Considering moving to the Atlanta metro? ATL has great suburbs that offer affordable housing, top-rated schools, great outdoor recreation spots, and more. Here are the five best Atlanta suburbs!
Alpharetta
- Home Price: $447,400 median purchase price; $1,464 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 64% of Georgia cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Looking for a family-friendly Atlanta suburb? Check out the city of Alpharetta! About 30 minutes outside of The Big A, residents living in Alpharetta can find a variety of homes ranging from townhouses and luxury condos to Neocolonial and ranch-style houses—and great schools in the Fulton County School district. This safe ATL suburb also offers amazing outdoor recreation spots with 750 acres of parks and plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment within Alpharetta City Center!
Things to Do in Alpharetta
Catch big names in music—from Tyler Childers to Foreigner—perform at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park. Learn how to horseback ride or watch equestrian competitions at Wills Park Equestrian Center. Go for a jog, take the dog for a walk, or ride your bike along the Big Creek Greenway. Pick up fresh produce, meats, and more at the Alpharetta Farmers Market. Stroll through the Walk of Memories when visiting the Alpharetta Veterans Memorial. Try a variety of cuisines at the Taste of Alpharetta, which brings together local restaurants from across the suburb. Start your morning with a Cappuccino paired with Lolly Waffles or Beignets at The Nest Cafe. Get your fix of Nashville Hot Oysters, Blackened Redfish, Creole Pasta Monica, and other Southern comfort dishes at South Main Kitchen in Downtown Alpharetta. Or share the Pimento Cheese Fritters, enjoy a main course of Black Garlic Shrimp or Pan Seared Scallops, and top things off with a glass of wine at Citizen Soul.
Decatur
- Home Price: $547,300 median purchase price; $1,339 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 52% of Georgia cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located about 20 minutes east of ATL, you’ll find one of the most popular Atlanta suburbs, Decatur! Here, residents can find housing options from modern apartments to Craftsman-style homes—and plenty of fun things to do with Decatur’s more than 80+ dining options and great community events. Families will appreciate living in this Atlanta metro area, as the City Schools of Decatur school district offers incredible education opportunities, in addition to local private schools like Academe of the Oaks and Saint Thomas More Catholic School.
Things to Do in Decatur
Learn about the local history of DeKalb County through a walking tour or browse rotating exhibits like 200 Years of DeKalb County on your own at the DeKalb History Museum. Take a nighttime Decatur Ghost Tour and explore the most haunted sites in Decatur. Decorate your home with unique finds from Kudzu Antiques + Modern. See where the first Waffle House opened and memorabilia from the years at the Waffle House Museum. Go hiking north of Decatur and explore 28 acres of nature at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Savor authentic Spanish tapas with dishes like Empanadas De Carne, Pulpo, or Chiles Rellenos at The Iberian Pig. Indulge in farm-to-table entrees with a French twist like Prime Filet Mignon, Squid Ink Fettuccine, or Duck Breast at Kimball House. Visit NO. 246, an Italian restaurant that serves dishes like Tagliatelle Bolognese, Funghi Pizza, and Chicken Al Forno. Or dine on Petto di Pollo alla Parmigiano, Pinchitos, or Gyros at cozy Mediterranean bistro Cafe Lily.
Johns Creek
- Home Price: $423,600 median purchase price; $1,702 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Georgia cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
A historic suburb that was founded as a trading post, Johns Creek is now the tenth-largest city in Georgia! The city of Johns Creek is an excellent choice for Atlanta metro residents seeking a safe suburban community about 40 minutes outside of the city. You can find tons of things to do in Johns Creek, including diverse dining, unique shopping, and fun outdoor recreation at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. This ATL suburb is also a great place to raise a family, thanks to its many highly-rated schools.
Things to Do in Johns Creek
Celebrate different cultures with food, music, and art at Johns Creek International Festival. Listen to the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra play at various venues and festivals in the Atlanta area. Attend the Summer Concert Series at The Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater in Newtown Park. Let your furry friend run around at Newtown Dream Dog Park, which also features obstacle courses and a walking trail. Spend the day playing the 18-hole course, practice your swing at the driving range, or sign the family up for golf lessons at RiverPines Golf. Start your morning with one of the rotating scones, Potato Vegetable Hash, or a Mushroom & Swiss Omelet at Seven Sisters Kitchen. Visit Sugo for Mediterranean favorites like Hanger Steak, Cannelloni, or Shrimp Scampi. Try delicious Italian cuisine such as Rigatoni alla Gricia, Gnocchi, or Salmone Arrosto at RosaMia Ristorante Italiano. Or savor Argentinian-inspired favorites like a Rack of Lamb or Chilean Sea Bass paired with Basil Fried Corn at Pampas Steakhouse.
Peachtree City
- Home Price: $353,400 median purchase price, $1,509 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Georgia cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Atlanta suburb, Peachtree City is the perfect option! This suburb is farther away from downtown Atlanta, but residents can still get to the heart of ATL in under an hour via I-85. This vibrant Georgia city is considered one of the fastest-growing Atlanta suburbs, and it offers everything from job opportunities with companies like Cooper Lighting Solutions and Hoshizaki—to amazing schools like Kedron Elementary School, J.C. Booth Middle School, and McIntosh High School.
Things to Do in Peachtree City
See an airshow or attend the annual Victory Ball at Commemorative Air Force. Catch a concert at the Frederick C. Brown Amphitheater, referred to as “The Fred” by locals. See filming locations of iconic movies and TV shows like Sweet Home Alabama or The Walking Dead during the Southern Hollywood Film Tour. Go fishing or boating at Lake Peachtree, Lake Kedron, or Lake McIntosh—all located in Peachtree City. Admire stunning views of nature, go fishing, and peruse miles of hiking trails while visiting the 70-acre Line Creek Nature Area. Have a date night at Grinds & Wines, where you can order Seared Lamb Chops, Chicken Parmesan, or Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos. Indulge in classic Lebanese entrees like Fried Kibbi and Shish Kabob and save room for a piece of Baklava at The BeiRut. Or chow down on Meatloaf, The Reuben, or a Southern BBQ Burger at Crosstown Grille & Ale House.
Sandy Springs
- Home Price: $474,000 median purchase price; $1,383 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Georgia cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Sandy Springs is a quaint community near The Big A with lots to do! This Atlanta suburb is home to several big-name companies including UPS, Cox Communications, and Mercedes-Benz USA, all of which offer employment opportunities in the area. In addition, Sandy Springs offers quality schools like Lake Forest Elementary School, Sandy Springs Middle School, and Riverwood International Charter School—as well as more than 950 acres of parks and green space, and fun community events!
Things to Do in Sandy Springs
Float down 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River or try trout fishing at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Take your kids to the playground or have a picnic at Abernathy Greenway Park. Go paddleboarding, enjoy a hike, or have a picnic while enjoying the scenic views at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Play a round of golf, hit the tennis courts, or get a workout in at the Dunwoody Country Club. Sign the kids up for summer camp, watch students compete in the Junior Theater Festival, or see productions like West Side Story or A Chorus Line at City Springs Theatre. Swing into DaVinci’s Donuts for a Boston Cream Donut, Vanilla Iced Donut and other flavors. Grab some Lamb Kabob, Homemade Falafel, Tandori Chicken, and other Persian favorites at Zafron Restaurant. Order Cochinillo Tacos, Wagyu Steak Tlayuditas, or Enchiladas Verdes at Casi Cielo. Head over to McDaniel’s QN2 BBQ for a Rib Plate or BBQ Chicken Sandwich with a side of Fried Okra. Or enjoy a seafood dinner of Faroe Islands Salmon, Maine Lobster Roll, or Blackened Louisiana Catfish at Big B’s Fish Joint.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
