Where to Live Near ATL Airport

A Guide to the Tri-Cities

If you’ve just landed a job at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest airport and the anchor of Georgia’s economy, chances are you’re wondering where to live.

You don’t have to look far from your workplace. Aside from the vibrant city of Atlanta 10 miles north, the Aerotropolis region are three connected cities built for those working at the airport or in a supporting transportation industry.

Hapeville, College Park, and East Point make up this Tri-Cities of Aerotropolis. Each offers a short commute, and a distinct neighborhood vibe with their own advantages and charm. From small-town artsy communities to historic buildings that once defined them, this is Aerotropolis.

Here is our brief guide to each of the Tri-Cities to help you decide where to rent close to work.

Hapeville

 

• Pros: Main Street historic district, “A Home for the Arts” - walks and concert series; good public schools
• Cons: Not great MARTA rail access.

Hapeville, one of three Aerotropolis cities, holds recognition for its Main Street District and thriving arts scene. Named “A Home of the Arts”, its local government has put thoughtful effort into its local artists, transforming old shipping containers into studio and gallery spaces and holding coordinated gallery crawls for the city’s residents to support artist residencies.

A walk through Hapeville’s downtown will display colorful street murals, eclectic mom and pop restaurants, and family-friendly splash pads and museums.

Neighborhood Vibe & Things to Do

From an adorable downtown to the massive Delta Flight Museum, there are a lot of things to do in Hapeville for both families and young people.

Hapeville hosts community events throughout the year such as its seasonal Gallery Crawls, where residents are invited to explore local studios and pop-up galleries in Arts Alley with live music and interactive artistic experiences. Enjoy Movie Nights Under the Stars, festive holiday celebrations, and niche occasions at Jess Lucas Park.

The city of Hapeville is robust and versatile with historical roots in aviation, railroads, and major transportation companies. Free workshops and walking tours are hosted by the Hapeville Depot Museum throughout the year. The Delta Flight Museum, Porsche Experience Center, and Academy Theatre provide fun weekend or evening outings.

The downtown area is also a hub of homey restaurants and pubs, each walkable from the next. Nearby for a relaxing outdoor stroll is John R Lewis Park, frequented for scenic walks along the community garden and for the kids’ splash pad.

Your Commute & Rental Options

Hapeville is the perfect town for airport workers to live in because the commute is just five minutes. There are also apartments in the area specifically designed for airport workers with preferred employer discounts and amenities to support a work-life balance.

Solis Hapeville is a new luxury apartment in Hapeville offering studio to three-bedroom apartments, waived admin and application fees for airline workers, and a stunning rooftop lounge with a view of airplanes taking off.

Safety & Considerations

Hapeville is regarded as a safe, family-friendly town. Downtown Hapeville has a walk score of 79 with some bike infrastructure, while other parts of town vary. Renting at Solis Hapeville puts you in the center of downtown with the best walkability.

There is no MARTA station in Hapeville to get into the main parts of Atlanta, though you can get on the MARTA from the station at the airport. The city is also bordered by I-75 and I-85, which makes travel north with a car very easy.

Public schools in Hapeville, such as Hapeville Elementary, rank slightly higher than those in East Point and College Park, another consideration if you are a family looking to live in the Tri-Cities.

College Park

 

• Pros: Historic College Park District, Gateway Center Campus, strong MARTA access; Woodward Academy
• Cons: Safety varies block-by-block; low-rated public schools

College Park, once a railroad depot, is now home to Gateway Center Arena and a tight-knit Historic College Park District.

Historic College Park, which is the area around Main Street, north of Camp Creek Parkway, is one of the largest historic districts in Georgia, boasting historically registered structures from the city’s railroad days in the mid 1800s.

Historic College Park and the adjacent downtown are where most of the city’s amenities are located. While not known for the arts as Hapeville is, it is home to Atlanta’s pro basketball teams, the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and NBA G-League College Park Skyhawks.

Neighborhood Vibe & Things to Do

The best restaurants in College Park will be along Main Street, the heart of the city, where you’ll find Southern comfort brunch and homestyle soul food with relaxed outdoor patios and live music.

Walk downtown or along the peaceful track at Barrett Park. The hilly College Park Golf Course is the most popular spot for adult recreation.

Living in College Park also means the best access to Gateway Center Arena where you can catch a game or a concert.

Your Commute & Rental Options

If renting in College Park, your best options are in the downtown Historic College Park district as this area is safer and walkable. The apartment options here tend to be less luxurious and older than the ones in Hapeville, so if you’re on a budget and care less about family-friendliness and amenities, College Park may be suited for your needs.

The MARTA station runs directly from the airport to College Park Main Street, an option for those living in the downtown area. If driving, you’re only a few short miles from the airport and I-85 conveniently runs the eastern border of the city for those travelling into Atlanta.

Safety & Considerations

College Park is relatively safe, specifically in the Historic Main Street District and near the Georgia International Convention Center where owner-occupied homes and foot traffic are more prevalent.

If you are a family looking for a city with good public schools, College Park ranks lower in the Fulton County School District. Though, it is notably home to Woodward Academy, a prestigious and expensive private school highly regarded for its education curriculum, and Wolf Creek Elementary, an above-average public elementary school.

East Point

 

• Pros: Varied activity; The Velodrome, MARTA access

• Cons: Safety varies block by block; low-rated public schools

The third of the Tri-Cities is East Point, located north of Hapeville and College Park and six miles from downtown Atlanta. Like College Park, much of the population here rent rather than own their homes. East Point sits in the middle of the other Tri-Cities in terms of median income and median age, having a balanced suburban population matching that of the Intown Atlanta metro.

The City of East Point originated because it was the eastern end point of the Atlanta and West Point Railroads. Today, it maintains many of its legacy structures in the East Point Historic Civic Block consisting of the City Hall, City Auditorium, City Library, and Victory Park.

Neighborhood Vibe & Things to Do

Along and around East Point’s characteristic downtown Main Street district, you’ll find coffee shops, beer pubs, and casual grub in old brick storefronts like Arches Brewing and Charis Upstairs Bar.

Many of East Point’s attractions are outside of downtown, such as the Velodrome in Sumner Park which conducts casual cycling events supporting residential wellness and a Pro Race Series.

Windmill Arts, now Vesper Theater, supports the performing arts culture in East Point with live shows, films, and festivals.

Join a recreational adult soccer, softball, frisbee, or cycling league while leaving in East Point. Find a walking path or playground for your kids at Sumner Park or Sykes Park. Outdoor play is plentiful in this city.

Eat and shop at Camp Creek Marketplace, a one-stop shop for groceries, dining, and retail.

Fort McPherson, once a major US Army base, is now owned by Tyler Perry Studios for movie production and will soon become a master-planned walkable commercial and retail district.

Your Commute & Rental Options

East Point has an array of apartment complexes from top-rated renovated apartment buildings to townhome-style rentals but lacks the number of new builds found in Hapeville.

Many of the rental options in East Point are old with modern renovations, which cause them to have a cheaper price point.

The MARTA station runs straight through Main Street in East Point, going south into College Park and the airport, which is a benefit to airline and airport workers.

Safety & Considerations

If renting in East Point, it is worth staying close to the Main Street corridor and stray farther from Washington Road and Old National Highway. The city has reported a decrease in crime in recent years (many crimes are petty property crime and theft) though crime rates are worth considering during your rental search.

Like College Park, the public Fulton County schools in East Point rank below average. The well-rated Fulton County public schools nearby are located in Atlanta, Hapeville, and College Park. While many opt for charter, private, or public schools in different zones, every experience is different.

Live Well in Hapeville, GA Near the Airport

If you’ve chosen Hapeville as your preferred Aerotropolis city, look no further than Solis Hapeville.

With first-class amenities, a rooftop lounge that overlooks planes taking off, and beautifully crafted studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, Solis Hapeville provides a home oasis where you need it most.

Discover modern and stylish apartment features, amenities that support a quick and easy routine, and a Preferred Employer Program. Living here is your ideal choice close to work.