Flowery Branch - Sterling on the Lake (Atlanta, Hamilton: transplants, renting)

[ReturningWest]

Have you thought about the NE Jackson Co. area? or Commerce in Banks Co? A commute to Cornelia can be adventureous to say the least. Can you say why living closer to Atlanta is important?

[waitaminute]

Sterling on the Lake (SOTL) is a great subdivsion but has not been immune to the housing downturn. As a result you may be able to pick up a good deal from existing inventory from the builders. The builders in the area are David Weekly, Ryland, Touchstone Homes, Peachtree Residential, Waterford and Jim Hogan.
Hall County is building a new school across the street from SOTL, so there will be access to the Elementary and High School in front of the subdivision. If you have not been there, you will also see a newly built library at the entrance to SOTL as well.

The neighbors at SOTL are friendly and if you decide to move to the area I would encourage getting involved with the activities to meet more folks in the neighborhood. I have been a resident for nearly 3 years now and out of the many masterplanned communities I have lived in across country, SOTL has been the best so far.

[billandashley]

Thanks waitaminute!!

It's nice to hear from a resident of SOTL. We are definitely considering purchasing something in the area. Do you mind telling me how you find the neighborhood association and the rules imposed from them. Stringent or reasonable? Would you say it is a family oriented neighborhood? Thanks for the information re: schools. I appreciate any insight you can give me.

Ashley

[billandashley]

Hello ReturningWest!

We were thinking that we want to live closer to Atlanta because we actually like living super close to shopping, hospitals, schools, entertainment etc. I like the convenience of it. I am definitely not a country girl and the thought of having to drive more than 10 minutes to Target makes me shudder. Call me lazy I suppose but that's me! I hadn't considered Banks or Jackson counties though and I will definitely look into it. I want to keep an open mind but definitely am not cut out for rural living. Thanks!

Ashley

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by billandashley

Thanks waitaminute!!

It's nice to hear from a resident of SOTL. We are definitely considering purchasing something in the area. Do you mind telling me how you find the neighborhood association and the rules imposed from them. Stringent or reasonable? Would you say it is a family oriented neighborhood? Thanks for the information re: schools. I appreciate any insight you can give me.

Ashley

Let me just tell you that IMO, in GA you would be wise to move to a neighborhood that has an active and strict homeowners association. Neighborhoods here have a way of going downhill fast if this is not in place - there are several factors related to this, one being the amount of turnover in residents due to the transient nature of the Atlanta area. My wife and I picked our subdivision because it was so strict, and it has saved us some of the grief that some of our friends have had with cars parked on the street, houses being painted strange colors, people making rooms in thier garage, etc.

[waitaminute]

The HOA rules ares strict in SOTL but they make sense in order to maintain the subdivision. The fees however are higher than other places I have lived in the country but, you have to look at the fact that it covers the amenities we have such as the pool, clubhouse, move theater, excercise room and equipment, walking trails, tennis courts and the event coordinator coupled with the activities in the community. Is it family oriented? Yes, indeed!
As for the Schools, Flowery Branch High School, Friendship Elementary, Spout Springs Elementary and CW Davis Middle are the schools your children would go to. They do not comprise of a large population of Spanish speaking unless you think 10-13% is considered overwhelmingly large nor any "gang" activities. As I have moved across in various areas in the country, I always used "Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed". It uses data from "greatschools" but it also has a feature that I liked to use when researching an area. The feature I liked the most was the ability to compare the area you are from the the area you are going to. The best thing of course is just spending a litle time in the area. Visit the schools, talk to the school faculty and when you are in the nighborhood, talk to the folks in the community. You'll find them very friendly, helpful and willing to tell you all of the great things at SOTL. I also checked my commute time before I commited to the area by leaving the area during morning and coming back in the heat of rush hour to see how it tracked. I currently work in Jackson County and it's easy driving to and from work.

[stephanie Hernandez]

Oh, and Target, Tj max, Kohls, Chili's, Publix,a public Library and a lot more are only about 5 minutes from you. ALL brand new :0)

[EternaPR]

FLOWERY BRANCH is a good place for live I live here 5 years, I have 5 kids and the school here is the best for other, they have lot activities for kids. I was lived before in Massachusetts and Florida I compare. Everybody has different criteria my Flowery Branch good place, good school, nice people and beautiful weather. Jobs -Yes, you found If you want work and not are long distance to travel. So good luck is you want to found good place, but remember everybody have a different criteria and only you know what do you want for your family.

[moneill]

Go visit. It is definitely not just a plat of land. The amenities are really nice and worth the extra dollars. It is true -- you'll get a great deal.

As for schools -- Flowery Branch schools have benefited from the increased development and influx of new homeowners.

Again -- go visit for yourself.

[Thomask9590]

BillandAshley,
My story id very similar to yours. we are going to be relocating to Georgia I will be working in Baldwin just outside of Cornelia. We too are trying to find a place to live. Let me know how you are making out. I was wondering if anyone could talk a little about Commerce. It seems pretty upbeat, any info would be great.