Fairburn Gordon Apartments in Atlanta: What To Know Before You Rent

If you’re searching for “Fairburn Gordon Apartments Atlanta,” you’re most likely looking for apartments along or near Fairburn Road SW and Gordon-type corridors on the west side of Atlanta, especially in or around neighborhoods like Cascade Heights, Princeton Lakes, and parts of Southwest Atlanta near I-20 and I-285.

There is not one single, city-famous complex officially called “Fairburn Gordon Apartments,” but Atlanta renters often use that phrase as shorthand for apartment communities near Fairburn Road SW and nearby cross streets, sometimes including properties closer to Campbellton Road, Cascade Road, or MLK Jr. Drive. This guide focuses on how to navigate apartment hunting in that area specifically, what to expect from the local housing stock, and how to evaluate if it’s a good fit for your needs.

Where Is the “Fairburn & Gordon” Area in Atlanta?

In casual conversation, people in Atlanta may say “around Fairburn and Gordon” or “on Fairburn near Gordon” to describe areas:

  • Off Fairburn Road SW near:
    • I-20 (West Atlanta)
    • Campbellton Road SW
    • Cascade Road / Cascade Heights
  • Within Southwest Atlanta ZIP codes like 30331 and 30311

You’ll find a mix of:

  • Garden-style apartment complexes
  • Townhome-style rentals
  • Single-family homes for rent mixed in with owner-occupied properties
  • Some subsidized or income-restricted housing, depending on exact location

If you live in Atlanta, you probably recognize this as the stretch that’s south of I-20, roughly west of downtown, and tied into major arterials that connect to Ben Hill, Princeton Lakes, and Greenbriar.

Types of Apartments You’ll Find Near Fairburn Road SW

1. Garden-Style Apartment Communities

These are the most common in the Fairburn Road corridor.

Typical features:

  • 2–3 story buildings
  • Outdoor parking lots
  • Shared green space or courtyards
  • Mix of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom floor plans

They may offer:

  • On-site leasing office
  • Laundry room or in-unit laundry, depending on age of the property
  • Playgrounds and occasionally small fitness rooms or pools

2. Townhome and Duplex Rentals

Closer to some residential pockets, you may find:

  • Attached townhomes managed by small property companies
  • Duplexes or triplexes that function like small apartment buildings
  • More “neighborhood” feel, often on quieter streets

These can suit renters who want:

  • More privacy than a large complex
  • Small yards or patios
  • Parking directly in front of the unit

3. Income-Restricted and Voucher-Friendly Properties

Southwest Atlanta, including the Fairburn corridor, has:

  • Income-restricted apartment communities
  • Properties that may accept Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

Availability and policies change, so if that’s important to you:

  • Ask each property directly:
    “Do you accept Housing Choice Vouchers or participate in income-restricted programs?”
  • Check with the Atlanta Housing office for voucher and waitlist info.

Atlanta Housing – Main Office
230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-892-4700

Price and Value Expectations in the Fairburn Road Area

Rent can shift quickly across Atlanta, but in general, renters look to the Fairburn/Gordon area for:

  • More affordable options than neighborhoods closer to Midtown or Buckhead
  • Larger units at lower per-square-foot costs than intown hot spots
  • A tradeoff: longer commute for some, but better space and budget flexibility

What typically affects price here:

  • Age and renovation level of the building
    Newer renovations or upgraded interiors will command higher rent.
  • Amenities such as gated access, pools, or in-unit laundry
  • Whether utilities are:
    • Included
    • Flat-fee billed
    • Or fully paid by the tenant

🔎 Tip: When you tour, ask for a written breakdown of base rent + fees (parking, trash, pest control, amenities, insurance, etc.) so you see the true monthly cost.

Commute, Transit, and Access to the Rest of Atlanta

One of the biggest pros of renting near Fairburn Road SW is road access.

Driving

You’re usually within a short drive of:

  • I-20 (for trips to Downtown, Midtown, and East Atlanta)
  • I-285 (for perimeter and north/south access)
  • Arterial roads like:
    • Campbellton Road SW
    • Cascade Road SW
    • Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW

Approximate drive times in normal traffic (can vary widely):

  • To Downtown Atlanta: about 15–25 minutes
  • To Midtown: about 20–30 minutes
  • To Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: around 15–25 minutes, depending on exact starting point

MARTA Bus and Rail

The area is generally bus-dependent, with service that connects to rail stations like:

  • Oakland City Station
  • West End Station
  • Sometimes Hamilton E. Holmes Station, depending on route

If you rely on MARTA:

  • Check current bus routes serving Fairburn Road SW and Campbellton Road SW
  • Look at frequency and late-night schedules if you work nontraditional hours

MARTA Customer Information
Customer Service: 404-848-5000

Everyday Convenience: Groceries, Services, and Amenities

Living near Fairburn Road SW puts you within reach of several everyday necessities.

Groceries and Retail

You’ll commonly find:

  • Regional grocery chains along Campbellton Road SW, Cascade Road SW, or nearby shopping centers
  • Discount grocers and neighborhood markets
  • Pharmacies and convenience stores within short driving distance

Larger shopping options are usually:

  • At or near Greenbriar Mall area
  • In Camp Creek Marketplace (a bit further southwest but popular with area residents)

Parks and Recreation

Southwest Atlanta has several parks and trails accessible from the Fairburn corridor, including:

  • Neighborhood parks with basketball courts and playgrounds
  • Larger recreation spaces reachable in a short drive, depending on exact address

If outdoor activity is a priority, check:

  • How long it takes to reach your preferred park or trail
  • Whether sidewalks are available for walking or biking from your complex

Schools and Childcare

Families renting in the Fairburn Road area are often zoned for Atlanta Public Schools in Southwest Atlanta, but exact zoning depends on your specific address.

To confirm:

  • Use APS’s school zone lookup (available on the Atlanta Public Schools website), or
  • Call Atlanta Public Schools – Main Line: 404-802-3500 and request zoning info for your address.

There are also:

  • Daycare centers and private childcare providers scattered around Campbellton, Cascade, and Greenbriar corridors
  • After-school programs at local schools or community centers

Safety, Noise, and Quality-of-Life Factors

Experiences in any Atlanta neighborhood can vary block by block. Fairburn Road SW is no exception.

When evaluating an apartment:

  1. Visit at different times of day

    • Morning commute hours
    • Evening rush
    • Late at night
      This helps you gauge noise levels, traffic, and typical activity around the complex.
  2. Ask about on-site security measures
    Common features to ask about:

    • Controlled access gates
    • Security patrols or courtesy officers
    • Adequate lighting in parking lots and walkways
  3. Check building maintenance quality Look for:

    • How quickly work orders are typically addressed
    • Condition of hallways, stairwells, mail areas, and trash facilities
  4. Review your lease carefully
    Especially:

    • Maintenance responsibilities
    • Noise policies
    • Guest and parking rules

👀 Practical step: It can help to sit in your car outside the complex for 20–30 minutes in the evening before signing a lease to get a candid feel for the environment.

Comparing Fairburn/Gordon Area Apartments With Other Parts of Atlanta

Here’s a simple side‑by‑side view of how the Fairburn Road / Southwest Atlanta apartment experience often compares with other popular areas:

FactorFairburn Rd / Southwest AtlantaMidtown / Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward
Average rent levelGenerally lowerGenerally higher
Unit sizeOften larger for the priceSometimes smaller but more updated
Commute to DowntownShort drive, bus-to-rail optionsOften walk, bike, or short rail ride
WalkabilityCar-oriented, limited walkabilityHigher walkability in many blocks
Apartment styleGarden, townhome, older renovationsMid- and high-rise, newer construction
Proximity to nightlifeLimited nearby; mostly local spotsMany bars, restaurants, and venues
ParkingUsually surface lots, easier to parkMore garages, paid parking, limited street

This doesn’t make one area better or worse; it’s about matching your lifestyle and budget to what each part of Atlanta offers.

How to Vet a Fairburn Road Area Apartment Before You Commit

To make your search around Fairburn / Southwest Atlanta more effective, focus on a few practical checks.

1. Verify Management and Maintenance Responsiveness

Ask the leasing office:

  • Average turnaround time for maintenance requests
  • Whether 24/7 emergency maintenance is available
  • If there is on-site management or if staff is off-site

You can also:

  • Observe how the grounds and shared areas look
  • Note whether trash and common areas appear well-managed

2. Inspect the Unit Thoroughly

During your tour:

  • Run water in sinks and showers (check water pressure and hot water)
  • Turn on stove/oven and HVAC
  • Look at windows and doors to confirm they close and lock properly
  • Check for visible signs of leaks, mold, or pest activity

Bring a simple checklist and take photos (with permission) so you can compare multiple apartments later.

3. Confirm Total Monthly Costs

Before signing:

  • Ask for an itemized list of:
    • Rent
    • Utilities (if billed through the complex)
    • Amenity fees
    • Required renters insurance
    • Parking or trash fees
  • Verify any move-in specials in writing, including how long the discounted rate lasts.

4. Understand Public Services and Support Options

If you need help with housing costs, renters’ rights, or disputes:

  • Atlanta Legal Aid Society – Atlanta Office
    54 Ellis St NE
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: 404-524-5811

  • City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services
    55 Trinity Ave SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main City Hall Line: 404-330-6000

These organizations can offer guidance on navigating housing concerns in Atlanta.

Who Is the Fairburn Road / Southwest Atlanta Apartment Area Best For?

Renting around Fairburn and nearby corridors can be a good fit if you:

  • Want more space for your money than many intown neighborhoods
  • Don’t mind being car-dependent or using MARTA buses to connect to rail
  • Prefer a residential, neighborhood-oriented feel rather than dense nightlife
  • Work in Downtown, near the airport, or around the southwest side and want a reasonable commute

It may be less ideal if you:

  • Demand high walkability and immediate access to trendy restaurants and bars
  • Prefer brand-new luxury high-rise amenities
  • Do not own a car and rely solely on frequent rail access

Practical Next Steps for Apartment Hunters in This Area

If you’re actively searching for apartments near Fairburn Road SW in Atlanta:

  1. Map your daily routine
    Note where you work, shop, and socialize, then see how those line up with this corridor.

  2. Identify 3–5 complexes or small properties
    Focus within your rent budget and target commute time.

  3. Schedule in-person or virtual tours
    Try to see units at different times of day, especially evenings.

  4. Ask direct questions about:

    • Lease terms and renewal policies
    • Security measures
    • Parking rules and guest policies
    • Maintenance response times
  5. Review the lease slowly
    If needed, consult with a local legal aid resource before signing.

By approaching the Fairburn Gordon apartments area with clear expectations and a structured search process, you can find a rental in Southwest Atlanta that aligns with your budget, commute, and quality-of-life priorities.