Flowery Branch - Sterling on the Lake (Atlanta, Gainesville: houses, schools)

[billandashley]

My family is moving to GA in the very near future. Husband will be working in Cornelia but we want to live closer to Atlanta. So...we are considering Gainesville, Oakwood or Flowery Branch - specifically Sterling on the Lake. Can anyone tell me what living in this community is like? or what the perception of others is regarding the community. It sounds great on paper but I'm just wondering what the true community vibe is. Friendly and fun or cliquish and snotty? It could go either way. I guess I'm just looking for the honest pros and cons of certain areas. Any help would be amazing! Thanks!! Oh --and we have three kids under the age of 6.

Ashley

[OhioNative]

I have heard nothing but good things about that subdivision from a number of co-workers. It does look very nice - I have been in the clubhouse which is also impressive. I also do not get the impression that Flowery Branch is too snobby.

[billandashley]

Thanks for that info! It's so incredibly hard to choose a new place to live I think. I noticed in a past thread that you live in Suwanee and commute to Gainesville. I guess my husband would have a similar commute to yours working in Cornelia and commuting from Flower Branch. We have also considered living in Gainesville. Any specific reasons you chose to not live there? If you don't mind sharing that is.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Sterling on the Lake is a another masterplanned community from Newland Communities. They also built Windermere in Cumming.
All the builders are members of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, and Newland has a very strict "code of compliance" as far as who they invite in to build. As far as the individual builders that are presently there- they all have ready inventory (and I'm sure they would love to unload one of them). If you would like any other info on them, DM me.

[graywolf73]

You may want to check on the schools first. Schools in Flowery Branch are not as good as many other places. Go to greatschools.net before you commit to an area.

[Georgia]

Sterling on the Lake never tripped my trigger. IMO it seems to be a developer nightmare. A large plat of ground off 985, piled high with houses, with overall no identity.
During the building boom if there was a patch of grass in Gwinnett, Jackson, and South Hall Counties, the developers did wonders of tearing each blade apart, then run to leave the rest of us to clean up the mess with lower values and higher taxation to make up the shortfall. Thus my nickname for them, Seagulls, which I used to use in the past.
Sterling on the Lake is no Hamilton Mill, which it tries to mimmick and the best part? Getting off and on the little two lane country road during the morning go to work rush!
My preference is Hamilton Mill and Reunion, which is right down the road.

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by Georgia

My preference is Hamilton Mill and Reunion, which is right down the road.

Yeah, Reunion is a really neat community, and a great golf course.

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by billandashley

Thanks for that info! It's so incredibly hard to choose a new place to live I think. I noticed in a past thread that you live in Suwanee and commute to Gainesville. I guess my husband would have a similar commute to yours working in Cornelia and commuting from Flower Branch. We have also considered living in Gainesville. Any specific reasons you chose to not live there? If you don't mind sharing that is.

There are several reasons I don't live in or near Gainesville. One, its not convenient for my wife. She also will not live north of Buford because it is more "southern" up there. I am also not a fan of Hall County schools - large number of Spanish speaking students and problems with gangs (although the numbers vary based on location in the county) - I have heard one too many horror stories from my co-workers. Also, the closer you get to Gainesville, the more issues there are with illegal immigration, again, impacting the school situation.

[billandashley]

Thanks for all of your thoughtful replies. I appreciate everything you've said. If you think of anything else that might be help me choose my future home location I would be so greatful.

Thanks!
Ashley

[Lizzy5]

billandashley,
I just emailed you about some info about Suwanee. Check your Direct Message.