Relocation Guide

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GETTING STARTED GETTING STARTED

TO HERE THERE

Mass Transit One way to avoid long commutes is to take advantage of the city’s local transit system, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Offering both train and bus service, MARTA is a convenient way to travel to downtown or the airport. The fee for traveling one way is $2.50 including transfers, and payment is even easier now with the Breeze limited-use and extendeduse cards. Weekly and monthly passes can be obtained at discounted rates. For fares, schedule and route information call 404- 848-5000 or visit itsmarta.com.

Vehicle Emission Inspection Vehicles that are 24 model years old and later (except the three years prior to the current year) must be checked yearly for emission standard compliance. Visit a statedesignated inspection station for the service. Call 800-449-2471 or visit cleanairforce.com.

MARTA Rail Service

Driving Tips The Georgia DOT provides daily updates of road work, road closings and traffic delays, which are help ful when commuting. Updates can be obtained by calling (toll free) 877- 694-2511, by dialing 511 or by visiting dot.ga.gov.

to Succeed Enabling Children with Learning Diff erences

✔ Pre-K through 8th Grade

✔ Small group instruction using multi-sensory techniques

✔ Academic programs matched to individual’s strengths

FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED AN ACADEMIC BOOST THIS SUMMER!

AFTERNOON RECREATION ACTIVITIES TUTORING IN READING, MATH AND WRITING SKILLS

5665 Milam Road Fairburn, GA 30213 770-774-8001 • thebedfordschool.org Session 1: June 15-26 Session 2: June 29-July 10 Held on the campus of  e Bedford School in Fairburn

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokee.k12.ga.us

Elementary Schools 23 Middle Schools 7 High Schools 6 Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $9,149 School & bus information 770-720-2112 Avg. SAT Scores Cherokee Co. 1115 Georgia 1048 National 1039

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. UTILITIES & CONTACTS

ELECTRICITY Amicalola EMC 706-253-5200 Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com ETC Communications etcnow.com Spectrum spectrum.com TDS Telecom tdstelecom.com Windstream windstream.com

WATER Cherokee County Water Authority 770-479-1813 City of Ball Ground 770-735-2123 City of Canton 770-704-1500 City of Waleska 770-479-2912 City of Woodstock 770-592-6006 HOSPITALS Northside Hospital-Cherokee 770-224-1000 Wellstar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000

Cherokee County

Located northwest ofAtlanta, Cherokee County gets its name from the original inhabitants of the area, the Cherokee Indians. The county seat, then called Etowah, was established in 1833 and renamed Canton in 1834. Today, the city is enjoying its greatest economic boom in its history since more than $60 million was invested in residential and commercial develop ment in 1998. Despite developing its own industrial base, Cherokee County remains idyllic and serene. Farming, especially poultry processing, remains a leading industry.

Canton and the neighboring community of Woodstock have seen tremendous growth as subdivisions crop up to accommodate newcom ers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county’s population are commuters. According to Zillow.com, the me dian value of homes is $283,573. Homes for well over $1 million can be purchased in such neighborhoods as Bradshaw Farm, BridgeMill and Towne Lake Hills.

Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92 traverse the county, affording resi dents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains. Other great places Old Sixes Mill

QUICK INFO County cherokeega.com Neighborhoods cantonga.gov woodstockga.gov cityofballground.com hollyspringsga.us cityofwaleska.com

Median household income: $75,477 Median age of residents: 38 Population: 235,896 Sales tax: 6%

Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County 770-345-0400, cherokeechamber.com Property Taxes Per $1,000 of assessed value is: Unincorporated Cherokee County, $21.46; Incorporated Cherokee County, $21.46. Tax Commissioner: 678-493-6400

to live, work and play in Cherokee County include the cities of Ball Ground, Holly Springs and Waleska. Neighborhoods

Canton

Canton was incorporated in 1833 and renamed in 1834 at the request of two founding fathers who had visions that the town might become a silk cen ter similar to what existed in Canton, China. Canton did become famous for its “Canton Denim,” known worldwide for the high-quality denim produced by Canton Cotton Mills.

Today, Canton is attracting new industry and residents. As a result, the city is reinvesting in its downtown. As part of its Streetscapes program, downtown Canton will be restored to its historic look and features a newly designed theater on Main Street. Lo cated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is a prime location for development.

Woodstock Located 12 miles south of Canton, Woodstock is one of Georgia's top 10 fastest-growing cities and a community recently named one of the Top 50 Cit ies Places to Live in the U.S. by Money magazine.

Residents also enjoy easy access to 575 and 92, allowing short commutes to Cobb and Fulton counties.

While affording convenience to big-city attractions, Woodstock still maintains its small-town appeal. Buildings dating back to 1879 characterize the downtown area, where antique and other specialty shops are located.

Various golf courses are located in Woodstock, including Arnold Palmer’s Eagle Watch, a course with wooded countryside views that is considered to be one of the top places to play in Atlanta. The 11,860-acre Lake Alla toona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to more than 13 state parks. N

Photo: Shutterstock.com Cobb County came into being in 1832 when the state redistributed land once part of the Cherokee Nation. Named after Thomas Willis Cobb, the county experi enced a devastating setback during the Civil War when most of it was destroyed during the famous Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.

Today, Cobb County, located northwest of Fulton County, is one of the state's most thriving counties. With a diverse economic base that includes jobs in the service, retail, aerospace and tech nology sectors, Cobb County offers a quality of life unsur passed in the Southeast. Nearly $900 million has been spent on transportation improvements in recent years, allowing residents easy access to Atlanta and the commercial districts of Vinings Overlook, Cum berland Parkway and the prestigious Platinum Triangle in the popular Galleria area.

A variety of housing options exist in Cobb County, including luxury apartments and condos near Cumberland Mall, secluded sub divisions in East Cobb and horse ranches in the northwest corner of the county. The small towns of Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna and Austell still retain their Southern charm amidst urban settings. Ac cording to the Census Bureau, the median value of homes in 2018 was $237,800. Neighborhoods Kennesaw

One of Family Circle magazine’s Ten Best Towns for Families, Kennesaw takes pride in its smalltown atmosphere and boasts abundant parks and greenspace, exceptional recreational programs and top-notch schools, includ ing Kennesaw State University. Kennesaw’s historic downtown features shopping, dining and at tractions such as the Smithsonianaffiliated Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive His tory, the Smith-Gilbert Gardens and nearby Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Smyrna

Rapidly defining what’s new and progressive in quality of life and citizen services, Smyrna de livers an amazing sense of style and love of life. The Market Village dis trict, home to fabulous restaurants, bars and upscale shops and services, is the final piece of a master plan for success. Call it “Main Street USA” or “Disney land,” but don’t overlook its charm and ability to offer the best in fresh, trendy lifestyle options. N Truist Park QUICK INFO

For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Website at newcomeratlanta.com Cobb County County cobbcountyga.gov Neighborhoods austellga.org mariettaga.gov smyrnaga.gov kennesaw-ga.gov cityofpowdersprings.org smyrnacity.com Median household income: $75,654 Median age of residents: 36.6 Population: 755,754 Sales tax: 6% Chamber of Commerce Cobb County 770-980-2000, cobbchamber.org Property Taxes The property tax is $33.84 per $1,000 of assessed value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cobb County Schools Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org Elementary Schools 67 Middle Schools 25 High Schools 17 Magnet 6 Charter 1 Per-pupil expenditures $8,833 School and bus information 678-594-8000 EDUCATION

Marietta City Schools Board of Education 770-422-3500 marietta-city-org Elementary Schools 8 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Sixth-Grade 1 Magnet 1 Per-pupil expenditures $10,542 School and bus information 770-429-3110 Avg. SAT Scores Cobb Co. 1114 Marietta City 1056 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. UTILITIES & CONTACTS

ELECTRICITY Acworth Power 770-917-8903 Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GreyStone Power Corp. 770-942-6576 Marietta Power 770-794-5150

GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com Spectrum spectrum.com

WATER Austell Water 770-944-4300 Cobb County Water System 770-419-6200 Marietta Water 770-794-5150 Powder Springs Water 770-943-8000 Smyrna Water 678-631-5338

HOSPITALS WellStar Cobb Hospital 470-732-4000 WellStar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000 WellStar Windy Hill Hospital 770-644-1000

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Forsyth County Schools Board of Education 770-887-2461 forsyth.k12.ga.us Elementary Schools 21 Middle Schools 10 High Schools 7 Charter 1 Academies 3 Per-pupil expenditures $8,220 School & Bus Information 770-887-2461 EDUCATION

Sawnee Mountain Forsyth County COUNTY INFORMATION

Avg. SAT Scores Forsyth Co. 1162 Georgia 1048 National 1039

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. UTILITIES & CONTACTS

ELECTRICITY Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 Georgia Power 888-891-0938

GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com

WATER Forsyth County 770-781-2160

HOSPITALS Northside Hospital Forsyth 770-844-3200 Founded in 1832, Forsyth County is located 42 miles north of Atlanta and is easily accessible via Georgia 400. It was named after John Forsyth, a longtime politician who served as Georgia’s governor from 1827-29 and as U.S. secretary of state under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren from 1834-41 . The county had a trading path to the Cherokee Nation run ning through it as early as 1731 and was at one time part of a large Cherokee County be fore it was split into 10 counties. During the Civil War it was spared because Gen. Wil liam Sherman and his Union troops did not go through the county on their March to the Sea. But in 1900 the Forsyth County court house burned down; it was rebuilt in 1905.

Forsyth County has an estimated population of about 237,000 and was ranked third in the state in terms of numeric growth between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It has more than dou bled in population since 2000, when about 100,000 individuals lived there. A variety of housing options exist in the county, including luxury apartments and condos, with homes priced from the $200s to over $1 mil lion. The median home value is about $282,000. The county offers shop ping at The Collection at Forsyth, Vickery Village and the Cumming 400 Shopping Center. QUICK INFO County forsythco.com Neighborhoods cityofcumming.net Median household income: $91,842 Median age of residents: 38.2 Population: 237,000 Sales tax: 7% Chamber of Commerce Forsyth County 770-887-6461, focochamber.org Property Taxes The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $35 for incorporated Forsyth County; $35 for unincorporated Forsyth County. Tax Commissioner: 770-781-2110 Photo: Shutterstock.com

Neighborhoods

Cumming

The city offers lots of outdoor adventures with Lake Lanier of fering 59 square miles of places to swim, boat, walk and bike, plus the family friendly Cumming Aquatic Center and Water Park. Families can also take in a variety of events each year at the Cum ming Fairgrounds, which hosts the Cumming Country

Fair & Festival in October and other affairs such as antique car shows and food truck Fridays.

Indoors, the School Street Playhouse, an old school build ing dating back to 1923, offers plays, musicals, concerts and more throughout the year. Cum ming is the hometown for several celebrities including Zac Brown of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band, Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, actress Kelli Giddish and the late comedian Junior Samples.

Coal Mountain

One of about a dozen unincorporated communities in Forsyth County, Coal Mountain was named after the Cole family, early settlers to the area whose name was spelled “Coal” in early re cords, according to Ken Krakow’s book, “Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins.”

For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com Shake Rag

Another incorporated community is Shake Rag, which spreads into both Forsyth and Fulton counties. Also previously called Shakerag and Sheltonville, it had a post office established under the name Sheltonville in 1848 and stayed open until 1907. The name "Shake Rag" refers to a cloth held out as a signal to stop a train. N

Fulton County QUICK INFO Fulton County serves as the center of the metro Atlanta area. With 90 percent of the city of Atlanta, includ ing the state’s capital building, located within its borders, it sits at the hub of the area’s financial, transpor tation, retail, communications and cultural services. A number of For tune 500 companies, including the Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and UPS, are headquartered here. More than one million people live in Fulton County, drawn by its convenience to Interstates 75, 85 and 285 and Georgia State Route 400. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median value of homes in the county is $290,400.

Fulton is home to many of Atlanta’s signature neighborhoods, including its bustling downtown district. Older neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, Candler Park and Virginia-Highland offer affordable housing, pedestrianfriendly layouts and plentiful parks and recreational options. Midtown is the heart of Atlanta’s cultural scene, with the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art) and the historic Fox The atre, as well as a host of art galleries. Midtown’s Piedmont Park, the city’s most popular greenspace, hosts many outdoor festivals and concerts. Neighborhoods Buckhead

Buckhead is “where old money lives and new money parties,” according to the At lanta Journal-Constitution. With its mixture of mansions and uniquely styled homes, Buck head is a favorite among architecture and history buffs. Convenient to Georgia 400, Interstate 85 and MARTA, it’s filled with high-rises, up scale restaurants, the Governor’s Mansion, the historic Swan House and the Atlanta History Center. Buckhead is also an entertainment and dining hotspot. With luxury hotels, shops, bars and more than 250 restau rants, the Buckhead area is a magnet for young profession als.The neighborhood also offers numerous antique stores, art galleries and mall shopping at both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. Alpharetta

One of metro Atlanta’s most vibrant and affluent cities, Alpharetta is home to about 64,000 residents, drawn to its affordable housing, parks, shopping at North Point Mall and concerts at Ameris Bank Amphi theatre. The city's historic downtown boasts an appealing town square. Called Alpharetta City Center, it features locally owned shops and restaurants, and hosts events year round. Johns Creek Incorporated in 2006, this thriving community of 84,000 was ranked fourth among 50 Best U.S. Cities to Live In by USA Today. It boasts a diverse eco nomic base, coupled with a peaceful environment: the city contains over 400 acres of parkland and na ture reserves and contains five access points to the Chattahoochee River. Milton Also incorporated in 2006, Milton combines a pastoral setting with forward-thinking city planning that offers what's been called "The best quality of life in Georgia." N Piedmont Park County co.fulton.ga.us Neighborhoods alpharetta.ga.us buckhead.net cityofmiltonga.us virginiahighland.com collegeparkga.com eastpointcity.org hapeville.org johnscreekga.gov roswellgov.com sandyspringsga.gov Median household income: $65,037 Median age of residents: 35.5 Population: 1,050,114 Sales tax: 7.75%, Atlanta City: 8.9% Chamber of Commerce Greater North Fulton 770-993-8806, gnfcc.com Metro Atlanta 404-880-9000, metroatlantachamber.com South Fulton 770-964-1984, southfultonchamber.com Property Taxes The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is: $40.92 for the City of Atlanta; $29.18 for incorporated Fulton County; $40.76 for unincorporated Fulton County; $33.54 for Johns Creek; $33.91 for Sandy Springs. Tax Commissioner: 404-613-6100

For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com COUNTY INFORMATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fulton County Schools Board of Education 470-254-3600 fultonschools.org Elementary Schools 59 Middle Schools 19 High Schools 18 Charter 10 Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $10,609 School & Bus Information

North 470-254-2970 South 470-254-6060 Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education 404-802-3500 atlantapublicschools.us Elementary Schools 49 Middle Schools 12 High Schools 14 Charter 18 Alternative 4 Per-pupil expenditures $11,263 School & bus information 404-802-5500 Avg. SAT Scores Fulton Co. 1086 Atlanta Public Schools 944 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. ELECTRICITY City of College Park 404-669-3759 City of East Point 404-270-7010 City of Fairburn 770-964-2244 City of Palmetto 770-463-3322 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com WATER Fulton County 404-612-6830 HOSPITALS Atlanta Medical Center 404-265-4000 Atlanta VA Medical Center 404-321-6111 Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding 404-785-9500 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite 404-785-2273 Emory University Hospital Midtown 404-686-4411 Grady Memorial Hospital 404-616-1000 WellStar North Fulton Regional Hospital 770-751-2500 Northside Hospital 404-851-8000 Piedmont Hospital 404-605-5000 Shepherd Center 404-352-2020 Emory St. Joseph's Hospital 678-843-7001 EDUCATION UTILITIES & CONTACTS

COUNTY INFORMATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS Gwinnett County Schools Board of Education 678-301-6000 gwinnett.k12.ga.us Elementary Schools 80 Middle Schools 29 High Schools 25 Per-pupil expenditures $8,926 City Schools of Buford Board of Education 770-945-5035 bufordcityschools.org Elementary Schools 2 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Per-pupil expenditures $9,397 Avg. SAT Scores Gwinnett Co. 1094 City of Buford 1122 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. ELECTRICITY City of Buford 678-889-4600 City of Lawrenceville 770-963-9834 City of Norcross 770-448-2122 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Jackson EMC 800-462-3691 Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 Walton EMC 770-267-2505 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com WATER Buford 678-889-4600 Dacula 770-963-7451 Gwinnett City Water 678-376-6800 Lawrenceville 770-963-2414 Norcross 770-448-2122 CABLE TV Spectrum 888-438-2427 Comcast 800-266-2278 HOSPITALS Eastside Medical Center 770-979-0200 Northside Hospital Gwinnett 678-312-1000 Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion 678-312-4790 Summit Ridge Center for Behavorial Health 678-442-5800 EDUCATION UTILITIES & CONTACTS

QUICK INFO Gwinnett County

For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com Originally part of Georgia’s Native American territory, Gwinnett County was created by the State Legislature in 1818 and named after Button Gwinnett, one of Geor gia's three signers of the Declaration of Independence and a former governor.

While the county was once largely rural with small towns, country stores, farms and forests, today it is home to about 600 international companies and 450 high-tech firms. With an aver age of 21 new professional and industrial companies relocating to the county each year, attract ing almost 21,000 new jobs, Gwinnett County remains in the top 10 ranking for growth nationwide. The county sup ports many cultural events, restaurants and shopping op portunities, including the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

Gwinnett County remains affordable for renters and first-time home buyers, many of whom find homes in the communities of Doraville, Lawrenceville and Snellville. The median value of homes in 2018, according to the Census Bureau, was $200,400. Neighborhoods Duluth

Amidst the pristine setting of Gwinnett County, Duluth has some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in metro Atlanta and is home to some of the best golf courses and private tennis clubs. There are numerous parks for recreation and participatory sports, including Bunten Road Park and Shorty Howell Park. North Point Mall, a major shopping center, is located near Duluth. The Southeastern Railway Museum, which preserves and operates old railroad equipment, is a must-see for any railroad aficionado.

Some of Duluth’s neighborhoods include Edgewater Estates, Sweet Bottom Plantation and Riverbrooke. Affluent estates with antebellum architecture can be found as well as apartment communities, older brick, ranch-style homes and subdivisions. Duluth still retains some of its original small-town businesses, along with chain businesses, many accessible by Ga. 400 and I-85. Suwanee Suwanee is named after the Shawnee Indians who settled here in the latter part of the 18th century. Following the official founding of the city in 1837, Suwanee became a railroad stop along the Southern Railroad route. It remained a small country town well into the ’70s

when construction of I-85 and U.S. 23 brought easy access to the region.

Since then, Suwanee has experienced tremendous growth, from 2,412 residents in 1990 to more than 20,000 today. To help manage growth, the city has developed a comprehensive development plan that promotes pedestrianoriented development and mixed-use zoning. The city was designated a Tree City USA for 29 years for its commitment to preserving 27 percent of its land as greenspace.

Such foresight has allowed Suwanee to retain its old-fashioned charm while providing contemporary convenience. Only 35 miles from downtown Atlanta, Suwanee is close to big-city attractions, business districts and shopping. Many antique shops and historic structures, including several Victorian and regional farm-style homes, are located near downtown Suwanee. N County gwinnettcounty.com Neighborhoods cityofbuford.com duluthga.net snellville.org suwanee.com Median household income: $68,914 Median age of residents: 35.3 Population: 920,260 Sales tax: 6% Chamber of Commerce Gwinnett County 770-232-3000, gwinnettchamber.org Property Taxes The property tax in unincorporated Gwinnett County is $28.84 per $1,000 of assessed value. Tax Commissioner: 770-822-8800. City Hall and the Town Green in downtown Duluth