Atlanta and Its Surrounding Cities: A Practical Guide for Locals and Visitors

Atlanta doesn’t stop at the city limits. When people talk about “Atlanta and surrounding cities,” they’re usually talking about a large, interconnected region where many residents live in one city, commute to another, and regularly visit several more for dining, shopping, or events.

If you’re trying to understand how Atlanta and its nearby cities fit together—where to live, work, visit, or how to get around—this guide breaks it down in a clear, local-focused way.

Understanding the Atlanta Metro Area

When locals say “Atlanta,” they often mean the broader Atlanta metropolitan area, sometimes called “metro Atlanta.” This includes the City of Atlanta plus dozens of surrounding cities and suburbs in counties such as:

• Fulton County (includes most of Atlanta and cities like Sandy Springs, Roswell)
• DeKalb County (Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Stone Mountain)
• Cobb County (Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw)
• Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross)
• Clayton County (Forest Park, Riverdale, Jonesboro)
• Henry, Cherokee, Fayette, and Douglas Counties, and more

Many people live in one of these surrounding cities but work or spend weekends in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead Atlanta. Traffic, transit, schools, and housing costs often drive the choice of where to live within this region.

Core Areas of the City of Atlanta

Within the Atlanta city limits, you’ll see several major areas that form the heart of the region.

Downtown Atlanta

Best for: business, major attractions, events

Key features:

• State government offices and large corporate buildings
• Georgia State Capitol – 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
• Attractions such as Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena

Downtown is a hub for conferences, sports, and tourism. Many people from surrounding cities drive or take MARTA in for a specific event, then return home.

Midtown Atlanta

Best for: arts, culture, dining, walkability

Midtown is known for:

• High-rise condos and apartments
• Atlanta Symphony Hall, Fox Theatre, and High Museum of Art
• Piedmont Park, often considered Atlanta’s “Central Park”
• Tech and corporate offices along Peachtree Street

Residents from places like Decatur, Brookhaven, and Smyrna often head to Midtown for concerts, theater, and nightlife.

Buckhead

Best for: upscale shopping, dining, business

Buckhead is a major commercial and residential district in north Atlanta featuring:

• High-end shopping centers such as Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
• Large office towers along Peachtree Road
• Dense clusters of apartments and condos mixed with older single-family neighborhoods

People from across metro Atlanta often drive to Buckhead for shopping or dining, especially on weekends.

Key Surrounding Cities and What They’re Known For

Here’s a simple overview of popular cities surrounding Atlanta and why residents and visitors pay attention to them.

Quick Snapshot of Major Surrounding Cities

*Times vary widely with traffic and time of day.

East of Atlanta: Decatur, Stone Mountain, and Nearby Cities

Decatur

Decatur is often one of the most talked-about surrounding cities.

• Downtown Decatur: walkable area with restaurants, shops, and a small-town feel
• Served by MARTA rail (Decatur Station on the Blue Line)
• Mix of historic homes and newer infill housing
• Popular with people who want easy access to Atlanta but prefer a smaller, community-centered city

City Hall: 509 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
Main non-emergency city line (Decatur): 404-370-4100

Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain is known mainly for Stone Mountain Park, a large recreation and attraction area.

• Hiking trails, lake, playgrounds, seasonal events
• Older suburban neighborhoods around the park
• Many residents commute into Atlanta via US-78 and I-285

North of Atlanta: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody

Sandy Springs

Located just north of Buckhead, Sandy Springs is one of the largest surrounding cities.

• Major offices and medical centers along GA-400 and I-285
• City Springs area with a performing arts center and green spaces
• Access to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area for hiking, kayaking, and tubing

City Hall: 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Main line: 770-730-5600

Roswell

Roswell blends history and outdoor recreation:

• Historic Roswell on Canton Street with shops and restaurants
• Riverfront parks along the Chattahoochee
• Single-family homes and established neighborhoods

Alpharetta

Alpharetta is a major tech and business hub north of Atlanta:

• Home to tech companies and corporate campuses along GA-400
• Avalon and Downtown Alpharetta provide shopping, events, and dining
• Newer subdivisions and planned communities attract families and professionals

City Hall: 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Main line: 678-297-6000

Dunwoody

Located just outside the Perimeter (I-285) to the north:

• Perimeter Center business district brings many office commuters
• Towncenter area near Dunwoody Village
• Access to MARTA rail at Dunwoody Station and Sandy Springs Station

Northwest: Cobb County, Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw

Marietta

Marietta is Cobb County’s seat and a major city northwest of Atlanta.

• Marietta Square: historic courthouse, restaurants, events, and festivals
• Mix of older neighborhoods and newer developments
• Easy access to I-75 into Atlanta

City Hall: 205 Lawrence St NE, Marietta, GA 30060
Main line: 770-794-5150

Smyrna

Often called the “Jonquil City,” Smyrna has become popular due to its location and amenities.

• Convenient access to The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park (home of the Atlanta Braves)
• Newer townhome and apartment communities built for commuters
• Smyrna Market Village offers a small downtown-style gathering place

Kennesaw

Kennesaw is further northwest:

• Home to Kennesaw State University
• Suburban neighborhoods, townhomes, and shopping centers
• Popular with families and students who don’t mind a longer commute

Northeast: Gwinnett County Cities (Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, and More)

Duluth

Duluth has become known for its diverse dining scene and family-friendly feel.

• Revitalized Downtown Duluth with a town green, restaurants, and events
• Many international restaurants and markets along Pleasant Hill Road
• Mix of townhomes, apartments, and suburban neighborhoods

City Hall: 3167 Main St, Duluth, GA 30096
Main line: 770-476-3434

Norcross

One of the older cities in Gwinnett:

• Historic Norcross with a small, walkable downtown
• Established neighborhoods and newer residential development

Lawrenceville

County seat of Gwinnett County:

• Downtown Lawrenceville includes a courthouse square, local theater, and restaurants
• More affordable housing options compared with many ITP (inside-the-Perimeter) areas

South of Atlanta: College Park, East Point, and the Airport Area

College Park

College Park is closely tied to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

• Many airport workers live in or commute through College Park
• MARTA rail access at College Park Station
• Mix of historic neighborhoods and newer development

City Hall: 3667 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
Main line: 404-767-1537

East Point

East Point sits just southwest of downtown Atlanta:

• Served by the East Point MARTA Station
• Residential areas with quick access to downtown and the airport
• Older bungalows and new infill housing

Inside the Perimeter (ITP) vs. Outside the Perimeter (OTP)

Locals often divide the region by I-285, the highway that loops around Atlanta:

• ITP (Inside the Perimeter):
  Areas within I-285, including most of the City of Atlanta, Decatur, parts of Brookhaven, and some of Sandy Springs.

  • Typically more urban and dense
  • Shorter drives to major intown neighborhoods
  • More access to MARTA rail

• OTP (Outside the Perimeter):
  Areas outside I-285, like Marietta, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, most of Gwinnett, etc.

  • Generally more suburban
  • Larger homes and subdivisions more common
  • Heavier reliance on driving, though some bus routes connect to MARTA stations

When deciding where to live around Atlanta, many people start with the question: ITP or OTP? This affects commute times, housing style, and daily routines.

Getting Around: Connecting Atlanta and Its Surrounding Cities

Highways and Major Roads

The main routes tying Atlanta and nearby cities together include:

• I-75 / I-85 (“Downtown Connector”) – runs north-south through the center of Atlanta
• I-285 (“The Perimeter”) – loop around the city connecting major suburbs
• GA-400 – north from Atlanta to Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta
• I-20 – east-west, connecting downtown to Lithonia, Douglasville, and beyond
• US-78 – toward Decatur and Stone Mountain

Traffic can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours, so many residents plan commutes and appointments around peak times.

MARTA and Transit

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) serves much of the City of Atlanta and parts of Fulton and DeKalb County.

Main MARTA rail lines:

• Red and Gold Lines: north–south through Downtown and Midtown, up to Sandy Springs and Doraville, down to the airport
• Blue and Green Lines: east–west, serving areas like Decatur and West End

Key MARTA information:

• Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Customer service: 404-848-5000

Many surrounding cities outside Fulton and DeKalb do not have direct rail service, but some areas have:

• Park-and-ride lots with MARTA bus connections
• County transit options (such as local bus services in Cobb or Gwinnett) that link to Atlanta

Choosing Where to Live Around Atlanta

People deciding between Atlanta vs. surrounding cities typically weigh:

1. Commute and Transit

• Do you need to be near a MARTA rail station?
• How much rush hour traffic are you willing to handle?

2. Housing Style and Space

• Older bungalows and smaller lots are common in intown neighborhoods and older cities like Decatur and East Point.
• Larger homes and master-planned communities are more common in cities like Alpharetta, Kennesaw, and Lawrenceville.

3. Schools and Services

• Schools are run by county systems (Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, etc.).
• Many residents narrow down their city choice based partly on their preferred school district.

4. Lifestyle and Amenities

• Prefer a walkable downtown feel? Look at Decatur, Roswell, Duluth, Marietta, and some intown Atlanta neighborhoods.
• Prefer quieter, more suburban living with larger yards? Many OTP cities offer that.
• Want nightlife and dense urban living? Focus on Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Buckhead within Atlanta.

Helpful Atlanta-Area Government Contacts

These offices can point you to more localized information by city or county:

• City of Atlanta Government

  • City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-330-6000

• Fulton County Government (includes much of north and south metro Atlanta)

  • 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-612-4000

• DeKalb County Government (Decatur, Stone Mountain areas and some Atlanta neighborhoods)

  • 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Main line: 404-371-2000

• Cobb County Government (Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw)

  • 100 Cherokee St, Marietta, GA 30090
  • Main line: 770-528-1000

• Gwinnett County Government (Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, and more)

  • 75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  • Main line: 770-822-8000

These offices can help you with local services such as property records, permits, courts, and public safety in their respective areas.

Living in or visiting Atlanta and surrounding cities means navigating a connected region rather than just one city. Once you understand how areas like Midtown, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Duluth relate to each other, it becomes much easier to choose where to stay, where to work, and how to move around the Atlanta area.