About five miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, is Decatur, Georgia, a hot destination for college students and young professionals who want hip bars, great restaurants, and walkable neighborhoods. Families are drawn to the area’s excellent independent school district. Founded in 1823, the 4.6 square-mile city today has a median age of 37.9 (2022). Education, healthcare, and government are the main drivers of its economy.

Marietta, Georgia, is a quaint, modern place where residents feel like they know one another. Family-centered neighborhoods fill the 23.5 square-mile city northwest of Atlanta. Established in 1834 south of Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta today has a median age of 35.2 (2022). Aeronautics, hospitality, tourism, entertainment, and health services are the main drivers of its economy.

On the Georgia coast, Savannah is a charming Southern getaway packed with art, chic shops, and ghostly tales. Founded in 1733, it’s one of the first planned cities in the U.S., developed on a grid layout. Today, the 113.3 square-mile area is pedestrian-friendly, with flat streets and attractions close together. Its median age is 32.9 (2022). Employers range from aerospace manufacturers to specialty food and beverage to health tech companies.