Atlanta Real Estate

Atlanta

Atlanta is Georgia's capital and the anchor of the metro area that surrounds SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker. Downtown Atlanta sits roughly 15 to 20 miles west of Tucker, and the drive typically follows I-285 to I-85 South, or Memorial Drive and Ponce de Leon Avenue for a more direct route into the city's east side, a trip that generally runs 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.

From Railroad Terminus to State Capital

Atlanta began in 1837 as Terminus, the planned end point of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The small settlement was renamed Marthasville in 1843, honoring Martha Lumpkin, daughter of former Georgia governor Wilson Lumpkin, before taking the name Atlanta in 1845 as a nod to the Western and Atlantic line. The city became Georgia's state capital in 1868, in the years following the Civil War, which had seen much of Atlanta burned during General Sherman's 1864 campaign. Atlanta rebuilt quickly, adopting the phoenix as a symbol of that recovery, an image that still appears on the city's official seal. By the late 19th century, Atlanta was hosting large expositions, including the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition in Piedmont Park, and the city grew into the commercial and transportation hub of the Southeast through the 20th century.

A City of Distinct Neighborhoods

Atlanta's housing reflects more than a century of continuous growth, and its character changes block by block. Intown neighborhoods close to Midtown and Downtown include early 20th-century bungalows, Craftsman cottages, and grand homes built during the city's early streetcar era, while high-rise condominiums and apartments have filled in along major corridors like Peachtree Street. Farther from the core, Atlanta's neighborhoods include everything from historic districts with well-preserved period homes to newer infill construction and townhome developments, giving buyers a wide range of styles and price points within the same city limits.

Parks and the BeltLine

Piedmont Park, at 189 acres, is one of Atlanta's signature green spaces, tracing back to the Piedmont Exposition of 1887 and the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895. Sons of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted later designed a network of paths connecting the park toward Ansley Park, and today it includes Lake Clara Meer, an active oval for sports, and adjoins the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Atlanta BeltLine, envisioned as a 22-mile loop of trails and future transit along former railroad corridors ringing the city's core, has already reshaped how many neighborhoods connect, with completed segments linking parks, shops, and homes on the east and west sides of town. Downtown, Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, adds 21 more acres anchored by its Fountain of Rings and surrounded by the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Getting Around

Atlanta's interstate system, including the Downtown Connector where I-75 and I-85 merge and the I-285 perimeter that encircles the city, puts most of the metro area within reach. MARTA's rail and bus network serves Downtown, Midtown, and many surrounding neighborhoods, offering an alternative to driving for commuting or reaching the airport. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sits south of downtown and remains one of the world's busiest airports.

Dining, Shopping, and Culture

Atlanta's dining and shopping scene ranges from the historic storefronts of neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland and Inman Park to the high-rise retail of Midtown and Buckhead. Ponce City Market, a renovated Sears, Roebuck and Co. distribution building along the BeltLine's Eastside Trail, combines a food hall, shops, and offices in one of the city's most visited redevelopment projects. The Fox Theatre, a restored 1929 movie palace on Peachtree Street, continues to host touring Broadway shows and concerts, while museums and galleries keep the city's cultural life active year-round.

• Piedmont Park's trails, lake, and botanical garden


• The Atlanta BeltLine's growing network of trails and parks


• Centennial Olympic Park and the Fountain of Rings downtown


• Ponce City Market along the BeltLine's Eastside Trail


• Touring shows and concerts at the historic Fox Theatre


• A MARTA rail and bus network connecting neighborhoods citywide

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Atlanta from SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker?

Downtown Atlanta is roughly 15 to 20 miles from Tucker, generally reached by taking I-285 to I-85 South or by following Memorial Drive and Ponce de Leon Avenue into the city's east side.

How did Atlanta get its name?

The city started as Terminus in 1837, the end point of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, was renamed Marthasville in 1843 after Martha Lumpkin, and became Atlanta in 1845 as a reference to the railroad.

When did Atlanta become Georgia's capital?

Atlanta became the capital of Georgia in 1868, after the state government had been based elsewhere in Georgia earlier in the 19th century.

What is the Atlanta BeltLine?

The BeltLine is a planned 22-mile loop of trails and future transit built along former railroad corridors that circle the city's core, connecting numerous intown neighborhoods to parks, shops, and each other.

What kinds of homes are available in Atlanta?

Atlanta offers a wide range of housing, from early 20th-century bungalows and Craftsman cottages in historic neighborhoods to high-rise condominiums, townhomes, and newer infill construction throughout the city.

Is Atlanta served by public transit?

Yes. MARTA operates a rail and bus network throughout Atlanta, connecting Downtown, Midtown, and many neighborhoods, and providing direct service to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.