Atlanta is a diverse city of vibrant districts, each boasting their own attributes from high rise corporate offices to bustling retail centers.
We’ve captured the five most prominent neighborhoods that professionals are looking to live in Atlanta and have compared them by safety, walkability, highlights, and apartment rental markets.
Buckhead
- Known For: Luxury shopping and dining, Buckhead Theatre, business district
- Safety Rating: 5/5
- Walk Score: Walk scores depend on neighborhood pocket. Buckhead Village is high. Lindbergh is low.
Buckhead, a developed neighborhood geared towards professionals and those who prefer a cultivated way of life woven with work and leisure, sits just north of the I-85 and Piedmont Heights.
Buckhead is a hub of productivity mixed with luxury. Residents here may start their day with a run at Chastain Park, make punctual attendance at one of many fitness studios like Barry’s Buckhead or JETSET Pilates, then meander through the shops at Buckhead Village.
Dining is no exception to the pleasures indulged by Buckhead residents. It’s the perfect neighborhood for a brunch, an on-the-go pastry, or a coffee as you wind your way through your routine.
Living in Buckhead is the safest it can get in Atlanta. Whether you are walking throughout Buckhead Village, jogging Path 400, or simply parking your car, rest assured that this neighborhood is safe.
As a hub of high-rise corporate office buildings such as One Phipps Plaza and Lenox Towers, you might see professionals around Buckhead hosting client lunches or picking up a coffee along Lenox or Peachtree Road.
Walkability will vary depending on the exact area of Buckhead. Buckhead Village and Peachtree Road leading to it are most walkable, while residential areas like Lindbergh and Tuxedo Road are less walkable.
Highlights
You would be remiss to not explore the exceptional restaurants and cocktail bars in Buckhead. Notable ones include The Southern Gentleman, Yeppa, and Red Phone Booth.
Path400 is a major perk of the area. It’s a paved and scenic path running along Highway 400 from Lenox Square. It’s the perfect path for those wanting to run, walk, or bike safely in the area.
Buckhead Village, Phipps Plaza, and Lenox Square are among the large luxury shopping districts in the neighborhood.
Buckhead, though opulently concentrated, is not without culture. The Atlanta History Center is a great museum to understand the city’s historical significance. You’ll also enjoy comedy shows and concerts at Buckhead Theatre, which is one of the biggest attractions in Atlanta.
Renting in Buckhead
High-rise apartment living is the ultimate rental choice in Buckhead. Grand 340 is located near the highly walkable Buckhead Village as well as Buckhead Theatre and a plethora of restaurants and bars sitting along Peachtree Road. Brand-new, luxuriously designed, and optimally located, the apartments at Grand 340 are worth checking out if looking to live in Buckhead.
Midtown
“Midtown Atlanta” by Kay Gaensler is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
- Known For: Walkability and arts culture
- Safety Rating: 3.5/5
- Walk Score: High
Midtown is one of the most walkable and diverse neighborhoods in Atlanta. Living and working here doesn’t require a car, and you might not want to drive anyway due to the population density.
A hub of culture, art, and live entertainment; residents might enjoy an afternoon walk at Piedmont Park, a dinner at a cozy local restaurant, and an evening show at Fox Theatre.
Most people living in Midtown are renters, many of which are young professionals and students of Georgia Tech. Corporate offices in and around Tech Square such as Google, Accenture, and NCR bring professionals and executives to the area as well.
It can get a bit noisy in Midtown, though it’s more so traffic noise than nightlife noise. Midtown’s central location puts you near the Beltline trail and all other hotspots of Atlanta Plus, grocery stores border the east and west sides of the neighborhood, so shopping is always just a few blocks from your apartment.
Highlights
Walkability is the biggest highlight of living in Midtown. Walk to work, restaurants, parks, and concert venues. Plus, there are at least three MARTA stations making it easy to travel without a car.
Piedmont Park and the Beltline are major draws for those looking for an active lifestyle of bike rides, morning jogs, and community festivals in Atlanta. Lively restaurants and hip bars along Peachtree Street and the Beltline are the places to go for a walkable weekend night out.
Midtown is by far the spot to live for art lovers. Watch a unique indie film at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema, attend a comedy show at the historic Fox Theatre, or browse the sculptures at Woodruff Arts Center’s High Museum of Art.
Renting in Midtown
Luxury high-rises are incredibly popular in Midtown, but you’ll also find condos and mid-rises throughout the neighborhood. The tradeoff for paying high apartment prices is the walkability to work, stores, parks, and restaurants if highly populated, vibrant city living is your preference.
Old Fourth Ward
“Ponce City Market, Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA” by w_lemay is marked with CC0 1.0
- Known For: Ponce City Market, trendy nightlife
- Safety Rating: 3.5/5
- Walk Score: High
Old Fourth Ward, located south of Midtown and east of the 85, is a district known for its historic roots and buzzing corridors like the Beltline and Ponce City Market. Living in OFW puts you between Midtown and Inman Park with consistent, walkable access to nightlife, restaurants, MARTA stations, and city parks.
Living here feels a bit more eclectic and relaxed than Buckhead or Midtown while connected to the liveliest parts of the city. Its Civil Rights heritage, railroad legacies, and industrial predecessors have created a culturally significant district rendered by 20th century architecture.
Though not all parts of the neighborhood are created equally. The eastern portion consisting of the Beltline and Ponce City Market is a bit safer and publicly trafficked than the western portion near Central Park, which can be less safe to walk around at night.
Highlights
Ponce City Market is arguably the biggest highlight of OFW. This mixed-use retail center is referred to when deciding where to eat, where to drink, and where to simply pass time. It’s often the stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Bike along the BeltLine Trail, stop at a brewery along the way, eat on the rooftop at 9 Mile Station, then end your evening playing carnival games and mini golf at Skyline Park or the Rooftop at Ponce City Market.
You can also meander through the beautifully maintained Historic Old Fourth Ward Park, another amenity to residents living in OFW.
Renting in Old Fourth Ward
People who rent in Old Fourth Ward are typically more transient, spending a year or two reveling in city life and central connectivity. Many of the apartments in OFW are renovated with modern amenities and lean into industrial architecture while maintaining proximity to Ponce City Market as a selling point.
Virginia-Highland
“Virginia Highland sign” by Wikipedia user Jamarks is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
- Known For: Small town charm and low-key nightlife
- Safety Rating: 4/5
- Walk Score: Medium, concentrated on the BeltLine and North Highland corridor.
Virginia-Highland, referred to as “ViHi”, distinguishes itself as the charming, small-town residential neighborhood in Atlanta. Defined by its walkable tree-lined streets concentrated with restaurant patios and humble pubs, Virginia-Highland is a beloved neighborhood lived in by long-term renters and families.
A day in ViHi might start with a walk through John Howell Park, a coffee at a remote-work friendly cafe, or a quaint stop at the Virginia-Highland Farmers Market before running errands without too much car traffic.
Residents also enjoy jogging the BeltLine Eastside Trail and imbibing at one of many low-key bars and watering holes along North Highland Avenue.
ViHi is very safe, though the one area to avoid at night is near Ponce de Leon Avenue.
Highlights
ViHi is highlighted by not one facet in particular, but rather many facets that bring a general vibe of charm and authenticity to the area.
The BeltLine on the east side is a major draw for renters, as it connects OFW and Midtown while providing outdoor exercise surrounded by shops and restaurants.
North Highland Avenue is the main corridor for dining and nightlife. The most famous spots for a pub crawl are Moe’s and Joe’s, Atkins Park, and Dark Horse. A brunch at Murphy’s is a must, as well as a dinner at La Tavola or Whiskey Bird, all of which are located on the same strip.
Renting in Virginia-Highland
Virginia-Highland is not necessarily the place to live for a high-rise rooftop view or a plethora of luxury amenities. There are condos, duplexes, and mid-rise apartment complexes with an entry-level rental price. In comparison to the other neighborhoods, Virginia Highlands has more home ownership than apartment renters.
Inman Park
“Victorians along Elizabeth St in Inman Park, Atlanta, GA” by johnnyurban is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
- Known For: Krog Street Market, walkability, dining scene
- Safety Rating: 5/5
- Walk Score: High
Just east of Old Fourth Ward is the neighborhood of Inman Park. Inman Park is known for its Victorian-style homes, which for renters means safe residential neighborhoods and a family-oriented environment.
Designed as an urban oasis for wealthy people of Atlanta dependent on walking and rail transit, this neighborhood remains highly walkable.
Today, the MARTA station is the main source of non-car transportation as well as walking the North Highland Avenue and Krog Street Market corridors. Many people who live in Inman Park commute to their offices, which are usually outside of Inman Park, via the MARTA or by car.
People usually move here because it’s connected to the BeltLine and it’s relatively safe and walkable with easy access to shops and dining options.
Unlike OFW, Midtown, or Buckhead, this isn’t the neighborhood for a night out dancing to DJs or live music. Nightlife in Inman Park is a bit more formal and entails an after-dinner cocktail. Though, for a hip dive bar nearby, you can head to Little Five Points toward Moreland Avenue.
Highlights
Inman Park earns a reputation for a strong dining scene, one not necessarily marked by fine dining but by creative and intentional chefs that keep the culinary culture thriving.
Krog Street Market is a concentrated food hall with beer and casual food options marked by international street food – even some recognized by Michelin. Highland Avenue is the spot for a more formal dinner occasion, boasting places like Sotta Sotta and Delbar as well as cocktails at Painted Park.
For a date-night walk or free midday attraction in Inman Park, Krog Street Tunnel is nearby and showcases the city’s modern-day artists and culture.
Renting in Inman Park
While Inman Park has favorable attributes, cost is the biggest deterrent to renting in the neighborhood. Since supply is high with no real competition from new builds, residents pay a premium that might not be worth it – especially if they want lively nightlife or commute via car.
Unlike Buckhead, many of the apartments in Inman Park are renovated and can carry inherent structural downsides.
Introducing Grand 340: Walkable Luxury in Buckhead
Whether you are a corporate professional or a retiree, you’ll love the area of Buckhead, which provides shopping, safety, the arts, and outdoor recreation near major highways.
Grand 340 is Buckhead’s newest luxury apartment high-rise. It’s centrally located on East Paces Ferry Foad near Buckhead Village and Peachtree Road, the most walkable corridors of Buckhead.
Explore an impressive array of amenities and apartment suites at Grand 340 by browsing our gallery and scheduling a tour. A vibrant and stunning lifestyle in Atlanta starts here.