East Atlanta is near the epicenter of the city's trendsetting counterculture. The 'hood boasts a diverse mix of dingy bars, a decent smattering of affordable shops and restaurants, and the city's highest concentration of hipsters. The music scene attracts an impressive roster of visiting bands.

Things to do in East Atlanta

Get late-night eats at Octopus Bar

Six nights a week, after 10...

This verdant, diverse, and quiet neighborhood has a storied history of being a good place to settle down and raise a family - while still being close to the East Atlanta haunts you enjoyed in your younger days.

Things to do in Ormewood

Eat some salted caramel ice cream at Morelli's

The tiny shop has had a huge impact on Atlanta's ice cream rep, earning accolades from national and local...

Don't write off this one-time Civil War outpost. Anchored by a charming town square - a longtime stomping ground for antique enthusiasts that's also home to culture, dining, and nightlife options - and boasting more than its share of impressive old houses and historic sites, the city has managed to craft a reputation as a diamond in the roughs of suburbia.

Things to do in Marietta

Check...

Still not entirely gentrified, Kirkwood is a fascinating hodgepodge of restored two-story homes, old rooming houses, and quaint bungalows. The downtown retail district is slowly blossoming, but most amenities are only a short drive away, and the neighborhood has plenty of park space and bike trails. The active Kirkwood Neighbors' Organization website adds to the feeling of community.

10...

Despite its OTP location and big-box retail strips, Sandy Springs has an urban feel, from the busy lunchtime rush to the crush of rush-hour traffic along Roswell Road. Its active network of community organizations - including the area's largest Jewish population - paired with a selection of boutiques and locally owned restaurants keeps the homogeneity somewhat in check.

Things to do in Sandy...