17 minute read
Relocation Guide
GETTING STARTEDGETTING STARTED HERE
MARTA
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 404848-5000 or visit itsmarta.com.
TO THERE
MARTA Rail Service 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. Driving Tips The Georgia DOT provides daily updates of road work, road closings and traffic delays, which are helpful when commuting. Updates can be obtained by calling (toll free) 877694-2511, by dialing 511 or by visiting dot.ga.gov.
Serving ages 14 months to 12 years 3034 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041 • 678-208-0774 info@montessoricumming.com • www.montessoricumming.com
Cherokee County
Old Sixes Mill
Located northwest of Atlanta, 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 development 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 newcomers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county’s population are commuters. According to Zillow.com, the median 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 residents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains. Other great places 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 center 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. Located 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 Cities 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 Allatoona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to more than 13 state parks. N
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokee.k12.ga.us
Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Centers Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information
Avg. SAT Scores
Cherokee Co. Georgia National 23 7 6 4 $9,149 770-720-2112
1115 1048 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
EDUCATION
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
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 Cobb County Water System Marietta Water Powder Springs Water Smyrna Water 770-944-4300 770-419-6200 770-794-5150 770-943-8000 678-631-5338
HOSPITALS WellStar Cobb Hospital 470-732-4000 WellStar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000 WellStar Windy Hill Hospital 770-644-1000
Cobb County
Truist Park
Neighborhoods Kennesaw
One of Family Circle magaCobb County came into being in 1832 when the state QUICK INFO zine’s Ten Best Towns for Families, Kennesaw takes pride in its smallredistributed land once part County cobbcountyga.gov town atmosphere and boasts of the Cherokee Nation. Neighborhoods austellga.org abundant parks and greenspace, Named after Thomas Willis mariettaga.gov exceptional recreational programs Cobb, the county experi- smyrnaga.gov and top-notch schools, includenced a devastating setback kennesaw-ga.gov ing Kennesaw State University. during the Civil War when cityofpowdersprings.org Kennesaw’s historic downtown most of it was destroyed smyrnacity.com features shopping, dining and atduring the famous Battle of Median household income: $75,654 tractions such as the SmithsonianKennesaw Mountain. Median age of residents: 36.6 affiliated Southern Museum of
Today, Cobb County, Population: 755,754 Civil War and Locomotive Hislocated northwest of Fulton Sales tax: 6% tory, the Smith-Gilbert Gardens County, is one of the state's Chamber of Commerce and nearby Kennesaw Mountain most thriving counties. With Cobb County National Battlefield Park. a diverse economic base that includes jobs in the service, 770-980-2000, cobbchamber.org Property Taxes Smyrna retail, aerospace and tech- The property tax is $33.84 per $1,000 of assessed Rapidly defining what’s new nology sectors, Cobb County value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000 and progressive in quality of life offers a quality of life unsur- and citizen services, Smyrna passed in the Southeast. Nearly delivers an amazing sense of style $900 million has been spent and love of life. The Market Village on transportation improvements in Cumberland Mall, secluded sub- district, home to fabulous restaurants, recent years, allowing residents easy divisions in East Cobb and horse bars and upscale shops and services, access to Atlanta and the commercial ranches in the northwest corner is the final piece of a master plan for districts of Vinings Overlook, Cum- of the county. The small towns success. Call it “Main Street USA” or berland Parkway and the prestigious of Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna and “Disneyland,” but don’t overlook its Platinum Triangle in the popular Austell still retain their Southern charm and ability to offer the best in Galleria area. charm amidst urban settings. Ac- fresh, trendy lifestyle options. N
A variety of housing options cording to the Census Bureau, the exist in Cobb County, including median value of homes in 2018 For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Website at luxury apartments and condos near was $237,800. newcomeratlanta.com
DeKalb County
Located east of Fulton County, DeKalb County is the second largest county in the state with a population of about 756,000. DeKalb County contributes to Atlanta’s status as an international city with its businesses and residences representing more than 180 different countries and 140 languages.
DeKalb County prospers in
The US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention headquarters
part due to its excellent transportation system. Five major road arteries traverse the county: Interstates 20, 85, 285 and 675 and U.S. Highway 78. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is only six miles from DeKalb’s southern border and DeKalb Peachtree Airport, a general aviation field, is reported to be the second busiest airport in Georgia. DeKalb County is also a leader in the biomedical community with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquartered there.
The median value of homes in 2018, according to the Census Bureau, was $192,400.
Neighborhoods Decatur
The county seat of DeKalb, Decatur is a charming historic city known for its recreation and pedestrian-friendly streets. Its beating heart decaturga.com druidhills.org dunwoodyga.gov candlerpark.org stonemountaincity.org is the Courthouse Square, which features an eclectic mix of storefront boutiques and shops, restaurants and entertainment options. The square is also home to some beautiful public art, and hosts numerous festivals, town celebrations and neighborhood events.
Decatur is home to a diverse population, attracting young professionals, families, retirees and bright young college students—the city is home to the prestigious women’s university Agnes Scott College, and world-renowned Emory University is just outside the city limits. Older brick homes, smaller bungalows and cottage homes distinguish the community as well as the surrounding neighborhoods of Avondale Estates, Oakhurst
QUICK INFO County dekalbcounty.ga.gov Neighborhoods brookhavenga.gov
Median household income: $61,827
Median age of residents: 35.9
Population: 753,253
Sales tax: 8% Chamber of Commerce
DeKalb County 404-378-8000, dekalbchamber.org Property Taxes
The property tax rate is $44.39 per $1,000 of assessed value for unincorporated DeKalb County.
Tax Commissioner: 404-298-4000
and Candler Park. Dunwoody
In the northern corner of the county is Dunwoody, a popular neighborhood among both established professionals and young, upwardly mobile ones raising their families.
It is often referred to as the “tennis set” neighborhood because of its numerous recreational outlets that include Windwood Hollow Park. Cultural attractions include the Dunwoody Nature Center, the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Cente and the Spruill Gallery.
Brookhaven
One of Atlanta’s newest cities, Brookhaven incorporated in 2012. Its 12 square miles are a diverse mix of residents and amenities. In Brookhaven, there are pre-war estates; newer, thriving mixed-use developments; a country club; plenty of parks; and Buford
Highway, Atlanta’s most culturally diverse corridor, famed for its variety of ethnic cuisine. N
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at
newcomeratlanta.com EDUCATION
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DeKalb County Schools Board of Education 678-676-1200 dekalbschoolsga.org
Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information
City Schools of Decatur Board of Education 76 19 22 $9,242 678-676-1305
404-371-3601 csdecatur.net
Early Learning Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information 1 7 1 1 $12,593 404-371-6677
Avg. SAT Scores
DeKalb Co. City of Decatur Georgia National
994 1177 1048 1039
PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. UTILITIES & CONTACTS
ELECTRICITY Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Snapping Shoals EMC 770-786-3484 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
DeKalb County Water System 404-371-2000
HOSPITALS
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston 404-785-5437 DeKalb Medical Center 404-501-1000 Emory University Hospital 404-712-2000 Piedmont Hospital and Medical Care Center 404-605-5000
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
Forsyth County
Sawnee Mountain
Avg. SAT Scores
Forsyth Co. Georgia National 1162 1048 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
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Founded in 1832, Forsyth County is located 42 miles north of Atlanta and is easily accessible via
The county had 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 douGeorgia 400. It was named after John about 100,000 individuals lived there. Forsyth, a longtime politician who A variety of housing options served as Georgia’s governor from exist in the county, including luxury 1827-29 and as U.S. secretary of state apartments and condos, with homes under Presidents Andrew Jackson priced from the $200s to over $1 miland Martin Van Buren from 1834-41. lion. The median home value is about
a trading path to the Cherokee Nation runQUICK INFO ning through it as early County forsythco.com as 1731 and was at Neighborhoods cityofcumming.net one time part of a large Median household income: $91,842 Cherokee County be- Median age of residents: 38.2 fore it was split into 10 Population: 237,000 counties. During the Sales tax: 7% Civil War it was spared because Gen. WilChamber of Commerce liam Sherman and his Forsyth County Union troops did not 770-887-6461, focochamber.org go through the county Property Taxes on their March to the The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed Sea. But in 1900 the value is $35 for incorporated Forsyth County; Forsyth County court- $35 for unincorporated Forsyth County. house burned down; it Tax Commissioner: 770-781-2110
bled in population since 2000, when $282,000. The county offers shopping at The Collection at Forsyth, Vickery Village and the Cumming 400 Shopping Center. Neighborhoods Cumming
The city offers lots of outdoor adventures with Lake Lanier offering 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 Cumming 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 building dating back to 1923, offers plays, musicals, concerts and more throughout the year. Cumming 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 records, according to Ken Krakow’s book, “Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins.”
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 For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at
newcomeratlanta.com
Fulton County Schools Board of Education 470-254-3600
Fulton County serves as the cen- sion, the historic Swan House fultonschools.org ter of the metro Atlanta area. With 90 and the Atlanta History Center. Elementary Schools Middle Schools 59 19 percent of the city of Atlanta, includ- Buckhead is also an enter- High Schools 18 ing the state’s capital building, lo- tainment and dining hotspot. Charter 10 cated within its borders, it sits at the With luxury hotels, shops, bars Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $10,609 hub of the area’s financial, transpor- and more than 250 restau- School & Bus Information tation, retail, communications and rants, the Buckhead area is a North 470-254-2970 South 470-254-6060 cultural services. A number of For- magnet for young profession- Atlanta Public Schools tune 500 companies, including the als.The neighborhood also Board of Education 404-802-3500 Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines offers numerous antique atlantapublicschools.us Elementary Schools 49 and UPS, are headquartered here. stores, art galleries and mall Middle Schools 12
More than one million people shopping at both Lenox High Schools 14 live in Fulton County, drawn by its convenience to Interstates 75, 85 and Square and Phipps Plaza. Piedmont Park Charter 18 Alternative 4 Per-pupil expenditures $11,263 285 and Georgia State Route 400. is home to about 64,000 residents, School & bus information 404-802-5500 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, drawn to its affordable housing, Avg. SAT Scores the median value of homes in the parks, shopping at North Point Mall Fulton Co. Atlanta Public Schools 1086 944 county is $290,400. and concerts at Ameris Bank Amphi- Georgia 1048
Fulton is home to many of At- theatre. The city's historic downtown National 1039 lanta’s signature neighborhoods, boasts an appealing town PRIVATE SCHOOLS including its bustling downtown QUICK INFO square. Called Alpharetta Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. district. Older neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, Candler County co.fulton.ga.us City Center, it features locally owned shops and UTILITIES & Park and Virginia-Highland offer Neighborhoods alpharetta.ga.us restaurants, and hosts CONTACTS affordable housing, pedestrianfriendly layouts and plentiful parks and recreational options. buckhead.net cityofmiltonga.us virginiahighland.com collegeparkga.com events year round. Johns Creek ELECTRICITY City of College Park 404-669-3759 City of East Point 404-270-7010 City of Fairburn 770-964-2244 Midtown is the heart of Atlanta’s eastpointcity.org Incorporated in 2006, City of Palmetto 770-463-3322 cultural scene, with the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony hapeville.org johnscreekga.gov roswellgov.com this thriving community of 84,000 was ranked fourth among 50 Best U.S. Cities Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit Orchestra and the High Museum sandyspringsga.gov to Live In by USA Today. newcomeratlanta.com. of Art) and the historic Fox The- Median household income: $65,037 It boasts a diverse ecoTELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV atre, as well as a host of art galler- Median age of residents: 35.5 nomic base, coupled with AT&T att.com ies. Midtown’s Piedmont Park, the Population: 1,050,114 a peaceful environment: Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com city’s most popular greenspace, Sales tax: 7.75%, Atlanta City: 8.9% the city contains over 400 Direct TV directv.com hosts many outdoor festivals and Chamber of Commerce acres of parkland and naDish Network dish.com concerts. Greater North Fulton ture reserves and contains WATER 770-993-8806, gnfcc.com five access points to the Fulton County 404-612-6830 Neighborhoods Metro Atlanta 404-880-9000, metroatlantachamber.com Chattahoochee River. HOSPITALS Atlanta Medical Center 404-265-4000 Buckhead Buckhead is “where old South Fulton 770-964-1984, southfultonchamber.com Property Taxes Milton Also incorporated in 2006, Milton comAtlanta VA Medical Center 404-321-6111 Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta money lives and new money The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is: bines a pastoral setting at Hughes Spalding 404-785-9500 parties,” according to the At- $40.92 for the City of Atlanta; $29.18 for incorporated with forward-thinking Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta lanta Journal-Constitution. With its mixture of mansions and Fulton County; $40.76 for unincorporated Fulton County; $33.54 for Johns Creek; $33.91 for Sandy Springs. Tax Commissioner: 404-613-6100 city planning that offers what's been called "The at Scottish Rite Emory University Hospital Midtown 404-785-2273 404-686-4411 uniquely styled homes, Buck- best quality of life in Grady Memorial Hospital 404-616-1000 head is a favorite among archi- Georgia." N WellStar North Fulton tecture and history buffs. Convenient to Georgia 400, Interstate 85 and Alpharetta For more counties and neighborhood Regional Hospital Northside Hospital Piedmont Hospital 770-751-2500 404-851-8000 404-605-5000 MARTA, it’s filled with high-rises, up- One of metro Atlanta’s most information, visit our website at Shepherd Center 404-352-2020 scale restaurants, the Governor’s Man- vibrant and affluent cities, Alpharetta newcomeratlanta.com Emory St. Joseph's Hospital 678-843-7001
