Torn between the energy of Decatur Square and the village vibe of Oakhurst? You are not alone. Both pockets sit within the City of Decatur and offer character homes, local restaurants, and easy access to Atlanta. In this guide you will compare walkability, housing, schools, commute options, and price context so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
How these areas differ
- Walkability: Downtown Decatur around the Square is a “Walker’s Paradise” on Walk Score, which signals daily errands and dining within a short stroll. Oakhurst is walkable but registers lower overall, reflecting its residential blocks and single village core. You can scan the city snapshot on Walk Score’s Decatur page.
- Transit: Central Decatur sits on the Blue Line at the Decatur MARTA station, with typical rail travel to Five Points in the low teens of minutes. Schedules are posted on MARTA’s station and schedule page. Oakhurst relies more on bus connections and short walks or drives to rail.
- Housing mix: Both offer early 20th-century Craftsman bungalows and foursquares. Central Decatur adds more condo and townhome options near the Square, while Oakhurst keeps a village feel clustered around local shops and parks.
- Prices: City-level data from the 2019–2023 American Community Survey reports a median owner-occupied value near $655,900 for Decatur city. Zillow’s neighborhood index for Oakhurst showed roughly $817,000 in Dec 2025. Use these as context, then verify current street-level comps before you write an offer.
- What’s changing: The city is investing in downtown. Local reporting highlights an ongoing Decatur Square upgrade that may affect short-term access and add long-term appeal. You can read more in this Axios update.
Central Decatur at a glance
What it feels like
Central Decatur centers on the Decatur Square, a compact town core with restaurants, bookstores, shops, and a public lawn. Festivals and community events often anchor here, which keeps the area lively most weeks. City planning has focused on improving the Square experience, so you will feel the benefits of a true in-town hub.
Housing and home styles
You will find historic single-family homes in the blocks surrounding downtown, with Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares common in nearby historic pockets. There is also a meaningful mix of small condo buildings and townhomes steps from transit. Historic preservation listings around Decatur document the area’s fabric and help explain why certain streets feel so intact. You can browse a representative listing on the National Register site.
Walkability and transit
If daily coffee runs, dinner out, and quick errands without the car are high on your list, downtown Decatur is hard to beat. The Decatur MARTA station puts you on the Blue Line with typical rail time to Five Points around 14 minutes, depending on the schedule. Check frequencies and travel planners on MARTA’s schedule page before your commute test.
Price signals
As a city baseline, Decatur’s 2019–2023 median owner-occupied value is about $655,900, according to U.S. Census QuickFacts. Condos and smaller townhomes near the Square can create entry points below nearby single-family homes, while renovated historic houses close to the core often command premiums. Always cross-check MLS comps for your exact block and property type.
Oakhurst at a glance
What it feels like
Oakhurst sits southwest of downtown and keeps a distinct identity built around Oakhurst Village. It developed as an early streetcar suburb and today reads as a neighborhood-scale village with small shops, galleries, and casual restaurants. Residential streets feel leafy and calm, often with people walking to the Village or nearby parks. Learn more about the neighborhood’s background on Oakhurst’s page.
Housing and home styles
Oakhurst is known for period bungalows, modest postwar houses, and tasteful renovations. Newer infill appears on some streets, but the dominant feel is classic Craftsman character. If you value original details and a village cadence rather than a busy town center, Oakhurst may align with your day-to-day routine.
Walkability and transit
Oakhurst’s walkability focuses on the Village core rather than a continuous downtown grid. Walk Score snapshots put the area around the mid-60s, which means some errands are doable on foot. Transit is available via bus routes and nearby MARTA stations, though many residents opt for a short drive or bike ride to rail depending on their exact address.
Price signals
Neighborhood trackers show Oakhurst trading above the city median in recent snapshots. Zillow’s Oakhurst index listed roughly $817,000 as of Dec 2025, which illustrates how named pockets within Decatur can vary. Use this as a directional cue, then rely on current MLS comps for your address-specific decision.
Schools and logistics
District overview
Addresses within the City of Decatur are served by City Schools of Decatur, which operates a grade structure with a single middle and high school pathway for the city. The district provides official registration resources and boundary tools. You can find the latest assignment guidance on the City Schools of Decatur site.
Checking boundaries
School assignments can change, and they are always address specific. Before you make an offer, verify the precise assignment for your target property using the district’s boundary resources. For day-to-day planning, also map your likely drop-off and pickup routes to confirm timing feels manageable.
Your lifestyle checklist
1) Budget and price sensitivity
Start with reliable baselines, then refine to the block. Decatur’s citywide 2019–2023 median owner-occupied value is about $655,900 per U.S. Census QuickFacts. Zillow’s Oakhurst index was about $817,000 in Dec 2025. Your actual search will flex based on property type, renovation level, and street.
2) Daily lifestyle
If you want to walk to multiple restaurants, coffee shops, and events most days, central Decatur delivers with a very high Walk Score. If you prefer a relaxed village rhythm with a neighborhood core and tree-lined streets, Oakhurst may be a better fit. Skim Walk Score’s Decatur overview to understand how street patterns shape walkability.
3) Commute and transit
Model your real commute. From the Decatur MARTA station, rail to downtown Atlanta’s Five Points often runs about 14 minutes depending on the time of day. The citywide mean travel time to work is about 26.2 minutes per ACS 2019–2023. Check MARTA schedules and compare against your expected drive.
4) Schools and family logistics
Confirm the school assignment for the address you are considering using the district’s boundary resources on the City Schools of Decatur site. Then overlay your childcare, activities, and after-school routines to test real drive times.
5) Maintenance and renovation appetite
Older bungalows and foursquares deliver charm but can require higher near-term maintenance or upgrades. Downtown-adjacent condos and newer infill may offer lower maintenance at the trade-off of HOA fees or less private outdoor space. If you are considering renovations in a historic pocket, explore preservation guidelines referenced by the National Register listing to understand potential constraints.
On-the-ground visit plan
Use this simple visit checklist to get beyond the screen:
- Stop by Decatur Square on a weekday morning and during an evening event to feel the pace and parking patterns.
- Visit Oakhurst Village on a weekend brunch hour, then again on a quiet weekday afternoon to compare.
- Take MARTA from Decatur station to your work stop and time the full door-to-door trip.
- Drive your likely school, activity, and grocery routes at peak times.
- Walk the blocks around any short-listed house at different hours to assess noise, light, and traffic.
Which one fits you
- Choose Central Decatur if you prioritize daily walkability, dense amenities, and the fastest MARTA access. Expect a mix of condos, townhomes, and historic single-family options within a short stroll of the Square.
- Choose Oakhurst if you want a village center, calmer residential streets, and period homes with strong neighborhood identity. Expect most errands to center on Oakhurst Village rather than a large downtown grid.
Whichever you choose, price and school impacts are highly address specific. Use current MLS comps and the City Schools of Decatur boundary tool to validate the details that matter most to you.
Ready for next steps
If you want a clear path from search to closing, with expert guidance on pricing, renovation potential, and neighborhood fit, reach out to Molly Carter Gaines. You will get straight answers, local insight, and a plan tailored to your goals.
FAQs
How long is the MARTA ride from Decatur to downtown?
- Typical Blue Line travel from the Decatur station to Five Points is in the low teens of minutes; verify timing on MARTA’s schedule page.
How walkable are Decatur Square and Oakhurst?
- Downtown Decatur is a “Walker’s Paradise” on Walk Score, while Oakhurst’s snapshot is around the mid-60s; see Walk Score’s Decatur overview.
What is the Decatur city median home value?
- The 2019–2023 ACS reports a median owner-occupied value near $655,900 for Decatur city per U.S. Census QuickFacts.
Are Oakhurst prices higher than the city median?
- Neighborhood trackers like Zillow showed Oakhurst around $817,000 as of Dec 2025, which is above the city median; always check current MLS comps for your specific street.
Which schools serve addresses in Decatur and Oakhurst?
- City Schools of Decatur serves addresses within city limits; confirm your exact assignment using the district’s resources on the CSD site.
Are there historic rules that affect renovations?
- Some Decatur pockets have historic designations that guide exterior changes; review resources linked from the National Register listing and confirm local overlays before planning work.
