Understanding Atlanta's Short-Term Rental Landscape: Everything You Need to Know

Hi ya’ll! I am Brandie, your local Atlanta, Georgia, expert with the ApartmentHomeLiving.com team. I think my beloved city is a great location for a variety of reasons, one of which is that it is an amazing city when it comes to short-term rental options and neighborhoods. Atlanta, or the ATL, as it is known locally, is rich with parks, entertainment, restaurants, medical centers, and even professional sports teams. This, along with the bustling business hub that calls the city home and an impressive number of educational facilities, makes Atlanta a city where many people find themselves looking for a place to live, sometimes on a short-term basis. The following will look at some of the best short-term rental neighborhoods and what each offers, all from the perspective of a local who calls the city home:

Atlanta’s Short Term Rental Landscape

Before delving deeper into Atlanta and surrounding area neighborhoods that are great for short-term rentals, it’s helpful to consider the short-term rental landscape of the city overall. As you probably know, not all cities are created equal when it comes to this niche demographic. Overall, Atlanta’s short-term rental market is favorable for renters, thanks to the fact that there has been a surge in new apartment construction and more flexible housing options. Some rental options even include fully-furnished, move-in-ready housing choices that are ideally suited for short-term renting.

The Best Atlanta Neighborhoods for Short-Term Renting

The following will look more specifically at the individual areas or neighborhoods within Atlanta that are ideally suited for short-term rental living and that offer a variety of benefits for renters that make them stand out among other area locations for this specific living need:

Midtown

Midtown apartments for rent is an area ideally suited for short-term renting. It is known as a magnet area for career-focused renters and young professionals and the area boasts a vibrant work-play vibe that makes staying here fun. Midtown is dominated by luxurious, modern high-rises with some mixed-use developments, all with some plush amenities. Another fact that makes Midtown a good option for short-term renting is the fact that the neighborhood is immensely walkable. In fact, it is one of the few local neighborhoods that you can easily access without the use of a car. It has three MARTA rail stations that provide access to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Downtown, and Buckhead, though. It also is home to the 185-acre Piedmont Park, Woodruff Arts Center, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This is a highly energetic area with lots of coffee shops, restaurants, and more, especially around Juniper Street and Tech Square. This makes the noise level a little loud at night, but nothing that isn’t expected in a thriving city. It also is difficult to park here, which only increases the benefits of walking or taking public transit to and from work or recreation.

Old Fourth Ward

Another good option when it comes to short-term rentals is the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, known locally as simply the O4W. Within the Old Fourth Ward, there are a variety of short-term housing options, from furnished apartments, to industrial lofts and luxury apartments to vacation homes. This area is Beltline-adjacent, making it a highly desirable hotspot. Short term in this area can mean renting a few days to a week or even leasing months at a time. Old Fourth Ward is another Atlanta neighborhood that is ideally suited to walking, which means daily errands can easily be handled on foot.

For longer commutes, though, you will need to either drive or access the MARTA rail system in nearby Midtown or Downtown. When renting in the O4W, you will have access to the aforementioned Atlanta Beltline, including the desirable Eastside Trail. Here, you can enjoy premiere paths that can connect you to local events, restaurants and parks. In addition, the historic Forth Ward Park (with a splash pad, lake and green space) making up 17 acres is also part of this desirable area. This neighborhood is anchored by Ponce City Market, which contains premiere retailers and an impressive food hall. You are also close to music venues like Venkman’s when choosing the Old Fourth Ward. The neighborhood overall is deeply historic, allowing you to learn about Atlanta's civil rights legacy when renting here.

Virginia-Highland

Due to its central location, being east of Midtown, Virginia Highland, also known as just VaHi, allows for short commutes to nearby Ponce City Market and major employment centers. It also borders the already covered Atlanta Beltline via commute. This neighborhood, although still providing access to the city proper, has a more suburban vibe with a small-town feel. It is equally preferred by young professionals and families alike. Virginia Highland has a great neighborhood layout made up of strollable walkways, boasting restaurants, coffee shops, and access to the North Highland Avenue nightlife. It is known for its 1920s bungalows, Foursquare houses, and Craftsman cottages, but also has a great number of options in terms of apartment buildings and private home rentals. I personally love this tree-lined area both for the dining options and just the overall ambience or vibe. VaHi is within walking distance of Piedmont Park, which is a great location for enjoying festivals. It also features dog parks and is considered one of the city’s top green spaces. Active local organizations like the Virginia-Highland Civic Association put on several beloved annual events, including a December historic home tour and the ultra well-attended Virginia-Highland Summerfest. This only further adds to their neighborhoods' overall appeal.

West Midtown

This area, which was once an industrial hub, and, let’s face it, a bit of an eyesore (at least that’s my opinion), has thankfully evolved into one of my favorite neighborhoods and one of the city’s trendiest. West Midtown, due to its unique background and modern revival, offers a mixture of residential options, including those that are short term, such as townhomes, chic apartments, and sleek lofts. Many of these properties are converted and fully renovated warehouses, which only adds to the neighborhood's urban, artsy feel.

Choosing from short-term rentals in West Midtown is ideal for extended business trips, test-driving a new neighborhood, or even corporate relocations as lease options range from several days to months. In West Midtown, you are mere steps away from high-end retail, top-rated restaurants, fun nightlife, and breweries. You are also located near the Interlock, which is a 24/7 destination for shopping, dining, and more. In addition, TechSquare Labs is here in West Midtown, which is another dining and entertainment space that is always buzzing. There are also nearby MARTA stations that make commuting even easier. West Midtown is centrally located in the city and is mere minutes away (commute) from Midtown, Downtown, and has access to major highways like 1-85 and 1-75, which are often key to commuting into metro Atlanta. West Midtown is a hotspot for creatives and foodies looking to put down roots (at least temporarily) in a trendy, fun, location with plenty to see and do!

Inman Park

Located west of Moreland Avenue and east of Downtown Atlanta is Inman Park. The roads, Euclid Avenue, Elizabeth Street, and North Highland Avenue provide the central arteries of this desirable neighborhood. Inman Park/ Reynoldstown station for the MARTA rail system is located here, offering access to both the blue and green lines. There are a variety of Inman Park short-term rentals available in the area, which boasts a city feel with a tight-knit community atmosphere. Historic bungalows, Victoria-era homes, townhomes and modern apartment complexes offer a wide variety of housing options.

This desirable location was once the city of Atlanta’s very first planned suburb and was developed in the late 19th century. Today, it has been revitalized into a place that promotes creative lifestyles and artistic charm while maintaining a rich historic legacy. It is near both the Atlanta Beltline and Krog Street Market, meaning you can access any of these areas easily. Shops, trendy eateries and other neat locations make up the vibe of the Inman Park neighborhood. However, one of the most popular draws to the area is likely the annual Inman Park Festival. At this annual event, you can enjoy everything that makes Atlanta and Inman Park so special, namely the area’s rich local culture and the arts. In addition, the neighborhood, overall, is walkable, giving you access to the neighborhood’s shops, boutiques, and cafés, all on foot.

Eastside Atlanta

Eastside Atlanta, also known as East Atlanta Village (EAV) was originally a Civil War battleground, which has been transformed into a diverse neighborhood known for its welcoming vibe and artistic culture. If you want to check out the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama (which was once located in East Atlanta), it is now in the Atlanta History Museum in Buckhead. Anyway, back to the EAV, it is known today for its locally-owned shops, live music, bars, and farmers markets. Glenwood and Flat Shoals make up the bulk of the neighborhood attractions. Here, you will find a melting pot of bookshops, artisan bakeries, bike shops, clothing stores, pubs and restaurants. Pubs like The Earl and The Basement at the Graveyard are excellent locations to go see live music groups perform, including national, regional, and local bands. The EAV area is characterized by promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle and by featuring lush green spaces and being immensely walkable.

Piedmont Park is located on the northern edge of this neighborhood and this location is also home to Zoo Atlanta and historic sites like Oakland Cemetery and Grant Park. When it comes to short-term housing options, you can find everything from townhomes and modern apartments to historic single-family homes. Eastside is an energetic community with a mixture of new construction and bungalows. Staying in the neighborhood you won’t even need a vehicle, but when you commute into the city, Eastside offers easy access to I-20, I-75 and I-85.

Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta offers unparalleled access to corporate business headquarters, MARTA transit stations (Five Points Station or Peachtree Center) and major attractions. There are many fully-furnished, move-in-ready spaces/apartments that are ideally suited to short-term renting. Here, in Downtown, you are just steps away from Centennial Olympic Park, the site of Georgia’s Olympic legacy and home of the 1996 Summer Olympics, which now features the fountain of rings, Olympic rings, and Skyview Atlanta, which is a huge Ferris Wheel. The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and College Football Hall of Fame are also located here.

Downtown Atlanta is home to central business locations like the Georgia World Congress Center. You are even a short walk from the State Farm Arena, home of the NBA Hawks, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United soccer team. There is plenty to do and experience in Downtown, and you are near all the other areas listed above if you want to venture away from the city a bit and enjoy some green spaces or locally owned boutiques and eateries. When compared to other urban business hubs, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York, living in Downtown Atlanta will give you more affordable living space, even right in the heart of the central financial and government hub of the region. Meaning, you, as a professional, will be near corporate headquarters, state offices and other business destinations when choosing to reside Downtown, while still being able to maintain a decent budget.

Short Term Rental Options

The seven neighborhoods listed above are far from a comprehensive list of the city’s entire footprint, not to mention those areas right outside the city proper. However, they do highlight some areas that are particularly advantageous in terms of short-term renting. Most, if not all of them, boast walkability along with a variety of housing options. They also showcase the rich cultural heritage of this city I love and exhibit some of its most beloved artistic areas. When moving into the area short term, no matter the reason, I want to be the very first to welcome you and say I hope you love this city as much as I do!