The 5 Best Suburbs in Atlanta

Long to live in Atlanta? These Atlanta suburbs offer easy access to the larger metropolis without the high price tag.

By Cheryl Rodewig on July 23, 2024

Atlanta has a lot to offer. It’s known as the “city in a forest,” with nearly half of the city (46%) sheltered by a canopy of trees. It has the nation’s largest airport—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—in case you fancy a trip to London, Seoul, or Cancun (all have direct flights). And the area has a thriving economy with jobs in a variety of industries and world-class attractions.

Beyond the city limits, however, lie hidden gems — Atlanta’s exceptional suburbs with diverse communities, each with its own unique charm and appeal. What if you want easy access to the big city without living in the city itself? What if you want a little less of the traffic Atlanta is notorious for? Luckily for you, there’s something else Atlanta does best: its suburbs. These aren’t paltry towns tacked onto the capital. They’re cultural meccas unto themselves, each with its own unique twist on life in ATL.

If you’re considering moving to Georgia and prefer a more suburban lifestyle, read on to discover the best suburbs of Atlanta.

1. Johns Creek, Georgia

Distance to downtown Atlanta: 31.4 miles

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When you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why Johns Creek is the leader among Metro Atlanta suburbs. With a population of about 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 & World Report ranks all three of its high schools (Northview, Chattahoochee, and Johns Creek) in the state’s top 20.

And let’s not forget that it took the No. 1 spot on our list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023 . That’s largely due to the booming economy, safety, and access to healthcare that residents enjoy. Another thing that contributes to residents’ quality of life? The 500 acres of parks, including the popular Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center and five river access points for fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

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

2. Roswell, Georgia

Distance to downtown Atlanta: 23.3 miles

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

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

Back to the fun. The aforementioned Canton Street is the centerpiece of a 1,600-acre historic district that features landmarks like the picturesque Roswell Mill ruins and a Greek Revival mansion that was 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 more than 350 craft beers, and Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ in August, an all-you-can-eat treat of America’s favorite dessert for a good cause.

3. Alpharetta, Georgia

Distance to downtown Atlanta: 25.6 miles

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Alpharetta is just northeast of neighboring Roswell and is a bit closer to the mountains of North Georgia (the beautiful Amicalola Falls are only an hour’s drive away), but if you’re traveling to Atlanta, you’ll still be there in less than an hour.

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

In this thriving city, you’ll be spoiled for choice on how to spend your weekend. Get your dose of retail therapy downtown or at Avalon, an 86-acre mixed-use development of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Bike the nine-mile Big Creek Greenway or the Alpha Loop. And enjoy live music year-round, from big-name stars at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre to baroque hits performed by the Alpharetta Symphony.

4. Dunwoody, Georgia

Distance to downtown Atlanta: 15.8 miles

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Dunwoody is located just outside the perimeter (that is, “off the perimeter,” as locals call the I-285 loop around Atlanta), making 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, without the traffic.

Dunwoody is also fairly affordable, all things considered. While the city’s population (currently 52,000) is growing, home prices are falling again, with a median sales price of $573,000, according to Redfin.

Given its proximity to the big city, the vibe is a little more urbane than sprawling suburban. But you don’t have to go to ITP to find entertainment. Residents have their own arts center, nature center, treetop trail, live theater, farmers market, shopping mall, and pretty much every type of restaurant you could want. Whether it’s salsa night at the local tapas bar or goat yoga in the park, you won’t be bored.

5. Peachtree City, Georgia

Distance to downtown Atlanta: 31.8 miles

Getty Images/Marilyn Nieves

How does it sound to cruise around an idyllic planned community on your own golf cart? That’s the kind of dream you can live out in Peachtree City, where some 11,000 golf carts ply the 100 miles of paved trails.

As far as Atlanta suburbs go, this is the furthest on this list, just over 30 miles from the city center. You can take the freeway most of the way and get there in about half an hour in normal traffic, though it will take a little longer during rush hour. The city is even closer to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, so you may notice a particularly high concentration of Delta employees among your neighbors.

The vibe here is solidly suburban, but a little slower than the North Atlanta suburbs on our list. PTC is a good choice for families looking to settle down. Schools are highly rated, and nearly three-quarters of residents own their homes. And three lakes, golf courses, and upscale shops like the well-maintained plaza of The Avenue offer laid-back fun when you want to relax.