You Can Live Anywhere in Georgia, Why Choose Forsyth County?

by Sherry Ajluni, Team Leader, Home with Sherry Team

If you’re an HGTV fan, or you’ve worked with a real estate agent, then “location, location, location” is probably seared into your brain. But location can mean anything from the lot a home sits on to the city it’s located in. Of course, there are other factors to consider like school quality, home prices, and proximity to both work and things you like to do in your free time.

Don’t compromise. You can have the best of all worlds if you choose a home in Forsyth County. In fact, I can give you six reasons why I believe it is one of the best places you can live in metro Atlanta.

1. There is always something new on the horizon.

Once a rural community, Cumming has experienced explosive growth over the last decade. It’s not just the population growing, retail and commercial development are taking off, too. The newest is Cumming City Center. Nearing completion, this 75-acre development is adjacent to the west side of the historic downtown. Residents can enjoy concerts at the amphitheater, family time on the green, walks on a network of trails, shopping at local boutiques, and dining at popular restaurants. Substantial portions are already open, with more coming soon.

The Gathering is a newly proposed mixed-use development eyeing the southern portion of the county between Union Hill Road and GA 400. This billion-dollar development is being pitched as an entertainment hub that includes residences, a hotel, retail space, a community center, and an arena to serve as a concert venue. Developers and hockey fans are hoping it might also entice a professional hockey team to the area.

2. Homes of all sizes and price points abound.

From condos and townhomes to single-family homes, you’ll find a myriad of options in Forsyth County. Is walkability high on your wish list? Then check out favorites like Vickery and Halcyon. For fans of water sports or fishing, the southern tip of Lake Lanier has some beautiful lake-front homes and lake-adjacent neighborhoods with community docks. There are also a variety of communities offering country club-like amenities, one of the mainstays being Windermere.

Because of its location and size, Forsyth County continues to see new home communities pop up regularly. Here are some of the newest:

Westshore – The Towns

Westshore – the Cottages

Avignon

Loring

Chattahoochee Reserve

Long Hollow Landing

3. A+ schools

Whether you have school-aged children or not, the quality of schools directly impacts your home’s resale value. Forsyth County’s schools are some of the most highly rated in the state. US News & World Report ranks Lambert High as the 5^th and South Forsyth High as the 9^th best high school in the state. Denmark High, a newer school, is quickly rising to the top as well.

The recent opening of East Forsyth High brings the total to nine high schools serving county children. While they vary from school to school, each offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, trade programs, AP courses, IB programs, and online learning. There is even one dedicated to those pursuing careers in cybersecurity, law enforcement, or the arts.

4. It’s the healthiest county in the state.

Forsyth County was recently named the healthiest county in Georgia in a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute. They took into consideration things like smoking, obesity, physical activity, drinking, teen births, access to healthcare, education level, income equality, and physical environment.

The county really excelled in terms of places for residents to exercise, particularly parks. And that leads me to my next point.

5. Easy access to the great outdoors!

Forsyth County residents don’t have to go far from home to pursue their favorite sports and leisure activities. Let’s start with my personal favorite, the lake.

Lake Lanier is a reservoir fed by the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers and features 700 miles of shoreline making it a fishing and boating paradise. More than 45 parks surround the lake, including Don Carter State Park, making it a popular destination for picnics and camping. Lake Lanier Islands offers 1,200 acres of beauty with year-round recreation including golf, sandy beaches, snow tubing in the winter, and a spectacular holiday light display. You can walk or hike lots of places, but I don’t think you can beat the views from Sawnee Mountain. Sawnee Mountain Preserve is made up of 821 acres with 11 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Along the way, keep your eye out for abandoned gold mines and long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. No judgment here if you don’t want to go for a

hike. Enjoy beautiful weather at one of the many picnic areas or learn more about the area’s history at the visitor center.

Closer to home is the Big Creek Greenway. Several neighborhoods back up to or are just a short drive from this 10-mile path. Since it’s a combination of paved and boardwalk sections, it’s perfect for walking, running, or biking.

Find the closest access point.

Residents are also fond of county parks, particularly Fowler Park. Here you’ll find 12 tennis courts, five soccer fields, four baseball/softball fields, three basketball courts, two playgrounds, and a lacrosse field. There are also batting cages, picnic areas, a skate park, walking trails, and a recreation center. Fowler Park, Sharon Springs Park, and Midway Park all offer numerous youth athletic leagues, camps, and classes.

6. It’s one of the best places in Georgia to retire.

There’s a lot to consider when thinking about retirement. For many of us getting closer to that age, staying within a reasonable distance of family is key. And, since Forsyth County is such a great place to live, why would you want to leave just because you’re retiring?

SmartAsset and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently named Cumming one of the top places to retire in Georgia. Why? For many of the reasons I’ve outlined above, plus low crime rates, a moderate climate, and a range of housing options for active adults.

So, what do you think? Have I convinced you that Forsyth County is worth a look? Then get in touch! I’ve lived in Cumming for nearly two decades, and my team and I have served buyers and sellers in Forsyth County for more than 17 years. Let us put our expertise and first-hand knowledge to work for you.

678.744.8206; info@sherryteam.com