Proximity to highly esteemed academic institutions, a low crime rate, lots of open spaces to run and play, and strong community ties – these are some of the characteristics that define a family-friendly place. This is where you want your kids to play, learn, make friends, and grow. Fortunately, you’ll find all of these in the Greater Atlanta area. This is why some of the best neighborhoods for young families are found among the towns and cities that comprise this dynamic and prosperous region.
Below are some of those family and kid-friendly neighborhoods to place on your radar.
DECATUR
A city with a small-town feel, Decatur is a popular suburb and one of the best places to live in Atlanta for young families. Green spaces and parks are in abundance while the downtown area, merely six miles away, teems with a host of shopping, dining, and recreation options.
Decatur brims with family-friendly events and cultural festivals all year round, including the popular Decatur Arts Festival, a free-for-all weekend extravaganza filled with live performances, an artists’ market, and an ArtWalk.
The city is also served by the City Schools of Decatur which consistently ranks among the top ten Georgian districts for exemplary SAT performance.
AVONDALE ESTATES
Another quiet, sparsely populated suburb with only 3,494 residents as of 2021, Avondale Estates has ranked 15th from 2022 to 2023 in Opendoor’s Family-friendly Cities. The city prides itself in “family-centric programming,” which includes annual celebrations such as Atlanta Pride’s Family Fun Day and Storywalks® at the Town Green. Every Earth Day, children participate in fun eco-activities like crafting seed bombs.
Notable schools, including Druid Hills Middle School and Druid Hills High School serve Avondale.
Downtown, Tudor-style homes and shops coexist with kid-friendly establishments serving Southern fare. This includes the first Waffle House which was founded in 1955.
MEDLOCK PARK
This unincorporated neighborhood in DeKalb County features the Great Outdoors just outside each doorstep. It is home to the 29-acre Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and has an extensive network of hiking trails and birdwatching sites. South Fork Peachtree Creek cuts through the neighborhood, sustaining a habitat for the local flora and fauna. Kids can explore and go on adventures on the trails without having to go too far.
For school options, The International Community School (ICS) is located in the neighborhood. Two miles south, you’ll find Downtown Decatur.
DRUID HILLS
This historic neighborhood is hugged by acres of rolling hills and verdant spaces. Here, one will find several parks that bring serenity to the area like Olmstead Linear Park, a 50-acre oak-lined enclave that culminates in a meadow at Deepdene. There’s also the 65-acre Fernbank Forest, next to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which hosts interactive exhibits for kids.
Seven highly rated schools and Emory University – one of the world’s leading research institutions and campuses – are based in this neighborhood, making the area a great place for your children to learn and grow without going too far.
FIND THE NEXT HOME FOR YOUR GROWING FAMILY IN THE GREATER ATLANTA AREA
Carter and Associates Realtors has the tools to help you fulfill your goal of giving your family the best new place to put down roots and grow. Reach for that goal by calling 404.932.7388 (Christina) or 404.944.6577 (Chad) today or get started here.