Jefferson Georgia info (Atlanta: crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[milles]

I am considering relocating to Jefferson but I do not know much about it. Has anyone relocated from the Midwest to Jefferson? Any great surprises/differences? How are the taxes, weather, home prices compared to the Midwest? Any tips would be appreciated.

[jhsrichards]

I grew up in Jefferson and, although I can't compare it to the midwest, I can tell you a little bit about the area.

Jefferson is a small town of about 6,000 and growing rapidly. It is located right off Interstate 85 about 1 hour north of Atlanta and less than 30 minutes from the metro area (traffic providing). Jefferson has always been fairly quiet, and there is very little crime and almost no traffic. The schools are among the best in Georgia. I believe taxes are considered fairly high by most locals, however. And Jefferson is slowly changing - a new Kroger (the largest in GA) just opened a few months ago, and we are fixing to get a KFC, Dairy Queen, and I think a Walmart is also being discussed. Most of the homes are fairly affordable, but there is a pretty good variety. There are a only a few areas left around Jefferson that have not yet been developed with planned neighborhoods, so if you are looking for some acreage and seclusion, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it.

Jefferson typically has hot summers (August highs average 80-90 degrees) and mild winters (January days rarely rise above 50s). The geography of the area is all gently rolling hills, but if you travel much farther north, these hillls quickly turn into mountains.

Overall, it's a great quiet place to live, but definitely be prepared to drive a little ways to work or shop. There aren't many large employers in the area, but more are coming. The college city of Athens (UGA) is 25 minutes south, and a four-lane is currently being constructed from Jefferson to Athens to make the commute even easier. I-85 is 5 miles north of downtown, and access is quick and easy from pretty much anywhere in Jefferson. Not sure if this information is helpful, but this has been my experience. Good luck!