Hiawassee (on Lake Chatugue) (Atlanta, Gainesville: real estate, rentals, condos)

[normie]

Hi--I'm looking for possible places to retire, and have recently heard about the Lake Hiawassee area. Looks like a pretty place. Can you tell me much about the area (and the town)?

1. Do people live there year round, or is it almost all vacation rentals. I don't mind if half the town disappears, but I do want SOME neighbors during the winter!

2. Is there a sense of community in the town, or do people keep to themselves? We want to make friends, maybe join a few clubs or get involved in activities like kayaking.

3. Do the local colleges let locals take classes? That would be a great way to meet people.

4. What are the insects like? (i.e. are there problems with chiggers or some other insect infestation).

5. What is the downside to the area (if any).

6. Are there any 55+ communities? We saw a website for Brassmoor Manor, but that's really for older retirees who need additional care.

7. I notice some of the condos have multiple listing on the MLS. Is there a problem with real estate there as a result of the housing bust? Or is this the normal turnover becuse it's vacation property?

[normie]

I mean, I recently heard about Hiawassee ON Lake Chatugue! Gee, maybe I'd better consider Blairsville, I keep making the same mistake...
:-)

[irvm]

I'll answer what I can:

1.There are several rental communities with lots of tiny cabins. More than you would find in most towns. That means you'll see numerous listings for rentals. But there is no lack of full-time residents and regular homes. Anything on the water is going to be very expensive.

3.The closest is just over the mountain: Young Harris - www.yhc.edu

4. No more insects than anywhere else. A bottle of Off takes care of that.

5. You'd be a considerable distance to specialized medical care (about 2 hours to Atlanta)
Plenty of stores like WalMart & HomeDepot, but if you're looking for a nice suit, you may have to do some driving.

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by irvm

I'll answer what I can:

1.There are several rental communities with lots of tiny cabins. More than you would find in most towns. That means you'll see numerous listings for rentals. But there is no lack of full-time residents and regular homes. Anything on the water is going to be very expensive.

3.The closest is just over the mountain: Young Harris - www.yhc.edu

4. No more insects than anywhere else. A bottle of Off takes care of that.

5. You'd be a considerable distance to specialized medical care (about 2 hours to Atlanta)
Plenty of stores like WalMart & HomeDepot, but if you're looking for a nice suit, you may have to do some driving.

You don't necessarily need to drive to Atlanta for medical care. Gainesville has excellent healthcare for a town of its size, with the hospital rated number 1 in the state for cardiac care according to Healthgrades.com, and in the top 6% nationally for cancer care. There is also access to many specialists.