Apartments for Rent in McDonough, GA - 102 Rentals available

If “quaint” and “small” are some of the words you'd use to describe your ideal place to live, look no further than McDonough, Georgia.

Here you'll have the best of small town life, while being only 35 miles from the big city of Atlanta – which is 11 times larger.

According to Safewise.com, McDonough is the 36^th Safest City in Georgia, due in large part to its commitment to revitalizing its historic downtown and focus on economic development. AreaVibes.com called McDonough the 73^rd Most Livable City in Georgia because of its cost of living, available amenities, and weather.

Speaking of weather, the average temperatures in McDonough range from a high of 91°F in July to a low of 33°F in January. With 214 sunny days every year and very little snow – less than an inch – it’s easy to see why so many people are flocking to the city.

Plus, not only is it convenient to Atlanta, it’s just 49 miles from Marietta, 56 miles from Macon, and 65 miles from Athens, leaving you with plenty of options for daytrips.

The cost of living in McDonough is 6% lower than the U.S. average.

For example, a three-course dinner for two at a local restaurant averages around $50, and a cappuccino for your daily commute goes for around $3.81. Staying in a 915 square-foot apartment, you should expect to pay around $160.77 per month on utilities like electric, water, sewer, and waste disposal.

The average commute into Atlanta from McDonough is about 45 minutes, but the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Xpress bus service also services the route. A one-way pass is $3, and a round-trip pass will set you back $5. Monthly passes are also available for $100.

McDonough was named the 45^th best city in Georgia for young families by NerdWallet, based on home affordability, education quality, and percentage of families with school-age children.

Niche.com called McDonough the 65^th best suburb in the Atlanta Metro area.

Some of the disadvantages of living here include the influx of new residents. The city's seen a population growth of 105% since 2000, which has contributed to increased traffic and longer commute times. The heat in the summer is a point of concern for some residents as well, since temps can sometimes climb into the 100s.

If you're going to be spending time in McDonough, you'll need some things to do.

Every spring, the city hosts a Geranium Festival to celebrate its locally grown flowers, which is a must-see.

Another popular activity is shooting 18 holes at Cotton Fields Golf Club or Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club.

For family fun in McDonough, check out the Sky Zone Trampoline Park or inflatables and games at Woody’s Jump N' Play. Or if you're in the mood for something a little more competitive, a trip to Hot Shots Paintball is definitely in order. 

For a little outdoor enjoyment, head to one of the city’s many parks, like the 129 acre Heritage Park. With two playgrounds, lighted adult softball fields, a walking track, community gardens, library, and Senior Citizen Center, it’s a virtual oasis in the middle of the city. Then there's the Red Hawk Nature Preserve Park, which features a remote control airplane strip, and Windy Hill Park, with its obstacle course, paint ball complex, and even a lawn mower racing section.

Of course, if you’re a professional sports fan, nearby Atlanta is the place to be, with Braves, Falcons, and Hawks games throughout the year. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, and a perfect family activity for a day trip. Or stop by Zoo Atlanta and keep the critters company for a while.

McDonough Arts is a non-profit that promotes the arts in McDonough, hosting juried art shows and Art in the Parks. The Henry Players perform theatre on a professional level, and were voted Metro Atlanta’s Best Theatre Experience by Access Atlanta magazine.

The unemployment rate in McDonough, GA is slightly above the U.S. average, at 6.6%. But much of that is due to the city's rapid population growth.

Transportation and warehousing are top industries in McDonough, followed by manufacturing and construction.

Goya Foods, Inc. also runs its Atlanta offices out of McDonough.

Speaking of Atlanta, the city is home to Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, UPS, CNN, and BellSouth.

Both Gordon State College and Mercer University have campuses in McDonough. Several other colleges and universities are within driving distance, such as Clayton State University in Morrow; Georgia Perimeter College in Decatur; Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse and Spelman in Atlanta. 

The public schools in McDonough are part of Henry County Schools, which is the 12^th most Diverse School District in Georgia, according to Niche.com. And the city's Union Grove High School ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 41st best high school within Georgia. Other high schools in the district include Eagle’s Landing High School and Henry County High School.

Moving to McDonough is much like moving to any other new place. That being said, there are also some specifics that you should be aware of.

If your new landlord requires a security deposit, you have the right to inspect the unit before moving in. They should also provide a list of any problems or damages to the unit.

But once you sign that lease, you're locked in. Some states offer a 72-hour back-out period, but not Georgia.

On the plus side, Georgia does have a “repair and deduct” law that gives you the right to hire someone to do repairs if your landlord fails to provide them in a timely manner. You can then deduct the cost of the repair from your rent.