2 metro Atlanta cities make Southern Living’s list of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise in 2024

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two Georgia cities have made Southern Living’s list of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise in 2024.

Southern Living put together a reader-selected list of Southern cities with excellent food scenes, cool downtown districts, natural beauty, thriving arts communities and that southern charm that’s hard to define.

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The list was compiled through an online survey of more than 20,000 respondents.

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Gainesville made the list at #17. Big draws to the small city are proximity to Lake Lanier and the boutique-filled downtown district, as well as a handful of new restaurants that have opened up in the past few years.

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Alpharetta came in at #9. The city’s revamped downtown district has a walkable, family-friendly central area with numerous restaurants and shops. Nearby retail hub Avalon is also a draw.

The #1 city on the list of up-and-coming small towns for 2024 was Wilmington, North Carolina.

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