Finding the Best 1-Bedroom Apartments in Atlanta, GA: A Local Guide

Looking for 1 bedroom apts in Atlanta, GA can feel overwhelming. Rents vary a lot by neighborhood, traffic is real, and buildings range from historic walk-ups to luxury high-rises. This guide breaks it down from an Atlanta-specific point of view so you can narrow your search quickly and realistically.

What to Expect from 1 Bedroom Apartments in Atlanta

Before you dive into listings, it helps to know what’s typical in the city.

Common features in many Atlanta 1-bedrooms:

• Size: Often around 550–850 sq. ft., sometimes larger in older buildings or converted houses.
• Layout styles:
  • Traditional 1-bed/1-bath
  • “Junior” 1-bedrooms (small bedroom or partitioned sleeping area)
  • Open loft-style in converted industrial buildings (common near Downtown and the BeltLine)
• Parking:
  • Midtown/Buckhead: usually garage or deck parking, sometimes extra cost
  • Intown neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park): more street parking, some private lots
• Amenities you’ll commonly see:
  • In-unit or on-site laundry
  • Fitness center and pool in mid-rise/high-rise communities
  • Controlled access, package lockers, elevators in newer buildings

Key trade-offs in Atlanta:

• Closer to MARTA or BeltLine = often higher rent, smaller space
• Farther from the core = larger units or more amenities for the same price, but more driving

Best Atlanta Neighborhoods to Look for 1 Bedroom Apartments

Different parts of Atlanta have very different vibes. Your ideal 1 bedroom apartment in Atlanta, GA depends heavily on where you want to live and how you get around.

Midtown Atlanta

Best for: Walkability, nightlife, high-rise living, being central

What to expect:

• Lots of modern high-rises and mid-rises with pools, gyms, coworking spaces, and concierge.
• Very walkable access to MARTA’s Midtown and Arts Center stations, Piedmont Park, the Fox Theatre, and restaurants on Peachtree and Crescent.
• Good choice if you work in Midtown, Downtown, or along MARTA’s Red/Gold line.

Consider if you:

• Don’t mind paying more for location and amenities.
• Prefer elevator buildings and secure garage parking.
• Want to be able to go car-lite or car-free.

Buckhead

Best for: High-end living, shopping, office commuters

What to expect:

• Many luxury 1 bedroom apartments near Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.
• Mix of high-rises and garden-style communities off Peachtree, Piedmont, and Roswell Rd.
• Access to Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh MARTA stations, but many residents still drive.

Consider if you:

• Work in North Atlanta, Buckhead office towers, or along GA-400.
• Want on-site amenities with a more “suburban-urban” feel.
• Like having major retail, dining, and gyms nearby.

Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park

Best for: BeltLine access, trendy restaurants, nightlife with a neighborhood feel

What to expect:

• Newer mid-rise buildings plus some historic conversions and small communities.
• Easy access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market.
• Many 1 bedrooms are compact but modern, with open layouts and balconies.

Consider if you:

• Like walking or biking on the BeltLine.
• Value local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
• Don’t mind a bit less parking convenience and more street parking.

Virginia-Highland, Morningside, and Poncey-Highland

Best for: Charming, walkable intown neighborhoods

What to expect:

• More older, low-rise buildings and duplexes with character.
• Fewer mega-complexes, more small landlords and converted homes.
• Walkable streets with trees, local shops, and easy access to Piedmont Park and the BeltLine.

Consider if you:

• Want a quieter feel than Midtown but still close in.
• Prefer character over big-building amenities.
• Are okay with older buildings that may not have elevators or huge gyms.

West Midtown & Upper Westside

Best for: Trendy industrial vibe, new developments, young professionals

What to expect:

• Many loft-style 1 bedrooms and new mid-rise communities.
• Growing restaurant and brewery scene along Howell Mill, Marietta St, and the Works at Chattahoochee.
• More driving, but easy access to I-75 and reasonable routes to Georgia Tech and Midtown.

Consider if you:

• Like modern, industrial-style interiors.
• Want newer construction with amenities but a less “corporate” feel than Buckhead.
• Mostly drive for commuting and errands.

Downtown & Castleberry Hill

Best for: Proximity to government, law, sports, and convention centers

What to expect:

• Mixed loft conversions, high-rises, and some smaller buildings.
• Walkable to government buildings, Georgia State University, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena.
• Convenient to multiple MARTA stations.

Consider if you:

• Work or study downtown.
• Want to walk to events and arenas.
• Are okay with busier, more commercial surroundings.

East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Edgewood, and Surrounding Intown Areas

Best for: Neighborhood feel, some value compared with core intown

What to expect:

• Duplexes, small apartment communities, some newer mid-rises.
• More single-family neighborhoods, local bars, and restaurants.
• Limited rail access; you’ll rely on buses, driving, or biking.

Consider if you:

• Prefer a neighborhood bar/restaurant scene over high-rise living.
• Are looking for a 1-bedroom that may stretch your space-to-rent ratio more than Midtown.
• Mostly use a car.

Perimeter, Sandy Springs, and Other “OTP but Close” Areas

Best for: Commuters who work in North Atlanta, bigger complexes

What to expect:

• Large, amenity-rich apartment communities with multiple 1-bedroom floorplans.
• Access to Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Medical Center, and North Springs MARTA stations in many areas.
• More parking, often more space, and a mix of walkability near major shopping areas.

Consider if you:

• Work at Perimeter Center, medical campuses, or northern corporate offices.
• Prefer a larger community with pools and multiple parking options.
• Don’t need to be in the heart of the city daily.

How to Choose the Right 1 Bedroom in Atlanta for Your Lifestyle

1. Set Your Priorities: Commute, Cost, or Convenience?

In Atlanta, it’s hard to maximize all three at once. Decide what matters most:

• Shortest commute: Look within a short drive or transit ride of your job.
• Lowest cost for space: Look slightly farther from Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead or along less trendy corridors.
• Walkability and lifestyle: Focus on Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, or BeltLine-adjacent areas.

2. Think About Transportation

Ask yourself:

• Will I drive daily?
  • Look for apartments near your main highways (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, GA‑400, I‑285) and confirm parking costs.
• Will I use MARTA frequently?
  • Prioritize being within a 5–10 minute walk of stations like Midtown, North Avenue, Arts Center, Five Points, Buckhead, Lenox, or Lindbergh.
• Do I bike or walk the BeltLine often?
  • Stick close to Eastside trails: Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Reynoldstown, Virginia-Highland, or Poncey-Highland.

3. Decide on Building Type

Different building styles are common in different parts of Atlanta:

• High-rises (Midtown, Buckhead):
  • Pros: Views, modern amenities, security.
  • Cons: Higher rent, parking and elevator waits, more rules.
• Mid-rises and newer communities (West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park):
  • Pros: Good amenities, often stylish interiors, walkable locations.
  • Cons: Can still be pricey; sometimes thinner walls and limited storage.
• Older garden-style or small buildings (Virginia-Highland, East Atlanta, Kirkwood):
  • Pros: Character, sometimes lower rent or bigger rooms.
  • Cons: Fewer amenities, older systems, possible street parking only.
• Lofts and warehouse conversions (Castleberry Hill, West Midtown, Downtown):
  • Pros: Open layouts, high ceilings, unique style.
  • Cons: Fewer closets, sometimes noise, unusual floorplans.

Typical Features and Costs to Plan For

While exact prices change over time and by building, you can plan around these common expense categories when renting a 1 bedroom apartment in Atlanta, GA.

Monthly Costs You’re Likely to See

• Base Rent: Main monthly payment for the unit.
• Utilities:
  • Electric (Georgia Power is common in the area)
  • Water/sewer (sometimes billed by the building)
  • Trash and pest control (sometimes rolled into a flat monthly fee)
  • Gas in some buildings
• Parking:
  • Surface lot: sometimes free, sometimes a modest monthly fee
  • Garage: often extra monthly charge per space in dense areas
• Internet/Cable:
  • Service options vary by building; many newer buildings are prewired.

One-Time Move-In Costs

Expect at least some of the following:

• Application fee
• Administration fee (charged by many complexes)
• Security deposit (often variable based on credit)
• Pet deposit or pet fee, plus monthly pet rent if you have animals
• Renter’s insurance, which many Atlanta landlords now require

Quick Neighborhood Comparison for 1-Bedroom Renters

This simple table summarizes how different Atlanta areas typically compare on common renter priorities.

Use this to narrow where your ideal 1 bedroom apt in Atlanta, GA is most likely to be.

How to Actually Search for 1 Bedroom Apartments in Atlanta

Once you’ve chosen a few target neighborhoods, use a structured search process to save time.

1. Map-Based Search First

Use any rental search tool with a map view and:

• Draw shapes around your actual commute route or near the MARTA stations you’ll use.
• Filter by:
  • 1 bedroom
  • Your maximum rent
  • Needed features (in-unit laundry, parking, pet-friendly)

Focus on 3–5 buildings or areas that match your priorities instead of browsing endlessly across the entire metro.

2. Check Commute and Traffic Patterns

In Atlanta, a 6-mile commute can feel very different depending on highways and timing. Test:

• Morning and evening drive times using common navigation apps.
• MARTA options if you’re near a station (rail plus potential bus transfers).

If possible, drive or ride the route around the time you’d actually commute to get a realistic feel.

3. Tour Strategically

When you tour 1 bedroom apartments in Atlanta:

• Schedule multiple tours in the same area on one day to compare quickly.
• Walk the surrounding block to see what it feels like after you leave the leasing office.
• If you rely on public transit, walk from the building to the nearest station or bus stop.

Bring a short checklist: 🚩

• Parking situation and cost
• Noise level (near highways, train tracks, or bars?)
• Cell service inside the unit
• Laundry setup (in-unit vs shared)
• Security measures (gates, fob access, cameras, staff presence)

Questions to Ask Leasing Offices in Atlanta

When speaking with leasing offices, consider asking:

• “What are all monthly fees beyond base rent?”
  (Utilities, amenity fees, parking, pet rent, trash/pest fees)
• “Are there any required services?”
  (Valet trash, internet packages, renters insurance minimums)
• “What’s your parking policy?”
  • Guest parking rules
  • Assigned vs unassigned spots
  • Extra cost for second vehicles
• “How do you handle maintenance requests and emergencies?”
• “What lease terms are available?”
  • Short-term leases often cost more per month.
• “How do renewals typically work?”
  • Typical rent increase ranges
  • Notice period for move-out

Where to Turn for Help and Tenant Support in Atlanta

If you’re renting a 1 bedroom apartment in Atlanta for the first time, it’s useful to know where to go with questions or issues.

Atlanta-Area Housing and Tenant Resources

• Atlanta Housing (Public Housing Agency)
  230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 892-4700
  Handles housing programs and vouchers within the city of Atlanta.

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main City Info Line: (404) 330-6000
  Can direct you to housing assistance programs and information about local initiatives.

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society (Metro Atlanta)
  54 Ellis St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 524-5811
  Provides legal help to eligible tenants regarding landlord-tenant disputes and housing issues.

• Georgia Legal Services Program (Statewide outside metro Atlanta)
  For those living just outside the core metro area and needing housing-related legal guidance.

These organizations can help answer questions about leases, tenant rights, and rent-related disputes if issues arise after you move into your 1 bedroom apartment.

Tips to Make a 1 Bedroom in Atlanta Work Better for You

Once you’ve chosen your place, small changes can make intown living more comfortable:

• Use vertical storage: Shelving and tall bookcases help make smaller intown units feel more spacious.
• Consider noise management: Rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings can help if you’re near busy streets or train tracks.
• Leverage local amenities:
  • Parks like Piedmont Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and Grant Park expand your “living room” outdoors.
  • The Atlanta BeltLine adds walking and biking routes that connect many 1-bedroom-heavy neighborhoods.

Living in a 1 bedroom apartment in Atlanta, GA can give you quick access to jobs, culture, and some of the city’s best food and green spaces. By focusing on neighborhoods that match your commute and lifestyle, understanding typical costs and amenities, and asking the right questions before you sign, you can find a 1-bedroom that fits how you actually live in Atlanta.