Surrounding Cities of Atlanta, Georgia: A Local’s Guide to the Metro Area

Atlanta doesn’t end at the city limits. The surrounding cities of Atlanta, Georgia are a huge part of daily life for commuters, families, students, and visitors. If you live in Atlanta—or are thinking about moving or visiting—understanding the nearby cities helps you plan your commute, choose where to stay, and know what’s around you.

Below is a clear, city-focused guide to the key cities and suburbs around Atlanta, what they’re known for, and how they connect to the core of the metro area.

How the Atlanta Metro Area Is Laid Out

Locals often talk about “ITP” and “OTP”:

• ITP (Inside the Perimeter) – Inside I‑285, closer to the City of Atlanta.
• OTP (Outside the Perimeter) – Suburbs and cities outside I‑285 but still considered part of “metro Atlanta.”

Most of the surrounding cities are OTP but are tightly connected to Atlanta by interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, GA‑400) and MARTA transit in certain corridors.

Major Cities Directly North of Atlanta

These are the best‑known northern suburbs and edge cities that many Atlanta residents interact with daily.

Sandy Springs

Just north of Buckhead, Sandy Springs is one of the closest and largest surrounding cities.

• County: Fulton
• Vibe: Urban–suburban mix, lots of high‑rise offices and apartments
• Known for: Corporate offices, Chattahoochee River access, Perimeter Center area
• Key corridors: GA‑400, I‑285

For many Atlantans, Sandy Springs is a natural extension of the city—especially for those who work in offices along GA‑400.

Dunwoody

Right next to Sandy Springs, Dunwoody sits just outside the Perimeter.

• County: DeKalb
• Vibe: Suburban, family‑oriented, strong retail and office presence
• Known for: Perimeter Mall area, corporate campuses, nearby MARTA stations
• Key corridors: I‑285 (top end), Ashford‑Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody is popular with commuters who want suburban neighborhoods but quick access to Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown.

Roswell

A bit farther up GA‑400, Roswell feels more like a historic town than a suburb.

• County: Fulton
• Vibe: Historic downtown, riverfront recreation, established neighborhoods
• Known for: Roswell historic district, parks along the Chattahoochee, local restaurants
• Key corridors: GA‑400, Holcomb Bridge Road

Many people who work in Atlanta choose Roswell for its small‑town feel with relatively manageable access to the city.

Alpharetta

Continuing north, Alpharetta has grown into a major employment and entertainment hub.

• County: Fulton
• Vibe: Modern, fast‑growing, tech and corporate center
• Known for: Avalon, downtown Alpharetta, large office parks
• Key corridors: GA‑400, Old Milton Parkway, Windward Parkway

Alpharetta is a common choice if you want newer housing, strong job centers, and amenities without going too far from Atlanta.

Johns Creek

Northeast of Alpharetta, Johns Creek is largely residential with strong schools and planned communities.

• County: Fulton
• Vibe: Quiet, suburban, family‑oriented
• Known for: Golf communities, parks, well‑regarded public schools
• Key corridors: Medlock Bridge Road (GA‑141), State Bridge Road

People living in Johns Creek often commute to Alpharetta, Perimeter, or Midtown for work.

Key Cities Northeast of Atlanta

These cities connect Atlanta with the northeastern arc of the metro area and often tie into I‑85.

Brookhaven

Directly north of Atlanta and just inside the Perimeter, Brookhaven feels very close to intown life.

• County: DeKalb
• Vibe: Intown‑adjacent, walkable pockets, mix of apartments and single‑family homes
• Known for: Brookhaven Village, parks, quick access to Buckhead
• Key corridors: Peachtree Road, Buford Highway

Brookhaven is a strong option if you want to be near Atlanta’s core but still in a separate city with its own government.

Chamblee

Further up Peachtree and Buford Highway, Chamblee has grown into a diverse, transit‑friendly city.

• County: DeKalb
• Vibe: Mixed industrial and residential, increasingly walkable downtown
• Known for: MARTA access, international food along Buford Highway
• Key corridors: Peachtree Boulevard, Buford Highway (US‑23)

Many Atlanta‑area residents visit Chamblee for affordable food, transit, and warehouses or studios.

Doraville

Right off I‑285 and I‑85, Doraville is small but strategically located.

• County: DeKalb
• Vibe: Compact, diverse, industrial and residential mix
• Known for: MARTA Doraville Station, access to I‑285/I‑85
• Key corridors: Buford Highway, I‑285

Doraville is a gateway to the northeastern suburbs and a common starting point for commuters heading deeper into Gwinnett County.

Norcross

One of the older Gwinnett County cities close to Atlanta, Norcross balances history and suburban life.

• County: Gwinnett
• Vibe: Historic downtown + suburban neighborhoods, light industrial areas
• Known for: Downtown Norcross, parks, access to I‑85
• Key corridors: Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard

People who want easy I‑85 access to Atlanta often consider Norcross and nearby neighborhoods.

Duluth, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville

Farther along I‑85 you’ll find a cluster of northeast Gwinnett cities:

• Duluth
  • Known for: Downtown Duluth, Korean dining/shopping areas, suburban neighborhoods
  • Access via: I‑85, Peachtree Industrial Blvd
• Suwanee
  • Known for: Suwanee Town Center, parks and greenways
  • Access via: I‑85, Peachtree Industrial Blvd
• Lawrenceville
  • County seat of Gwinnett
  • Known for: Historic downtown, government offices, performing arts

These cities are common for people who work partly in Atlanta but want established suburban communities.

Important Cities East of Atlanta

East of the city along I‑20 you’ll find towns and suburbs with their own strong identities.

Decatur

Just east of Atlanta, Decatur is one of the most recognizable nearby cities.

• County: DeKalb (also the county seat)
• Vibe: Walkable, artsy, dense intown‑style neighborhoods
• Known for: Downtown Decatur, restaurants, festivals, MARTA stations
• Key corridors: Ponce de Leon Avenue, College Avenue, Clairmont Road

Decatur feels more like an intown neighborhood than a distant suburb, and many people who live here work in Midtown or Downtown Atlanta.

Avondale Estates

Next door to Decatur, Avondale Estates offers a quieter, distinct small‑city feel.

• County: DeKalb
• Vibe: Quaint, architecturally distinct, small but growing commercial area
• Known for: Tudor‑style downtown, close‑knit residential streets
• Key corridors: College Avenue, North Avondale Road

It’s a strong choice if you want near‑Decatur convenience with a smaller‑town environment.

Stone Mountain

A bit farther out, Stone Mountain is known across Georgia for its park and namesake mountain.

• County: DeKalb (city limits) with nearby unincorporated areas
• Vibe: Suburban with direct access to outdoor recreation
• Known for: Stone Mountain Park, trailheads, residential communities
• Key corridors: Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain Freeway (US‑78)

Many Atlanta residents visit Stone Mountain for day trips and live in the surrounding neighborhoods while still commuting into the city.

Conyers and Covington

Traveling farther east on I‑20, you reach:

• Conyers
  • County: Rockdale
  • Known for: Olde Town Conyers, film production sites, suburban and rural mix
• Covington
  • County: Newton
  • Known for: Historic town square, filming locations, small‑city feel

These cities are more commuter‑distance than close‑in suburbs but still often considered part of the broader Atlanta region.

Surrounding Cities South of Atlanta

South of Atlanta, you’ll find cities connected by I‑75, I‑85, and the airport corridor.

East Point, College Park, and Hapeville

Directly around Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, these cities hug the southern border of Atlanta.

• East Point
  • County: Fulton
  • Known for: Residential neighborhoods, MARTA access, Camp Creek Parkway area
• College Park
  • County: Fulton
  • Known for: Airport adjacency, convention spaces, older neighborhoods
• Hapeville
  • County: Fulton
  • Known for: Walkable downtown, arts murals, proximity to airport

If you fly frequently or work at or near the airport, these cities can be very convenient places to live or stay.

Union City and Fairburn

Southwest along I‑85:

• Union City
  • County: Fulton
  • Known for: Logistics, distribution centers, suburban housing
• Fairburn
  • County: Fulton
  • Known for: Historic downtown, South Fulton neighborhoods

These areas are relevant for southside commuters and workers in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution.

Riverdale, Forest Park, and Morrow

Moving southeast nearer Clayton County:

• Riverdale
  • Known for: Residential neighborhoods, access to GA‑85
• Forest Park
  • Known for: Proximity to the airport and distribution hubs, residential areas
• Morrow
  • Known for: Southlake Mall area, Clayton State University, I‑75 access

These cities are common for people who want more affordable housing with relatively direct interstate access to Atlanta.

Jonesboro and Stockbridge

Farther along I‑75:

• Jonesboro
  • County: Clayton
  • Known for: Historic downtown, older suburban neighborhoods
• Stockbridge
  • County: Henry
  • Known for: Growing suburbs, access to I‑75, commuting base into Atlanta

These are more classic “southside suburbs” where many residents commute north into the city.

Surrounding Cities West of Atlanta

West of Atlanta includes cities with historic downtowns, universities, and industrial areas.

Smyrna and Vinings (Cobb County Edge)

Just northwest of the city, hugging I‑285 and I‑75:

• Smyrna
  • County: Cobb
  • Known for: Smyrna Market Village, suburban neighborhoods, quick access to city
• Vinings (unincorporated but often viewed like a small town)
  • County: Cobb
  • Known for: Vinings Jubilee area, upscale housing, Chattahoochee River proximity

Many people who work in Midtown, Downtown, or the Cumberland area choose Smyrna/Vinings for a short commute.

Marietta

A major city northwest of Atlanta, Marietta is the Cobb County seat.

• County: Cobb
• Vibe: Historic town square, established neighborhoods, light industrial areas
• Known for: Marietta Square, local museums, schools
• Key corridors: I‑75, Cobb Parkway (US‑41), South Marietta Parkway

It’s a central city for Cobb County residents who still maintain strong ties to Atlanta for work and entertainment.

Kennesaw and Acworth

Continuing northwest:

• Kennesaw
  • Known for: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
• Acworth
  • Known for: Lake access, small‑town feel, historic downtown

These cities are home to many Atlanta‑area commuters who are comfortable with a longer drive or reverse commute.

Austell, Powder Springs, and Douglasville

To the west along I‑20 and connecting routes:

• Austell
  • Known for: Nearby Six Flags Over Georgia (technically in unincorporated Cobb area)
• Powder Springs
  • Known for: Residential neighborhoods, small downtown
• Douglasville
  • County: Douglas
  • Known for: Arbor Place Mall, historic downtown, I‑20 access

They offer more space and quieter neighborhoods while still being within driving distance of Atlanta jobs.

Quick Reference: Key Surrounding Cities of Atlanta

Here’s a simplified snapshot of notable cities around Atlanta and how they relate to the core:

How to Choose a Surrounding City That Fits Your Needs

If you’re in Atlanta and deciding where nearby to live, work, or stay, some practical questions help narrow it down:

• Commute:
  • Do you need fast access to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter?
    • Look at: Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Smyrna, Decatur.
• Airport access:
  • Do you travel frequently?
    • Consider: East Point, College Park, Hapeville, Forest Park, Morrow.
• Walkable/historic feel:
  • Want a small‑city downtown with character?
    • Explore: Decatur, Marietta, Roswell, Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee, Covington.
• Space and quieter suburbs:
  • Prefer more yard space or a slower pace?
    • Check out: Kennesaw, Acworth, Douglasville, Stockbridge, Jonesboro, Stone Mountain area.
• Proximity to nature:
  • Want easy access to parks, rivers, or trails?
    • Look at: Roswell (Chattahoochee), Stone Mountain, Kennesaw, Suwanee.

Getting Around Between Atlanta and Surrounding Cities

Transportation is a major factor when dealing with the cities around Atlanta:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Serves Atlanta and key nearby cities such as Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, East Point, College Park, Hapeville (through nearby stations), and parts of Decatur.
• MARTA Bus & Local Transit:
  • Extends into nearby cities in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties.
• CobbLinc, Gwinnett County Transit, and other local systems:
  • Serve Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, and more, often with commuter routes into Atlanta.
• Interstates and Major Highways:
  • I‑20, I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, GA‑400, and surface roads like Buford Highway, Peachtree Road, Cobb Parkway link surrounding cities directly to Atlanta.

For daily life, many Atlantans combine driving, park‑and‑ride lots, and MARTA to manage commutes between the city and its nearby suburbs.

Why the Surrounding Cities Matter if You Live In or Visit Atlanta

Understanding the surrounding cities of Atlanta, Georgia helps you:

• Plan where to live if you work in the city but want a specific lifestyle (urban, suburban, historic, or quieter).
• Choose the right area to stay when visiting—close to the airport, near a corporate campus, or in a walkable small downtown.
• Navigate the region more efficiently, knowing which highways and transit routes connect different cities to Atlanta.
• Explore beyond the city limits for dining, parks, festivals, and historic districts that are an everyday part of metro Atlanta life.

When Atlantans say “Atlanta,” they often mean not just the city itself, but this entire network of surrounding cities and towns that function together as one large, interconnected metro area. Understanding these nearby cities makes living in—or visiting—Atlanta much easier and more enjoyable.