According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Georgia has 24 of the 100 fastest growing counties in the country. Most of those counties are in North Georgia with much of the increase in the Blue Ridge Mountain area.
The following North Georgia counties grew by nearly a quarter of a million households over the past six years:
- Fannin (leading the way)
- Gilmer
- Pickens
- Dawson
- Union
- Towns
- Lumpkin
- Cherokee
June Slusser, Blue Ridge Broker with Coldwell Banker said, "Fannin County and North Georgia are part of a great big national statistic and trend," she said. "That trend is that anytime you're within about 100 miles of a major metropolitan area and you happen to live in a resort market, you're going to have baby boomers looking for their next adventure."
Fannin county now ranks number 13 of the fastest growing counties in the nation, from 11,134 households to 16,610 from 2000 to 2006 making our county have approximately 22,000 full time residents. Part timers from Florida and Atlanta and half backers (people who migrated from the north to Florida and are now moving halfway back) purchased property in our area and are not included in this number.
What is drawing people out of the metro areas into our mountains? One main thing is a simpler way of life. Also, location, location location and convenience to Atlanta within 1 to 1 ½ hours, Chattanooga TN within 1 hour, Asheville NC within 2 hours to name a few cities, as well as other resort areas such as:
- Dollywood / Pigeon Forge
- Gatlinburg
- Maggie Valley
- Sky Valley
- Helen
- Clayton
- Dahlonega
Fannin county has become a second home destination. While people come to visit our area, many of them fall in love and buy a home here. Some buy a home to retire to in a few years and others find their dream get-away spot. Despite the slump in some housing markets across the country, the North Georgia Mountains is only getting better and better.
Donna Yates, Realtor
Mountain Investments of North Georgia
Blue Ridge
706-633-0644 cell
Website: http://www.move2northgeorgia.net/
WebBlog: http://www.activerain.com/blogs/blueridgemountains
Email: donna@ellijay.com
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