Vinings

Located just west of downtown Atlanta across the Chattahoochee River, historic Vinings, Ga., beckons residents and visitors alike. Tucked between Buckhead’s West Paces Ferry section and the city of Smyrna, you’ll find a good dose of Southern charm here that has made Vinings a popular place for families to set down roots.

This unincorporated community of just under 10,000 people is tiny in comparison to other parts of the Atlanta metro area, but its community-minded leaders and residents have helped preserve a small-town feel. Despite not having a formally structured local government, Vining residents have established a homeowners association consisting of codes aimed at preserving the neighborhoods’ appeal and property values. Children in Vinings are zoned for the highly ranked Cobb County public school system.