Chamblee

As part of an international corridor stretching along Buford Highway, Chamblee is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the state. With more than 30 nationalities represented, the area offers a lively mix of shopping, businesses and restaurants that cater to Atlanta's growing Asian and Hispanic populations. Another must-see area, especially on weekends, is Chamblee's Antique Row in the business district, where more than 150 dealers sell antiques and collectibles.

Chamblee celebrates its diversity throughout the year with events such as Chinese New Year festivities at Chinatown Square and the lighting of the International Holiday Tree in Peachtree Park.

Decatur

Known for its picturesque square lined with shops and restaurants and a stately historic courthouse, Decatur is an example of intown revitalization at its finest.

A high point in the revitalization in Decatur came just before the 1996 Olympics with the spending of about $1 million -- mostly federal money -- on the streetscape around the DeKalb Courthouse square.

The city's population is about 18,000. The area is popular with families, who are often seen strolling the city's sidewalks into the evening, and young professionals who want to live in a neighborhood and still be near Atlanta's big-city offerings. The city is also known for its large lesbian population.

Druid Hills

Noted for its stately houses, beautiful churches and tree-lined streets, Druid Hills is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Planned by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1908 (he also planned New York's Central Park), Druid Hills was the setting for the film "Driving Miss Daisy."

Emory University anchors the area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is nearby. The neighborhood also features the Fernbank Science Center and Planetarium, the Michael C. Carlos Museum (with mummies and more) and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which houses dinosaur bones and an eye-popping Imax theater.

For dog walkers, joggers and families pushing baby strollers, the winding streets and sidewalks are a bonus of intown living.

Dunwoody

Located in the northern part of the county between I-285 and the Chattahoochee River, Dunwoody is a popular address for corporate transferees, young families and workers who like the proximity to Ga. 400 and I-285, the highway that rings Atlanta. Spacious houses and active swim and tennis clubs are a plus, as is Perimeter Mall, with its upscale shops and restaurants. For everyday shopping, there is Dunwoody Village.

On a busy corner in the heart of Dunwoody is a two-story wood farmhouse. Built in the 1880s, the restored Spruill House is a Dunwoody landmark used for meetings and special events.

Other points of interest include the Dunwoody Park and Nature Center, with wetlands, woodlands and walking trails; the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta at Zaban Park; and the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center. And whether you watch or walk, the annual Fourth of July parade is a must-do.

Lithonia

Chartered in 1879, Lithonia is the boyhood home of former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.). It is also one of the hot growth spots in southeast DeKalb County.

South of I-20 is a family-friendly area where two-story houses and upscale subdivisions, some with private lakes, seem to pop up overnight. The architecture ranges from contemporary and traditional to European in stucco, brick and stone.

The neighborhoods attract a diverse population, particularly African-American professionals and young families, who find it an easy place to play and unwind. The Mall at Stonecrest, which opened in 2001 at Turner Hill Road and I-20, has further boosted the area's growth.

Oakhurst

The community has been home to many older African-Americans who bought their homes in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when white flight to the suburbs had taken its toll on the neighborhood and many homes were selling for less than $20,000.

But now, suburbanites and affluent young professionals are competing for bungalows in Oakhurst and other intown neighborhoods, such as East Atlanta and Kirkwood. A turn-of-the-century bungalow in Oakhurst can easily fetch about $250,000.

Stone Mountain

Located at the base of one of Georgia's most popular attractions is the village of Stone Mountain. The picturesque town attracts residents and visitors to its 60-plus specialty and craft shops, including a general store.

But it is Stone Mountain, the centerpiece of a 3,200-acre park, to which people come to discover the great outdoors. The park offers

walking and nature trails, water sports, a golf course, and camping and picnic areas.

The top of the mountain -- reached via a 1.3-mile hike or by skylift -- affords a great view of Atlanta. Summer visitors bring picnic suppers and stay for the laser show. The growing area has a country feel and several new communities, many with lakes and a backyard view of the mountain.

Toco Hill

A distinguishing feature of this Atlanta community, developed in the 1950s, is the Toco Hills shopping center at North Druid Hills and LaVista roads. It has ethnic restaurants, stores and one of the city's best-known kosher markets.

Congregation Beth Jacob on LaVista Road attracts many Orthodox Jewish residents to the community.

Also of note is a small neighborhood in the community where street names have a Christmas theme -- Merry, Christmas and Holly lanes, among them -- a throwback to the days when the neighborhood was known for its elaborate holiday decorations.