The Standard at Atlanta: What to Know About This Student-Focused Apartment Community

If you live in Atlanta, go to school here, or are moving to the city for college, you’ve probably heard of The Standard at Atlanta. It’s one of the many student-oriented apartment communities that have popped up around Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, offering modern units, furnished options, and amenities designed for student life.

This guide breaks down what The Standard at Atlanta is, where it’s located, what to expect in terms of living experience, and how it fits into Atlanta’s broader student housing landscape.

What Is The Standard at Atlanta?

The Standard at Atlanta is a privately owned, off-campus apartment community built with students in mind. It is not university-owned housing, but it tends to market heavily to students at:

  • Georgia Tech
  • Georgia State University (GSU)
  • Other nearby Atlanta-area colleges and professional schools

Typical features you’ll see associated with this type of property include:

  • Individual leases (by bedroom instead of the entire unit)
  • Furnished apartments or furniture packages
  • High-density layouts (multiple bedrooms per unit)
  • Shared amenities like a pool, study lounges, and fitness centers

The core idea is to give students a dorm-like social environment with the independence of an apartment.

Where The Standard at Atlanta Fits in the City

Location and Nearby Campuses

The Standard at Atlanta is part of the Midtown/Georgia Tech area student housing cluster. When people refer to it, they typically mean the luxury-style student apartments within walking or shuttle distance of:

  • Georgia Tech’s main campus in Midtown
  • Public transit like MARTA rail stations and bus routes
  • Central Atlanta spots such as Tech Square, West Midtown, and Downtown

Living in this area means you’re close to:

  • Campus buildings and labs (for Georgia Tech students)
  • North Avenue and Spring Street corridors
  • Restaurants, coffee shops, and late-night spots that cater to student schedules

If you’re comparing it to more traditional neighborhoods, think of it as denser and more student-heavy than most residential areas, with a lot of foot traffic during the school year.

Who Typically Lives at The Standard at Atlanta?

The Standard at Atlanta is geared toward:

  • Undergraduate students looking for a social environment
  • Graduate students who want proximity to campus but may or may not want heavy social activity
  • Interns and co-op students working in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead
  • Sometimes young professionals who like the amenities and location

Because of its student focus, you can expect:

  • A younger demographic, usually college-age
  • Activity levels that align with semester schedules (busy during school year, quieter in some summer months)
  • A community culture that often includes group study sessions, shared rides to campus, and organized resident events

Typical Apartment Features and Layouts

Specific floor plans and finishes can change over time, but properties like The Standard at Atlanta commonly offer:

Unit Types

  • Studios and 1-bedroom units (limited in number)
  • 2–5 bedroom apartments, often with:
    • Each bedroom leased separately
    • Private bathrooms for each bedroom or shared between two
    • A shared kitchen and living room

Common In-Unit Features

You’ll typically see:

  • In-unit washer and dryer
  • Full kitchen (stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher)
  • Hard-surface flooring (vinyl or similar) in common areas
  • Individual bedroom locks for added privacy and security
  • High-speed internet included in rent (very common in student housing)

Some units may come fully or partially furnished, usually including:

  • Bed frame and mattress
  • Desk and chair
  • Dresser and/or closet
  • Sofa, coffee table, dining table in shared spaces

If furniture is important to you, always confirm:

  • What’s included vs optional
  • Whether furniture removal is allowed if you want to bring your own

Amenities You Can Expect

Student-focused communities like The Standard at Atlanta typically build amenities around studying, fitness, and social life. While exact offerings can change, residents commonly find:

Study and Work Spaces

  • Quiet study rooms or conference rooms
  • Group study areas with whiteboards and screens
  • Printing stations or business centers in some cases

Health and Fitness

  • On-site fitness center, often open 24/7
  • Weight equipment and cardio machines
  • Sometimes:
    • Yoga or group fitness spaces
    • Outdoor fitness or turf areas

Social and Leisure

  • Rooftop decks or lounges
  • Swimming pool or sundeck area
  • Clubhouse or resident lounge with TVs, games, and seating
  • Occasional resident events like game nights, food trucks, or holiday activities

Security and Access

Most large Atlanta student communities use:

  • Key fob or card access at building entry and elevators
  • Controlled access garage or parking lot (if parking is available)
  • On-site management and maintenance staff during business hours
  • Security patrols or cameras in common areas

👉 Tip: Ask current residents what security actually feels like day-to-day. Access systems help, but local experiences give you a clearer picture.

Rent, Utilities, and Cost Considerations in Atlanta

Lease Structure

At places like The Standard at Atlanta, rent is often:

  • By the bedroom, not by the unit
    Example: Each person pays $X per month for their bedroom and shared use of the common areas.

Leases usually run:

  • 12 months, frequently tied to the academic year (August to July)

Subletting or lease transfers may be allowed with conditions and fees, but you should:

  • Clarify sublease policies before signing
  • Ask what happens if you need to leave Atlanta early (graduation, internship elsewhere, etc.)

What’s Usually Included in Rent?

Many student-focused properties near Georgia Tech and GSU bundle services such as:

  • Internet (very common)
  • Trash fees
  • Sometimes water and sewer

You may still need to set up:

  • Power (electricity) through Georgia Power
  • Renter’s insurance (often required)

Always review:

  • Which utilities are included
  • Any monthly utility caps (for example, a limit on water usage with overages billed separately)
  • Fees such as parking, amenity fees, or administrative fees

Getting to and From Campus and Around Atlanta

Walkability and Transit

From The Standard at Atlanta area, students generally rely on:

  • Walking or biking to Georgia Tech and nearby destinations
  • Campus shuttles (for Georgia Tech students, like the Tech Trolley and other routes)
  • MARTA rail stations in Midtown or North Avenue (for access to Downtown, Airport, Buckhead, and beyond)
  • MARTA buses depending on your class or work location

Parking and Cars

If you have a car, consider:

  • On-site parking availability and cost (often an extra monthly fee)
  • How easy it is to drive to:
    • Downtown Atlanta
    • GSU campus
    • West Midtown or I-75/I-85 exits
  • Regular Atlanta issues like rush-hour traffic, especially on major corridors and interstates

For many students, especially those primarily on Georgia Tech’s main campus, living here makes it possible to go car-free or mostly rely on walking and transit.

Pros and Cons of Living at The Standard at Atlanta (From a Local Perspective)

Here’s a simple breakdown of what people usually weigh when considering this type of housing in Atlanta:

AspectPotential UpsidePotential Trade-Offs
LocationVery close to campus, Midtown, and transitBusy urban setting; more noise and activity than residential neighborhoods
AmenitiesPool, gym, study spaces, lounges, social eventsAmenities are built into your rent whether you use them or not
Lease TypeIndividual leases reduce risk if roommates don’t payLess flexibility than informal roommate arrangements; standard student-housing fees
CommunityLots of fellow students; easier to meet people, study togetherCan feel crowded; more parties and late-night noise during peak times
FurnishingMove-in ready; less hassle buying and moving big itemsLess customization; furniture quality and style may not be your first choice
CostPredictable monthly costs; some utilities includedOften higher per-bedroom price than basic, older apartments farther from campus

How The Standard at Atlanta Compares to Other Atlanta Housing Options

When looking at The Standard at Atlanta, many students also compare:

Versus On-Campus Housing

On-campus housing (Georgia Tech or GSU):

  • Stronger connection to campus life
  • Shorter commitments in some cases
  • Typically more structured rules and quieter hours

The Standard at Atlanta–style housing:

  • More independence
  • Often newer buildings and amenities
  • Full 12-month lease commitments, even if you’re not in Atlanta all summer

Versus Traditional Apartments

In more traditional apartments in Midtown, West Midtown, Home Park, or further out, you may find:

  • Lower costs if you share a lease with self-selected roommates
  • Less “student housing” feel and possibly fewer noise issues
  • Fewer amenities but more control over what you pay for

However, you’ll also need to:

  • Set up all utilities yourself
  • Take full legal responsibility for rent with your roommates
  • Potentially live farther from campus or transit

Safety, Noise, and Quality-of-Life Considerations

Safety

The area around Georgia Tech and Midtown is a busy urban university environment. Common safety practices in Atlanta apply:

  • Be mindful when walking at night
  • Use well-lit routes and, if applicable, campus escorts or shuttles
  • Keep doors locked and don’t prop open building entries

Most large student communities have controlled access, but personal awareness and common sense are still important.

Noise and Lifestyle Fit

Because these properties serve mainly students:

  • Expect more noise, especially weekends and game days
  • Consider higher floors or units farther from common areas if you are sensitive to sound
  • Check quiet hours policies and how they are enforced

If you’re a graduate student, night-shift worker, or someone who values quiet, factor that into your choice.

Practical Steps for Atlanta Residents Considering The Standard at Atlanta

If you’re thinking about living at The Standard at Atlanta or a similar student-focused apartment in the city, here are useful steps:

  1. Visit in person if possible
    Walk the building, check the hallways, elevators, and common spaces. Visit at different times (evening vs mid-afternoon) to get a feel for activity levels.

  2. Ask targeted questions

    • What exactly is included in the rent?
    • Are there utility caps?
    • How are maintenance requests handled and how quickly?
    • Are there guest policies and parking rules?
    • What happens if a roommate moves out or doesn’t pay?
  3. Check with your campus housing office

    • Georgia Tech Housing and Residence Life or GSU University Housing may provide:
      • Off-campus housing guidance
      • Safety tips
      • Info sessions about renting in Atlanta
  4. Review your commute
    Whether you go to Georgia Tech, GSU, or another Atlanta campus, map:

    • Walk or bike routes
    • MARTA stops and travel times
    • Time to reach internships or jobs in Downtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter
  5. Budget with Atlanta costs in mind
    Include:

    • Rent
    • Utilities not included
    • Parking (if you have a car)
    • Transportation costs (MARTA pass, rideshare, gas)
    • Food and daily expenses in Midtown (which can be pricier than some other neighborhoods)

Other Atlanta Resources That Can Help

If you want more structure or support as you explore housing like The Standard at Atlanta, consider reaching out to:

  • Georgia Tech Off-Campus Housing Resources
    Campus offices can help students understand leases, roommates, and local rental norms.

  • Georgia State University Off-Campus Housing Assistance
    GSU students can get guidance tailored to Downtown and nearby neighborhoods.

  • City of Atlanta 311 (Non-Emergency Services)
    Dial 3-1-1 within the city or check for information on:

    • Neighborhood planning units (NPUs)
    • Local code enforcement concerns (noise, trash, etc.)

These resources can provide local context on neighborhood conditions, safety expectations, and tenant responsibilities in Atlanta.

In short, The Standard at Atlanta is part of a larger trend of amenity-rich, student-focused housing near Atlanta campuses, especially Georgia Tech. For many students, it offers a convenient, social place to live close to class and transit. Whether it’s the right fit depends on your budget, noise tolerance, desired level of independence, and how you want to experience life in Atlanta.