Great Atlanta Suburbs

Atlanta is one of the biggest cities in the United States, a sprawling metropolis home to millions. It is a city with excellent museums dedicated to its long-standing history, a fantastic art scene, and high-end restaurants that rank among the best in the country. However, while Atlanta is a wonderful place to live, not everybody loves the big city lifestyle.

If you want to live near Atlanta but want to be outside of all the noise and congestion, there are many top-notch suburbs surrounding the city. Let’s look at some Atlanta suburbs that make for great places to settle down.

Buford

Buford is a small city of 17,000, situated roughly 50 minutes from Atlanta. Buford is based near Lake Lanier, yielding a scenic setting. Buford has a historic downtown area with buildings still standing from the 1800s. It has a vibrant culture, upscale shops, trendy restaurants, and a unique history, which is captured in the Buford History Museum. It is a pleasant and happening place to reside.

Johns Creek

Johns Creek is a suburb based 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, home to around 82,000. Johns Creek is a busy city that still ranks among the safest in the state, making it a great place to raise a family. Johns Creek has a variety of parks and protected outdoor spaces that are ideal for hiking. It is along the Chattahoochee River, with excellent fishing and boating. It is a calm city with tons of outdoor recreation to enjoy.

Roswell

Roswell is a large suburb that is a half-hour drive from Atlanta. It has almost 95,000 residents, making it a populous area, but it still feels removed from the big city. Roswell is known for its outstanding park system, with some of the best public greenery in the state. It also has a historic downtown district with boutique shops, cafes, and plenty of quality fine dining options.

Duluth

Duluth is a city near Johns Creek, around 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta. Duluth is a small but scenic town of approximately 30,000 that is known to be especially affordable and safe. Just outside of the city, Lake Lanier is surrounded by trails and beaches, and within the city, there are great museums, galleries, and parks.

Kennesaw

Kennesaw is a city of around 35,000, situated around 35 minutes from Atlanta. Kennesaw is a highly desirable place to live largely because it combines cultural and natural appeal. It has numerous historical museums, including the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The natural scenery is top-notch, with Red Top Mountain State Park offering a beach and excellent trails.

Decatur

Decatur is a highly appealing suburb with a bustling downtown district. Situated northeast of Atlanta, just a twenty-minute drive away, this town of 24,000 has much to explore. It has excellent dining options, high-quality shopping, and numerous events and festivals in the city. The town’s public square is famed, ranking among USA Today’s top 10 town public squares.

Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs is for you if you want to live in a big city just outside of Atlanta. Sandy Springs is located 30 minutes north of Atlanta and home to roughly 110,000 people. There are more than 950 acres of park and natural areas to explore, top-notch restaurants, and a constant stream of city events and festivals to attend.