What is it like to live in Buford, Ga...? (Atlanta: relocating, real estate)

[hissheep]

I am relocating to the Atlanta area. I viewed a house I liked in Buford, Ga off of Highway 124. Who can tell me what it is like to live in Buford, GA? Also, I have been viewing houses in Gwennett and North Fulton counties, because I would like to live near Lake Lenier(but no further than an hours drive to downtown Atlanta. Thanks!

[hissheep]

Buford, Thank you so very much for your input, it is very helpful.

[sondrabaggett]

I'd have to disagree with the Agent that said Buford was "not that bad." Pischaw....The city of Buford is nearly the crack capital of the state. It is mostly centered to the poorer communities in downtown Buford. The other areas of Buford are nicely located next to Landfills. People are moving into the wonderful homes with little knowledge of the Landfills (they do not have to be disclosed). Expecially around Little Mill Road. The city schools require a few languages be spoken for success. The Buford residences that are outside of the city limits are lucky enough to attend the new schools that were just built over the last few years. But, that only applies to the Gwinnett County Buford residence. Hall County Buford is a completely different story as far as schooling is concerned. A wider mix of demographics and income levels. Many areas of Hall County are poorer areas, but, because land has become so valuable the doublewides on 10 acres are moving out and being replaced with new subdivision. Hall County is growing just like Forsyth County did over the last 5 years. Newer and larger homesites are popping up all over the place and surprisingly they are relatively affordable. And the commute into downtown is increased by just mere minutes over Buford. Move to Flowery Branch, Brasselton or Dacula. Still a little honky-tonk but growing fast and the potential for quick home appreciation is good.

[Asia G]

Buford is a great area for being close to L.Lanier and offers plenty of shopping, however, you will rarely ever be able to make it to downtown in under an hour. It is however a little on the honky-tonk side, but if that doesn't bother you then, enjoy. As a former law enforcement agent in GA, l advise look at the school system, test scores , etc. , whether you have children or not, they are usually the sign of an up and coming, or down in the dumps area. Due to the fact that Buford is still somewhat rural, there is a lot of meth and crack problems, much like all rural areas in the south, however, no town is perfect. You may want to check within a 3 mile radius of where you are interested in because Meth labs can pollute the ground for many miles around.

[hissheep]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I am forming a broader view of Buford.

[rami]

I too am moving down to Georgia (DH is already there, staying in apartment in Duluth).
We went to a home in Buford and really liked it, but now reading the posts in regards to drugs, I will stay away from that area for sure. I know they are everywhere, but I also know I don't want to be anywhere close to a meth house.
Thanks all for the info!

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by sondrabaggett

I'd have to disagree with the Agent that said Buford was "not that bad." Pischaw....The city of Buford is nearly the crack capital of the state. It is mostly centered to the poorer communities in downtown Buford. The other areas of Buford are nicely located next to Landfills. People are moving into the wonderful homes with little knowledge of the Landfills (they do not have to be disclosed). Expecially around Little Mill Road. The city schools require a few languages be spoken for success. The Buford residences that are outside of the city limits are lucky enough to attend the new schools that were just built over the last few years. But, that only applies to the Gwinnett County Buford residence. Hall County Buford is a completely different story as far as schooling is concerned. A wider mix of demographics and income levels. Many areas of Hall County are poorer areas, but, because land has become so valuable the doublewides on 10 acres are moving out and being replaced with new subdivision. Hall County is growing just like Forsyth County did over the last 5 years. Newer and larger homesites are popping up all over the place and surprisingly they are relatively affordable. And the commute into downtown is increased by just mere minutes over Buford. Move to Flowery Branch, Brasselton or Dacula. Still a little honky-tonk but growing fast and the potential for quick home appreciation is good.

I don't consider Buford the "Crack" capital of world. I think that award would go to Clayton County and Dacula "Honky Tonk" Heck, I think I am the only close to Southern person in my entire town. 90% transplants from NY, CA, NJ, MI, and pick a foreign country. Now Buford is a little sticky along the Rt 20 corridor and the schools have had some issues. The issue which worries me most about the Buford / Dacula area is developers run a muk! The Gwinnett County commission was "supposed" to place a building ban on new housing in the NE part of the county, but continue to pass out building permits like water. Rt 324 and 124 are currently being expanded to 4 lanes and 324 will bode the new Exit 117 from I-85. Guess what? Johnny Developer is already pushing for more homes. Last permit request count??? Drumroll!!! 3,000 + new homes just between Mall of GA and GA 8/29.
2 Years ago leaving before 7am would require 25 minutes to make Duluth. Present day, it is 40 minutes to an hour if your lucky. Mostly thanks to out of control development here and thanks to our neighbors in Jackson County.

Control the developers and the area would be outstanding.

[bufordres]

We moved to Buford recently after looking for homes from Lawrenceville north. We live close to the Dacula line right off of 124. Our home is gorgeous, the schools are amazing, the neighborhood is friendly, clean and quiet. Our property has already gone up in value and other homes on the market here have sold very quickly! Our travel time to Atlanta is usually 45 minutes and the airport is an hour away. In the time we have lived here we have heard of no meth house busts here or even in towns that close by; according to actual data from the federal government the crime rate here is one of the lowest in the nation. Our area was never a land fill--it was a foothill and the drive is gorgeous thru our neighborhood. There are beautiful homes, two country clubs and a lot of history in this area. The trees are tall and the flowers in the spring are breath taking. I think the negative writer must be living in a part of Buford I have not seen yet and I really don't know where they are getting their information. Please don't let it spoil your view of an oasis not too far from Atlanta, the mountains and Lake Lanier.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by bufordres

We moved to Buford recently after looking for homes from Lawrenceville north. We live close to the Dacula line right off of 124. Our home is gorgeous, the schools are amazing, the neighborhood is friendly, clean and quiet. Our property has already gone up in value and other homes on the market here have sold very quickly! Our travel time to Atlanta is usually 45 minutes and the airport is an hour away. In the time we have lived here we have heard of no meth house busts here or even in towns that close by; according to actual data from the federal government the crime rate here is one of the lowest in the nation. Our area was never a land fill--it was a foothill and the drive is gorgeous thru our neighborhood. There are beautiful homes, two country clubs and a lot of history in this area. The trees are tall and the flowers in the spring are breath taking. I think the negative writer must be living in a part of Buford I have not seen yet and I really don't know where they are getting their information. Please don't let it spoil your view of an oasis not too far from Atlanta, the mountains and Lake Lanier.

Congrats on your move. Your around my neck of the woods in the Dacula area. Buford is not bad, they are actually planning a new neighborhood area in downtown similiar to Suwanee. The rough area is 20 but as with all commercial areas you will have some issues.
Question: How close are you to 124 and are you between Hamilton Mill Blvd and Rt 324?
Only reason, is the planned expansion of Rt124. The plan is to take 124 and merge into a 4 lane highway from Exit 120 to Rt 324. You will see many homes for sale now on the 324 path due to the county taking the front yards.
The expansion should ease traffic if they control the developers.

Good Luck, if you need any location info feel free to PM me will give you some side road directions.

[we love buford]

I know this post is old, but I just saw it and hope that some people get a chance to read this....unbelievable that some folks are calling Buford the "crack" capital....give me a break! We moved here last year and took careful consideration on picking where we moved....we picked Buford! Its 40 minutes to downtown, 1 mile or so from Lake Lanier, a couple of miles from Buford Dam, and 20 minutes from the Georgia mountains....if you want to call anything the crack capital, go downtown ATL on a Friday night....or, go to downtown Buford and walk with your children and other families, pets, etc and check out all the beauty and history Buford has to offer....sure, there is some poverty in a extremely small section (which you can't find unless you go looking)....I would bet that with exception to Sugarloaf country club in Duluth, there are more million dollar+ homes in the buford area than any other in metro ATL....people come here to retire on the lake, and like us, to come back to relax after fighting traffic all day.....check the crime rates genious, Buford has one of the lowest in the state!!!!!!! Moderator cut: Removed wherever you move, make that decision and be happy, but don't take advice from people like that....as a licenced real estate broker as well in the state, I'd pick NE Georgia hands down if you don't mind the commute and are looking in mid-range market (175-300k)...good luck!!