Retiring and moving to Cumming GA (Atlanta, Savannah: transplants, new house, neighborhood)

[icartp]

Can anyone share and let me know what to expect. I am very aware that Cumming is quite a distance from Atlanta and tends to be a lot slower. But at this point in my life I am looking for that slower pace, but what is it like in terms of affordability, diversity and welcoming to new transplants and what will life be like

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by icartp

Can anyone share and let me know what to expect. I am very aware that Cumming is quite a distance from Atlanta and tends to be a lot slower. But at this point in my life I am looking for that slower pace, but what is it like in terms of affordability, diversity and welcoming to new transplants and what will life be like

Well, since a commute to and from work will not be factor for you, depending on your budget for housing, Cumming is a good place to target because of its location on the western shores of Lake Lanier (a popular spot for water recreation in an otherwise landlocked greater Atlanta metropolitan region) and because of its fairly close proximity to scenic Blue Ridge and southern Appalachian mountain ranges of North Georgia, Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

Like much (if not most) of the Atlanta metropolitan area, the Cumming area and surrounding Forsyth County (especially southern, central and western Forsyth County) is a major magnet for newcomers and transplants, so a newcomer like yourself should not feel unwelcome after moving there.

Diversity is also on the rise in the area (especially in southern Forsyth County) with Asian and Hispanic populations booming in an area that was virtually 100% white only about 3-4 decades ago.

The northern part of Cumming and Forsyth County is outer-suburban/exurban/semi-rural, while the southern part of Cumming and Forsyth County is trending increasingly heavily suburban as part of Atlanta's heavily developed northern suburbs.

[sedimenjerry]

Honestly, Cumming is growing pretty fast. You may find a quiet place nearby soon ends up with subdivisions moving in. Not to say it's going to become some large suburb, but just be mindful. Look to the north, especially away from GA 400 where commuters may be more inclined to move

[Mattie]

I think the OP's information about Cumming is dated. Maybe 10 years or so ago it was considered outside the Atlanta metro, but no longer. I live in Milton and work in Roswell, my son lives in Cumming and works in Alpharetta. It just doesn't seem like much of a distance at all. Based on what my son is paying as well as a few others I know, prices aren't that much less than the rest of the Atlanta outskirts.

OP, why Cumming?

[PeteATL41]

If you really want slower pace and are retired, why not go further up to the N GA Mountains? The countryside is beautiful, you are still 2 hours from ATL and you don't have to put up with all of the congestion that is a bigger and bigger factor in the outer suburbs like Cumming.

[icartp]

PeteATL41, CUMMING because I have been looking at properties in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and I find that I can get more for my money in Cumming and property taxes are significantly lower. And I am looking and very interested in a property in Cumming and I was concerned about the pace being too slow. I want a slower pace however I don't want to be away from everything and be bored out of my mind. Initially I was more interested in Johns Creek and Alpharetta because they are only about half hour from the ATL metro area but I find the prices to be too high and property taxes outrageously high.

[Go Blue 99]

The southern part of Cumming is definitely not slow. As others have said, it’s basically becoming an extention of Alpharetta and Johns Creek. So you’ll get the extra traffic, but you’ll also get increased amenities (restaurants, retail, etc). It will feel no different than any other Atlanta suburb.

[Citykid3785]

My answer is solely anecdotal, in that I have several coworkers that live there and I get to hear their opinions.

Cumming can refer to quite a large area, as some people who live in Cumming live out in the country on lots of land, some on Lake Lanier, while others (like some others mentioned) are essentially in a continuation of Alpharetta. My boss said his neighborhood is fully 50% Indian, and it sounds like there is a sizeable Asian and Indian population that works at the tech companies in Alpharetta. Since Cumming is along the booming 400 highway, near the Alpharetta job center, and still has lots of buildable land, my guess is that it's anything but sleepy?

[LastMove6]

I currently live in Cumming and would happy to give you some insight. What area of Cumming are you looking at specifically?

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by icartp

PeteATL41, CUMMING because I have been looking at properties in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and I find that I can get more for my money in Cumming and property taxes are significantly lower. And I am looking and very interested in a property in Cumming and I was concerned about the pace being too slow. I want a slower pace however I don't want to be away from everything and be bored out of my mind. Initially I was more interested in Johns Creek and Alpharetta because they are only about half hour from the ATL metro area but I find the prices to be too high and property taxes outrageously high.

I am closing on my new home in Cumming in late July & the property taxes of about %1 per 1000k is what drew me to the area, plus outstanding school.

My taxes in Savannah have crept up from $3800 in 2009 to $7100 this year, was just reassessed again this year, my new house will be $4100 per year & my new home is a $100k more expensive.