Many people often assume the downtown area is the best or at least one of the best areas for a young professional to live. When it comes to Atlanta, the top five neighborhoods for young professionals are outside of the downtown area. Two of the neighborhoods on this list are very close to downtown, so don’t worry if your workplace is in downtown Atlanta. Here are five of the top neighborhoods in the ATL.
1. Virginia-Highland
Va-Hi, as locals call it, consists of bungalow homes that surround four major commercial areas. This neighborhood is two miles away from Midtown, convenient for those who work in the Midtown area. It’s also a popular choice for employees of AT&T, UPS, and Emory University. Virginia-Highland is ideal for young professionals who want a quiet neighborhood or have growing families.
Popular bars, restaurants, and shops in Va-Hi are George’s Bar and Restaurant, Paolo’s Gelato Italiano, Ten Thousand Villages, and Henry & June. Atlanta’s annual Summerfest event is held in this neighborhood as well. The average rent is $1,800, and the population is 10,000.
2. Midtown
If you’re a downtown kind of person who enjoys living in the energy of the city, you actually want to choose Midtown in Atlanta. This neighborhood is where the excitement centers. It offers a lot of entertainment options whether you’re a nature lover or into the arts. Many renown restaurants are in Midtown too.
Types of housing you can choose from are high-rises, condos, apartments, and houses. Midtown is LGBT-friendly too. It’s a large neighborhood, consisting of over 30,000 residents. Average rent is $1,800.
3. Buckhead
Buckhead is the place to live for young professionals who are looking for an upscale area. Some people consider it the “Beverly Hills of the South.” It’s home to hundreds of boutiques and shopping outlets, making the neighborhood a fashion center. Two of its biggest shopping outlets are Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza. You have many luxurious housing options as well.
And when you crave some greenery, you can relax at Sunnybrook Park. Average rent in Buckhead is $4,000 with a population of 79,000.
4. Ormewood Park
If you like a neighborhood with a lot of trees, then Ormewood Park is a good choice. This neighborhood is suitable for young professionals who have children or plan on having kids too. Available housing to choose from includes houses, townhomes, condos, and apartments.
Ormewood Park is five miles from downtown Atlanta, making it convenient for young professionals who work in the downtown area but prefer living in a quiet neighborhood. The population is 30,000, and the average rent is $2,000.
5. Kirkwood
Kirkwood has preserved Victorian-style homes and bungalows. It’s known as the biggest historic district in Georgia. The neighborhood has a small town urban atmosphere and is only five miles from downtown Atlanta. Fun community festivals in Kirkwood include Kirkwood Home, Wine Stroll, and Spring Fling. It has a population of 12,000 and an average rent of $1,900.
Any young professional in search of a good neighborhood to call their home in Atlanta can find one among this top five list. There is something for every personality type. Those who need a quiet place to live will feel at home in Ormewood Park or Virginia-Highland.
High energy professionals who want to feel part of the action will find Midtown the right choice. Kirkwood and Buckhead fall somewhere in between with Buckhead having the most upscale housing choices among the five neighborhoods.