9 Best Places to Live in Georgia, According to Local Realtors

From quaint mountain towns to bustling cities, these are some of the most desirable places to live in Georgia.

Georgia has always been steeped in our nation's history as one of the original 13 British colonies and a significant location during the Civil Rights Movement. But throughout the decades, the state has drawn new residents thanks to its natural beauty encompassing white-sand beaches, lush forests, and gorgeous mountains, plus a strong economy, affordable housing, and reasonable cost of living. With its temperate climate, the Peach State offers plenty of opportunities for staying active outside and is home to many world-class sports facilities and professional teams. In fact, Georgia is now one of the fastest-growing states in the country, with the Atlanta metro area leading the pack in 2022.

But even if Georgia's bustling capital is not your ideal place of residence, there are other communities where you can find a pace of life and amenities that better suit your needs. Here, we rounded up nine realtor-approved cities and towns to consider for your next home.

Savannah

Savannah offers an eclectic mix of history, rich cultural heritage, an excellent location, and great employment prospects (the unemployment rate in July 2023 was just 2.8 percent).

"Savannah has a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown and a stunning urban plan, which was originally developed in the 18th century and is defined by a gorgeous network of parks, squares, and green spaces," Staci Donegan, associate broker at Seabolt Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, told Travel+Leisure. "The Savannah area has incredible natural beauty, with live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and stunning historic architecture spanning three centuries." And with miles of beaches a short 20-minute drive away, it’s no wonder the city is one of the top 50 best places to live in the country.

However, Savannah's real estate market is suffering from low inventory, similar to many markets across the country. The good news is that the median home value here is just below $300,000, which is much more affordable than similar urban areas on the East Coast.

Milton

This small city of 42,000 north of Atlanta was incorporated in 2006, and residents have access to some of the best schools in the state. Over a quarter of Milton's population is age 18 or younger, according to Census data.

"The historic 'downtown' Crabapple area is filled with quaint boutiques, restaurants, and antique shopping," Lori DePucci, a realtor at Harry Norman, Realtors /Luxury Portfolio International, explained. "This picturesque community is extremely popular with luxury buyers looking for golf or equestrian lifestyle neighborhoods."

DePucci added that some of the most sought-after communities are White Columns, Triple Crown, and The Manor Golf & Country Club for their family-friendly, resort-style amenities, and North Valley and Tullamore for larger land parcels and "unmatched beauty.”

Athens

"From live music venues and an abundance of parks to various outdoor activities, Athens provides a vibrant Southern charm combined with an accessible housing market, giving it that unique small-town appeal that everyone loves," DeAnn Golden, Athens native and president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, said. The city's social life is also defined by the presence of the University of Georgia, one of our country's oldest higher education institutions with over 35,000 undergraduate students. The average age in Athens is 29 years old, and as a college town, the city benefits from top-notch sports and cultural facilities.

As the home of the University of Georgia, downtown Athens is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods. "This eclectic area offers a lively and diverse atmosphere and a variety of housing options. Five Points is another favorite historic neighborhood with a wonderful mix of old and new homes, shops, and restaurants," Golden explained.

Roswell

People looking for small-town charm and proximity to big-city amenities will find their home in Roswell. This historic town was founded in the 1830s and features many traditional-style homes and quaint neighborhoods full of character. On weekends, residents can take advantage of the many outdoor activities that the Chattahoochee River offers and explore hiking and biking trails.

"Downtown Roswell is known for its unique local charm, walkability, and diverse shopping options, providing a vibrant city center," Donna Augello, a real estate broker at Harry Norman, Realtors, said. "Roswell is recognized for its strong economy, amenities, and transportation options, making it an attractive place for both residents and businesses."

Median home values are in the low $600,000s, but keep in mind that about half of available properties sell for above asking price.

Atlanta

As Georgia's largest city — and one that continues to grow at unprecedented levels — Atlanta is a magnet for people looking for robust job opportunities, urban amenities, and relatively affordable real estate (the median home value is $379,911). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was the busiest transportation hub in the world in 2022, connecting the city to over 200 domestic and international destinations.

"For buyers looking to purchase a home here, keep in mind that there are so many neighborhoods to be discovered," Harry Norman broker Patty Webb said, noting that some of the most popular areas are Grove Park, Underwood Hills, Doraville, Chamblee, Pine Hills, Lindridge Martin Manor, Home Park, Summerhill, Grant Park, and Downtown Atlanta.

Related: 40 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

Alpharetta

"Alpharetta has a livable, walkable, and vibrant downtown where you can ride a bike to a grocery store or Saturday morning farmers market, enjoy lunch at a local café or a drink at one of the many rooftop bars and local breweries, take a run on the 26-mile Big Creek Greenway, or explore one of our 25 Alpharetta public parks." This is how Harry Norman realtor Tracy Morton describes life in this city in Fulton County, just 30 miles north of Atlanta. Alpharetta is known for its bustling music scene, with year-round events and festivals filling its cultural calendar.

Norman said that Windward is one of Alpharetta's largest planned neighborhoods, with 45 different enclaves of single-family homes surrounding a 200-acre lake. "It's an extremely active neighborhood with boating, paddle boarding, tennis, and pickleball at the Windward Lake Club, along with an aquatics center, sports park/playground, dog park, and boat launch," he noted. The median home price in Alpharetta is $663,664, according to Zillow.

Blue Ridge

The long list of reasons to love this incredibly scenic mountain town, located close to the Tennessee and North Carolina borders, seems endless, with a stunning natural setting, access to hundreds of miles of hiking trails, top-notch fishing (the town is known as the trout capital of Georgia), wineries and craft breweries, water sports, and a tight-knit community of family-owned businesses. The growing inventory of available homes for sale in Blue Ridge "presents a golden opportunity for prospective buyers to fulfill their aspirations of embracing the mountain lifestyle," explained local real estate agent JoAnne Wiley.

"Our housing market stands out due to its exceptional diversity in home styles, offering a wide range of options including mountain modern, country rustic, chalet, and prow front cabins," she added, noting that her favorite neighborhood is the Aska Adventure Area, primarily due to its location, nestled close to both Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River, known for its thriving trout population.

Rabun County

"The Northeast Georgia Mountains market, home to Rabun County, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise and a very family-oriented destination," Julie Barnett of Harry Norman, Realtors/Luxury Portfolio International, said. There are plenty of water sports opportunities in the county, with the Tallulah River running through it and Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, and Lake Seed all located within its boundaries. Barnett also pointed out that this mountainous region at the base of the Appalachian Mountains benefits from cooler summer temperatures.

"The main town here is Clayton, and it's as cute and quaint as you can picture, made up of old brick buildings, antique and home-furnishing stores, and excellent restaurants," she added. Home buyers here tend to search for lakefront or lake view properties, but due to the small amount of land that can be developed — only about a third — there are beautiful, lush views everywhere.

Johns Creek

Top-rated schools, a low crime index, multiple parks, a thriving economy, and cultural diversity have transformed Johns Creek, located northeast of Atlanta, into one of Georgia's most desirable places to live. The town is also incredibly pet-friendly.

"One of the best things I love about Johns Creek is that it has one of the top dog parks in the country called Newtown Dream Dog Park. This park has separate areas for small and large dogs, artificial turf, sprinklers, bridges, hoops, and tunnels," Shanaz Kanga, a realtor with Harry Norman, Realtors/Luxury Portfolio International, explained.

The town is home to several country club communities, such as Country Club of the South and St Ives Country Club, as well as active swim-tennis communities, such as The Falls of Autry Mills near the Autry Mills Nature Preserve and the Medlock Bridge neighborhoods, according to Kanga. The median home value in Johns Creek is $654,944.

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