Marietta's housing stock reflects more than 170 years of continuous development and offers unusual architectural variety for a suburban city. The historic districts near Marietta Square — including Church-Cherokee, Whitlock Avenue, and Northwest Marietta — contain well-preserved examples of Queen Anne, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Tudor, Folk Victorian, and Georgian homes, many dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These neighborhoods are protected by the city's Historic Preservation Commission and local landmark designations. Moving outward from the square, mid-century subdivisions filled in during the 1950s through 1970s, offering brick ranch homes and split-levels on larger lots with mature tree canopy. Further from the core, newer construction — including traditional two-story homes, townhome communities, and smaller infill developments — rounds out the market. The city includes a mix of single-family detached homes, townhomes, condominiums, and a limited number of apartment complexes concentrated near major commercial corridors. Lot sizes are generally larger in historic and mid-century neighborhoods than in newer subdivisions, and mature hardwoods shade many streets. Marietta's historic districts place some renovation and exterior-modification restrictions on property owners, a consideration for buyers interested in older homes.

Marietta's neighborhoods radiate outward from Marietta Square, each reflecting a different era of the city's growth. The Church-Cherokee Historic District, immediately west of the Square, is one of the city's oldest and most architecturally intact residential areas, with homes dating from the 1870s through the 1920s. Northwest Marietta and the Whitlock Avenue corridor also feature designated historic districts with large Victorian and early-20th-century homes. North and east of the Square, neighborhoods like Forest Hills and Tower Road offer mid-century homes on wooded lots, popular with families drawn to Marietta City Schools. Further east, areas near the I-75 and I-575 interchange provide newer suburban subdivision living with quick highway access for Atlanta commuters. West and south of the Square, neighborhoods mix mid-century construction with newer infill development. Communities near Dobbins Air Reserve Base draw military families and defense contractors seeking short commutes. The city's 30060 and 30064 ZIP codes generally represent the historic core, while 30062 and 30008 cover more suburban areas to the northeast and southwest respectively. Each neighborhood cluster offers a different balance of age, lot size, and proximity to the Square.

Marietta Square is the cultural and social heart of the city. The park-anchored plaza — with its fountain, benches, and seasonal events — is ringed by independent restaurants, brewpubs, coffee shops, and specialty retailers. The Marietta Square Market food hall, housed in a repurposed industrial building, offers more than a dozen eateries under one roof. The historic Strand Theatre, a restored 1935 Art Deco cinema, hosts concerts, films, and community performances. A Saturday farmers market runs year-round on the Square, and the city's calendar includes marquee events like the annual Fourth of July celebration and the Taste of Marietta food festival. Beyond the Square, dining and retail cluster along the Whitlock Avenue, Roswell Road, and Cobb Parkway corridors. The city's restaurant scene spans Southern comfort food, barbecue, Mediterranean, and a growing number of international options reflecting metro Atlanta's diversity. Big-box retail and chain restaurants concentrate near the I-75 interchanges and along Barrett Parkway to the north. Marietta's identity is shaped by its dual role as a historic town and a working aerospace city. The presence of Lockheed Martin and Dobbins ARB means a steady population of engineers, military personnel, and defense contractors. The proximity to Kennesaw State University, about five miles north, adds an academic dimension. Nightlife is centered on the Square and is more pub-and-dining focused than club-driven — consistent with Marietta's identity as an established suburban city with deep roots.

Marietta is served by two separate public school systems. Marietta City Schools is an independent district serving students within the city limits — one of the few city-based school systems in metro Atlanta operating separately from its county counterpart. The district includes Marietta High School, Marietta Middle School, and several elementary schools, and is known for smaller class sizes relative to the larger county system. The Cobb County School District, the second-largest school system in Georgia, serves the remainder of Marietta addresses, particularly those in areas that were annexed into the city after the city school district boundaries were established. Cobb County operates a network of highly regarded schools including Walton, Pope, and Lassiter high schools in the broader Marietta area. Private education options in and near Marietta include several well-established institutions: The Walker School, a pre-K through 12th-grade independent school; St. Joseph Catholic School; and numerous other faith-based academies. Kennesaw State University, a major public university with over 40,000 students, is located about five miles north of Marietta Square, and the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at KSU's Marietta campus sits within the city limits.

Marietta's transportation network is built around I-75, the primary artery linking the city to downtown Atlanta roughly 20 miles to the southeast. I-575 branches off I-75 just north of Marietta, providing access to Woodstock and the northern suburbs. The combination gives Marietta commuters multiple routing options during peak hours, though I-75 through Cobb County is among metro Atlanta's most heavily traveled corridors and subject to significant congestion. CobbLinc, the county-operated bus system, provides public transit within Marietta and Cobb County, with routes connecting to MARTA stations at the county line for access to Atlanta's regional rail and bus network. MARTA does not operate rail service within Cobb County, a distinction that means most Marietta residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting. Average drive times to downtown Atlanta range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on departure time and traffic conditions. For air travel, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 30 miles south via I-75 and I-85, typically a 35-to-50-minute drive. Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field, located just south of Marietta, serves general aviation and corporate aircraft. The city's grid of surface streets — including Cobb Parkway (US 41), Whitlock Avenue, Roswell Road, and Powder Springs Road — provides local connectivity and alternative routes when highway traffic peaks.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, immediately north of Marietta, is the city's premier outdoor destination and one of the most-visited Civil War sites in the nation. The park preserves the battlefield of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign and offers more than 18 miles of hiking trails across Kennesaw Mountain and Little Kennesaw Mountain, with panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline from the summit. Interpretive markers, a visitor center, and ranger-led programs make it both a recreational and historical resource. Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center, operated by Cobb County, hosts the annual North Georgia State Fair, one of the region's largest community events, along with rodeos, concerts, trade shows, and the Yaarab Shrine Circus. The city's own Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department maintains numerous neighborhood parks, sports complexes, and community centers, including Tumlin Park, Laurel Park, and the historic Brumby Hall and Gardens. The Marietta Square itself functions as a year-round recreational and cultural venue, with festivals, concerts, and seasonal events. The Mountain to River Trail, a planned multi-use path, aims to connect Kennesaw Mountain to the Chattahoochee River through Marietta. For golfers, City Club Marietta offers an 18-hole public course, and several private and semi-private clubs operate in the broader Cobb County area. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is roughly 10 miles southeast, providing additional hiking, fishing, and paddling opportunities.