Did you know that Georgia was made a state in 1788? Since then, many of the small towns in the state blossomed into bustling cities. Today, there are many interesting cities in Georgia that people are moving to from all over the United States.
If you’ve been thinking about moving to this state, you might be wondering what the best places to live in Georgia might be. However, there is no one answer to this inquiry. For example, the best places to live in Georgia for families may not be the same as the best places in Georgia to live for young professionals and single people.
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Even so, you will find that there are many cities in Georgia that can accommodate all sorts of people and lifestyles. Keep reading to learn more about the best cities to live in Georgia:
- Canton
- Athens
- Decatur
- Johns Creek
- Roswell
1. Canton
If you’ve ever asked, “What is the best place to live in Georgia?” or “Where is the best place to live in Georgia?” you will find that Canton will always be high on the list.
The city of Canton is actually one of the larger cities in Georgia. For that reason, you will never lack things to do in this interesting and bustling city.
Even the location of this city is quite ideal. It is right near the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is a very scenic area full of many expansive national forests. For that reason, if you love being in the great outdoors and hiking or simply walking along forested trails, you won’t be far away from all those great attractions if you live in Canton.
Canton is also very close to Atlanta. And yet, you won’t feel the same stressful, busy feeling that you might get when living in Atlanta. That’s because, even though Canton is large and has plenty to do, it still has an old-town feel.
The details
After all, there are only a little more than 37,000 living in Canton.
This is in comparison to the almost 490,000 people living in Atlanta. Canton can provide everything that a big city can from restaurants to entertainment without also providing stressful crowds and rowdiness.
Canton is actually quite a scenic city. It has plenty of parks and the Etowah River even runs through the city itself.
Because Canton is so in touch with nature and because the population is on the smaller side, it only makes sense that this is one of the best Georgia cities for raising a family. Canton provides a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere that is perfect for parents and growing kids alike.
This is not to mention that Canton has the Cherokee County School system, which is one of the best school systems in Georgia.
2. Athens
Athens is the perfect city to move to if you’re a young professional or a college student. That’s because this bustling city is home to the University of Georgia. You might think that because Athens is home to this university that it is nothing more than a rowdy college town, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
While it is true that Athens is technically a college town, it has plenty to offer for those who aren’t even college students. Athens is particularly renowned for its amazing nightlife and plenty of food options. If you’re a passionate foodie, Athens might be the perfect city for you.
If you’re tired of trying to figure out what to eat for dinner, you won’t have to struggle with that task any longer. Athens is home to all sorts of interesting restaurants from BBQ to vegan and beyond. For that reason, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a restaurant that can satisfy your palate.
Nightlife in Athens
Besides the wide selection of restaurants in Athens, there are also many breweries that you can visit. If you love the taste of craft beer, you’ll be able to try many different samples and the different breweries and decide which ones you like the best. As for nightlife, the city really comes alive when the sun goes down.
At night, you will often find musicians playing music in the streets and in bars. This will give you the opportunity to soak in the tunes and relax with a beer and some good food. For those who are more artistically inclined, Athens is also home to several art museums such as the GA Museum of Art.
Once you spend an afternoon at one of the art museums, there will be nothing stopping you from taking a stroll down one of Athens’s many hiking trails.
The average price of a house in Athens is only $300,524. The cost of rent for an average apartment is usually around $1,500 per month.
What else could you ask for?
3. Decatur
Decatur is a city that you may not have heard of before. That’s likely because it is a smaller city and it is home to only around 24,000 people. However, just because Decatur is small doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of the best cities in all of Georgia to move to.
In fact, you will find Decatur on most lists that rank the best cities in Georgia. But what makes this city so special? To start, Decatur provides the feeling of a cozy small town while still having all the amenities and benefits of a big city.
Many people end up moving to this city because it is quickly growing and there are plenty of jobs available that are perfect for young professionals. Decatur also has a very relaxed atmosphere, which is perfect for those who don’t like too much hustle and bustle that is usually associated with cities.
What to know about Decatur
There is actually so much greenery in Decatur that you might forget you’re in a city at all. Many of the streets are lined with beautiful trees and there are plenty of parks and trails to walk around on when you have a moment to take a stroll.
Many of the parks have picnic areas where you can sit down and have a bite to eat while taking in the enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Because Decatur has so much greenery, it is ideal for those looking to start a family. There is plenty of space for children to run around and play safely. The public schools in Decatur have very high ratings, so you won’t have to worry about the quality of your child’s education.
There are also a few colleges situated in downtown Decatur if you have older kids who are preparing to continue their education. If that isn’t enough to sell you on the idea of moving to Decatur, you should know that there is a metro system that brings you to downtown Atlanta in a very short period of time.
So, if you don’t want to live in Atlanta but want to work there, you can live in Decatur and simply take the train to Atlanta for your daily commute.
4. Johns Creek
Johns Creek is actually one of the largest cities in all of Georgia and it is also one of the safest. This, of course, makes it ideal for those who have children. They will be able to play outside and walk home from school without you having to worry about their safety, as you might have to in other cities with higher crime rates.
But just because Johns Creek is a great fit for families doesn’t mean that it’s a boring place to live. In fact, there are plenty of things to do in this city for all sorts of people, regardless of whether they have children. There are actually hundreds of acres of parks that you can explore in this city alone.
This will give you plenty of opportunities to go out and explore Johns Creek on foot. If you have a dog, there are many trails that you can spend an hour or two walking around on. If you are a fan of golf, you should know that Johns Creek has quite a few golf courses that you can explore as well.
Things to do in Johns Creek
If you’re not very particular about golf or wandering around in the great outdoors, don’t worry because there are still plenty of things to do. For example, Johns Creek is home to several coffee shops that are sure to pique your interest. These shops are great places to spend an hour or so hanging out with friends and family and even meeting new people.
There are quite a few luxury neighborhoods that you can settle into in Johns Creek. While the average home in this city is worth around $648,000, you won’t have a problem finding some beautiful homes that are worth millions. Even if you can’t afford these homes, they are certainly beautiful to behold considering their unique architecture and craftsmanship.
5. Roswell
If you want to live in a place where there is always something new and exciting happening, Roswell may be the place for you. Roswell is actually quite a historic city, making it of particular interest to history buffs. While this city always has things coming and going, there are only about 91,000 people living here.
While this may sound like a large number in comparison to the population sizes of the previous cities we have discussed, you will find that Roswell doesn’t feel at all crowded. Instead, it feels just as quaint and roomy as the other cities. Roswell has a tendency to make everyone feel like an important part of the community due to its frequent festivals.
Its beer and art festivals are of particular interest. During these festivals, everyone comes together and enjoys all sorts of different craft beers and unique art pieces that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Because each festival always brings something new and unique, you’ll never get bored of going to them.
Things to do in Roswell
If you’re a lover of music, you’ll be delighted to know that Roswell also hosts many free concerts on a regular basis. Many of these concerts are outside, where you can sit on the grass and enjoy the music without feeling crowded or stressed. It’s actually very unlikely to feel crowded in Roswell because it is home to more than 900 acres of parkland.
Much of this greenery is due to the Chattahoochee River, which you can easily spend the afternoon fishing in or taking a kayak down whenever you see fit. There are plenty of trails all around Roswell where you can go hiking or mountain biking. If you don’t care much about the great outdoors, there are also some stellar restaurants throughout Roswell that will satisfy any kind of palate.
But what about the cost of housing? The average house cost in Roswell is around $604,000. This is a great price for both growing families and young professionals alike.
If you’re looking to live in an apartment, monthly rent in Roswell tends to be around $1,800.
The Best Places to Live in Georgia
When it comes to the best places to live in Georgia, there are many cities you can choose from. From Athens and Roswell to Johns Creek and beyond, the cities in Georgia vary quite a lot and each one of them has something of interest.
If you’re ready to sell your house and move to Georgia, submit your address to get a quote on your current home from iBuyers.
