Quantifying the characteristics of the best neighborhoods for families in Atlanta

Analyzing Atlanta, Georgia through location data

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help homebuyers, renters, and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We examine thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where you may want to live.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Atlanta’s average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best Atlanta neighborhoods for families as well as the city’s average. We analyzed the locations by the following family-friendly scores:

• Quiet: Level of noise nearby
• Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Elementary Schools: Distance to closest elementary school
• High Schools: Distance to closest high school

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Ranking urban Atlanta’s most family-friendly neighborhoods

Here’s our data-informed list of urban Atlanta’s most family-friendly neighborhoods:

1. Virginia-Highland

Virginia-Highland (also known as VaHi) prides itself on being a “cool neighborhood” in Atlanta. It’s known for its cool restaurants and unique shops, and allows for locals and tourists to flow with each other. People of all ages love to come together for the Virginia-Highland Summerfest, and the annual Tour of Homes event every December.

Not only is it a great opportunity for neighbors to meet one another, but local restaurants team up with homeowners and offer food tastings to visitors. Another popular attraction in the neighborhood is the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. During the school year, send your youngest children to Virginia-Highland Elementary School and your teenagers to the highly-rated Midtown High School.

2. Candler Park

Candler Park is a historic neighborhood that surrounds a 55-acre park by the same name. The park offers a number of activities for the whole family, including a nine-hole golf course, a swimming pool, a football field, a soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground.

The Candler Park Neighborhood Organization offers many opportunities for community involvement. Some of its current projects include the BiRacial History Project and the Candler Park Conservancy. Similarly to Virginia-Highland, the neighborhood has a highly anticipated annual Fall Fest.

3. Lake Claire

Lake Claire is a tiny neighborhood in East Atlanta. Despite its name, there is no body of water to accompany it. Given its size of approximately 1200 homes, it shares the same zoned schools as the Virginia-Highland and Candler Park neighborhoods. Residents appreciate the neighborhood’s walkability, dog-friendliness, and the chance to spend time in Lake Claire Park.

The Lake Claire Community Land Trust puts on a lot of events in the neighborhood’s outdoor spaces, including a Therapeutic Art Thursday and an Easter Egg Hunt for the area’s children.

4. Ormewood Park

Like Lake Claire, the Ormewood Park neighborhood is also in East Atlanta. It was first developed in the late 1800s, but started to have a noticeably new identity in the 1990s. The neighborhood is generally walkable, dog friendly, and is in close proximity to Zoo Atlanta, making it a great choice for families. In 2016, the Ormewood Park Civic Association launched the Ormewood Park Makers Festival; it was attended by about 3000 people.

Neighborhood residents who attend can look forward to live music, local craftsmen offering their wares, and a neighborhood tour aboard an historic trolley. During the week, send your elementary-aged children to Parkside Elementary School and your high schoolers to The New School.

5. Peachtree Heights East

Peachtree Heights East is a tight-knit, family-oriented community. If you’re a family that loves to be outdoors, there are plenty of options for you to choose from including the popular Duck Pond Park.

Although there aren’t a great deal of notable amenities in the neighborhood itself, you and your family can appreciate being close to the Georgia Aquarium and the High Museum of Art. For weekday educational experiences, send your children to school at E. Rivers Elementary School or North Atlanta High School.

Finding the right neighborhood in Atlanta for your family

If you and your family like to spend time outside, and if being part of a community or neighborhood-specific organization is important for you to have where you live next, then one of our best neighborhoods in Atlanta for families could be the perfect choice.

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in Atlanta. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you and your family.