Fair Oaks - Marietta, GA

Fair Oaks maintains its historical suburban feel despite the rapid growth of the community. Dobbins AFB and KSU-Marietta add to the CDP's economy, even as many Fair Oaks residents resist the changes due to air pollution and noise concerns. Fair Oaks has remained fairly hidden throughout its history, with many local residents not even aware it exists. Many businesses in the community use either Marietta or Smyrna as their addresses. As a CDP, Fair Oaks isn't nearly as well-known as Mableton and Vinings.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park contains a visitor's center with artifacts and a film explaining the history surrounding the Atlanta Campaign. The battle at Kennesaw Mountain took place on June 27, 1864. Visit the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, the Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum, the Earl Smith Strand Theater, and the William Root House Museum and Garden in nearby Marietta square.

Fair Oaks offers plenty of authentic ethnic restaurants, most of which are near the intersection of Atlanta Road and Austell. Often considered the best of these for both attentive service and high-quality food, Taqueria Morelos serves up some of the chunkiest, freshest guacamole alongside authentic beef barbacoa tacos. When paired with daily beer draft specials priced at just a few dollars, a meal here can turn into a whole night out without breaking the bank.

R'Mony Restaurant & Lounge offers Creole specialties Haitian-style. R'Mony slow-cooks traditional Caribbean cuisine to order, so you can feel free to let the chef know if you have a special request. While the fried plantains accompanying every meal prove perfectly soft and sweet, nothing can overshadow the seafood. The delicately-fried red snapper tames any fish craving. Nightlife in the Fair Oaks neighborhood consists mainly of neighborhood bars. However, military members stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base next door can take advantage of nightly entertainment and special events at the on-base Lakeside Lounge.

Many people in Fair Oaks choose to drive to run their daily errands, which often prove quick to complete due to the ample free parking at local shopping centers and easy access to I-75 and 120. Even more residents choose to carpool to work. Due to aggressive pro-carpooling campaigns in the area, about a third of the residents participate.

Public transportation coverage remains decent within the area, but due to Cobb County regulations, residents can have trouble connecting to other cities, especially downtown Atlanta. Cobb Community Transit buses stop along most major roads and connect well within the rest of Marietta or Smyrna.

The park that shares its name with the neighborhood is a small park with playgrounds, ball fields, a recreation center, the Fair Oaks Tennis Center, and walking paths. But with one of the area's largest parks right next door -- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park -- you may find yourself hiking the mountain frequently after moving to your apartment in Fair Oaks. The views from the top of the mountain are beautiful -- hike to the top, drive, or take the shuttle bus. There are 18 miles of trails as well as several picnic areas. In addition to a 35-minute movie and artifacts, the Visitor's Center features a bookstore.

With plenty of affordable housing options, Fair Oaks costs almost 20 percent less to live in when compared to Atlanta. Median rent for a single bedroom apartment in Fair Oaks costs an average of $650 per month. A beer in this area sets you back about $4, much less than in most Atlanta establishments. The gas prices tend to run on the lower side, about 10 percent lower than the national average, which aligns pretty closely with Atlanta as a whole.

Historic Marietta Square -- filled with trendy shops, restaurants, and boutiques -- is directly north of Fair Oaks. Take Atlanta Road SE to reach this popular destination, which includes a town square where the weekly farmer's market is held.

To get groceries, go to the local Publix for a wide variety. If you have more specialized needs, Supermercado Jalisco carries many brands from Central America, and the Hoang Long Oriental Food Market offers rare Asian products.