtime concerts in the Decatur Square, that bring residents closer together and are great for the whole family.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – The Decatur Square is home to several restaurants and pubs, but because this is a residential community, the nightlife usually quiets down after midnight.
PARKS & RECREATION – The City of Decatur offers a variety of parks, ball fields, and community pools, as well as the bike path, fitness boot camps, and classes through Evening at Emory.
WALKABILITY – Most of the neighborhoods in the City of Decatur would rate highly in the walkability category, with parks and restaurants within a mile of many Decatur homes.
SCHOOLS – The City of Decatur Schools are some of the most sought-after in the Metro Atlanta area. Oakhurst Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary, Clairemont Elementary, and Decatur High School are some of the most popular.
COMMUTE – From Downtown Decatur, Hartsfield International Airport is about 20 minutes away, Emory University / CDC is less than 10 minutes, Downtown Atlanta a 15-minute drive and several interstates (I-75, I-20 and I-285) are all within 15 minutes away. There are three MARTA stations (in Downtown Decatur, E. Ponce de Leon and Howard Ave), so for those who want to simplify their commute, there are several ‘green’ options!

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Garden Hills – Buckhead Atlanta

HOME PRICES – Single family homes typically start at about $600K and go up to $2.3 million
COMMUNITY – Garden Hills definitely gives you that tight-knit community feel. It is a smaller neighborhood with lots of active families who are involved in one or more of the neighborhood associations — from the Garden Hills Civic Association, Garden Hills Neighborhood Foundation, Garden Hills Pool & Park Association to the Garden Hills Garden Club. The associations host several events every year, including an Easter egg hunt, Halloween Party, Ice Cream Social and more.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – No restaurants or live music venues in the neighborhood, but restaurants, pubs, and theaters are less than 5 minutes away
PARKS & RECREATION – The community pool is truly the heart of Garden Hills in the summer. From almost anywhere in the neighborhood you can hear kids laughing and splashing around. Garden Hills also has several parks (Sunnybrook, Alexander and Frankie Allen Parks), a duck pond, rec center, and a soccer field.
SCHOOLS – Many options are available to residents including Garden Hills Elementary (public), Westminister, Atlanta International School (public), Christ the King and Pace Academy.
COMMUTE TIME – Less than 5 minutes from the Buckhead business district; easy access to Downtown, Midtown and the interstate (GA-400)
FYI – Garden Hills is a neighborhood within the Buckhead community. Just outside the walls of this gorgeous, friendly community is the hustle and bustle of Buckhead businesses, restaurants, art galleries, shopping (malls, box stores, boutiques, etc) and much more.

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Grant Park – Atlanta

HOME PRICES – 3+ bedroom homes typically start at about $350,000 and can be as high as $900,000. The average three-bedroom home sales price is in the high $400s.
COMMUNITY – All of the residents in Grant Park are dedicated to making the neighborhood the best that it can be and many are involved in S.A.N.D (South Atlanta Neighborhood Development) and the Grant Park Conservancy. If you have brunch on Sundays at one of the local restaurants, you’ll see that many of the neighbors know one another, are down to earth and friendly.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – Grant Park is home to several neighborhood events and festivals, including the Summer Shade Festival and Tour of Homes, but nightlife isn’t a big focus. A small section of neighborhood restaurants are about a block from the park at the intersection of Glenwood and Cherokee and just down the street (at Cherokee and Memorial Drive) you will find tremendous growth with several new restaurants and shops.
PARKS & RECREATION – Grant Park is one of the largest public parks in Atlanta and is home to Zoo Atlanta, Cyclorama, as well as several neighborhood events in the park.
SCHOOLS – Grant Park has an excellent Charter School system for Elementary and Middle School. There is also a Montessori School, Imagine Wesley.
COMMUTE TIME – Less than 5 minutes from Downtown Atlanta and residents can easily access I-75 via I-20. If you need to go to the airport, it is only about a 15 to 20-minute drive.

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Morningside – Atlanta

HOME PRICES – 3+ bedroom homes typically start at about $450,000 and can be as high as $2.0 million. The average home sales price is in the low $700s. A majority of the home were built between 1918 and 1935 and the Craftsman Bungalows, English Tudors and Four Square homes bring lots of charm and character to the community.
COMMUNITY – Anyone who lives in Morningside raves about it. Many of the families are involved in the activities and fund-raisers for Morningside Elementary School and others in the strong neighborhood association.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – The business district along North Highland includes several watering holes, fine dining and local eateries. Hands down, the neighborhood favorite is Alon’s Bakery and every weekend you will see a large crowd gathered outside. Just across the street from Alon’s is the weekly Morningside Farmer’s Market — it seems to get bigger and better every year!
PARKS & RECREATION – Several small parks and playgrounds are speckled throughout the neighborhood and Piedmont Park is only about a 5-minute drive away. This is also a very popular neighborhood for walkers – the winding, hilly streets make for a great workout.
SCHOOLS – Public schools include Morningside Elementary, Inman Middle and Grady High School. There are also several private schools nearby, including Paideia.
COMMUTE TIME – From Morningside, you can easily access several interstates. Hop on I-75 at Freedom Parkway or 10th St. or if you take Lenox Road it will lead you to the entrance ramp for GA 400. Morningside is also less than 5 minutes away from Emory University campus and the CDC and about 7 minutes from Downtown Atlanta and Midtown.
FYI – Morningside’s neighbor is Virginia Highland and both communities run along North Highland Ave, so many visitors don’t quite realize where one neighborhood ends and the other begins.

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North Buckhead / Brookhaven

HOME PRICES – 3+ bedroom homes typically start at about $600,000 and can be as high as $8.0 million. The average home sales price is in the $800s to $900s, depending on the Buckhead neighborhood.
SCHOOLS – Some of the best in Georgia, with Sarah Rawson Smith Elementary, Sutton Middle School and North Atlanta High School, as well as some top-notch private schools.
More coming soon!

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Oakhurst – Decatur

HOME PRICES – 3+ bedroom homes typically start at about $450,000 and can be as high as $2.0M. The average home sales price is in the $700s.
COMMUNITY – Anyone who lives in Oakhurst or the City of Decatur absolutely LOVES it. There is such a fantastic sense of community and Oakhurst residents have completely transformed this neighborhood in the last 10 years. The active Oakhurst Neighborhood Association organizes and hosts more than 15 events and festivals each year.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – The Oakhurst “Village” is at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Oakview and is home to about 10 small restaurants, most with outdoor patios. On a nice Spring or Fall evening, it is often difficult to get a table as it is standing room only until about 10:30 pm. The most popular spot is the Universal Joint (U-Joint), but there are several other charming pubs/restaurants, including Scout, MoJos, Steinbecks and El Matador Cantina. In addition, there seems to be a never-ending supply of neighborhood events — Jazz on the Lawn, BBQ Festival, Madison Avenue Soap Box Derby, Wine Tasting Festival, Earth Day, Oakhurst Arts Festival, and holiday events.
PARKS & RECREATION – McKoy Park is Oakhurst’s primary park with a community pool, ball field and more. There is also a fantastic dog park, walking trails and sidewalk-lined streets for walkers.
SCHOOLS – Part of the City of Decatur, public schools include Oakhurst Elementary and Decatur High School. Oakhurst Elementary has received numerous awards and Decatur High School was just named one of the top in Metro Atlanta. There are also several private schools nearby.
COMMUTE TIME – Oakhurst is a bit more tucked away than many of the other neighborhoods on this list, but traffic isn’t as congested, so while it may be an extra 5 miles to the airport, Oakhurst residents can still get there in about 20 minutes. It is also less than 5 minutes to I-20 and about 10 minutes to the Emory University Campus, I-85 and I-75. Learn more about this charming Decatur neighborhood.

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Virginia Highland – Atlanta

HOME PRICES – 3+ bedroom homes typically start at about $550,000 and can be as high as $2.8 million. The average home sales price is in the high $700s.
ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE – The business district along North Highland is hot, hot, hot and has a little something for everyone. Large patio bars, live blues, intimate restaurants, pubs, martini bars, boutiques, coffee shops, and bookstores.
PARKS & RECREATION – Several small parks and playgrounds are speckled throughout the neighborhood and Piedmont Park is only about a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk away. This is also a very popular neighborhood for walkers – the winding, hilly streets make for a great workout.
SCHOOLS – Public schools include Springdale Park Elementary, Inman Middle and Grady High School. There are also several private schools nearby, including The Paideia School.
COMMUTE TIME – From the heart of Virginia Highland, you can easily access several interstates. Access I-75 at Freedom Parkway or 10th St. or cut through the neighborhoods to access GA 400. Virginia Highlands is also less than 5 minutes away from Downtown, 7 minutes from the Emory University Campus, and less than 20 minutes to Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.
FYI – If you prefer to live quiet street, away from the hustle and bustle of the business district and rental properties, you may want to live in the section of Virginia Highland that is closest to Morningside or the area between Lanier Ave and Briarcliff Road.

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More Popular Neighborhoods for Young Professionals + Families

As we mentioned above, the neighborhoods featured on this page are some of the most popular and/or well-known in Atlanta. There are still many other areas (and price ranges) that could be a good fit for you and your needs.

View all of the Atlanta Intown Neighborhoods >>

If you have questions or would like some additional recommendations – inside Atlanta or the Metro Atlanta suburbs – please contact the Urban Nest Atlanta team anytime. We would be honored to show you around!