Find your new address in one of the metro area's fastest-growing counties.
By Amy Selby
As you're preparing for your move, there's a laundry list of things to consider, from packing, movers,
a new school for your children, to preparing for a new job. Linda Lullie faced these challenges as she
planned her move to Atlanta. After visiting her brother-in-law in Cartersville, Ga., Lullie and her
husband decided to move their family away from the hustle and bustle of south Florida. With Georgia
on her mind, Lullie had her work cut out for her when deciding where she would make her home in
Atlanta.
The metro area offers a diverse array of communities to suit any lifestyle. There's intown Atlanta
with culture, dining and high-rises around every corner; Gwinnett County is an ideal suburban county
with recreational opportunities and quality schools; Forsyth County is north of the heart of Atlanta,
with family-oriented neighborhoods and sprawling green space; and Cobb County is off to the west with
a growing number of cultural opportunities and one of the lowest tax rates in the metro area.
"I got off the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson, my niece picked me up and we started to drive in a large
circle," says Lullie. "We started in Newnan and continued through Paulding County, to Dallas, through
Cartersville and up to Cumming. In each area we stayed the night to get a feel for each place. The
area we came back to three times was Cherokee County. It felt like home."
With her search narrowed down to Cherokee County, Lullie began researching city data and visited the
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. "I was so impressed with how together
the town [Canton] felt. I requested information and looked at schools, which were the deciding factor,"
says Lullie, who settled in Ball Ground, just outside the city limits of Canton. Since their move
the Lullies started an advertising and marketing company and have watched it grow.
As you plan your move to Atlanta, consider this sampling of metro area counties and cities. You'll
find places with the comforts of suburban living, recreational havens, areas with top-notch schools
and homes with the city at your doorsteps. By the end of this article, we hope you find a place you
can call home.
Cherokee County
This northside county has a fitting slogan, "Where Metro Meets the Mountains." Cherokee County is
approximately 40 miles outside of the city of Atlanta, resting on the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. You'll quickly notice the recreational opportunities-Lake Allatoona, the Dixie Speedway
and golf courses a plenty-and the relaxed pace of the community. Currently, Cherokee has the most
undeveloped land of any county in the metro area.
"If you can think about the hustle and bustle of the metro area, picture it in your rearview mirror
as you're driving to the county and you start to see the Blue Ridge Mountains," says Pam Carnes,
president and CEO of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. "It's the best of both worlds-you live
in a county with a population of 215,000 with amenities, such as shopping, the arts and recreation,
at your fingertips. If you want to go to a major sporting event or a concert, it's a quick drive
outside of the county."
The county has five cities: Canton, Ball Ground, Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock. The county has
seen employment grow by 10 percent annually, include the new Bluffs Technology Park, manufacturing,
retail, government and healthcare industries. Cherokee's largest employer is the Cherokee County
School System. Many residents choose Cherokee for its diverse education offerings. Students can
further their education at Reinhardt College, a four-year private Methodist institution, and
Appalachian Technical College, a two-year technical school offering associate degrees and diploma
programs. For the younger set, Cherokee has a high-performing public school system and several private
schools.
Throughout the year, the county and its cities host annual events such as the Cherokee Picnic, Fourth
of July parades and summer concerts. "I love living in an area that has been preserved and is
progressive. I love that Cherokee County affords me and my family the opportunity to live and work in
this community," says Carnes, who has lived in the county for 18 years.
City of College Park
Known as Georgia's Global City, College Park
earns its nickname for its tie to the world's busiest passenger airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport. This well-established neighborhood, originating in 1896, is also Georgia's
fourth largest National Historic Register District. The city's historic downtown is undergoing a major
revitalization effort, restoring buildings and encouraging new business growth. Living here you'll find
homes that reflect classic architectural styles, close proximity to transportation hubs-such as the
airport, MARTA and I-85 and I-285-a thriving Main Street community and the largest private school in
the United States, Woodward Academy.
Along with its rich history, College Park is looking to its future. The city has invested $1.5 billion
in projects that will unfold in the next five to seven years, including new neighborhood developments,
four new hotels and the opening of a manufacturing/distribution center.
Cobb County
This western metro county has become a favorable spot for its low taxes, proximity to intown amenities,
public school systems and quality growth initiatives. Cobb is comprised of six cities-Kennesaw,
Marietta, Smyrna, Powder Springs, Acworth and Austell-several unincorporated neighborhoods such as
Vinings and East Cobb. The county recently opened the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, an
entertainment venue that is the new home to the Atlanta Opera.
RJ Patel and his family emigrated from London to Kennesaw in 1978. Since that time the Patel family
has become a fixture in the community, and RJ has become one of the most noted citizens of Kennesaw.
In 1994 Patel took over the family business, The Windsor Motel, and in time he transformed it into a
retail center, The Windsor, and opened Prestigious Cleaning. Aside from his business involvement,
Patel has come to develop relationships with the mayor and city council and he has served as the
president of the Kennesaw Business Association.
"The people of Kennesaw are accepting of who you are, which makes it a fun and livable place for my
family," says Patel. "I love going to Publix and saying, 'Hey,' to Mike the general manager. I love
knowing people by name at the post office, barber shop and local stores. It's more personable."
This small town community atmosphere is a common thread throughout the county. Last year Marietta was
designated an All-American City by the National Civic League and Kennesaw earned a spot on the Family
Circle's Top 10 Towns for Families list. The city of Smyrna has been recognized by Keep Georgia
Beautiful and Tree City USA.
Forsyth County
The fastest-growing county in Georgia is Forsyth County, located north of downtown Atlanta, in view of
the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are many reasons why so many people are choosing Forsyth. The county
has worked to preserve its small town charm while growing to meet the needs of its expanding
population. Residents look forward to annual events such as the Cumming County Fair and Festival in
October, with concerts, exhibits and midway rides, the Taste of Forsyth, weekly summer farmers markets
and Fourth of July festivities.
Forsyth County has become the destination for big businesses and families. The county's top employers
are Greko, Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Scientific Games, Siemens Energy and Automation and Tyson Foods.
The county is known for its excellent schools, ample parks program, recreational opportunities and
variety of neighborhoods. In the recreation department, 30 percent of Lake Lanier's shoreline is in
the county and nearby Sawnee Mountain offers trails and rock climbing. The county is also home to one
of the metro area's Miracle League fields-a sporting facility and sports league for physically and
mentally challenged children. In addition to its thriving business district, public schools and
community atmosphere, the county has several large healthcare systems that add to the quality of
life Forsyth offers. Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Emory Johns Creek and Northeast Georgia Medical
Center are examples of the health services available to residents.
Gwinnett County
If you're looking for an address that includes a thriving business environment, award-winning public
schools, established executive housing communities and an enviable quality of life, consider Gwinnett
County. The county is Georgia's largest and its size hasn't hampered its charm-Gwinnett, home to 15
municipalities, and has been nationally recognized for its quality of life. The city of Suwanee was
recently named on the Top 10 Best Places to Live by Money magazine and the city of Buford was named
the third best city to live and start a business by Fortune Small Business Magazine.
Aside from these prestigious accolades, the county offers arts and culture, sporting opportunities and
shopping. The county is home to the Gwinnett Gladiators, a member of the East Coast Hockey League,
arena football champs, The Georgia Force and the new minor league baseball team, the Gwinnett Braves.
The county's cities have all taken on revitalization of their downtown squares, transforming Gwinnett
into a place where residents live, work and play.
Henry County
Just 25 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta is Henry County. This metro area county has four cities:
Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton. With its close proximity to the airport, downtown
Atlanta and low cost of living, Henry County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the metro area.
The county offers a variety of housing options, including a number of golf course communities-
Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club,
Heron Bay Golf and Country Club
and Eagle's Landing Country Club-and traditional neighborhood developments.
One of the biggest attractions in the county is the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. The speedway is
the home to a 1.54-mile track and two NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races-the two largest single-day
sporting events in the state. Aside from the high speed entertainment, Henry County offers all the
services you'd expect, including healthcare, quality public schools, recreation, shopping, employment
opportunities and more.
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