Dahlonega vs Dawsonville--Pros and Cons please (Atlanta, Gainesville: city hall, homes, neighborhoods)

[Tom Seeley]

I'm just starting to browse north GA potential retirement spots, so I don't know much yet about anything. But what I've read here about Dahlonega and Dawsonville suggests I should check out both of them more closely.

What are some pros and cons of each, please, and how would any of you who know them compare them to each other?

[gaduchman]

Dahlonega used to be a mining town and is starting to clean up its image.

Dawsonville is a nice place to live - wide open spaces and a nice outlet mall.

[cityrover]

Dawsonville = wanna be mall of ga.. they try too hard to develop.

Dahlonega is more like an actual mountain town. limited career opportunities but more rewarding life. i like it much better.

personally i wouldnt live in either unless i had a trust fund and was secure in my income. then id choose dahl and enjoy it

[SDotson]

I have no trust fund and although somewhat secure in my job, I wouldn't trade Dahlonega for anything. Granted, I am a 37 year old with many more working years ahead of me, the commute to either Gainesville or Cumming is easy. I work in Gainesville, and my wife in Cumming. Its a half hour commute to either.
I think Dahlonega would be a perfect place to retire. Its far enough away from everything to have that complete mountain town feel. And with its historic town square, its one of the most beautiful places I've visited. True, job oppurtunities aren't the greatest, but you can survive. Fishing is only about 20 minutes anyway you want to travel. And golf is even closer. Ther are many active senior neighborhoods up here and they all seem to offer a lot to their residents. You really need to head up and visit and you'll see what I'm talking about.
As for Dawsonville, it has its perks too. Too many people focus on the mall area, which is really built up, but that gives you your food choices and alot of the comforts of a bigger city. But if you travel to the older Dawsonville, it has almost as much beauty and scenery as Dahlonega. Its only about 10 miles south of Dahlonega, so they are almost one in the same. But I'm glad we chose a little farther north and away from the crowds.
I hope this little bit of info helps. Either way, I dont think you can lose.

Steve

[gaduchman]

Originally Posted by cityrover

Dawsonville = wanna be mall of ga.. they try too hard to develop.

At least it has one!

[lillys57]

Dahlonega would be my choice (I live there). It depends on what you want. I like that we are centrally located to Atlanta, N.Carolina, S. Carolina, Tenn. It's quiet here but offers fun things to do and fun festivals on the square yet close to big city shopping etc. We bought a home that has a mountain view. We are amazed at how friendly people are up here compared to Atlanta and it's suburbs. Ellijay and Cleveland are are quaint Mayberry type towns too.

[Movin on up to the mts]

I am looking to move from Florida to North Georgia mountains. I am in my 50's with 3 grown children. I would like to find a slower pace and friendly people. Everyone is stressed out in Florida. Are people rigid in this area?

[MovedfromFL]

We lived south of Dahlonega for 4 years. Last month, we took a trip and drove all over the Dawsonville area. Overall, it was nice. There are so many nice homes along the main roads, but boy are those roads windy and dangerous just to get to "town." (and dark at night, with huge ravines on the sides in some areas) Schools looked new. Nice park in Dawsonville with folks playing sports. People told me the recession really hit hard up there and many people are driving long commutes down towards Atlanta for work (on the GA 400).

Dawsonville just felt too rural for me. Not much going on. For example, at the Wal-Mart, kids in pickups are circling the parking lot for fun. Seemed pretty "hillbilly" (and I'm used to that from growing up in a similar area in FL!) Nothing wrong with country, but I think living there would get old after awhile.

Dahlonega is home to many events and festivals. Also to the large military college. That town also attracts tourists from Atlanta on fall weekends, which means money coming in!

We drove all around there one time and were amazed to see just how crazy some of the driveways for homes are. Some places take several minutes to get down a long, windey, one lane dirt driveway with large ravines on the sides. The driveway is shared with many other homes, so I have no idea what you are supposed to do if you meet someone half way. I can't really describe it, but you have to see one for yourself.

If I had to choose, I would also pick Dahlonega. If you go south on Hwy 60, you can be in North Hall pretty quickly (north of the Gainesville area).

Dawsonville is the home of semi-retired of Nascar driver Bill Elliott (aka "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville") and the city hall has a racing theme.

I would expect the Dahlonega area to have more seniors.

[Nurse2017]

My husband and I are looking at Dahlonega to buy a home and retire, but I want to still work. How are the medical opportunities out there? Shopping? All good neighborhoods?
Pikespeakview@att.net

[go falcons]

If they don't have any in the Dahlonega area, I can assure that Gainsville in the neighboring county of Hall has plenty.It is a hub of all things medical in the north Georgia area.