Checking the temp on hot Atlanta neighborhooods

Homebuyers the past few years have endured a lot, including high interest rates, not many choices and ever-increasing down payment amounts.

State of play: "The market is like a teenager — unpredictable and volatile," Vanessa Reilly of Domo Realty told Axios.

• "There are some houses that are selling within the first weekend they are listed and others that are sitting collecting dust."

By the numbers: Inventory is up — there were roughly 16,000 active listings in metro Atlanta on the MLS in April, compared to about 12,000 homes one year prior, Reilly says.

• However, some houses are sitting on the market longer. Prices have not budged despite higher interest rates and increased supply.

Yes, but: Plenty of people are still chasing the American dream of homeownership, and real estate agents have plenty of clients to juggle.

Zoom out: The eternally desirable places to live in Atlanta — Decatur, Cabbagetown, Virginia-Highland — all share a sense of community. But they're not the only ones.

• Here are some of the other spots to shop for your new home.

Northwoods

The circa early 1950s midcentury modern time capsule in north DeKalb County is a sought-after address for first-time homebuyers looking for architectural charm.

Median home price: $445,000 .

Best restaurants: Taquerias, mile-long ramen noodles and Korean BBQ are all less than a mile down the road on Buford Highway.

Things to do: Dynamo Chamblee, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Playground, Plaza Fiesta.

Fun fact: The community began as a planned development for workers in Doraville's General Motors Assembly Plant (now Assembly Atlanta ) and Lockheed in Marietta.

We love: 3440 Havalyn Lane (pictured above). This 4-bedroom, 2-bath balances its mid-century modern roots with appliance updates like a Sub-Zero refrigerator and Wolf range.

West End

The epicenter of the Beltline Westside Trail boom has a rich history, MARTA rail station and strong neighborhood bonds.

Median home price: $299,000 .

Best restaurants: Tassili's Raw Reality, Boggs Social and Supply, Firewall.

Things to do: Walk, jog and bike the Westside Trail, drink a beer at Monday Night Garage and see an exhibit at the Hammonds House Museum .

Fun fact: Whitehall Street is named after a long-gone 1830s tavern in West End.

Marietta

Great schools, a postcard-perfect downtown with a vibrant nightlife and tree-lined streets make for a strong suburb.

Median home price: $500,000 .

Best restaurants: Spring, Hamp and Harry's, Cool Beans.

Things to do: Festivals on The Square, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, North Georgia State Fair.

Fun fact: Union soldiers who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase spent the night before the daring mission in what today is known as the Kennesaw House .

Hapeville

Downtown investments and community building have transformed the once-sleepy suburb into one of metro Atlanta's sleeper cities for first-time homebuyers.

Median home price: $350,000 .

Best restaurants: Volare Wine and Bistro, Don Chon Taqueria, Paper Plane, Mami's La Cubana.

Things to do: Delta Museum, Porsche Center test drives, community events aplenty .