Howell Mill Apartments in Atlanta: A Local Guide to Living on the Westside

Looking for Howell Mill apartments in Atlanta usually means you’re interested in living along or near Howell Mill Road NW, one of the Westside’s most active corridors. This stretch connects West Midtown, Underwood Hills, and nearby neighborhoods with plenty of food, retail, and quick access to downtown and Buckhead.

This guide walks through what it’s like to live in an apartment on or around Howell Mill in Atlanta, the types of buildings you’ll find, typical price expectations, commute realities, and practical tips for choosing the right spot.

Where Is Howell Mill in Atlanta, and What Areas Matter?

Howell Mill Road NW runs north–south on Atlanta’s Westside, roughly between:

• I-75 / Northside Drive area (near the Georgia Tech campus and West Midtown)
• Up past Collier Road, Defoors Ferry Road, and Underwood Hills
• Continuing toward Moores Mill Road and the Bolton / Upper Westside area

When people say “Howell Mill apartments”, they usually mean apartments in or near:

• West Midtown / Upper Westside
• Underwood Hills
• Collier Hills / Collier Hills North
• Sections close to Marietta Street, Northside Drive, and I-75

These spots give you easy access to Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and the Northwest suburbs, which is why the corridor is so popular.

What It’s Like to Live in an Apartment on Howell Mill

The Overall Vibe

The Howell Mill corridor has shifted from old industrial and warehouse spaces into a mix of:

• New luxury apartment complexes
• Renovated lofts and warehouse-style units
• Traditional garden-style communities tucked off the main road
• Townhome and mixed-use developments with retail below and apartments above

The feel you get depends heavily on which section you choose:

• Near West Midtown / Marietta St.
  More urban, walkable, with restaurants, bars, and creative office spaces. Feels close to the city core and Georgia Tech.

• Near Collier / Defoors / Underwood Hills
  Slightly more residential and leafy, with side streets and smaller complexes. Still close to dining and shopping but with a quieter, neighborhood feel.

• Farther north toward Moores Mill
  Feels more “Upper Westside” and suburban-leaning, with larger shopping centers and newer mixed-use developments.

Typical Types of Howell Mill Apartments

1. Luxury & Mixed-Use Communities

Many newer buildings along and just off Howell Mill are mid-rise or high-end garden-style communities with:

• Resort-style pools and grilling areas
• Fitness centers and yoga rooms
• Co-working spaces and conference rooms
• Dog parks, pet spas, and package lockers
• Ground-floor retail (coffee shops, restaurants, boutique stores)

These are common closer to:

• Westside Provisions District area (near Howell Mill & Huff Road)
• Westside Paper / Atlanta BeltLine Westside Connector vicinity
• Moores Mill mixed-use clusters

These properties often attract young professionals, grad students, and relocation renters who want amenities and short commutes.

2. Loft-Style and Industrial Conversions

Around West Midtown and the Howell Mill / Marietta Street triangle, you’ll find loft-style units with:

• Exposed brick, beams, and ductwork
• High ceilings and large factory-style windows
• Open floor plans with flexible living areas

These tend to appeal to artists, creatives, remote workers, and Georgia Tech–adjacent renters who like character over typical suburban finishes.

3. Traditional Garden Apartments and Smaller Communities

Step a block or two off Howell Mill, especially near:

• Underwood Hills
• Defoors Ferry Road
• Residential side streets around Collier Road

…and you’ll see more smaller or older garden-style complexes, duplexes, and townhomes. These may offer:

• Slightly lower rents than brand-new luxury buildings
• More residential surroundings and less traffic noise
• Simpler amenity packages but often more greenery

Rent Expectations on Howell Mill (Big-Picture Ranges)

Prices fluctuate, but Howell Mill apartments generally sit in the “Westside premium” category because of their location. In broad terms, you’ll often see:

• Studios / micro-units:
  Often found in newer, amenity-heavy buildings near West Midtown.

• 1-bedrooms:
  Range can vary widely based on age of building and amenities.

• 2-bedrooms and 3-bedrooms:
  Higher overall costs, sometimes split by roommates or families who want the location and schools.

Older or less updated buildings off the main road may be noticeably cheaper, while new mixed-use or high-amenity communities typically sit at the higher end of the market.

If you’re budgeting, it helps to factor in:

• Parking costs (some properties charge per space)
• Amenity and community fees
• Pet rent and deposits
• Utilities and trash / pest fees that may be billed by the property

Pros and Cons of Renting on Howell Mill

Advantages ✅

1. Strong Location and Access

From most Howell Mill apartments, you’re a short drive to:

• Midtown / Downtown via Northside Drive, 10th Street, or 14th Street
• Buckhead via I-75 / I-85 or surface streets
• Georgia Tech and Georgia State for students or staff
• Northwest suburbs (Smyrna, Vinings, Marietta) via I-75

2. Food, Shopping, and Nightlife Nearby

You’re within easy reach of popular West Midtown and Westside spots like:

• Restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops along Howell Mill and Marietta Street
• Shopping and dining clusters near Westside Provisions District
• Grocery and everyday retail in centers near Moores Mill Road and Collier Road

3. Growing, Trendy Neighborhood Feel

The area has many:

• New developments and infill projects
• Creative offices and tech / design companies
• Active residents who walk, bike, and use nearby trails and parks

Potential Drawbacks ⚠️

1. Traffic and Congestion

Howell Mill Road can be busy, especially at rush hour. Common experiences:

• Slow-moving traffic near major intersections (I-75 ramps, Collier, Huff)
• Longer commute times at peak morning and evening windows
• Cut-through traffic on smaller side streets

If you’re noise-sensitive, look into unit placement (e.g., interior courtyard units or those that face away from Howell Mill).

2. Construction and Ongoing Development

Development on the Westside is constant. You may encounter:

• Construction noise during daytime hours
• Changing traffic patterns or lane closures
• Evolving retail and restaurant offerings over time

3. Walkability Varies by Block

Some pockets have good sidewalks and crosswalks, while others feel more car-oriented. It’s common to:

• Drive to larger grocery trips
• Walk only short distances to nearby cafes and restaurants
• Rely on rideshare for nights out or when parking is tight

Howell Mill vs. Other Atlanta Apartment Areas

If you’re still deciding between Howell Mill and other parts of town, here’s a simple comparison:

If you want trendy and active but not fully “downtown high-rise”, Howell Mill often hits a sweet spot.

Transportation and Commuting from Howell Mill Apartments

Driving

For many Howell Mill renters, driving is the primary mode of transport. Key routes include:

• I-75: Accessed from Howell Mill via nearby ramps (look for entrances near Northside Drive and Moores Mill Road).
• Northside Drive NW: Parallel route into Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Downtown.
• 14th Street / 10th Street: Connects to Midtown and the Georgia Tech campus area.

Tip: If you work traditional business hours, consider leaving 10–15 minutes earlier than your usual departure time to avoid the worst backups.

MARTA Access

There is no MARTA rail station directly on Howell Mill, but you can connect via bus and nearby stations:

• Closest rail options (by car or bus):
  • Atlantic Station / Arts Center MARTA Station (1255 W Peachtree St NE)
  • Midtown Station (41 10th St NE)

MARTA bus routes serve parts of Howell Mill and the nearby Westside. Bus lines and routing can change, so it’s best to:

• Check current MARTA bus maps and schedules for Howell Mill routes
• Confirm travel time from your exact address to your workplace or school

Biking and Walking

Sidewalks and bike infrastructure are improving but still patchy in some stretches. You’ll see:

• More cyclists closer to West Midtown, Georgia Tech, and BeltLine-adjacent areas
• Limited bike lanes on certain segments of Howell Mill itself

If you plan to bike regularly, consider:

• Proximity to quiet side streets rather than the main road
• Storage options in your building for bikes and scooters

Nearby Parks, Green Spaces, and Recreation

Living near Howell Mill puts you within reach of several green and recreation options:

• Underwood Hills Park (1845 Harper St NW)
  A neighborhood park with playgrounds and green space, popular with residents in the Underwood Hills area.

• Tanyard Creek Park (73 28th St NW)
  Accessible from Collier Hills area; connects to part of the Northside BeltLine trail corridor.

• Westside Park (1660 Johnson Rd NW)
  A large city park northwest of Howell Mill with walking trails and scenic reservoir views; a short drive from many Howell Mill apartments.

• Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail (and connecting segments)
  While not directly on Howell Mill, parts of the BeltLine are a short drive or bike ride away, giving you additional options for walking, running, and biking.

Schools and Education Near Howell Mill

Families and students looking at Howell Mill apartments often care about nearby education options.

Public Schools

Public school assignments depend on your specific address. Many areas near Howell Mill fall within Atlanta Public Schools (APS). To verify your zoned schools:

• Use the APS school zone lookup tool or
• Contact Atlanta Public Schools:
  130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 802-3500

Neighborhoods along Howell Mill may be zoned to different elementary, middle, and high schools, so it’s important to verify for each building you’re considering.

Higher Education

If you’re a student or staff member, Howell Mill apartments can be convenient to:

• Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
  West Midtown / Howell Mill is a common off-campus housing area for grad students and young professionals connected to campus.

• Georgia State University (GSU)
  33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Reachable by car, MARTA rail from Midtown or Downtown, or bus connections.

Practical Tips for Choosing a Howell Mill Apartment

1. Decide How Important Walkability Is

If walking to restaurants, shops, and nightlife matters, look at:

• Apartments closer to West Midtown and Huff Road / Howell Mill junction
• Mixed-use communities with ground-floor retail and internal amenities

If you prefer a quieter, more residential feel, search:

• Just off Howell Mill in Underwood Hills, Collier Hills, or small side streets

2. Ask About Noise and Unit Placement

Because Howell Mill is busy, when touring:

• Ask to see units away from the main road if you’re noise-sensitive
• Check where dumpsters, loading zones, and construction sites sit relative to your potential unit
• Visit at different times of day to gauge traffic and activity

3. Evaluate Commute Routes at Rush Hour

Before signing:

• Test-drive your commute during the time you’ll actually travel
• Ask the leasing office or neighbors about typical travel times to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Check how long it takes to reach the nearest MARTA rail station if you plan to mix driving and transit

4. Understand All Fees Up Front

When comparing Howell Mill apartments, look beyond base rent:

• Parking (structured garage vs. surface lot, guest parking rules)
• Pet fees (one-time deposits vs. monthly pet rent)
• Amenity or “community” fees
• Utility billing structure, including water, sewer, and trash

Having these numbers will help you compare a new luxury building vs. an older, simpler community more accurately.

5. Consider Long-Term Changes in the Area

The Howell Mill / Westside area is still evolving. When touring, ask:

• Whether any nearby construction is planned
• If any major streetscape or retail changes are expected
• How the property handles maintenance and communication during noisy or disruptive periods

Where to Get More Local Help

If you want help navigating Howell Mill apartments from an Atlanta-specific perspective, you can:

• Talk with local real estate agents who handle rentals in West Midtown / Upper Westside.
• Visit properties in person along Howell Mill Road NW and side streets during day and evening to get a feel for noise, traffic, and safety.
• Check with Atlanta City Planning or Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) for updates about development in specific blocks:
  • City of Atlanta Department of City Planning
    55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: (404) 330-6070

Spending time walking or driving the corridor is often the best way to understand how each block of Howell Mill feels—and which apartments fit your lifestyle, commute, and budget in Atlanta.