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The Complete Atlanta Resource Directory for New Residents

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Moving to a new city can be one of the most thrilling endeavors any individual or family undertakes. At the same time, few experiences are more stressful, exhausting, and downright overwhelming.

When you’ve lived in the same place for a while, you have a strong sense of how things work. You navigate the roads without any help from GPS, know what time the post office opens in the morning, and have a sense of which schools might be the best fit for your kids.

When you move to a brand new place, though, it can feel like you’re starting from scratch. Without a clear lay of the land, the whole process can feel like a bit too much to handle.

If you’re moving to Atlanta, you’re in luck. Not only will you benefit from the famous Southern hospitality of the residents here, but we’ve also created a complete guide to Atlanta resources to help you adjust to your new life in the Big Peach.

Finding a Place to Live

Once you’ve made the decision to call Atlanta your home, it’s time to zoom in on the map a bit. Where in Atlanta will you live?

Atlanta Neighborhoods

Whether you want to feel like you live in the center of it all or you’re more interested in a quiet suburban lifestyle, there’s something in Atlanta for you. The metro area is so huge that it can be hard to know where to start.

Here are some neighborhood guides you can use to narrow down the search before you start shopping for a home or apartment:

Is it one of your priorities to live in a walkable neighborhood? If so, make sure you check out Atlanta’s Walk Score to help you hone in on the perfect spot to wander around on foot.

Renting a Home

Are you more interested in renting than buying? Are you thinking about being a tenant for a while before you buy your forever home?

Let’s look at some of the most useful tools for finding a place to rent in the greater Atlanta area:

Do you keep finding the perfect place to rent only to find that the lease is already signed with another tenant by the time you get in touch with the property manager? One trick you can use is to hone in on the specific neighborhood you want to live in. From there, determine the dominant landlords or management companies and call them directly. Using this tactic, you can often catch wind of places that haven’t yet been put on the market.

Buying a Home

Are you not interested in playing the apartment rental game? No problem.

Here are some of the most useful resources out there for finding the perfect home in Atlanta:

As home prices across the country have been on the rise, the question of affordability has increasingly been on the minds of Americans shopping for a new place to call home. For some insight into the areas of Atlanta where you can get the most bang for your buck, check out our list of the most affordable Atlanta suburbs.

Setting Up Utilities

When it’s time to turn on the lights and get the water running, who do you call?

Here are some vital resources for getting your utilities all set up in time for you to move in:

Emergency Directory

The city of Atlanta has 2,000 officers in its Atlanta Police Department. Emergency ambulance services in the city are provided by Grady EMS (Fulton County) and American Medical Response (DeKalb County.)

In Atlanta, 911 is the number to call if you have an emergency on your hands. For non-emergency services and general information, you can dial 311 when you’re inside the city limits. If you’re calling from outside the city, dial 404-546-0311.

For non-emergency numbers for each Georgia county, you can find the right number using the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Local 911 Center Directory.

Atlanta Schools

If you’re moving to Atlanta with your family, one of the biggest questions weighing on your mind is where your kids will attend school.

Through the following links, you can find all the information you need about the schools in the Atlanta area, both public and private:

Searching for private schools for your kids? Make sure you check out our guide to the best private schools in the greater Atlanta area.

Crime Resources

Knowing that you’re safe is one of the most important parts of making your new home really feel like home.

Here are some vital resources you can use to understand the areas where crime is most prevalent in the city:

Transportation

How are you planning on getting around once you live in Atlanta? Whether looking for parking, hopping on the next bus, or checking out the bike trails, you can find all the resources you’ll need right here.

Airports

In and around the Atlanta metro area, there are twelve airports. In general, though, the one you’ll need to know about is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Here are some resources you’ll want to take a look at before your next trip:

Located roughly 10 miles south of the city, this huge airport has more than 200 gates. If you love to travel or your work requires you to be constantly hopping from city to city, living near this major international airport will be highly convenient. Said to be one of the busiest airports in the world, this is the primary hub of Delta Airlines.

The other airports in the general Atlanta region are:

  • Augusta Regional Airport (AGS)

  • Columbus Airport (CSG)

  • Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN)

  • Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY)

  • Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD)

  • Athens-Ben Epps Airport (AHN)

  • Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK)

  • Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

  • DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK)

  • Fulton County Airport (FTY)

  • Cobb County International Airport (RYY)

Bus and Rail Line Routes

Whether you’re trying to get around the city or looking to hop a Greyhound out of town, there are some of the resources you’ll need to travel in Atlanta by bus.

You can check schedules, routes, and transit services below:

  • Greyhound Atlanta Bus Station

  • MARTA Bus Routes and Schedule

  • MARTA Rail Line Routes and Schedule: A part of the MARTA transit system, the MARTA rail network has four service lines. Transfers between all four lines are only possible at the Five Points station. Trains are identified by their destinations, and automated announcements inform travelers of the destinations, connections, and nearby landmarks.

  • Atlanta Streetcar: A 2.7-mile looping streetcar service, this connects the King Historic District and Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta.

  • The Buc: A free shuttle service that will help you get around Buckhead quickly.

  • Gwinnett County Transit: Gwinnett County Transit serves Gwinnett County, Downtown, and Midtown.

  • CobbLinc: CobbLinc services Cobb, Midtown, and Downtown.

  • Xpress: Xpress serves Cobb, Downtown, Midtown, Gwinnett, Buckhead, and Perimeter Circle.

Trails

Is it time to get out and stretch those legs? Hoping to take a bike ride to see the sites?

Check out the following sites for all the info you need about trails in and around the Atlanta area:

  • PATH Metro Atlanta Trails: Turning abandoned railroad lines into green spaces that link neighborhoods and city centers, PATH now has a network of more than 180 miles of trails.

  • Atlanta BeltLine: When complete, the Atlanta BeltLine trails will create a 32-mile loop around the city in the form of paved bicycle and pedestrian trails. You can find information about the currently open trails here.

  • AllTrails Atlanta Hiking Trails Map: AllTrails is a popular fitness and travel app with more than 400,000 trails in its database. You can find tons of great outdoor trails using this resource, with easy search functions based on the length of the hike, difficulty, whether dogs are allowed on the trail and more.

  • Georgia National Parks: There are eleven National Parks in Georgia, plus National Scenic Trails, National Historic Sites, and more. You can even hike part of the Appalachian Trail, the 2,190+ trail that goes all the way to Maine.

  • Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest: A little more than an hour north of the city, this beautiful spot features nearly 867,000 acres. With about 850 miles of recreation trails, thousands of miles of gorgeous streams, dozens of campgrounds, and much more, this is the perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Parking

If you’re planning on driving when you’re getting around the city, one big question is going to be where to park.

Here are some sites you can use to figure out the most convenient and affordable parking options no matter where you’re headed:

Parks and Recreation

Once you have all of the basics figured out, it’s time to explore the most beautiful spots in the city! You’ll find there’s no shortage of great parks to explore and plenty of recreational areas where you and your family can run around or play your favorite sport. 

Here are some links that will help you find the best green space or activity for your next outing:

For more information about where to go and what to do in Atlanta, check out our list of the best country clubs and golf courses, the top 25 family-friendly attractions, and explore the historic districts and landmarks in Intown Atlanta.

Finding Your Perfect New Home in Atlanta

Shopping for a new home can be both thrilling and overwhelming. The Atlanta area offers a diverse selection of neighborhoods, lifestyles, architectural styles, and price ranges, so there really is something for everyone here. At the same time, it can be difficult to navigate the many different options on the table and determine which one is right for you.

If you’re moving to Atlanta from out of town, the Justin Landis Group is here to help. With more than 2,500 five-star reviews, we’re the highest-rated realtor team in the entire metro Atlanta area. When you work with us, you won’t just have access to one real estate professional but an entire team of world-class real estate experts. Using our time-tested systems, we are confident that you can receive the best possible results when 

It’s our mission to help you achieve your real estate goals, no matter what they may be. Whether you’re just starting to shop around or you have a shortlist of homes you’re interested in, get in touch with us today to get started.