The 5 Best Suburban Neighborhoods Around Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia's vibrant capital, is known for its bustling streets, diverse communities, and Southern charm. Home to the world's busiest airport, the city draws millions of visitors each year to attractions such as the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. For some, however, living close to the action is more appealing without the crowds and traffic. Fortunately, Atlanta is surrounded by suburbs that offer easy access to the city without all of the metro area noise.

While each neighborhood is unique and offers a distinct twist on Southern living, they all blend city living with the sense of community and stability found in the suburbs. So, whether you are looking for a cozy getaway or a more permanent place for you and your family, you can find somewhere that suits you. The following five suburbs were selected based on Niche's 2025 rankings of the best suburbs to live in the Atlanta area.

Just about 23 miles north of Atlanta is Roswell, a charming suburb with a walkable downtown and vintage shops. According to Niche, Roswell ranks as Atlanta's sixth-best suburb for 2025. With well-regarded schools, relatively low crime rates, and low unemployment, it is easy to see why this neighborhood made the cut. Even better, this family-friendly district has no shortage of entertainment, with a variety of activities that reflect the diverse community. 

One of Roswell's most appealing qualities is its blend of history and modernity, with downtown Historic Roswell featuring several 19th-century buildings. Barrington Hall, for example, is a Greek Revival home built in the 1840s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Meanwhile, nearby Bulloch Hall was the childhood home of former president Theodore Roosevelt's mother, Mittie Bulloch. Today, both buildings are preserved as open house museums. Roswell also houses Mimm's Museum of Technology and Art (formerly Computer Museum of America), the largest tech museum in the eastern United States. 

There are also plenty of local shopping options in town, too. At 425 Market Place Antiques, visitors will find over 7,000 square feet of vintage treasures. Another popular spot is the Roswell Farmers Market. It takes place every Saturday from April to November and features many regional vendors selling anything from locally grown produce to handmade artisan crafts.

Decatur, a walkable Georgia gem located about 7 miles east of Atlanta, ranks as the city's fourth-best suburb on Niche's list. Despite its close proximity to downtown, the community maintains a tight-knit, small-town feel. While excellent schools help make this neighborhood an attractive option, much of its charm lies in its local businesses and cultural offerings. Explore the unique atmosphere at HomeGrown Decatur, a one-stop shop for locally made goods, including handmade jewelry, artisan soaps, and art prints. Afterward, foodies can head toward College Avenue and check out a piece of Southern food history at the Waffle House Museum, which explores the story of the iconic Southern chain. 

Decatur also hosts several annual festivals that bring the community together. In October, there's the popular Decatur Book Festival for literature enthusiasts. In May, the three-day Decatur Arts Festival is a free event that highlights local artists and features live performances. A more recent addition to the annual festival schedule is the Decatur International Festival in March, which celebrates the diverse cultures through live performances. These are just a few of the area's fun gatherings, though. Before planning your trip, review Visit Decatur's calendar for a full list of events.

For a community that encapsulates Southern charm, visit Milton, one of Georgia's wealthiest suburbs. Located about 29 miles north of Atlanta, Milton ranked as the area's third-best suburb, per Niche. Though not far from the city, it maintains a rural aesthetic that sets it apart from other neighborhoods.

One of the district's biggest draws is its abundance of green space. Several preserves and parks – such as the 42-acre Providence Park, complete with trails, trees, a lake, and a fishing pier — decorate the town. Another cornerstone of life in Milton is its robust equestrian community, which keeps the region connected to its rural roots. Even if you don't own a horse, you can still enjoy the tradition at Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards. There, you can find Pamelot Farms, which offers riding lessons. While at the winery, visitors can also drop in for workshops, tastings, and other events.

Meanwhile, in Milton's historic Crabapple district, you can enjoy walkable streets lined with shops and restaurants. As the heart of the city, this hub is where many community events take place. One such event is the Crabapple Fest. Each October, this festival invites regional artists and craftspeople to share and sell unique, handmade items.

Just 26 miles north of Atlanta is Alpharetta, a vibrant town brimming with restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife. Ranked the second-best Atlanta suburb by Niche, this city earned high marks thanks to its quality schools, minimal crime, and recreation options.

Alpharetta is a particularly great place for music lovers. At the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, you can find a consistently packed lineup of both local and nationally-known musicians. Another regional favorite venue for live music is The Velvet Note, a jazz club noted for its intimate atmosphere. 

Downtown, in an area known as Alpharetta City Center, over 600 businesses await. Options range from locally owned shops and restaurants to nationally recognized chains. While there, check out boutiques such as Magnolia Moon (an affordable women's clothing shop) and eateries like the classy yet cozy Citizen Soul (which offers an extensive cocktail menu and dishes that blend West Coast and Southern cuisine). While downtown, take a walk around the 5-acre Brooke Street Park that features an arboretum, an open lawn where local music artists perform, and plenty of art sculptures to admire. 

Rounding out this list is John's Creek, aka the "best place to live in the U.S." Only about 29 miles northeast of Atlanta, this suburb is one of the nation's hidden gems. With a population of approximately 81,000, it's a hidden gem that offers convenient access to big-city amenities.

In 2025, the region ranked 10th on Niche's roundup of the "Best Places to Live in America," first among the "Best Suburbs to Live in the Atlanta Area," and fourth on the list of "Best Suburbs to Live in America." With low crime rates, quality healthcare options, and several well-ranked schools, John's Creek is a welcoming and close-knit district that gives you plenty of ways to meet people and get involved with locals. One excellent spot for this is The Art Center, which hosts everything from improv classes to art workshops and after-school programs. 

Nature lovers will also find great green spaces here. For trails, playgrounds, and other recreational opportunities, visit Newtown Park, a 46-acre space with family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and restrooms. In the area, you'll also discover Newtown Dream Dog Park, which ranked third on USA Today's 2025 list of the country's best dog parks. For those who wish to be even more immersed in the outdoors, the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center offers natural beauty to explore, including over 2 miles of walking trails and tons of wildlife. 

The five suburbs chosen for this list were selected based on their unique appeal and performance in Niche's 2025 rankings, with consideration given to safety, school quality, housing, and cost of living. All five ranked within the top 10 suburbs in the Atlanta area.

We also reviewed Niche's evaluation of Atlanta and compared the city's grades with those of its surrounding communities. Each of the suburbs listed scored higher than Atlanta in the public schools, housing, crime, and cost of living categories. These regions also had to be distinct from one another. It is for this reason that North Decatur did not make our list, even though Niche ranked it the fifth-best Atlanta suburb. The city of Decatur met our qualifications and ranked higher than North Decatur overall in categories like crime and public schools. Additionally, North Decatur is only 2 miles from Decatur and is too close in proximity and lifestyle to merit its own entry on our list.