Atlanta and Its Nearby Cities: A Local’s Guide to the Metro Area

When people search for “Atlanta near city”, they’re often trying to understand what cities and suburbs are closest to Atlanta, what they’re like, and how everything fits together as part of Metro Atlanta.

If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or are considering a move, it helps to know the nearby cities, how far they are, and what each one is known for. This guide focuses on Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding cities that shape daily life in and around the city.

Understanding “Atlanta” vs. “Near Atlanta”

Locals use “Atlanta” in a few different ways:

• City of Atlanta (proper): The official city limits with its own mayor and city council.
• Intown Atlanta: Neighborhoods close to the core (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, etc.).
• Metro Atlanta / Atlanta area: A much larger region including nearby cities and suburbs in multiple counties.

When people say a place is “near Atlanta,” they usually mean it’s:

• Within about 10–40 minutes of Downtown by car (traffic allowing), and
• Part of the daily commuter and lifestyle orbit of the city.

Major Cities Near Atlanta (Quick Reference)

Here’s a simple overview of some of the most commonly referenced cities near Atlanta and what they’re known for.

Distances are approximate driving mileage from Downtown Atlanta and can feel very different depending on traffic and time of day.

Nearby Cities Just Outside Atlanta’s Core

Decatur

Decatur is one of the closest “near cities” to Atlanta. It’s its own city, but many people experience it as part of the Atlanta core.

Highlights:

• Downtown Decatur Square: Walkable area with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and boutiques.
• Mix of historic homes, bungalows, and newer townhomes.
• Popular with residents who want urban conveniences without being in Midtown or Downtown.

Local tip: If you’re staying in Atlanta but want a smaller, neighborhood feel, spending an evening around Decatur Square is a good option.

Brookhaven

Brookhaven borders Atlanta to the north and northeast and has a mix of intown and suburban characteristics.

Known for:

• Residential neighborhoods such as Brookhaven Heights, Ashford Park, and Lynwood Park.
• The busy Peachtree Road corridor with shops, restaurants, and MARTA stations (Brookhaven/Oglethorpe).

Brookhaven is convenient if you want quick access to Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter Center while staying slightly outside the busier core.

Northern Cities Near Atlanta

The northern suburbs are some of the most commonly mentioned “near Atlanta” cities, especially for commuters and families.

Sandy Springs

Just north of the city, Sandy Springs is technically its own city but is directly connected to Atlanta along GA‑400 and Roswell Road.

Key features:

• Chattahoochee River parks and trails.
• Mixed-use areas like City Springs with restaurants, events, and a performing arts center.
• Easy access to GA‑400 and I‑285, and multiple MARTA stations along the Red Line.

Sandy Springs is popular with people who want quick access to Atlanta’s job centers but prefer a more suburban living environment.

Dunwoody

Just outside the Perimeter (I‑285) in the north, Dunwoody is centered around the Perimeter Center business and shopping district.

Highlights:

• Perimeter Mall and surrounding offices.
• Single-family neighborhoods a short drive from heavy employment centers.
• Convenient to Dunwoody and Sandy Springs MARTA stations.

If you work in north Atlanta’s office corridors but want to be near, not in, the city, Dunwoody is often on the list.

Roswell

Farther up GA‑400 from Atlanta, Roswell is a larger, established city near the Chattahoochee River.

What Roswell is known for:

• Historic Downtown Roswell with restaurants, shops, and events.
• Riverfront parks like Riverside Park and Azalea Park.
• A noticeable mix of older homes and newer developments.

From Downtown Atlanta, Roswell is usually 30–45 minutes by car, depending on traffic, and is still considered part of the greater Atlanta metro area.

Alpharetta

North of Roswell sits Alpharetta, another major “near Atlanta” city, especially for tech and corporate offices.

Key characteristics:

• Busy mixed-use areas like Avalon and Downtown Alpharetta.
• Subdivisions with townhomes and single-family houses.
• One of the region’s hubs for technology, finance, and regional offices.

Many residents commute to and from Atlanta, Sandy Springs, or Buckhead, so commuting patterns connect Alpharetta closely with Atlanta life.

Northwest Cities Near Atlanta

The northwest side of Metro Atlanta includes some of the best-known nearby cities for commuters looking for historic charm or proximity to entertainment.

Smyrna

Smyrna sits just northwest of Atlanta and is especially associated with the area around The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park, although those are technically in nearby unincorporated Cobb County.

Known for:

• Close drive to I‑285 and I‑75.
• Residential neighborhoods with easy access to Atlanta job centers.
• Proximity to Braves baseball games and year-round Battery events.

If you want to be near Atlanta’s stadium district while still close to the city, Smyrna often comes up.

Marietta

Marietta is a larger city further northwest and is commonly thought of as a separate place, but many residents commute to Atlanta daily.

Highlights:

• Marietta Square with restaurants, shops, and seasonal events.
• Close to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
• A mix of older neighborhoods and newer subdivisions.

Marietta is typically 25–40 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, making it a frequently chosen city for people who want more space but stay within Greater Atlanta.

Southern Cities Near Atlanta

The southern side of the metro is heavily influenced by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

College Park

College Park borders the City of Atlanta and the airport.

Known for:

• Historic residential streets and older homes.
• Proximity to airport-related jobs and logistics centers.
• Georgia International Convention Center and access to MARTA’s Airport and College Park stations.

It’s a practical area if you work at or travel often from the Atlanta airport but want to remain close to the city.

East Point

Just southwest of Downtown Atlanta, East Point is another independent city that feels strongly connected to Atlanta’s core.

Key characteristics:

• Direct access via MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines (East Point station).
• Older, established neighborhoods with varying housing options.
• Short drive to the airport while still relatively close to Downtown and Midtown.

For those balancing city access and affordability, East Point is often considered alongside neighborhoods in south Atlanta.

How to Choose a “Near Atlanta” City That Fits You

When deciding which city near Atlanta makes sense for you—either to visit or to live in—consider:

1. Commute and Transportation

• Driving: I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, GA‑400, and I‑285 connect most near cities to Atlanta, but traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
• MARTA access: Cities like Decatur, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, College Park, and East Point have MARTA rail stations that provide direct connections into Atlanta’s core.
• Airport access: If frequent flying is a factor, being near College Park, East Point, or south Atlanta can be a major advantage.

2. Lifestyle and Environment

Consider what kind of environment you want near Atlanta:

• Walkable downtown feel: Decatur, Roswell, Marietta, Alpharetta.
• Suburban with strong shopping/business centers: Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Smyrna, Alpharetta.
• Historic and established neighborhoods: Decatur, East Point, College Park, Marietta, Roswell.

3. Proximity to Atlanta Attractions

Think about which parts of Atlanta you’ll visit most:

• Midtown & Downtown (museums, nightlife, events): Brookhaven, Decatur, East Point, College Park, Sandy Springs are all reasonably close.
• Buckhead (shopping, dining): Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody.
• The Battery / Truist Park: Smyrna and Marietta are closest, with easy access via I‑75.

Counties That Make Up “Near Atlanta” Cities

Many of the cities near Atlanta fall into a few key counties that are part of the Atlanta metropolitan area:

• Fulton County: Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, College Park, East Point, and others.
• DeKalb County: Decatur, Brookhaven, parts of Dunwoody, and several near-Atlanta communities.
• Cobb County: Marietta, Smyrna, and nearby areas.
• Gwinnett County (slightly farther but still “near”): Cities like Norcross, Duluth, and Lawrenceville are commonly seen as part of the broader near-Atlanta region.

Understanding the county is useful for schools, property taxes, and services, especially if you’re planning a move rather than a short visit.

Practical Resources in and Around Atlanta

If you’re trying to orient yourself or plan life between Atlanta and a nearby city, a few official local resources can help:

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

• City of Decatur
  509 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
  General information: 404-370-4100

• City of Sandy Springs
  1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
  Main information: 770-730-5600

• City of Marietta
  205 Lawrence St NE, Marietta, GA 30060
  General information: 770-794-5150

Checking each city’s official website or calling their main line is helpful for details on permits, utilities, local events, and resident services if you’re moving from one Atlanta-area city to another.

What “Near Atlanta” Really Means for Daily Life

For residents and visitors, “near Atlanta” usually means:

• You can commute into the city for work, school, or entertainment.
• You share much of the same media market, sports teams, and cultural life as the City of Atlanta.
• You benefit from the region’s transportation network, including interstates and MARTA (where available).

Whether you choose to live or stay in Atlanta proper or in a nearby city like Decatur, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Roswell, or College Park, you’re still very much in the Atlanta orbit—with different neighborhoods and city centers offering their own character, pace, and conveniences while staying closely tied to Atlanta itself.