A metropolitan area with suburban tendencies, Marietta is the typical middle sister city, if you will. But not in the annoying Jan Brady way. Nestled between glam little sister, Atlanta and more settled older sister, Alpharetta, Marietta is a fabulous combo of the two. Bubbling with southern charm, a deep sense of pride and a sort of urban attitude, Marietta is a diverse area full of people from all walks of life, backgrounds and religions (in fact, there are over 150 places of worship here).
Minutes from the North Georgia mountains and a short car ride away from the excitement of downtown Atlanta, Marietta is a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll and a lot of what a great city should be.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly exciting southern town without a bit of history (Civil War battlefields), mystique (the city inspired Gone With the Wind), excitement (theme parks) and college students (Embry Riddle and Southern Polytechnic). The outdoor spaces (parks and green ways) and amazing shopping are just added bonuses. Humid climate.
Moving to and living in Marietta is about wanting the best of all worlds. It is about embracing four very distinct, very different seasons (holy, hot summers Batman!), waving at your neighbors (howdy, y’all) and learning to love the local Marietta landmark aka the big chicken off of U.S. 41.
Got all that? Good. Now, let’s find you a place to call home.
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Neighborhoods in Marietta, GA:
Settling into Marietta isn’t too hard. Small town charm and urban hipness coexist here and the key is finding out which area speaks to you. Are you hip and trendy? Do lofts in historic settings appeal to you? Or are you more of outdoorsy type who loves nature trails and cozy, country living? Marietta offers all of these options…and then some. Let’s figure out where you fall on the spectrum of charming to hip, shall we?
North Marietta: A wealthy/upper middle class area, North Marietta is home to many married couples and families. More suburban than other parts of the city, North Marietta is home to large houses (some valued in the millions and good schools. Let’s just say if Scarlett were alive today, this is where she and Rhett would live out their dysfunctional days. But living in an affluent area means having it all, even with apartment living. Apartments here feature views of Buckhead (Atlanta’s affluent neighborhood), mountainside pools, volleyball courts, fireplaces, & complimentary tennis lessons. Don’t worry, some complexes offer student discounts. A one bedroom will run you about $575 and will put you close to shopping, dining, fishing and other activities. $$$-$$$$
East Marietta: A middle to upper middle income area, East Marietta features access to major highways (I-75, I-285), the Cumberland mall and the local Air Force Base. 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, this is a great spot for those who commute for work, as rents aren’t staggering and living here provides proximity to everything. The homes here tend to be larger, established and expensive. The apartments and townhomes located in this area offer campus shuttles, jogging trails, pools, tennis courts and the like. This neighborhood is the perfect mix of young professionals, singles, couples and families. 2 bedroom apartments start around $ 720 and go up from there. $$-$$$$
West Marietta: Another well-blended neighborhood, West Marietta is home to families, couples, seniors and college students. Families like it for the great public and private schools. Younger couples love it for the proximity to the TownCenter Mall and major highways (I-75, I-575). West Marietta tends to be a bit more quaint than its counterparts, featuring more greenery, apartments set on acres (with coffee lounges and other perks—pun intended) and picture perfect family homes (ranches, colonials, Craftsmans). A reasonably priced area, you can find a one bedroom for around $500 and two bedrooms for $675. $$-$$$
Downtown Marietta: Close to college campuses and oozing with history, Downtown Marietta living is charming and exciting all at the same time. Dining, shopping and entertainment down here are some of the best in the city and you will often find residents enjoying the outdoor spaces, taking in a show at the Theatre in the Square—a year round professional theatre, taking in a concert, or enjoying the weekly farmer’s market. The homes here are historic and have a certain kind of southern character about them that makes them worth every penny. While apartments can be few and far between down here, the living is ideal. Some historic buildings, such as the Brumby (which used to make those old rocking chairs) have been converted into lofts/apartment spaces downtown, just steps away from the Historic district. These apartments often feature hardwood floors, some loft options, exposed brick, private balconies, fitness centers and controlled access for safety. Perfect area for young professionals, hip couples and college students. Studios in historic buildings start around $700, while apartments in standard buildings with nice amenities will run you around $660 for a 2 bed/1bath. $$-$$$$
Things to Know:
Marietta gets HOT during the summer (think parasols, hand held fans and sweet tea), so be sure to find an apartment with a community pool or join a gym or rec center that has one. You'll thank us later.
The traffic (see below) can be a nightmare. Leave early for work, appointments and the airport. Speaking of the airport, it is huge and you may never get adjusted to it, as it’s one of the busiest in the nation.
Because it’s a suburb of Atlanta (technically), you are welcome to claim allegiance to the professional sports teams and are only minutes from the stadiums.
MARTA, MARTA MARTA (transportation):
No, it’s not the name of a famous resident, though there are plenty from Marietta—Alton Brown, Ty Pennington, the Black Crowes and a ton of professional wrestlers—it is the name of the public transit system. A reliable transit line, MARTA has stops throughout the city and brings residents through the entire Metropolitan/Atlanta area by bus and rail line.
Though a majority of residents rely on MARTA to avoid hellacious Atlanta traffic (we are talking Washington, D.C. level traffic here during rush hour), most Marietta residents commute by car. Relying on I-85, I-285, I-575, I-75, residents here are road warriors, spending anywhere from 30 minutes to more than an hour a day commuting. This may be one reason why the metro area has SO many great radio stations.
Moving to Marietta guarantees that you will never be bored (unless you’re just really boring). No matter which end of the city you choose to call home, there is something for you to do, see, eat and explore. The perfect blend of suburbia meeting city life, Marietta is dependable with a certain southern beauty. Whether you’re a modern day Scarlett O’Hara or an independent soul, one thing is for sure: good ‘ol reliable, glue of the family Marietta awaits you.
