The Best Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in Atlanta (Updated for 2023)

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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options-house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location-it all can be quite overwhelming (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop —local movers in Atlanta and beyond). That’s why we’ve researched the best up and coming neighborhoods in Alanta for you, so you don’t have to. You’ve no doubt seen our guide on moving to Atlanta, which includes a short section on a few of Atlanta’s most popular neighborhoods. Looking to move a little outside Atlanta? Check out some of the great cities in the surrounding area such as Alpharetta, Decatur, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Cumming, or Douglasville.

This list is a more in-depth neighborhood guide meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent.

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A Little About Atlanta Neighborhoods

Atlanta lays claim to the ninth largest metro area in the country, with about 6 million people living in the greater region. The city forms the core of a broader area including adjacent metro regions like Athens, Clarke, and Sandy Springs, and is filled with over 200 neighborhoods. And with a great music scene, professional sports teams, local food, craft beer, and a thriving nightlife, Atlanta’s population is projected to grow at an exorbitant rate.

Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown

Located between Interstate 75 and Interstate 20, these neighborhoods make it easy for residents to access other parts of the city. Its filled mainly with young professionals and young families who enjoy the area’s abundant things to do and convenient location.

What’s Happening in Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown

This area used to only be known for Oakland Cemetery and Zoo Atlanta, but it’s taken an eye-catching turn in the recent years. Property values have dramatically gone up since the south and southeast part of Atlanta has begun redevelopment. And this area’s great location has bumped it up on many locals’ lists.

The area boasts of many new restaurants and bars. And like the eclectic feel that several other southern and eastern neighborhoods of the city have embodied, the area around Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown has added a diverse set of alluring amenities. The area is full of mainly millennial residents, but numerous empty nesters have also made this area their long-term home.

Check out recently opened Eventide Brewing for a taste of the local suds. Or visit Grant Park, one of the oldest parks in Atlanta.

Schools in Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown

Schools in these areas include Parkside Elementary School, The Little Middle School, and Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School among others.

Homes in Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown

This area offers a vast array of home styles, sizes and prices. See what’s available for buying and renting nearby.

The Best Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in Atlanta (2022) Bellhop Blog

West Midtown

What’s Happening in West Midtown

This once abandoned neighborhood is now one of the most trendy places to live. With a number of new businesses and more on the way, West Midtown churns with potential. Touching Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown, the area offers residents an extremely convenient area to live in, with the best of the city’s offerings within arm’s reach.

West Midtown has recently exploded with new and interested residents. Filled with the majority of Atlanta’s best breweries like Monday Night, Scofflaw, and Atlanta Brewing, the area has become a destination for other Atlantians. And new restaurants keep opening in the area.

Many of the area’s older buildings have been and are being restored into new residential and commercial areas, giving West Midtown further energy. The area offers a blend of dive bars and upscale cocktail bars, and Westside Provisions offers a bunch of unique shops and dinner stops.

Schools in West Midtown

Schools in this neighborhood include The Children’s School, Henry W. Grady High School, and Samuel M. Inman Middle School among others.

Homes in West Midtown

West Midtown is packed full of awesome condos. Check out what’s currently available for buying and renting in the area.

Morningside Lenox Park

Morningside is located just below Interstate 85 and sits just north of Virginia-Highland. Smack dab in the middle of all activities in Atlanta, Morningside Lenox Park is a walk away from restaurants, parks, entertainment, and nightlife. Additionally, the neighborhood offers beautiful homes, a friendly community, and the sought after Morningside Elementary School.

What’s Happening in Morningside Lenox Park

Despite its proximity to many city conveniences, a trip to Morningside Nature Preserve could make you forget you were in the city at all. And locals often and gladly use this natural oasis to refresh themselves on weekends. But, even in the midst of the busiest section of Morningside Lenox Park, the area offers its own relaxations. Orpheus Brewing is a local favorite and brews up some of the best beers in the city.

Piedmont Park is a quick trip and offers a number of walking trails and picnic areas. And with amenities, many young residents living in the area and attending Emory University have a little more financial flexibility to enjoy their neighborhood’s thriving restaurant and bar scene. For a good example of some of the area’s finest, check out the tapas bar Loca Luna or creative plates at Whiskey Bird. For some great American cuisine, visit the Hobnob Tavern.

Schools in Morningside Lenox Park

Schools in this area include Morningside Elementary School, Henry W. Grady High School, and Samuel M. Inman Middle School among others. Schools are generally high-quality – North Atlanta High School receives an A rating from Niche.com, and Inman Middle School received an A- grade.

Homes in Morningside Lenox Park

Houses can lean quite heavily on the pricey side in these neighborhoods, with a median home value of around $975,000 in January, 2023. But there are tons of options at significantly lower prices.

West End and Adair Park

This diverse and vibrant set of communities are part of Atlanta’s oldest historic areas. Despite its roots and mature age, this area is becoming hip and new by the minute. And its recent popularity is starting to bring more young residents to the area, seeking out its bike-friendly streets, convenient location, and plenteous restaurants and shops.

What’s Happening in West End and Adair Park

Most people don’t know this, but there is a second Beltline in Atlanta, and West End is directly on this Beltline. The area is a bit older but has recently become an Atlanta hot-spot, with new businesses moving in the area, like Monday Night’s second location. All these new perks plus the cheaper cost of living is starting to catch attention, and people are moving in fast.

The West End and Adair Park area is very close to Mercedes Benz Stadium, so people pack in when the Falcons play or a big entertainer comes in town (Taylor Swift, for example, played here last year). But the area clears out again, and residents enjoy being somewhat removed from the chaos of the city. During these times, locals are commonly found walking and jogging the area’s trails or relaxing in neighborhood parks.

Schools in West End and Adair Park

Schools in this area include Sylvan Hills Middle School and Brown Middle School among others.Charles Drew Charter School received an A- from Niche.com, while the largest high school in West End, Douglass High School, received a D+ from Niche.com.

Homes in West End and Adair Park

Finding cute and affordable single-family homes and apartments in this area is quite easy for now. West End homes had a median sales price of $355,500 in January, 2023, while Adair Park homes had a median sales price of $497,000 in January, 2023.

Edgewood and Kirkwood

Edgewood and Kirkwood are about as East as you can get without popping into East Atlanta. The area feels like a sister to Little Five Points, with its plenteous street art and old buildings, turned into grungy hot-spots. The area’s hype is beginning to accelerate, and its thriving restaurant and nightlife scene seems to only be quickening its popularity.

What’s Happening in Edgewood and Kirkwood

Many new residents have moved to Edgewood and Kirkwood to take part in its endless nightlife and stretches of restaurants and bars. At first blush, the area might come across as somewhat rough around the edges. But the locals know of its many hidden gems, like Edgewood Corner Tavern, Church, and Noni’s.

Edgewood and Kirkwood also offer a strong music scene, and millennials from across the city come to the area for shows and entertainment. Compared to visiting areas like Buckhead and Brookhaven, grabbing a drink in Edgewood and Kirkwood doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet either. And unlike the more upscale regions of the city, this area offers numerous hole-in-the-wall local secrets worth exploring.

Schools in Edgewood and Kirkwood

Schools in this area include The Little Middle School, Whitefoord Early Learning Academy, and Mary Lin Elementary School. Schools in Kirkwood are generally high-quality, though there are some concerns around overall school size as the area grows.

Homes in Edgewood and Kirkwood

Whether you’re looking for a quaint and affordable first home or a larger house to settle into, this area has plenty of options. Edgewood homes had a median sales price of $470,000 in January, 2023, with Kirkwood homes clocking in at $450,000 in January, 2023.

There you have it: the best up and coming neighborhoods in Atlanta!

We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop – the best Atlanta movers. We also offer long-distance moves in the Atlanta area. Need to move quickly? We also provide last minute moving services in Atlanta!

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Other guides to living in Atlanta

Check out some of our awesome reviews here: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14060505484178299622

Larry Blue

City Operations Manager at Bellhop

Larry has been in Atlanta for more than four years. He enjoys hanging out in Buckhead, exploring the parks and trails of the Atlanta BeltLine, snowboarding, and rooting for his favorite local sports teams (including the Braves, Falcons, and GA Bulldogs). Larry has been in the moving industry for more than five years, and says he knows it's going to be a good moving day "[when] all items are boxed and sealed and there's a clear path from house/apartment to the truck."