With Atlanta being one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, it’s also becoming one of the best places to live whether you are a student, young professional, or in the later stages of life. With everything from entertainment and nightlife to higher education and employment opportunities all on your doorstep, it can be difficult to choose which areas of Atlanta you want to call home. We’ve looked at thousands of rooms for rent and roommate listings who recently joined Diggz to find out where are the most in demand neighborhoods within the Atlanta area. Want to find out what are the 10 most popular places to live in Atlanta based on our Diggz members? then keep on reading.
1. Midtown Atlanta
At number one, the most popular neighborhood to live in Atlanta, chosen as a preferred area by nearly 50% of our users, is Midtown Atlanta. It’s home to many young professionals due to its central location, close proximity to downtown and urban feel. One of the many upsides of living in Midtown is that there are plenty of things to do at night. There are dozens of bars and restaurants scattered throughout Midtown making it easy to go out with friends when you don’t feel like cooking or staying in. Additionally, for Georgia Tech students and employees, living in Midtown is an obvious choice. It offers a short walk or commute over to the campus which is situated right next door. However, rents are rising as more and more people flood into Midtown. If you want an apartment with a roommate, expect to pay around $1,000 or more for your share of the rent.
2. Downtown Atlanta
At second place is Downtown Atlanta, with 45% of our are roommate seekers indicating they would live there. Downtown Atlanta offers plenty of places to live and things to do. If you are into entertainment, then Downtown has plenty of options of festivals, movies or shows. As for living, you can find plenty of Luxury living options. For example, there’s Peachtree Street, which is lined with luxury apartments, high-rise apartment buildings and loft-style residences near Georgia State. And if you’re looking for nightlife, good restaurants, and urban living, Downtown offers it all. For a more of a college town feel, especially if you attend GSU, you can stay on the Eastside near Edgewood Ave. While rent prices vary, on Diggz the average room for rent price in downtown is $675.
3. Atlantic Station
At a close third place is Atlantic Station, a mixed-use, residential and retail development built on what was once an underused rail yard near Downtown Atlanta. With great restaurants and plenty of things to do nearby including an indoor ice skating rink you can never get bored living at Atlantic Station. A four minute walk takes you right into Midtown where there are tons of bars, restaurants and boutiques to enjoy. You are also a short walking distance from Downtown and Georgia State University which have lots of things to do including sporting events; This area is by no means cheap, and sharing an apartment with a roommate will cost you about $1,000 for your share of the rent.
4. Sandy Springs, GA
Located just north of Atlanta, Sandy Springs has two major parks and is bordered by I-285, making it relatively easy to get around. It’s known for being one of the safest cities in Georgia and offers a variety of new home plans at all price points. One downside: there aren’t many social opportunities or things to do outside of work. If you want access to an urban environment with lots of things to do after work, Sandy Springs might not be your jam. But, if you are looking for a quiet area that is close to major highways, this might be the place for you. Living outside Atlanta’s center doesn’t necessarily mean rent will be cheaper based on our data. If you are looking to rent a room in Sandy Springs, expect to pay around $930 per room.
5. Buckhead
Next on our list is Buckhead, situated North of Midtown and south of Sandy Springs and favored by 43% of our Atlanta Diggz members. There’s tons of bars and restaurants, plus shopping. There are also plenty of amazing apartments with stunning views. Many people choose to live in Buckhead because it’s close to everything, and easy to get back to after work or on weekends. Plus, it’s close enough to downtown so you don’t feel like you have too far of a commute if your office is located there. You can walk everywhere from here, or get to Downtown by bike or MARTA. What will it cost to live there? Well, while the average room for rent in Buckhead is around $900, you can find rooms on Diggz from $700 all the way to $1,400.
6. Decatur, GA
Nestled up against Atlanta, Decatur is perfect for young professionals who want access to amenities and nightlife but are looking for something quieter than Midtown. Hailed by many as Atlanta’s best-kept secret, Downtown Decatur has plenty of cool bars and restaurants that make it easy to find fun activities. You’ll also be just minutes away from major interstate highways such as I-75 and I-85, which means you can get around Atlanta quickly. And what about the rent? You’ll save up a bit living here compared to Downtown, or Midtown. Based on recent Diggz listings for rooms for rent in Decatur, you can find some from $500, while the average is close to $700.
7. Marietta, GA
If you’re looking for affordable housing and plenty of local amenities, Marietta is one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets and a preferred area by 41% of our members. Located just Northwest of Atlanta, this suburb offers easy access to both downtown and Buckhead via Cobb County Transit or its MARTA Station, making it easy for those commuting from outside of Atlanta to hit both work sites and play spots during their off hours. Yet, there are plenty of local shops, restaurants and bars around Marietta itself. Parks like Fayetteville Historic Square offering outdoor entertainment options like festivals and concerts; and there are things to do on any given night. As an added bonus, you’ll save some cash living here. The average room for rent in Marietta averages $723.
8. Inman Park
The best thing about Inman Park is that you don’t need a car. The neighborhood has an amazing network of local shops, bars and restaurants — so you’ll never have to leave if you don’t want to. There are tons of cool shops and great food around here. It can get pretty crowded on weekends, but if you’re into people watching (and who isn’t?) then Inman Park is perfect for you. If you do decide to leave, however, there are plenty of buses running through Inman Park from downtown. Plus, it’s only two miles away from Georgia Tech’s campus. So, if you’re going to school at Georgia Tech or just looking for some nightlife fun, Inman Park might be your new home sweet home.
9. Old Fourth Ward
Known by most for its historic significance, including being home to Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home, Old Fourth Ward (or O4W) is beginning to gain attention for its transformation into an arts and entertainment hub. Just about everything you need is within walking distance — including restaurants, bars, and coffee shops; If you are looking for restaurants with soul food flair or an urban environment that encourages socializing after work hours, then O4W is probably your best bet to get situated in Atlanta. The neighborhood doesn’t have many apartments though — so be prepared to get creative with where you live.
10. Brookhaven, GA
Brookhaven, located Northeast of Atlanta, is one of Atlanta’s most exclusive and sought-after areas, which makes it an especially ideal location for young professionals. With easy access to Buckhead and Midtown, as well as lots of great shopping options, Brookhaven is not only trendy but also convenient. There are plenty of great restaurants and some great nightlife spots. It’s no surprise that more than 6,000 people have moved to Brookhaven over the past year alone. Brookhaven offers residents and visitors alike a plethora of things to do on any given weekend day or evening. If you’re looking for something fun to do with friends or just want to enjoy a night out on your own, there are many things you can do from dinner, bars, and shows. Just be prepared to shell out over close to $1,100 for your share of the rent if you choose to live in Brookhaven.
Ready to move to Atlanta?
Now that you have narrowed down the neighborhoods you would like to consider living in, it’s time to find a room or roommate. While there are plenty of services out there for either, only Diggz helps you find a roommate to partner up with to search for an apartment. You can also skip the apartment hunting and find a roommate with an existing room for rent. While Atlanta is more affordable than other big cities, it’s still worth rooming up with someone to save on rent and enjoy all this southern gem of a city has to offer. Start your search and explore rooms for rent and roommates in Atlanta, right here on Diggz. And if you are moving to Atlanta for the first time, check out our moving to a new city checklist