Finding Apartments in Druid Hills, Atlanta, GA: A Local Guide

Looking for apartments in Druid Hills, Atlanta, GA puts you in one of the city’s most historic, leafy, and convenient intown areas. This neighborhood blends classic Atlanta charm with easy access to jobs, schools, and major roads, which makes it popular with students, young professionals, families, and medical workers.

This guide walks through where to look, what to expect, price and parking realities, nearby schools, transit, and how Druid Hills compares to surrounding neighborhoods—all from an Atlanta-focused perspective.

What Makes Druid Hills Appealing for Renters?

Druid Hills sits just east of Midtown and Virginia-Highland, stretching around Emory University, Emory University Hospital, and portions of Fernbank.

Key features that attract renters:

• Tree-lined streets and historic homes next to small- and mid-sized apartment communities
• Quick access to Emory, CDC, and Decatur
• A quieter, residential feel compared to Midtown or Buckhead
• Proximity to parks, museums, and neighborhood retail

If you want something less hectic than Midtown but more central than the outer suburbs, Druid Hills often hits that middle ground.

Types of Apartments You’ll Find in Druid Hills

Druid Hills is known for historic architecture and established neighborhoods, so the apartment stock reflects that.

1. Garden-Style and Mid-Rise Communities

Most “traditional” apartment options in and around Druid Hills are:

• Garden-style complexes built from the 1960s–1990s
• Smaller mid-rise buildings closer to Emory and along larger corridors

Common features:

• 1–3 bedroom units
• On-site parking (often surface lots)
• Laundry in-unit or shared laundry rooms
• Basic amenities like pools or small fitness rooms in some communities

These tend to appeal to:

• Emory and CDC employees
• Students wanting a quieter space than on-campus housing
• Long-term renters who like the neighborhood feel

2. Apartment Homes in Historic or Smaller Buildings

In streets closer to Ponce de Leon Avenue, North Decatur Road, and around the older residential sections, you may see:

• Converted older homes split into a few units
• Smaller brick buildings with 4–12 apartments

Pros:

• Unique layouts and character
• Residential, walkable streets
• Often closer to parks and local retail

Cons:

• Limited amenities
• Parking can be tighter
• Fewer standardized features (storage, modern kitchens, etc.)

3. Student-Focused and Emory-Adjacent Housing

Being next to Emory, the Druid Hills area has:

• Apartments marketed directly to students and medical residents
• Shared units and roommate-friendly floorplans
• Shuttle or walkable access to campus and Emory Village

These options are ideal if you:

• Want to avoid a car-centric commute
• Need flexible leasing aligned to school semesters
• Prefer living where peers are nearby

Typical Rent Expectations in Druid Hills

Rents in Druid Hills are usually higher than many outer Atlanta suburbs, but can be slightly lower or similar to popular intown spots like Virginia-Highland or Inman Park, depending on the building.

While exact numbers change over time, in this area you’ll typically find:

• Studios / Smaller 1-bedrooms: Often available in older or student-oriented buildings, usually lower priced for the neighborhood.
• Standard 1-bedrooms: Very common near Emory and along main corridors; prices vary widely by age and quality of the building.
• 2- and 3-bedrooms: Found in garden-style communities and townhome-style rentals; popular with roommates and families.

To gauge if Druid Hills fits your budget, compare what you see there with:

• Decatur (just to the east)
• Virginia-Highland and Morningside (to the northwest)
• Edgewood and Kirkwood (southeast, often more varied price points)

Key Areas to Focus on When Apartment Hunting

Druid Hills doesn’t have one single “apartment strip,” but several clusters.

Near Emory University and Emory Village

Areas around:

• North Decatur Road
• Clifton Road NE
• Streets radiating out from Emory Village

Here you’ll typically find:

• Student-oriented apartments
• Communities catering to Emory and CDC employees
• Easy walking distance to cafes, restaurants, and campus buildings

This is ideal if you prioritize short commutes and walkability over large square footage.

Ponce de Leon Avenue & Lullwater Area

Along Ponce de Leon Avenue NE and side streets:

• Mix of apartments, condos, and older multifamily buildings
• Access to Druid Hills Golf Club area and residential streets
• Short drive or bike ride to Ponce City Market, BeltLine Eastside Trail, and Virginia-Highland

This works well if you want quieter living while staying near core intown amenities.

North Druid Hills Corridor (Technically a Nearby Area)

Just north of “classic” Druid Hills, closer to I-85 and LaVista Road, you’ll find:

• Larger, more modern complexes
• Heavier traffic and more commercial development
• Easier highway access

Some renters search “Druid Hills apartments” but end up just across neighborhood lines because the North Druid Hills corridor can offer more options with similar convenience to Midtown and Emory.

Commute & Transportation: What to Know

Driving

Druid Hills is well-situated for in-town driving:

• Clifton Road, North Decatur Road, and Ponce de Leon Avenue connect directly to Midtown, Decatur, and Virginia-Highland.
• I-85 and I-285 are reachable via North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff.

However:

• Rush hour around Emory and Clifton Corridor can be very congested.
• Narrow, historic streets can slow driving and limit on-street parking.

If you work in Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, or Emory/CDC, living in Druid Hills can significantly cut commute times compared with outer suburbs.

MARTA and Emory Shuttles

Druid Hills does not have its own MARTA rail station, but you can use:

• Decatur Station (MARTA Rail – Blue Line) to the east
• North Avenue or Midtown Stations (MARTA Rail – Red/Gold Lines) to the west
• Bus routes that connect Druid Hills and Emory to rail stations

Emory University operates shuttle services (Cliff Shuttles) around campus and to nearby areas, which can benefit:

• Students
• Staff and faculty
• Some nearby residents, depending on shuttle stops and policies

For Atlanta transit planning, residents commonly reference:

• MARTA Customer Information Center
  • Phone: (404) 848-5000
  • Main HQ: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Checking MARTA bus routes near your potential apartment is wise if you do not want to rely solely on a car.

Parking, Traffic, and Walkability

Parking

In Druid Hills:

• Most garden-style complexes include surface parking, sometimes one space per unit or a set number per bedroom.
• Historic or smaller buildings may have limited off-street parking, with more competition for on-street spaces.
• Near Emory, some places may charge extra for prime or covered spots.

If you own a car, verify:

• How many spaces are included in rent
• Guest parking rules
• Any towing/enforcement policies

Traffic

Traffic tends to be heaviest:

• During weekday mornings and late afternoons on Clifton Road, North Decatur Road, and Briarcliff Road
• Around Emory University Hospital and CDC entrances

If you can, visit potential apartments at the time you’d normally commute to see realistic conditions.

Walkability

Druid Hills is:

• Highly walkable within its residential streets (great for walking, jogging, strollers)
• More limited in terms of continuous sidewalks and mixed-use retail compared with Midtown or Old Fourth Ward

You’ll likely walk comfortably within the immediate neighborhood but still rely on a car or bus for many errands unless you’re very close to Emory Village or commercial nodes.

Nearby Schools and Education Options

Many renters in Druid Hills care about access to schools and educational institutions.

Universities and Colleges

• Emory University
  • 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Emory University Hospital and Emory Healthcare facilities are also nearby, creating strong demand for apartments from medical staff and students.

Druid Hills also offers reasonable commutes to:

• Georgia State University (Downtown)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown)

Public Schools (Atlanta & Dekalb County)

Druid Hills spans areas influenced by Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and DeKalb County School District, depending on the exact address. School zoning determines which public schools serve a particular apartment.

To verify zoning and available schools:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
  • Main Office: 130 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 802-3500
• DeKalb County School District
  • Administrative & Instructional Complex: 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
  • Phone: (678) 676-1200

Always confirm school assignments by exact address before signing a lease if schools are a priority.

Safety and Neighborhood Feel

Druid Hills has a reputation for being:

• Quiet, residential, and well-maintained
• Strongly shaped by Emory, CDC, and long-time homeowners

Common renter experiences:

• Seeing many people walking dogs, jogging, and pushing strollers
• A noticeable presence of students and professionals
• Less nightlife but relatively calm streets after dark compared with denser nightlife districts

As with any part of Atlanta:

• Conditions can vary block by block.
• It’s smart to visit in the evening, talk to residents when possible, and observe lighting, foot traffic, and overall comfort.

You can also check crime mapping tools provided by local law enforcement agencies to form your own perspective.

Comparing Druid Hills to Nearby Atlanta Neighborhoods

If you’re open to similar areas, here’s how Druid Hills stacks up against a few nearby options from a renter’s perspective.

This can help you decide whether Druid Hills itself or a bordering neighborhood better matches your budget and lifestyle.

Practical Tips for Renting in Druid Hills, Atlanta

Use these steps to make your apartment search smoother:

1. Define your priority

   • Short commute to Emory or CDC
   • Access to Decatur or Midtown
   • Specific school zones
   • Quiet streets vs. walkable restaurants

2. Decide on your transportation plan

   • If you won’t have a car, focus heavily on Emory-adjacent areas and check MARTA bus routes.
   • If you’ll drive, consider parking policies and how close you are to main roads.

3. Walk the area before committing

   • Explore Clifton Road, Emory Village, and nearby streets.
   • Visit during rush hour and at night to gauge traffic and noise.

4. Ask smart questions when touring

   • What’s included in rent (utilities, parking, trash)?
   • Lease length options and renewal policies
   • Any restrictions on pets, roommates, or overnight guests
   • How maintenance requests are handled and how quickly they are resolved

5. Check local services and next steps

   • For power and utilities, many Atlanta renters work with:
     • Georgia Power: 241 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, Customer Service: (888) 660-5890
   • For renter’s rights and concerns about leases or deposits, residents sometimes consult:
     • Georgia Legal Services Program (Atlanta area office) or other local legal aid resources.

Is Druid Hills the Right Spot for Your Atlanta Apartment?

If your daily life connects to Emory, CDC, Midtown, or Decatur, apartments in Druid Hills, Atlanta, GA offer a strong balance of:

• Location: Intown access without Midtown’s intensity
• Lifestyle: Quiet, residential surroundings with parks and trees
• Options: Garden-style apartments, smaller buildings, and student-friendly housing

By focusing on your commute needs, budget, and preferred neighborhood feel—and by visiting specific streets and complexes in person—you can decide whether Druid Hills is the best fit or if a nearby intown area would serve you better while you call Atlanta home.