Say you have lived in Midtown or Downtown Atlanta for a few years now and want to escape the hustle of the city. Maybe you have lived in a rural town for many years and want to dip your toe into city life, but keep the busy-ness at a distance. Whatever your story is, you’ll find some of the best suburbs in the country within an hour of the city of Atlanta.
With top-rated schools, spacious parks and nature opportunities, and some of the best entertainment in the world, there are so many reasons to move to Atlanta. However, if you’re specifically looking for homes for sale in Atlanta suburbs, keep reading to discover the top ones in the city.
1. Johns Creek
Johns Creek is not only rated the best suburb of Atlanta but it is also considered the top suburb in the entire state of Georgia by Niche. Just 30-40 minutes outside of Atlanta, Johns Creek holds a population of 89,000 and provides a suburban oasis for those who want to be close to the big city, but not directly in it. Families gravitate toward Johns Creek because of its excellent schools, strong family-focused atmosphere, and manicured lawns spanning the streets. Alpharetta High School, Northview High School, and Pinecrest Academy are just a few of the many A+ rated schools within the Johns Creek community. With several coffee shops, eateries, stores, and parks to visit, Johns Creek residents are sure to have everything they need within arms reach.
The real estate in Johns Creek is some of the most valuable in Georgia, with a median home value of $640K. Many of the homes in Johns Creek are new construction homes featuring 3+ bedrooms, and new developments pop up pretty regularly. Around 76% of Johns Creek residents own their homes, while the remaining rent apartments or privately-owned single-family homes.
2. Roswell
An easy 30-minute drive from Downtown Atlanta, Roswell boasts 13 parks, a trendy downtown district with restaurants, boutiques, and breweries, and plenty of nature activities. Located right along the Chattahoochee River, Roswell provides access to kayaking, canoeing, and other watersports, as well as miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, or wildlife viewing. Roswell residents can paddle board on the river, try a new cuisine downtown, and go for a walk through shady, tree-lined streets all within a few miles. However, the true factor that makes Roswell stand out is that it has consistently ranked as one of the safest cities to live in the United States and was chosen twice by Atlanta Magazine as the best place to live in the Metro-Atlanta area.
Roswell real estate is complete with historic homes, new townhomes, single-family ranches, and custom-built houses of every size. You’ll primarily find luxury townhomes and elegant historic properties along Canton Street downtown, but head East and you’ll find large subdivisions with 3- to 5-bedroom homes – some even complete with Country Clubs. Homes in West Roswell are similar to those in the east, but they are a bit more spread out and can feel significantly farther away from the heart of Atlanta than the other areas of Roswell. The median home value for houses in Roswell is around $570K, and 69% of houses in Roswell are owner-occupied.
3. Milton
40 minutes north of Atlanta, Milton has seen unprecedented growth since its beginnings in 2006. Nowadays, you’ll find a peaceful atmosphere in Milton, surrounded by large subdivisions with golf courses, parks, stables, and farms peppered in between. Equestrian sports are popular here, so if you have or want horses, Milton real estate could be a great option for you. Ranked by Niche as one of the best suburbs to live in Georgia, Milton boasts highly-rated public schools like Roswell High School, a lower crime rate than 81% of communities in Georgia, and higher-than-average employment rates.
The median price for Milton homes for sale falls around $900K, making Milton one of the most affluent Atlanta suburbs. Milton residents are primarily home owners, as only 24% of the community’s population rents their living space.
4. Peachtree City
Peachtree City is situated southwest of Atlanta by 30 minutes and provides beautiful parks, top-notch schools, plenty of things to do, and outdoor activities along Lake Peachtree. In this Atlanta suburb, you likely won’t get far without seeing a couple of golf carts perusing through the streets, as golf cart paths provide an alternate method of transportation in Peachtree City. This is a great option for mature families, as teenagers love having the ability to come and go via golf cart, but it’s also an excellent option for retirees who prefer this method of transportation over cars. Those who live in Peachtree City enjoy a leisurely pace of life, and they find peace in the security that it is ranked as the 6th-safest suburb in Georgia.
Homes for sale in Peachtree City sell for a median price of $516K, with most of them having 4+ bedrooms. You’ll find a diverse array of homes here, from properties along Lake Peachtree with dock access, to landlocked townhomes reminiscent of charming New York homes, to luxury and spacious homes on the golf course. Plus, housing availability has gone up by 8% between April and May of 2022, indicating an influx of available properties opening up for the first time in a long time!
5. Brookhaven
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has labeled Brookhaven the best suburb of Atlanta, and there’s no question why. This recently revitalized suburb is just 20 minutes from the heart of Atlanta (on a good day), and offers a perfect mix of city living with a suburban flair. Brookhaven is, by far, the best suburb on this list for young professionals or young families, as 40% of its residents are millennials. With that said, there is an endless supply of trendy restaurants, unique activities, and up-and-coming shops located within Brookhaven. For those who want to soak in the suburban flair of it all, Brookhaven boasts 18 parks within its 12-square-mile radius, offering ample opportunities for picnicking, hiking, biking, or simply relaxing in the shade.
Brookhaven is a relatively walkable city, so no matter where you buy real estate here, you will be within walking distance to some pretty cool places. In addition, Brookhaven real estate offers more square footage than you would find downtown, and many boast spacious yards. The median home value in Brookhaven is $650K, but keep a regular eye on listings because this suburb has a rare housing turnover rate. Now that Brookhaven has grown into the vibrant community it is, people don’t want to leave once they’ve settled in.
The Best Suburbs of Atlanta
From large families to newlyweds and college students to retirees, Atlanta has some of the best suburbs in the nation for everyone. If you want more information on one of these cities or are ready to dive into the Atlanta real estate market, reach out to one of our local experts, and they would love to help get you started. With so many diverse options for Atlanta suburbs, you are sure to settle into the Peach State in no time.
