Moving to Ellijay (Canton, Jackson, Blue Ridge: new home, purchase, private schools)

[sand0408]

My family and I will be moving to Ellijay in early June. We purchased a home in Coosawattee River Resort. We have been there numerous times and absolutely love it. My son is 13 and will be in 8th grade next year. Is there any families out there who have recently moved to Ellijay? Do you like the area? How are the schools? The weather? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[VioletPetal]

Hi ,We are also thinking of moving to Ellijay, we also have a 13 year old son. We like to fish and enjoy the great outdoors. Can anyone tell me if the schools are good? How far are the schools? Who is happy with the area? Thank you, any info I'm happy to hear! We might be moving into the area June-July so I need in put fast!!!

[sand0408]

Where will you be moving from? We currently live in Florida. We bought a house in Ellijay about 3 years ago. We have been going back and forth since then.

[VioletPetal]

Hi Sand, I heard that there is still alot of chicken coops, and smelly in the area, have you ever experienced that? Thank you for your reply. We are also thinking of moving to Lehigh, Fl any thoughts on that area?

[sand0408]

We purchased in a gated resort. It is very well maintained. They have 3 pools, 1 indoor, a rec center, teen center, tubing on the river, a fish pond and other amenities. The dues are $555.00 per year. You can purchase a new home with lot included for under $200,000. I have seen some as low as $149,000. There are also plenty of resales. The area is lovely. I have not encounted any chicken coups or odors. The downtown area is historic with lots of antique stores, small shops and restaurants. On highway 515 you have more modern conveniences like Lowes, Super WalMart and lots of chain restaurants.

I don't know too much about Lehigh Acres. We live in Port Charlotte and have been here for about 23 years. I am looking for a change of seasons (too hot here) and to be nearer my family in WV.

[riefderrico]

For years we vacationed in the CRR and found it lovely, wich was a deciding factor in our decision. We were not expecting what we got when we moved here. I hope my honesty will help you know what to expect, it is not in anyway meant to be negative - only informative

We moved to just north of Ellijay to Blue Ridge last year from Florida (Jacksonville area). The quiet was nice for about the first 2 weeks - then it began to drive us a little batty. We considered moving to the CRR and looked at cabins and homes in and around Ellijay but when it came down to it, we decided we were a little more "citified" than we thought and really did like drywall over wood, and that we needed to be closer to "civilization".
The culture shock for us and the kids (18, 17, 15, and 12) was just too much. We moved about 40 min south of Ellijay, to just outside of Canton only 5 months after our intial move.
This area is more our speed, close enough to the city and the country depending on our mood. Everyone is starting to settle in nicely.
The schools pretty good up here, but private schools are few and far between and very expensive.
Although I was born here, I grew up in FL and we found the weather is was not even close to what we were used to. Quite a bit of overcast and cloudy days, but temps are more tollerable, not as hot and the cold days (19-30 degrees) only feels like the mid 40's in Fl. Fall was absolutely beautiful. Winter made everything look dead and to be honest made me miss the green. But spring is definitely making up for it so many flowers and colors, the wildlife is great!!! The bob-whites and whipporwills are out and the humming birds are starting to come around, and its all reminding me of when I was a kid!
Overall, we are glad we came and are happy to make this our home!

[{ Durf }]

Originally Posted by riefderrico

For years we vacationed in the CRR and found it lovely, wich was a deciding factor in our decision. We were not expecting what we got when we moved here. I hope my honesty will help you know what to expect, it is not in anyway meant to be negative - only informative

We moved to just north of Ellijay to Blue Ridge last year from Florida (Jacksonville area). The quiet was nice for about the first 2 weeks - then it began to drive us a little batty. We considered moving to the CRR and looked at cabins and homes in and around Ellijay but when it came down to it, we decided we were a little more "citified" than we thought and really did like drywall over wood, and that we needed to be closer to "civilization".
The culture shock for us and the kids (18, 17, 15, and 12) was just too much. We moved about 40 min south of Ellijay, to just outside of Canton only 5 months after our intial move.
This area is more our speed, close enough to the city and the country depending on our mood. Everyone is starting to settle in nicely.
The schools pretty good up here, but private schools are few and far between and very expensive.
Although I was born here, I grew up in FL and we found the weather is was not even close to what we were used to. Quite a bit of overcast and cloudy days, but temps are more tollerable, not as hot and the cold days (19-30 degrees) only feels like the mid 40's in Fl. Fall was absolutely beautiful. Winter made everything look dead and to be honest made me miss the green. But spring is definitely making up for it so many flowers and colors, the wildlife is great!!! The bob-whites and whipporwills are out and the humming birds are starting to come around, and its all reminding me of when I was a kid!
Overall, we are glad we came and are happy to make this our home!

Exactly what I needed. My wife & I are scouring the internet now for land in the Ellijay area. We both grew up in Jacksonville, FL (uggh) and currently live on County Rd 210 "just" outside of the city (the Phantom Fireworks exit off of I-95). We are planning for retirement and suspect that by then the peace and quiet will fit the bill. I work in Jax and have the kind of job that has drastically changed my opinions/attitude towards city life, so it's good to read your post above- thank you!

[{ Durf }]

I meant to ask. Now that you are there, how are you finding the transition to be with the state taxes, etc?

[graywolf73]

Sorry, but Ellijay has some of the worst schools in the state. It is in Gilmer County. You can check out the stats on Georgia Public Policy Foundation - www.gppf.org I wouldn't recommend moving to Ellijay with school age children but since you are, I would either put them in private school or home-school them.

[VioletPetal]

I want to thank you all for the reply. Your info was very helpful! I will check all things out before making any hasty moves! Thanks again