If you’re one of these individuals, you might be interested to know what types of Atlanta neighborhoods are best suited to your young professional lifestyle. Although Georgia’s capital city is changing at a rapid pace, there are certain neighborhoods that are perfect for millennials getting their start in the economy.
Quiz: Which Atlanta Neighborhood Should You Live In?
Below are some of the best Atlanta neighborhoods for young professionals:
Buckhead
- Population: 1,370
- Average Rent: $1,813
- Median Household Income: $61,074
For young families and urban professionals, it doesn’t get much better than Buckhead, which is considered a chic urban uptown community full of shopping opportunities due to the many cool boutiques in the area. One of the biggest thoroughfares in the city, Peachtree Street, runs straight through this neighborhood and offers a lot of entertainment options for nine-to-fivers looking to kick back and enjoy a glass of wine or upscale meal.
On the weekends, the Andrews Entertainment District in Buckhead is one of the most happening places in the city, offering everything from comedy clubs to dessert bars, as well as plenty of watering holes for singles and cozy pubs for guys’ nights out. High-end shopping can be found at Lenox Mall or the Phipps Plaza, both of which offer loads of retail therapy for young residents. Chastain Park is a beautiful green space located in the heart of Buckhead for young Atlanta residents to stretch out their legs on the weekends.
Midtown
- Population: 22,339
- Average Rent: $1,795
- Median Household Income: $82,210
Atlanta’s skyline is awe-inspiring as a whole, but perhaps the most impressive portion of it lies in Midtown. Many young professionals are already familiar with this area, as the neighborhood’s boundary lines begin near Georgia Tech University and expand throughout Piedmont Park and the surrounding Midtown area.
Midtown is also a hub for the LGBT community, making it one of the most diverse Atlanta neighborhoods to live in. Many of the city’s most renowned restaurants are located in Midtown, including the Crescent Room, Ecco, Empire State South, Mellow Mushroom (one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had, seriously) and South City Kitchen.
Many of the apartments here are some of the oldest in the city and have a distinct, charming architecture to them compared to the plethora of high rises in other Atlanta neighborhoods. As such, Midtown is a very popular place for those who enjoy a more artistic abode. In fact, the neighborhood is perfect for art aficionados in general, especially with the many festivals in Piedmont Park and cultural happenings at the High Museum of Art and the Fox Theatre.
Little Five Points
- Population: 18,725
- Average Rent: $1,654
- Median Household Income: $74,911
If Atlanta has to categorize a “hipster” neighborhood, then Little Five Points would definitely be it. Living in Nashville for 10 years, I would often make the trek to Atlanta for fun, long weekend trips, and this was always one of the top neighborhoods I wanted to visit due to its funky tattoo parlors, locally owned shops and laid-back bars and music venues.
One of the biggest local music festivals, LP5, takes place every year in Little Five Points, but you can find plenty of local sounds to enjoy at cool venues like The Star Community Bar and Variety Playhouse, or you can simply pick up some goods at the Junkman’s Daughter or Criminal Records.
At the end of a long work day, you can enjoy a beer and a bite at one of several local eateries, including the Porter Beer Bar, the Wrecking Bar Brewpub and Fox Brother BBQ. At the heart of the neighborhood lies the Bass Recreation Center for fun people-watching or outdoor activities.
Virginia-Highland
- Population: 10,416
- Average Rent: $1,754
- Median Household Income: $95,610
Although Virginia-Highland is one of the more residential Atlanta neighborhoods on this list, it is also one of the most popular with young professionals. It offers plenty of quiet streets for growing families, but the Highlands area also has a creative bar scene that attracts a youthful crowd looking for a night out.
There are plenty of tree-lined streets and an antique feel to Virginia-Highland, as it used to be a streetcar suburb in the early 20th century. However, you can let loose a bit at laid-back local art galleries, adorable shops, and boutiques and pubs packed with young couples.
Atlanta is a fun and vibrant city with tons of new young professionals, so there is a lot of work and play to be had in this thriving Southern metropolis. Whether you prefer upscale fine dining on the weekend or would rather comb through the bins at a local record shop, there is an Atlanta neighborhood with your name on it.
Photo by Christopher Carson on Unsplash
