Atlanta, GA and the Cities Around It: A Local’s Guide to the Metro Area

When people search for “Atlanta GA cities”, they’re usually trying to figure out how Atlanta fits together with all the surrounding cities and suburbs that make up metro Atlanta. If you live here, are planning a move, or are visiting, it helps a lot to understand how the city and its neighbors are laid out and what each area is known for.

This guide walks through Atlanta itself, the major nearby cities, how the metro area is organized, and what you can expect from different parts of town.

Understanding Atlanta vs. “Metro Atlanta”

Atlanta is both:

• A city – the official City of Atlanta, with its own government and city limits.
• The center of a large metro area – dozens of cities and towns across multiple counties that people collectively call “Atlanta.”

The City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta sits mainly in Fulton County, with a small portion in DeKalb County. It includes well-known intown neighborhoods such as:

• Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland
• West Midtown, Atlantic Station
• Grant Park, East Atlanta, Kirkwood
• West End, Cascade, Vine City

If your address says Atlanta, GA and you pay City of Atlanta taxes and utilities, you’re inside the city limits. Many nearby places still use “Atlanta” in mailing addresses but are legally separate cities.

Metro Atlanta

“Metro Atlanta” usually refers to the broader Atlanta Metropolitan Area, which spans multiple counties such as:

• Fulton
• DeKalb
• Cobb
• Gwinnett
• Clayton
• Henry
• Douglas
• Cherokee
• Fayette
• Rockdale
• and others nearby

Each county has its own set of cities, many of which function like mini-hubs with their own downtowns, schools, and identities.

Key Cities in and Around Atlanta, GA

Below is a simple overview of some of the most commonly mentioned cities around Atlanta and what they’re generally known for.

This isn’t a full list, but it covers many places people mean when they say “cities around Atlanta, GA.”

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

Locals divide the region by the I-285 loop, also called “the Perimeter.”

• ITP (Inside the Perimeter)
  Areas inside I-285, including most of the City of Atlanta and nearby cities like Decatur and parts of Sandy Springs.

  • More urban or older suburban
  • Shorter commute options to central business districts
  • More walkable pockets, mixed-use developments

• OTP (Outside the Perimeter)
  Areas outside I-285, like Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, and Lawrenceville.

  • Generally more suburban
  • Larger subdivisions, more single-family homes
  • Heavier car dependence and longer commutes for many workers

When comparing Atlanta vs. other cities in Georgia, this ITP/OTP concept is fairly unique to the Atlanta metro conversation.

Major Cities North of Atlanta

Sandy Springs

Location: Directly north of Atlanta, mostly along GA-400 and I-285.
Highlights:

• Corporate offices and medical centers in the Pill Hill area.
• Chattahoochee River parks and trails.
• Mix of condos, apartments, and single-family neighborhoods.

Roswell

Location: About 20 miles north of downtown Atlanta.
Known for:

• Charming Historic Roswell district with restaurants and shops.
• Access to the Chattahoochee River and green space.
• Family-oriented suburban communities.

Alpharetta

Location: Further north along GA-400.
Known for:

• Large tech and office parks.
• Avalon and Downtown Alpharetta, popular mixed-use areas.
• Newer neighborhoods and strong suburban school systems in surrounding areas.

Dunwoody

Location: Just north of the Perimeter, near I-285 and GA-400.
Known for:

• Perimeter Center – a major job and shopping district.
• A mix of older and newer neighborhoods with easy interstate access.

Major Cities West and Northwest of Atlanta

Marietta

Location: Northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, off I-75.
Highlights:

• Marietta Square with shops, dining, and events.
• Established neighborhoods, some dating back decades.
• Strong sense of local identity separate from Atlanta, but still closely tied to it.

Smyrna

Location: Just inside Cobb County, close to I-285 and I-75.
Known for:

• Proximity to Truist Park and The Battery area (in neighboring Cumberland).
• Town-center-style developments and established subdivisions.
• Popular with commuters who work in Atlanta or the Cumberland business area.

Douglasville (Further West)

Location: West of Atlanta along I-20.
Known for:

• More affordable housing relative to some northside suburbs.
• Suburban and semi-rural mix with access to I-20 into Atlanta.

Major Cities East of Atlanta

Decatur

Location: Directly east of Atlanta in DeKalb County.
Highlights:

• Compact, walkable downtown with restaurants, bars, and shops.
• Nearby colleges like Emory University and Agnes Scott College (Decatur campus).
• Older homes, tree-lined streets, and strong neighborhood identity.

Stone Mountain (City and Area)

Location: East-northeast of the city.
Known for:

• Stone Mountain Park, a major outdoor and tourist attraction.
• Older suburban neighborhoods and some newer developments.
• Mix of residential, commercial, and park-adjacent areas.

Major Cities South of Atlanta

College Park

Location: Immediately south of Atlanta, largely around the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Known for:

• Historic Main Street area.
• Close connection to airport-related jobs and hotels.
• MARTA rail access into central Atlanta.

East Point

Location: Southwest of downtown Atlanta, between the city core and College Park.
Highlights:

• Mix of historic neighborhoods and newer development.
• Close to major highways and the airport.
• Popular with people who want quick access to both downtown and the southside.

Forest Park & Clayton County Cities

Further south and southeast you’ll find Forest Park, Riverdale, Jonesboro, and others:

• Generally more affordable housing compared to many northern suburbs.
• Closer to warehouse, logistics, and airport-related employment corridors.

Cities in the Broader Metro Atlanta Region

Beyond the immediate ring around Atlanta, several independent cities are still closely tied to the metro:

• Lawrenceville (Gwinnett County) – County seat, suburban downtown, government services.
• Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee (Gwinnett) – Older town centers plus extensive newer subdivisions.
• Kennesaw, Acworth (Cobb County) – Farther northwest with growing suburban communities.
• Woodstock (Cherokee County) – Rapidly growing, revived downtown, commuter links to Atlanta.
• Peachtree City (Fayette County) – Planned city with golf-cart path network and lakes.

People living in these places may say they’re from “Atlanta” when speaking broadly, even though they’re legally in separate cities and counties.

How Government and Services Work Across Atlanta-Area Cities

City vs. County Responsibilities

In the Atlanta area, services are divided between cities and counties. Depending on where you live, your:

• Police and fire services may come from the city or the county.
• Water, sewer, and sanitation may be city-run, county-run, or a mix.
• Schools are run by county school systems (such as Fulton County Schools, DeKalb County School District, Cobb County School District), or in some cases, independent city systems (like Decatur).

For example:

• If you live in City of Atlanta (Fulton side), you may interact with both the City of Atlanta for some services and Fulton County for others.
• If you live in Roswell (Fulton County), you have Roswell city services plus Fulton County and Fulton County Schools.

You Can Confirm Your City Easily

If you’re unsure whether you’re in Atlanta or another city:

• Check your property tax bill (lists the city and county).
• Look at your water or sanitation bill (often identifies the city provider).
• Call your county tax assessor’s or city hall for clarification.

Getting Around: Transit and Commuting Between Cities

With so many cities in the Atlanta area, commuting and transit are big everyday concerns.

Highways

Major highways linking Atlanta-area cities include:

• I-75, I-85, I-20 – radiate in and out of central Atlanta.
• I-285 (the Perimeter) – circles the city and connects many suburbs.
• GA-400 – runs north through Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta.
• U.S. 78, GA-316, I-675, I-985 – connect further-out metro cities.

Public Transit (MARTA and Others)

• MARTA Rail: Serves the City of Atlanta, the airport, and parts of Fulton and DeKalb (stations in cities like College Park, East Point, and Decatur).
• MARTA Bus: Extends deeper into some suburban areas within participating counties.
• Some counties, such as Gwinnett and Cobb, have their own local bus systems that connect to MARTA in certain spots.

If you plan to live in a city outside Atlanta but work downtown or in Midtown, it’s worth checking whether your area has convenient access to:

• A MARTA station or park-and-ride, or
• A main corridor (like GA-400 or I-75) with manageable commute times.

Tips for Choosing a City in the Atlanta GA Area

If you’re deciding where in the Atlanta area to live or stay, some practical ways to compare cities include:

1. Commute and Transportation

   • How long will it take to reach downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead in rush hour?
   • Is there MARTA access nearby, or is it strictly car-dependent?

2. Neighborhood Feel

   • Prefer urban? Look at neighborhoods inside the City of Atlanta and nearby cities like Decatur.
   • Prefer suburban? Consider Roswell, Marietta, Smyrna, Alpharetta, Duluth, and similar areas.
   • Prefer quieter or semi-rural? Look at farther-out cities like Woodstock, Peachtree City, or Douglasville.

3. Access to Amenities

   • Proximity to parks, trails, and the Chattahoochee River.
   • Distance to shopping centers, hospitals, or specific job centers (Perimeter, Cumberland, Midtown, Downtown, Airport).

4. Local Identity

   • Some cities, like Decatur, Roswell, Marietta, have strong, walkable downtowns and frequent local events.
   • Others are more neighborhood- and shopping-center-based, with amenities spread along main roads.

Helpful Local Government Contacts

If you need to confirm services, zoning, or basic city information, here are a few official government starting points in the Atlanta area:

• City of Atlanta – City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information line: (404) 330-6000

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: (404) 612-4000

• DeKalb County Government
  1300 Commerce Dr
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Main line: (404) 371-2000

• Cobb County Government
  100 Cherokee St
  Marietta, GA 30090
  Main line: (770) 528-1000

• Gwinnett County Government
  75 Langley Dr
  Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  Main line: (770) 822-8000

These offices can help you verify whether you’re in Atlanta or another city, what services you receive, and which local agencies to contact next.

In everyday conversation, “Atlanta” can mean the city itself or the huge web of surrounding cities that make up the metro region. Understanding where each city sits, what it’s like, and how it connects to the rest of the area makes it much easier to decide where to live, where to stay, and how to get around in and around Atlanta, GA.