Confused about the "mountain" areas - of almost "NE" Georgia (Atlanta: tax lien, to rent)

[jerseyjeepgurl]

I almost feel like a "tool" for asking these questions - because I am SURE that they are here somewhere, HOWEVER due to the nature of my search questions - I keep landing in the wrong state for my answers! And here is why: We have been looking at "Cleveland GA" for our move - BUT - I need to know if there is any area that I may have missed, that is like Cleveland? And, every time, I do a search, I end up in the Ohio forums.
We are going to be moving into the beautiful state if Georgia as soon as our house sells here in "wonderful" NJ! (yes that was oozing sarcasm). Don't get me wrong, I believe with 100% that home is what YOU make of it, and that there is no special "magical land" where rainbows and lollipops grow like weeds. Some folks have been BRUTAL about the places that others call home, and that is something that I don't agree with. How can anybody, insult a persons home, when you are standing on their doorstep, is beyond me?
Okay, so here is the situation:
*Leaving NJ - When? As SOON as the house sells
*Job situation - Retiring (on the "early side" - Hubs hit 25 years with the state, so we are ready to leave)
*No Kids - except a furry one - possible adult child may be following us down there later on - but she will be on her own
*Housing - (here is where it gets hairy for us) -So far we have been looking for a house with some land, in Cleveland GA (again,,,,this is why I get hits for Ohio) - property of about three-five acres. What I would like to know is:
*What other towns are like Cleveland? In other words am I missing any areas that have the same topography?
*Cleveland is about as far NORTH as we want to go, because we would like to be near Gainesville - there is a really nice outdoor shooting range there, that we would like to be able to shoot at. (Speaking of shooting practice, are you allowed to shoot on your land, as long as you own a significant amount of land, and take proper precautions - like setting up your own Berm for target practice - are there certain counties that is a strict NO-NO - up in the NE part of the state still - not in ATL of course)?
*We want mountain views , but need an area that has roads that lead to most major areas for shopping and doctors visits and such. Medical care needs to be available - I don't care if I have to drive an hour to my specialists, I do now for some of my doctors. But "decent local docs" would be great.
*So,,,,,,Near Gainesville (15-30 miles), 3-5 Acres (150K - 200K) extra + if we can target practice on our own land, What if ANY towns BESIDES CLEVELAND - It looks BEAUTIFUL but I just want to make sure that I explore every town that is LIKE this area, that anybody can suggest? And of course the Topography of that land up in the Cleveland area, without having to go too far north? It's just so hard to get an idea of what the area looks like from Google Earth.
*Is Cleveland as nice as it "looks' as far as living there?
Thanks so much for the input! It really is appreciated - and I promise not to insult (sorry but it's just rude to do so)!

[Iconographer]

Yes, Cleveland's a lovely little community. Similar communities in north Georgia:

Dahlonega
Clarkesville
Blue Ridge
Hiawassee
Young Harris
Ellijay
Jasper

[jerseyjeepgurl]

Thanks so much - I'm telling you it is VERY difficult to get a feeling for this area, and which towns have nice views - we currently are on the water (lagoon) and are really looking for a TOTALLY different scene, from the back yard. It's been extremely pleasant living where we have, but the taxes are forcing people out in droves, from the area. It really is THAT bad here in NJ. Things were "reasonable" up until about four years ago, when they came thru and reassessed all of the properties that had been sold and built, during the housing boom, of the 90's, now the assessments are so far upside down, that people are losing homes due to tax liens. It's very sad.

Okay - Here is what we can tell so far:

*Blue Ridge, Young Harris, Eljay and Hiawassee - while beautiful is just a bit too far up and away from Gainesville
Jasper MIGHT be okay but we were hoping to be a bit more North East.
Here is where I have "looked" BESIDES CLeveland
* Cornelia
* Demorest
*Lula
*Alto
*Mount Airy
*Sautee
*Clermont
*Homer
Basically in this "general area" - if any of the above are "Foothills" instead of, up in the thick of it, I'd love to know. We are HOPING to be IN the views, not looking UP at them, if that makes sense. I feel like I am being SO PICKY, but, this will be our last home, and, we really want it to be the best, so, yes, I am pretty much looking for my "dream home", one that we can afford (225K max) it is only the two of us so I can imagine that a nice 3/2 ranch would be fairly easy to find (?). Something with a beautiful view that we can forever enjoy, while growing old and grey on the porch.

Of course if there are any of the above NOT to go into please state the reasons that you can think of - And by ALL means PLEASE ADD to the list if you'd like - Again we would like to stay within the travel distance of no more than 30 miles from Gainesville -- Have a Great day!

[Ollie1946]

I would add Clayton which is on a main route, 441 and has a good shot at Gainesville. Actually, Cleveland bothers me due to traffic during summers and fall. Several routes seem to come together and it gets bumper to bumper in the ville. Needs a by-pass. Helen is the same way only worse.

The view is nice just like waterfront, but be careful of water pressure for a house or cabin or whatever you wind up in. I'd even suggest renting a cabin for a summer and scouting any and everything.

I live in Athens. Lived in Hiawassee area for a couple of years. Sold out and came back to Athens. Good luck.

[Iconographer]

Dahlonega is actually closer to Gainesville than Cleveland is. It's a lovely little college town and one of my personal favorites in the region.

http://dahlonega.org

[Cdarocks]

I went through Dahlonega for the first time last week. I thought the little downtown area was really charming. We didn't get to stop and look around, but I would like to go back. I am not sure it is IN the view you are looking for, but it is worth looking at.

I hope your home sells quickly! In the meantime, plan a trip or two here to take a long drive through all these areas. When we relocated here we made two trips out before making a decision on where we needed to be. A really good realtor is essential too. They will educate you, answer questions and help you narrow down your search. That being said, I would caution against buying a home until you have been here (or anywhere) for a year or so.

Good luck!

[cwkimbro]

You have gotten good advice on where to look... Im adding one town to fill a gap.

It is smaller. It is called Dawsonville and is between Jasper and Dahlonega.

I mention it because there are lots of mountain/hill neighborhood developments in that area, along with Dahlonega and Jasper... but the address reads Dawsonville.

I would reccomend pulling out Google maps and look at the aerial photos... essentially you are looking for towns on the edge of the big mass of -green trees-

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cleve...gl=us&t=h&z=11

[jerseyjeepgurl]

It is very much appreciated and helpful. I honestly don't know what people did BEFORE the internet!?!? All I can say is THANK GOODNESS that it IS here, and helping with the learning curve of Gerogia and. We are going to rent in a general area of where we want to "settle" for six months, and get to know the traffic patterns and such. Being form one of the Shore area up here is certainly a lesson on Traffic Dealing Skills. The traffic during the summer starts in April, and doesn't let up until the early fall for us. In NJ we have TWO main routes that run up and down the state - Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway. AKA the Garden State Driveway - on any given weekend you can see 8-10 lanes of traffic backed up for miles - when the parkway backs up the local roads then take the overflow. So, we have learned that if you need to get ANYWHERE in the area, you need to leave your house at 7AM, get to the stores that open early, and get whatever you may need for the weekend, and back home by, no later than 11AM, to get back home before the state becomes a stand still. During the week, the same story holds true because of the commuters for both Philly and NYC. When the traffic is NOT at a stand still, the road opens up like the Autobahn - no lie, If you don't travel at 70+ you are going to get ran off the road,,, Anyway , I guess you can say that, traffic is the least of my worries, but it IS on "the list" So it will be put into the what's and why nots, to look out.

If it helps to know, I moved up here from the Gulf Coast of MS, for better schools. I have lived here since 1986, but have lived everywhere as I was sort of an Army Brat, as my Stepfather was a Chef, and he got transferred a lot when he worked for large Hotel chains. I have lived in Savannah, and even went to Dekalb county schools, when I was in the 5th grade. The main reason to why we chose the south, was because I myself have never had a problem with any of the spots where we managed to land. I'm sort of like a Chameleon, and can blend when needed. Heck If I can manage a transition to NJ,,,,,after Mississippi,, the first time I said Y'all or "Fixing to" I got laughed at so hard - because everything is "Yo" not Yall up I'm looking forward to a bit of Southern Hospitality down there for sure!

We need to find a place in the Northern area of the state, because of my health - I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, The Winters are too cold up here and the heat is not as "easily" taken. We have some friends in the area as well. But they are closer to more of the ATL area for work and such.

Pretty much we just want to make sure that we are near the Cherokee Outdoor Range, (there are a few others that are located in the area as well) but that is the one that most of our friends usually shoot at, so we can meet up with them on a regular basis,,,which should be great. Other than that, the hubby and I pretty much stick together with daily trips in and around the areas, for snooping and such - We love little historical towns to visit - We sort of liken the area of Georgia to the Upstate NY area of where my Parents live. But with much nicer winters thankfully.

I am keeping a list of each town, that you are all suggesting, and printing out research on each one - On another note: How is the Financial stability of the area? Are the towns any of the towns having trouble Thriving or are they Struggling? I know that the economy has hit a lot of smaller towns pretty hard, and if they are starting to ration police and fire patrol, or Garbage pickup, (basic needs) and such, that would also be helpful in knowing.
Thanks again everybody!

[Newsboy]

You might get better results by searching COUNTY names rather than specific towns or city names. Unlike the NE, where every square mile of land is some incorporated jurisdiction, here in Georgia (and most of the South) unincorporated areas out in the country are just that -- out in the county. You may have a Cleveland address, but you actually live in (and have services provided by) unincorporated WHITE COUNTY (which are governed by state-issued charter, not municipal corporation).

I know that's WAY too much information, but it's one of the big differences between local governments up north and down south and something that's often confusing to newcomers.

Some other COUNTIES you should research: Hambersham, Lumpkin, Union, Dawson, Towns, Banks, Rabun, Fannin, Stephens.

Word of warning about Cleveland and White County: While beautiful and inviting, it is MAJOR tourist country and at certain times of the year becomes completely overrun. I know natives up there who hate the annual invasion, but the money those tourists bring in sure beats running moonshine! LOL!

[Mawoods]

I too suggest Dahlonega and that general area. You are also near 400 and can jump on that to get into Atlanta if you have to. Beautiful views, charming town and even has a nice state school there. Being near a state school can offer some cultural activities too. I would move up there fast if I could. Unfortunately, we are here way further south on Lake Eufaula. The Dahlonega/North GA area offers so much. HOWEVER, I will say that my taxes are much lower LOL! Good luck!