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Long to live in Atlanta? The best suburbs of Atlanta allow easy access to the major metroplex without the hefty price tag.

By Cheryl Rodewig on July 23, 2024

Atlanta has a lot going for it. It’s known as the “city in a forest,” with nearly half of the town (46%) sheltered by tree canopy. It has the country’s biggest airport — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — in case you fancy a getaway to London, Seoul or Cancun (all direct flights). And the area boasts a booming economy with jobs in a range of sectors and world-class attractions.

However, beyond the city limits lie hidden treasures — exceptional suburbs of Atlanta with diverse communities, each with unique charm and appeal. What if you want easy access to the big city without living in the city proper? What if you want a little less of the traffic Atlanta is infamous for? Lucky for you, one other thing Atlanta does well is its suburbs. These aren’t paltry towns tacked onto the capital. They’re cultural meccas in their own right, each with its own spin on ATL living.

If you’re thinking about moving to Georgia and prefer a more suburban way of life, read on to discover the best Atlanta suburbs.

1. Johns Creek, Georgia

Distance to Downtown Atlanta: 31.4 miles

If you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why Johns Creek leads the pack for best Atlanta suburbs. With a population of around 82,000, it’s the most ethnically diverse city in Georgia. It’s also the fourth safest city in the state, according to Safewise’s 2024 study. Meanwhile, U.S. News andamp; World Report puts all three of its high schools (Northview, Chattahoochee and Johns Creek) in the state’s top 20.

And let’s not forget it snagged the No. 1 spot on our list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023. That’s largely due to the thriving economy, safety and access to health care that residents enjoy. Another thing that contributes to residents’ quality of life? The 200 acres of parks, including the popular Autrey Mill Nature Preserve andamp; Heritage Center and five access points to the river for fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

Johns Creek also invests in community development. Its current big project underway is the 192-acre Town Center, a live-work-place space surrounding City Hall with a trendy retail and dining destination, Medley, slated to open next year.

2. Roswell, Georgia

Distance to Downtown Atlanta: 23.3 miles

If you stroll down Canton Street, lined with sidewalk cafes, shady trees and boutiques, you might decide on a whim that Roswell is the place for you. But digging a little deeper into the practical details of job outlook, schools and safety, you’ll see that Roswell really is a smart choice.

It has highly rated public and private schools with a low student-to-teacher ratio and is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in Georgia, making it one of the best suburbs of Atlanta for families. As the ninth largest city in the state, Roswell is also home to employers of all sizes, from startups to national and international companies like McKesson (healthcare), Rhino (financial services), GreyOrange (robotics) and the PGA Tour Superstore (retail).

Back to the fun. The aforementioned Canton Street is the hub of a 640-acre historic district that includes landmarks like the picturesque Roswell Mill ruins and a Greek Revival mansion once home to Teddy Roosevelt’s mother. Be sure to go tubing on the Chattahoochee River — a rite of passage locals call “shoot the Hooch.” And mark your calendar for events like the Roswell Beer Festival in March, featuring over 350 craft brews, and Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ in August, all you can eat of America’s favorite dessert, for a good cause.

3. Alpharetta, Georgia

Distance to Downtown Atlanta: 25.6 miles

Just northeast of neighboring Roswell, Alpharetta is a little closer to the North Georgia mountains (the stunning Amicalola Falls is a mere hour away) but still under an hour to Atlanta if you’re commuting.

But you might not be, particularly if you work in tech. Alpharetta is known as the Technology City of the South, home to almost 700 tech companies, including big names like ADP and Fiserv. Even the schools here have a tech focus, such as the Innovation Academy, a public magnet school specializing in STEM, and the North Fulton campus of Gwinnett Technical College.

In this thriving suburb of Atlanta, you’re spoiled with choices of how to spend your weekend. Get your dose of retail therapy downtown or at Avalon, an 86-acre mixed-use development with shopping, dining, and entertainment. Bike the nine-mile Big Creek Greenway or the Alpha Loop. And catch live music year-round, from the big stars at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre to Baroque hits performed by the Alpharetta Symphony.

4. Dunwoody, Georgia

Distance to Downtown Atlanta: 15.8 miles

Dunwoody is just barely OTP (that is, “outside the perimeter,” which is what locals call the I-285 loop around Atlanta), which makes it a convenient option for commuting into the city. The community also has access to MARTA, the city’s public transit system, so you can hop on the subway and be in Midtown in minutes, congestion-free.

Dunwoody is also reasonably affordable Atlanta suburb, all things considered. While the city’s population (currently 52,000) has been growing, home prices are coming back down, with a median selling price of $573,000, according to Redfin.

Given its proximity to the big city, the vibe is slightly more sophisticated urban than sprawling suburban. But you don’t need to venture ITP to find entertainment. Residents have their own arts center, nature center, treetop course, live theater, farmers market, mall and just about every kind of restaurant you could want. Whether it’s salsa night at the local tapas bar or goat yoga at the park, you won’t run out of things to do in Dunwoody, GA.

5. Peachtree City, Georgia

Distance to Downtown Atlanta: 31.8 miles

How does driving around an idyllic planned community on your personal golf cart sound? That’s the kind of dream you can live in Peachtree City, which has some 11,000 golf carts zipping around on its 100 miles of paved trails.

As far as Atlanta suburbs go, it’s the farthest one out on this list, just over 30 miles from downtown. You can take the interstate for most of the way and get there in around half an hour when traffic is normal, though rush hour takes a bit longer. The city is even closer to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, so you might notice a particularly high concentration of Delta employees among your neighbors.

The feel here is solidly suburban but just a little slower-paced than the North Atlanta suburbs on our list. PTC is one of the best suburbs of Atlanta for families. Schools are highly rated, and nearly three-quarters of residents own their own homes. And the three lakes, golf courses and upscale shopping, like The Avenue’s well-manicured plaza, provide laid-back fun when you want to unwind.

Best Atlanta Suburbs Map