Decatur

"An Up and Coming City"
Northeast of Atlanta lies Decatur, a city unto itself, which is a favorite for many professionals, young families, and couples. Established in 1822, Decatur was named after Stephen Decatur, a naval hero from the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Today, Decatur is an up and coming city, experiencing a resurgence due to its downtown development efforts. There’s a great sense of community as demonstrated by the numerous activities the residents enjoy, including outdoor concerts, annual beach parties, a Blues & Bluegrass festival, and a July 4 celebration with all of the trimmings including a parade, a concert and a fireworks show.

Decatur is filled with signature places to eat, drink, and simply enjoy yourself. Downtown shopping includes over thirty stores, or for a mall shopping experience, there’s the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall and the North DeKalb Mall, Bars popular in the area include Taco Mac, Brick Store Pub, Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards, and Universal Joint. Restaurants include Raging Burrito, Sushi Avenue, Sidechick, and Grindhouse Killer Burgers, as well as many chef-owned eateries. Decatur is a busy city with a small town sense of community - perfect for people looking for a friendly neighborhood, full of fun things to do.
What Decatur Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.7
value
7.7
amenities
7.0
social
6.0
management
7.0
safety
4.3
Median rents in Decatur
Studio
$
1 Bedroom
$
1,380
2 Bedroom
$
1,460

Living in
Decatur

Safe Neighborhood
Nearby Groceries and Shopping Centers
Close to Emory
Vibrant Restaurants and Bars
Decatur — 8.1/10 Rating (based on 52 neighborhood reviews)
Druid Hills is the home neighborhood of Emory, the CDC, and lots of other areas. It is also close to Midtown, downtown Decatur, Inman Park, etc. so a good time is never far away. Lots of restaurants and grocery stores. The university provides lots of activities. Plenty of parks and walking trails if you know where to look.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
Downtown Decatur has a lot of nice restaurants without the chaos associated with the metropolitan Atlanta scene. I would describe it as a suburb that makes you feel good to come home to. It's not to far from areas of interest such as Ponce City and Midtown.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Reserve Decatur
I really enjoy Decatur. It's right outside the city, relatively quiet, and has a lot of green space so good for walks/hikes. The Decatur Square is definitely a site to check out for good food and drinks.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Decatur Crossing
Great area. Down the road there is a shopping center with grocery stores, restaurants, and banks. Also close to trail system that you can walk your dog on.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
3131 Apartments
Downtown Decatur is cute! Decatur is cheaper and quieter than midtown so its a good option for first year.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Reserve Decatur
I would recommend living near downtown Decatur to everyone. It can be expensive, but the Decatur community in unmatched. It has a unique neighborhood feel, even though it's in close proximity to Atlanta. The restaurants and shops are fantastic, and there are always community events going on -- like a beach or a bonfire in the middle of Ponce de Leon.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Alexan 1133
The neighborhood was our biggest draw to ARLO. Decatur is a prime neighborhood with so much to offer. There are dozens of bars and eclectic restaurants within walking distance, and it's only about a ten minute drive to Walmart and Kroger. MARTA transit is super easy to midtown Manhattan to go see concerts or sporting events. I guess a downside is that there's only a dozen or so Goizueta students living in Decatur, so you need to Uber or drive to social events held in the Highlands or Midtown.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
ARLO
Great area: lots of shopping/food options, easy access. Overall safety is average.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Paces Park Apartments
Only downside is that you have to cross major roads to get to walking paths.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Alexan 1133
I don't have any issues with the neighborhood. Seems really safe!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
This isn't the most fun area to live in, but I've got a Target nearby so I can't complain. I do find it takes way too long to get to Trader Joe's for my taste, but there's a Kroger really close that partially makes up for that.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clairmont Reserve
Not as exciting as living in Midtown or Buckhead, but there are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores in the area. This is close to campus which minimizes the weekday commute to Emory.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
Safe neighborhood. Easy to walk around if you want to, but things are a little spread out, so it's not a very walkable neighborhood like a more downtown neighborhood would be.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
I love living in Decatur -- it's a great neighborhood with a ton of amenities and diverse culture. It's really one of the best places in the Atlanta area to live!
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
3131 Apartments
The neighborhood is right across the street from the Emory Clairemont Campus. It makes commuting on the Emory shuttles incredibly convenient.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clairmont Reserve
Toco Hills is great, and lots of food at North Decatur/Clairmont. Down Decatur is great, and is a short drive/Lyft/bus away.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clairmont Reserve
Lots of options close by for grocery shopping and complex is a short walk from Toco Hills shopping center
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
3131 Apartments
Great if you like being walking distance from various stores/supermarkets
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
Lot's of international students here, which makes it more comfortable
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
Safe neighborhood, close to Emory, close to restaurants
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
It is near Toco Hills, the area is not the most lively but is close to entertainment and nightlife in Decatur. It's very close to the VA and Emory but Grady is definitely further away.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Viridian
Close to Emory, grocery stores and other things that we NEED but relatively far from "cool" places in Atlanta.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
It is close to Toco Hills which is nice for grocery shopping and grabbing dinner.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Viridian
Lots of restaurants and grocery stores.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
Quiet but can't walk to bars/restaurants
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
3131 Apartments
Decatur is Greater
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
This is where the wealthy in ATL live, and a lot of great restaurants, bars, and little locales are near or in North Druid Hills. Main thing is that a car is absolutely necessary to get around. Public transportation is too sporadic and unreliable to get anywhere consistently.

Uber and Lyft are options, but if you're coming from a large metro area with small wait times for ride-sharing, be prepared to wait upwards of 15-20 minutes for your ride on select days because of road congestion/traffic/driver unavailability.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
Decatur is a very quaint city located just to the side of Atlanta. It is full of little shops, bars, and a large amount of great restaurants. There's a large number of events going on around Decatur regularly.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Reserve Decatur
While the area isn't as exciting as downtown Decatur, you're close to two major shopping plazas and have all the amenities at your fingertips. Being close to campus, too, is a huge bonus.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Woodland Hills
The apartment complex is located really close to a lot of restaurants and supermarkets. It's very convenient to get places. Great location.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Reserve Decatur
Wonderful schools, everyone and their mother is moving to Decatur driving up home prices like no other.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
Walk to Kroger, groceries are nearby -- Sprouts, Dekalb Farmers Market, others. Corner bar/restaurant is Ethiopian. 1st year students can take the shuttle. I always wanted a parking pass first year, next years were much easier. Still ITP. If you have a class that requires you to drive in rush hours it takes time -- there are easy workarounds for this though. I don't know why people fight each other for much less of a place to live in order to be closer to school.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gateway at Cedar Brook
The area is great, lots of food options , transit, nightlife, and reasonable commute to Emory.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Orleans of Decatur
Great for student living. Safe and has everything you need in a reasonable radius.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
President Park
Beautiful and close to Emory. Lots of access to food, transportation, etc.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
Very close to the school and plenty of food options.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
President Park
There are a lot of families who live in this complex. Numerous pet owners too, and a wonderfull green area for everyone to play and have fun in. We are right across the street from the Clairmont Campus.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clairmont Reserve
Restaurants can be pricey, but decent happy hours about in Decatur. Lots of community events take place in walking distance. Across the street from Wednesday Decatur Farmer's Market.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Alexan 1133
Lots of great restaurants, driving is decent around here (for Atlanta anyway). I have 2 Publixes, a Target, and a Walmart within 10 minutes of me. I would highly recommend.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clairmont Reserve
Decatur is a cool area. There isn't all that much social though. The class hardly ever hangs out in Decatur but it's less than a 15 minute drive to campus.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Viridian
North Druid Hills is anchored by Emory, and has a wide range of shops, restaurants, hospitals and other services. You'll likely want a car.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
Close to school and to food, many food options. Not necessarily where you want to live if you like going out.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
Close to school, close to MARTA, has good restaurants and is close to every social gathering places.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
There's many restaurants nearby and it's very close to downtown Decatur.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
There are a few chain-type restaurants in walking distance (and several grocery stores which is great!). However, it's not terribly convenient to access many nicer/better local restaurants or entertainment-type venues so I would say having a car is probably necessary.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott
Viridian is located in a residential area and is not walkable. However, it's a 5 minute drive from the Toco Hills Shopping Center, which is amazing - 2 grocery stores, a pet store, and so many restaurants.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Viridian
This was a good area of Decatur, close to the school and close to a lot of restaurants, fast food, grocery stores, etc. The downside is it was far from Midtown, Buckhead, etc.
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Reviewed by
4
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Inkwell Decatur
The neighborhood is close to the shuttle but it's not convenient if you don't have a car.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Highland Lake
Spiller Park Coffee is goated
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7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Montclair
Just mostly calm (not socially vibrant)
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Place on Ponce
Traffic is extremely high all day long
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Viridian
Amazing neighborhood
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Point On Scott


Getting to Know
Decatur

Neighborhood Boundaries

Best Apartments
in Decatur

Abberly Onyx Apartment Homes
1 Bed $1,640
2 Beds $2,555
3 Beds $3,005

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1133 on the Square
Studio $1,325
1 Bed $1,395
2 Beds $2,175

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Abberly Skye
Studio $1,581
1 Bed $1,728
2 Beds $2,390

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Reserve Decatur
Studio $1,833
1 Bed $1,824
2 Beds $2,352

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Decatur Crossing

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ARLO

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