Decatur is an independent city within the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Delightful progressive small city within Atlanta Metro area
Decatur is an independent city within the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, bordered by the Atlanta neighborhoods of Druid Hills, Lake Claire, and Kirkwood to the west. Decatur’s rich history of being adjacent to but separate from Atlanta stems from the 1830s, when residents rejected plans to build a railroad terminal in the town and prompted the founding of Atlanta. Decatur’s self-contained small-town atmosphere endures despite its proximity to the metropolis of Atlanta. Decatur has been described as Mayberry meets Berkley, a city combining an idyllic old-fashioned small-town vibe with progressive attitudes and a vibrant walkable downtown.
Decatur contains more than 20 distinct neighborhoods and several historic districts. Decatur’s diverse housing options include turn-of-the-century cottages and bungalows, mid-century ranches, modern townhouses and condominiums, and gorgeous contemporary Craftsman homes.
Decatur is a delightful community that is ranked by Niche.com as the #1 best place to live in Georgia. The city’s slogan is “Decatur Where It’s Greater!” and most residents would agree with the message. Decatur has the unique appeal of being a small city within a large metropolitan area. From its outstanding restaurants and craft breweries to the unique festivals and events that bring the community together, Decatur is a place like no other. The community is friendly, close-knit, and walkable.
The tree-lined streets of Downtown Decatur are full of boutique stores, unique restaurants, and craft breweries. The White Bull is a chef-driven eatery that utilizes locally-sourced ingredients for an ever-changing daily menu of creative takes on Italian classics. Chai Pani offers delicious Indian street food created by a four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef. The Pinewood combines elevated gastropub comfort eats with craft cocktails. Other hip downtown drinking and dining choices include the lavishly-decorated Brick Store Pub, exceptional cocktails at Leon’s Full Service, and chic Spanish spot The Iberian Pig.
Downtown also has stylish fashion boutiques such as Squash Blossom and cute family-friendly stores including The Little Shop Stories. Terrific Thursdays through November and December see downtown’s businesses open late and entice shoppers with drinks, snacks, and special discounts. Other retail destinations within Decatur include The Gallery at South DeKalb, an indoor shopping mall anchored by Macy’s. Decatur’s Old Depot District is a diverse area of shops and restaurants surrounding an 1890s rail depot, which today houses the trendy French-influenced farm-to-table restaurant Kimball House.
Decatur Square is the scenic centerpiece of Downtown Decatur. The gorgeous historic courthouse on Decatur Square is home to the DeKalb History Center, which has numerous permanent exhibits that delve into the city’s unique local history and culture. Concerts, festivals, and events take place on the Square throughout the year.
Eddie’s Attic is an intimate downtown venue that features frequent performances from singer-songwriters and weekly open mic nights. In October, Oakhurst Porch Fest is a unique grassroots music festival that sees musicians perform on the porches of the attractive historic homes in Decatur’s southwestern Oakhurst neighborhood. Decatur’s signature annual event is the Decatur Book Festival on Labor Day weekend. This literary celebration is the largest of its kind in the United States. The festival features talks from prominent authors and the festival’s organizing body supports Decatur’s literary community throughout the year with workshops and classes at the Decatur Writers Studio.
Decatur operates its own City Schools of Decatur Public School District. Highlights include:
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