KNOWAtlanta Winter 2024 by New South Publishing

Winter 2024

Your Best Move in 2024

Inside: • Big Business Moves to Atlanta • Design Trends for Active 55 Living • Private School Admissions • Remodeling Tips from the Pros knowatlanta.com

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CONTENTS KNOWAtlanta Winter 2024 VOLUME 38, NUMBER 1

12 Get to KNOW Atlanta 6 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Your Gateway to the World 8

The Atlanta Advantage

How Metro Atlanta Cities Stack Up

10 KNOW Where to Go Navigating metro Atlanta’s ITP and OTP locales 12 Coming Attractions Don’t miss these beloved local events across metro Atlanta in 2024

Get to KNOW Business 19 Big Business Moves to Metro Atlanta

Get to KNOW Homes & Lifestyles 22 Design Trends: Get more in 2024 The top options in todays active adult communities 30 Brock Built’s New Active Adult Community 32 Remodeling 101 Tips and advice for navigating a remodel during a move 2 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

22 35 Metro Atlanta Guide to Utilities 36 Moving to Atlanta Timeline 38 Top Reasons to Purchase New Construction in The Coming Year 39 KNOWAtlanta’s Guide to New Homes 43 Builder and Developer Locator Map

Get to KNOW Education 44 Admissions Season What parents need to know about applying to metro Atlanta private schools 56 Select Metro Atlanta Private Schools Map 58 Ahead of the Curve Metro Atlanta technical colleges fast track students to careers 61 Get to KNOW Metro Atlanta’s Counties 80 Ad Index

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

TOWN HOMES

To learn more, call 404-931-7462 or visit us online at Lennar.com/Atlanta.

ACTIVE ADULT

FROM THE EDITOR Publisher

SHERRY GASAWAY

sherry@knowatlanta.com

Living by Design

President

You have so many decisions to make every single day. Some are small, and some are big. But no matter the size, each choice adds to the tapestry of your life. At KNOWAtlanta Magazine, we want to provide you with as much information as possible so you can make decisions that are right for you about everything from where to live to what you surround yourself with in your personal living environment. We want to help you live a life by design. And that’s what this issue is all about. This time around, we start with a focus on the design trends that have taken the metro Atlanta active adult market by storm. If you are a 55+ home buyer, then you’ll want to check out our feature on page 22, which provides insight into the type of welcoming and functional home environment that today’s active adults not only want, but also can access right here on the local scene thanks to an array of metro homebuilders. If you are moving into the area and want to personalize the resale home you have purchased, then you can’t miss our article on page 32; in it, you will find

LARRY LEBOVITZ

lebovitz@knowatlanta.com Vice President JOHN HANNA

hanna@knowatlanta.com Editor

AMY MEADOWS

ameadows@knowatlanta.com Associate Editor

CORY SEKINE-PETTITE

cory@knowatlanta.com Writers

KEN ABRAMCZYK

Digital Marketing Coordinator COURTNEY ROGERS

courtney@denimmarketing.com Art Director

JACK SIMONETTA

outstanding advice about navigating the remodeling process from one of the largest

jsimonetta@knowatlanta.com

home construction and renovation companies in the world, which happens to work

Advertising Coordinator

with homeowners right here in Atlanta. Of course, there are other aspects of life that require important decisions, including where you send your children to school. For those who are interested in the private school environment, our article on page 44 will give you the 411 on how to navigate the admissions process, complete with advice from professionals at local independent schools across the area. Businesses also have to “live by design,” and many are choosing to call Atlanta home; find out which ones recently decided to either move to the metro area or expand within it on page 19. And there’s more, including which local cities and towns you just have to visit in the coming year, what kind of educational programs you can find at metro area technical colleges and the benefits of purchasing a new home construction in the local market. A new year is here. Are you ready to live your own life by design? If so, then read on! Amy Meadows, Editor

If you would like additional information from our relocation service providers, visit us online at knowatlanta.com.

knowatlanta

4 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

knowatlanta

MEGAN WILLIS

production@knowatlanta.com Circulation Manager AMY FINE

afine@knowatlanta.com Controller

MARILYN WALKER

walker@knowatlanta.com NEW SOUTH PUBLISHING INC.

9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210 Atlanta, GA 30350 (770) 650-1102, (800) 536-5669 knowatlanta.com Direct all advertising, circulation and editorial inquiries to sherry@knowatlanta.com, (770) 650-1102, ext. 145. KNOW®Atlanta, Winter 2024, Volume 38, Number 1, 149th Edition. Published quarterly by New South Publishing Inc., 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. Unless special placement within the magazine is specifically purchased, publisher reserves the right to place any ad on a first-come, firstserved basis. No materials contained herein may be reproduced without the exclusive written permission of the publisher. © Copyright 2024 by New South Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Discover Toll Brothers homes with designer details in Atlanta’s premier neighborhoods.

Morningside | Vinings | Grant Park Decatur | Oakhurst | Avondale Estates

Models Open Daily Luxury condominiums from the upper $200s Rooftop terrace townhomes from the low $700s

Visit TollBrothers.com/KNOWAtlanta or speak to one of our Sales Consultants at 855-229-5676 to learn more about all of our Intown communities.

Homes available nationwide. Brokers welcome. Prices subject to change without notice. Images are for representational purposes only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. This is not an offering where prohibited by law.

ATLANTA

GET TO KNOW ATLANTA Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport YOUR GATEWAY TO THE WORLD

ne of metro Atlanta’s greatest assets is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Serving more than 100 million passengers each year, the airport boasts nonstop flights to

over 150 domestic destinations and 70 international destinations in more than 50 countries. In 2020, the airport was recognized as the busiest airport in the world for the 22nd consecutive year. Of course, it makes sense that Atlanta, the leading city in the Southeast, offers such an incredible facility. Just as the city itself is a diverse locale with millions of residents who hail from all over the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a welcoming sight for passengers from all walks of life. Take a look at everything this outstanding airport has to offer.

AT A GLANCE 70+

international destinations in 43+ countries with nonstop service

percent of the U.S. population within a twohour flight

724,145 Annual flights

1,984

average daily flights

94+

million passengers annually

275,000

daily passengers

6 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

107 million

passengers annually

688,614 cargo metric tons

Seven

concourses

156

domestic gates

international gates

Two

terminals

Five

runways

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

PASSENGER AIRLINES

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bona fide destination thanks to ATL

In addition to being the home

Skypointe, a brand representing the world’s greatest shopping and dining experiences.

of Delta Air Lines’ corporate

Throughout the facility and across its seven concourses, there are more than 300 restaurants,

headquarters, ATL welcomes

shops and services. Some of the well-known offerings include:

flights from an array of

RESTAURANTS: • BeerCode

SHOPS: • Duty Free Americas

SERVICES: • The Chiroport

• Savi Provisions

• Brighton Collectibles

• FedEx

• Cat Cora’s Kitchen

• The Goods @ ATL

• The Club ATL

• Grindhouse Killer Burgers

• MAC

• XpresSpa

• Longhorn Steakhouse

• Brooks Brothers

• Be Relax

• Ecco

• Tumi

domestic and international airlines: DOMESTIC: • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • JetBlue Airways • Southern Airways Express • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines

AIRPORT ACCOLADES • #1 Busiest Airport

• United Airlines INTERNATIONAL: • Air Canada

• #1 World’s Most Efficient Airport

• Air France

• Home to the tallest air traffic control tower in North America and the fourth tallest in the world

• Copa Airlines

• British Airways • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines • Korean Air • Lufthansa German Airlines • Qatar Airways

AIRPORT CODE: ATL

• Turkish Airlines • Virgin Atlantic • WestJet

METRO ATLANTA’S ECONOMIC ENGINE Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is an economic juggernaut. It is the largest employer in Georgia and is one of the world’s most well-known global transport centers. And the economic impact can be felt throughout metro Atlanta. • The airport boasts more than 63,000 onsite jobs. • More than 18,000 South Fulton County residents work onsite at the airport, accounting for 28.8 percent of the county’s workforce. • The average income for an airport-based job is $71,500. • The airport supports more than 448,000 jobs across

the Southeast, accounting for 20 percent of the jobs in the region. • The facility provides a $51.5 billion economic boost for metro Atlanta. • Overall, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport generates over $82 billion in annual economic impact for the entire Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion (PAM). • More than 103,600 jobs support the airport’s cargo activity. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Economic Impact Study, released in 2020

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 7

The Atlanta Advantage: National ATLANTA

With affordable housing and a low cost of living, Atlantans get more while spending less. To understand why more than five million people call metro Atlanta home, see below how it surpasses other major cities in almost every way that counts.

Seattle Boston New York City

Chicago

San Francisco

Denver

Washington, D.C.

Atlanta

Phoenix Dallas

Atlanta

Boston

Salary

$50,000

Median Home Sale Price

$399K

Apartment Rental Price

$1,500

Salary

Chicago $75,319

Median Home Sale Price

$330K

Apartment Rental Price

$3,970

Apartment Rental Price

$1,393

Denver $51,030

Salary

$54,858

Median Home Sale Price

$436K

Median Home Sale Price

$587K

Apartment Rental Price

$1,592

Apartment Rental Price

$2,000

New York City Salary

$59,863

$830K

Dallas Salary

Salary

Median Home Sale Price

Phoenix $120,461

Salary

San Francisco Salary

$75,368

Median Home Sale Price

$745K

Median Home Sale Price

$437K

Median Home Sale Price

$1.3 mil

Apartment Rental Price

$2,049

Apartment Rental Price

$1,558

Apartment Rental Price

$2,537

Seattle Salary

$51,570

Washington D.C. $75,564

Salary

$77,712

Median Home Sale Price

$794K

Median Home Sale Price

$639K

Apartment Rental Price

$1,868

Apartment Rental Price

$1,733

Sources: NerdWallet, Redfin and RentCafe

8 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

The Atlanta Advantage: Metro Atlanta Metro Atlanta includes more than 50 cities. Compare some of these communities by median home prices, median household income, population and growth with the data below.

Cumming

Woodstock

Median Household Income Atlanta

Hall

Forsyth

Cherokee

Bartow

Gainesville

$66,657

Alpharetta

$113,802

Cumming Decatur

$59,948

Dunwoody

Cobb

Paulding

$96,057

East Point

Lawrenceville

Marietta

$106,000

Douglasville

Gwinnett

$43,453

Gainesville

$51,520

Lawrenceville

$52,585

Marietta

Suwanee

Fulton

$47,273

Dunwoody Sandy Springs

Atlanta Douglasville

$57,452

DeKalb

East Point

Fulton

Peachtree City

Rockdale

$101,121

Sandy Springs

Clayton

$78,613

Suwanee

Decatur

Douglas

Henry

Fayette

$90,436

Peachtree City

$76,191

Woodstock $0

$25000

$50000

$75000

$100000

$125000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population Growth Atlanta 506,811

Median Sold Home Prices

18.7%

Atlanta

Alpharetta 67,213

17.1%

Alpharetta

Cumming 6,547

18.2%

Cumming

Decatur 25,696

30.9%

Douglasville 33,992 Dunwoody 49,356

Decatur

11.8%

Douglasville

6.3%

East Point

Gainesville 43,232 Marietta 60,867

27.0%

Gainesville

13.3%

Lawrenceville

7.8%

Marietta

Peachtree City 36,223 5.4% Sandy Springs 109,452

Peachtree City 16.7% 36.3%

Woodstock 33,039 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Suwanee

38.8%

$330,000 $300,000

10%

15%

$550,000 $249,000 $365,000 $344,000 $400,000 $457,000

Sandy Springs

Suwanee 20,907 0%

$525,000 $475,000

Dunwoody

East Point 34,875 4.3% Lawrenceville 30,834

$399,900

20%

25%

30%

35%

Woodstock

40%

$599,000 $495,000 $396,000

$100000 $200000 $300000 $400000 $500000 $600000

Source: realtor.com

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 9

CHEROKEE

KNOW Where to Go

FORSYTH

ATLANTA

NAVIGATING METRO ATLANTA’S ITP AND OTP LOCALES

FULTON

o you want to live ITP? Or do you prefer to be OTP? If you’re new to metro

Atlanta, you may have no

COBB

idea what either of those acronyms mean. Fortunately,

PAULDING

KNOWAtlanta can help you

OTP ITP

GWINNETT

DEKALB

be in the know when it comes

Atlanta

to navigating the metro area’s most-loved locales and

FULTON

choosing the perfect place to call home.

FAYETTE

CLAYTON

Name That Acronym!

ROCKDALE HENRY

Location is Everything Some of the most popular ITP cities, towns,

The rest of metro Atlanta’s many counties

If you’re ITP, that means

districts and neighborhoods include Midtown

fall outside the Perimeter, including Cobb,

you are Inside the

Atlanta, Downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur,

Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry and

Perimeter.

Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, Virginia-

several others. Sought-after OTP cities are such

Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward and

spots as Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta,

East Point, among many others. The two main

Johns Creek, Duluth, Suwanee, Cumming,

counties that fall ITP are Fulton and DeKalb

Braselton, Gainesville, Woodstock, Kennesaw,

counties, while small portions of Cobb and

Marietta, Smyrna, Fayetteville, Peachtree City

Clayton counties also fall within the Perimeter.

and McDonough.

When you’re OTP, you’re Outside the Perimeter. So, what constitutes the Perimeter? That would be Interstate 285, or I-285, a major interstate highway

Savor Your Surroundings

loop that encircles Atlanta

The ITP lifestyle is synonymous with urban big city

Those who choose the OTP lifestyle typically

and connects I-75, I-85

life, complete with industry, entertainment, culture,

have an inclination for spacious homes with

and I-20 to the city. Any-

high-end residential offerings and more. The

yards, local parks and green space and room

thing that falls within the

bustling atmosphere inside the Perimeter is replete

to grow. And while these suburban spots often

loop is recognized as ITP.

with places to go and people to see. The area is

have been seen as providing a slower pace than

Areas beyond the borders

popular with young couples and professionals who

metro Atlanta’s core, there has been an evolution

of the loop are considered

enjoy condo and townhome living, yet single-fam-

in recent years, with many downtown areas

to be OTP.

ily homes are becoming more prevalent in the area

undergoing redevelopment efforts that mix

for those who want to enjoy the intown way of life.

small-town charm with urban convenience.

10 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Your Community Builder. Buford | Cart ersville | Dallas | Ho schton | K ennesaw | Locust Grove | Loganville | Marietta | Winder | Woodstock Davidson Homes offers each of their home buyers a quality built home with professionally designed features, options and finishes selected with their needs in mind. Our expert, new home consultants and construction teams are committed to customer service, paying close attention to every little detail to ensure a pleasant home buying experience.

1,900-5,600 sqft | $300s to $1.4 Million

ATLANTA

Coming Attractions DON’T MISS THESE BELOVED LOCAL EVENTS ACROSS METRO ATLANTA IN 2024

12 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

By Amy Meadows

hen you live in metro Atlanta, you can be assured that there will be something fun to do year-round. From art walks and

tasting events to fairs and festivals, the many cities and towns across the area host a wide array of can’t-miss happenings for people of all ages. Here, we take a look at just a few of the locales you have to visit in 2024 so you can partake of their fun functions and enjoyable experiences.

Braselton Home to nearly 13,000 residents, the town of Braselton is where Southern hospitality thrives. As locals say, “It’s better in Braselton.” The locale beams with charm thanks to its historic downtown, and there’s plenty to do throughout the year, as the town welcomes visitors from all across the Southeast. Braselton Farmers Market explorebraselton.com Local farmers, bakers and makers share their creations with visitors once a month and throughout the summer on the Braselton Town Green in Historic Downtown Braselton. Visitors can pick up everything from farm fresh eggs and meat to locally grown produce and fresh baked goods. Vendors only sell edible items they have either grown or made, so you can be sure that the food you bring home is going directly from the farm to your table. Complimentary parking is available. 4th of July Festival & Fireworks explorebraselton.com/post/july-4th-fireworks Each July 4th, Braselton celebrates the nation’s independence by lighting up the sky with fireworks that are visible throughout the town and neighboring Hoschton. The accompanying festival includes a patriotic parade, a concert on the Town Green, an outdoor market, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and much more. The fireworks show begins at dark, and guests Braselton Farmers Market

are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 13

ATLANTA 4th of July Festival & Fireworks

ArtRageous Festival

area. This indoor-outdoor festival fea-

Visitors can shop the artist marketplace

explorebraselton.com

tures artists showcasing their best works,

for pottery, paintings, photography,

ArtRageous, held in September, is a

which are available for purchase. During

mixed media pieces and more.

juried art festival and live paint project

the festival, 12 commissioned artists

hosted by the Braselton Downtown

will paint eight-foot cubes on the Town

Peachtree Corners

Development Authority as part of an ef-

Green, which will be displayed for at least

Gwinnett County’s largest city, Peachtree

fort to bring art and beautification to the

one year at various locations downtown.

Corners, is conveniently located with easy access to Interstate 85, Interstate 285 and GA 400 and sits just 30 minutes northeast of Atlanta. It is an innovative and progressive community known for its economic development, excellent quality of life and fantastic events. Night Music peachtreecornersga.gov An awesome concert series hosted by the City of Peachtree Corners, Night Music is a free event held the second Saturday of every month from May through September. Guests enjoy live music featuring local artists, up-and-coming bands, national acts, tribute bands and more. You can pick up dinner at one of the many restaurants located around the Town Center and have a great way to spend an evening with family, friends or neighbors in Peachtree Corners. Bark in the Park peachtreecornersga.gov Bark in the Park is a free event held each September in Peachtree Corners. The highly anticipated gathering gives local four-legged

14 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Photo by Jason Getz

Night Music

friends a chance to shine as they

best friend and their owners,

More than a race, Light Up the

illuminate the way. Participants

chase after gigantic bubbles,

ensuring that every visitor has

Corners is a nighttime running

brighten the event along the

plunge into a doggy ball pit,

an unforgettable time.

party and fundraiser all in one.

way with their own glowing,

show off their agility prowess

The event features a four-

flashing, blinking and shining

on a mini course built just for

Light Up the Corners

mile run and a 1K Twilight

bling. All proceeds from the

them and more. Local vendors

Glow Run

Trot, both on courses that are

event benefit at-risk children

share goodies for both man’s

lightupthecorners.com

lined with blinking lights to

and families in the community

Sprawling Vineyards, Gourmet Delicacies, A Romantic Chateau Step off the beaten path between the trellises, reconnect with nature and rejuvenate the soul. Explore vineyards and winemaking in Braselton, Georgia where Southern charm meets French luxury.

CHATEAU ELAN WINERY AND RESORT

PL A N YOU R E SCA PE AT EXP LOREBRASELTON.COM/GETAWAY

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 15

Photo courtesy BringFido.com

ATLANTA Bark in the Park

Light Up the Corners Glow Run

by providing access to pro-

Food Truck Tuesdays

family, friends, neighbors or

enjoying a local draft beer. To

grams at the local YMCA.

smyrnaga.gov

colleagues after work.

boot, the weekend’s biggest

Smyrna

Held at Taylor-Brawner Park

football games are shown on

in Smyrna, Food Truck Tues-

Crafts and Drafts Fall

large screens for everyone

Known as the Jonquil City for

days have been a must-eat

Festival

to enjoy. Food booths and

the thousands of jonquils that

event since the concept first

smyrnaga.gov

fun family-friendly activi-

bloom in gardens and along

began in 2012. Every Tuesday

A fall festival with a “crafty/

ties round out the weekend

the streets each spring, Smyrna

from May 7 to September 24

drafty twist,” the Crafts and

festival, which takes place on

boasts a long and colorful his-

of 2024, guests will enjoy food

Drafts event offers a sure-fire

Smyrna’s Village Green.

tory. It is located just 10 miles

and live music from 5 pm to

way to warm up a cool day.

northwest of Atlanta, and it

9 pm. The park also includes

The event welcomes visitors

Home for the Holidays &

is home to more than 56,000

a playground and dedicated

to shop the crafts festival,

Tree Lighting

residents who enjoy a bounty

restrooms, so it’s a great spot

featuring goods and products

smyrnaga.gov

of events all year long.

to enjoy an afternoon with

from across the state, while

Smyrna kicks off the holiday season with the Home for the Holidays & Tree Lighting event, held around City Hall in the downtown area. The yuletide event includes seasonal music, visits with Santa in the Market Village, the beloved tree lighting ceremony and more. Typically held towards the end of each November, Home for the Holidays is one of the area’s most revered holiday traditions.

Marietta The City of Marietta is Food Truck Tuesdays 16 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

located northwest of Atlanta and is known for its lively

Crafts and Drafts Fall Festival

Home for the Holidays & Tree Lighting

community and vibrant his-

perfect setting for an array of

one of the largest and lon-

dition among local residents

tory. Marietta Square, which

celebrated annual events.

gest-running food festivals

and visitors. It’s an opportuni-

is the heart of the downtown

in metro Atlanta. The annual

ty to showcase and highlight

area, features quaint shops,

Taste of Marietta

food event is held on the

some of Cobb County’s

awesome eats, a beautiful

tasteofmarietta.com

last Sunday in April and has

most-loved restaurants and

park and theaters and is the

The Taste of Marietta is

become a favorite annual tra-

caterers.

anding S er

ibr

CITY OF

VISIT US AT SMYRNAGA.GOV

uni t y •

• Par k s • L

vic

•

tst Ou

@CityofSmyrnaGA

@SmyrnaNews

@CityofSmyrnaGA

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 17

ATLANTA Taste of Marietta

Chalktoberfest

Chalktoberfest. Always a big

mariettapilgrimage.com

located in Marietta that have

chalktoberfest.com

hit with locals and visitors, this

The annual Marietta Pilgrim-

been beautifully decorated for

Enjoy a beautiful October

event offers a fun outing for the

age Christmas Home Tour,

the holiday season. The tour,

weekend sampling craft beers,

family, and it’s free to attend.

which is organized by Visit

which has been named a top

listening to live music, eating

All proceeds benefit the Mari-

Marietta and the Cobb Land-

100 event in North America by

great food and watching

etta Cobb Museum of Art.

marks & Historical Society and

Southern Living, also includes

supports each of these nonprof-

access to a number of Marietta’s

the streets on the beautiful

Marietta Pilgrimage

its, takes visitors inside several

beautiful churches, museums

Marietta Square during

Christmas Home Tour

lovingly restored private homes

and other public buildings.

Photo courtesy Chalktoberfest

professional chalk artists chalk

Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour 18 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Chalktoberfest

GET TO KNOW BUSINESS Big Business Moves to Metro Atlanta

By Amy Meadows

t’s no secret that Georgia is recognized for its exceptional business-friendly environment. In fact, Site Selection has named it the number one state for doing business for nine consecutive years. That kind of reputation undoubtedly attracts companies to settle in the area every year, as they establish headquarters, distribution centers, customer service operations and more to take advantage

of the outstanding opportunities afforded to them here. Other organizations regularly choose to expand the businesses they currently manage across the state, creating more jobs and boosting local economies—particularly across the metro Atlanta area. Here, we look at 10 recent big business moves that serve as a testimony to Georgia’s impressive business advantages for companies of all sizes.

Duckshin Housing

be cost effective with enhanced safety in

new beverage production facility. Yakult’s

duckshin.com

mind. Construction on Duckshin’s new

new production facility, which will be

facility is expected to begin in late 2023;

larger than the company’s California

upon its completion, the company will be

operation, will be located at Highland 75

hiring for welder, machine operator, fork-

Corporate / Industrial Park, a Georgia

lift driver and other operations positions.

Ready for Accelerated Development

Duckshin Housing, a construction materials manufacturer, has plans to create

(GRAD) Certified site. The company

100 new jobs and invest more than $15

Yakult USA

million in Athens-Clarke County through

yakultusa.com

and assistants, including staff positions

its first U.S. facility. Headquartered in

Japanese probiotic beverage company

in human resources, machine operation

Seoul, Korea, the company produces ar-

Yakult USA has announced plans to build

and maintenance, quality control and

chitectural deck plates and frames, which

its second U.S. facility in Bartow County,

warehouse roles. The facility is predicted

are made of galvanized steel and rebars

creating more than 90 new jobs and

to come online in 2026.

and designed for efficient production to

investing an estimated $305 million in a

will be hiring for full-time managers

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 19

BUSINESS Woory Industrial Co., Ltd. Creative Home Ideas

Woory Industrial Co., Ltd. woory.com

Creative Home Ideas

Woory Industrial Co., Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer,

creativehomeideas.com

will establish a new manufacturing facility in Dublin. The facility

Creative Home Ideas,

will create more than 130 new jobs and an estimated $18 million

a design house focused

in investment in Dublin-Laurens County. Specializing in heating,

on home fashion, will create 70 new jobs and invest more than

ventilation and air conditioning components and systems for the

$15 million in a new distribution and light manufacturing

global automotive industry, the new facility with be the compa-

facility in Liberty County. The company is family owned and

ny’s first U.S. manufacturing location and will produce electrical

boasts expertise in designing, manufacturing and distributing

heaters, control units and actuators for EV and internal com-

fresh and innovative home décor, with collections of bedding,

bustion carmakers in North America. Operations are expected

window treatments, decorative pillows, throw blankets, rugs and

to begin at the end of 2023, and jobs will be filled in in all fields

more. The new facility, which is expected to open in 2024, will be

necessary for an automotive parts manufacturing plant.

hiring for positions in light manufacturing, warehouse, shipping,

NVH Korea

customer service and the back office.

nvhkorea.co.kr

nesevo

Automotive parts manufacturer

nesevo.com

NVH Korea will establish a new

An Austria-based leader in

facility in Locust Grove. The

networking solutions, IT services and logistics, nesevo is expand-

project will create over 160 new jobs and bring $72 million in

ing its footprint in Georgia with a new 13,000-square-foot facility

investment to Henry County. Based in the City of Ulsan, NVH

in Norcross. The expansion project in Gwinnett County is being

Korea specializes in automotive noise, vibration and heat-con-

completed with support from economic development agency

trol parts, which it currently produces in Korea, Europe and

Partnership Gwinnett and will create 30 new jobs in the areas

India. The company also operates a manufacturing facility that

of manufacturing and office operations over the next five years.

produces floor mats, cargo mats and cargo trays in Georgia. The

Previously, nesevo operated out of a smaller facility in unincor-

new facility will supply battery parts for electric vehicles in the

porated Duluth; the larger facility, located in the Gateway 85

United States for manufacturers such as Hyundai Mobis, Kia

Community Improvement District (CID), will help the company

Georgia and Hyundai Motor Group. Operations are expected to

accommodate its long-term growth plans, as Gwinnett is known

begin in the second quarter of 2024.

for boasting a strong tech industry.

20 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

CJ Foodville Corporation cjfoodville.co.kr CJ Foodville Corporation, a subsidiary of CJ Group, will invest more than $47 million in a new bakery and food processing facility in Gainesville, creating an estimated 285 jobs in Hall County. One of the largest food service and food processing companies in South Korea, CJ Foodville entered the U.S. market in 2004 with its TOUS les JOURS bakery café brand, which has four storefronts across Georgia. The new Gainesville facility is expected to produce more than 19,000 tons of product per year, including a diverse range of bread and cakes; it will be completed in 2025 and offer job opportunities in procurement, production, logistics, quality control, utility, human resources and accounting and supply chain management.

The U.S. Soccer Federation

Target Corporation target.com Hampton, located south of Atlanta in Henry

The U.S. Soccer Federation

County, will soon be home to a new distribution

ussoccer.com

center for the Target Corporation. The $475

The U.S. Soccer Federation selected metro

million project, called “Project Archer,” will in-

Atlanta for its new headquarters and a first-of-

clude the construction of a 1.4-million-square-

its-kind national training center. The board of

foot fulfillment center on a 173-acre site in the city of nearly

directors of the organization recently approved

8,300 residents. Upon completion in 2024, the distribution center

the decision, which will allow U.S. Soccer to move forward with

will automatically make Target the largest employer in Hampton

its development plans. The new headquarters will be designed

thanks to the addition of more than 750 jobs to the area. The

to accelerate the growth of soccer in the country and provide

deal serves as the culmination of a years-long effort to annex

an unparalleled training facility for elite players of all ages. All

undeveloped land in Hampton to attract industrial projects; city

27 of U.S. Soccer’s national men’s and women’s teams ultimately

leaders hope that the new Target facility will act as a catalyst for

will use the facility; the locale also will provide development

future economic growth.

opportunities for young players, training for referees and more. The location is ideal, as Atlanta is one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Club.

Gas South gassouth.com Gas South, one of the largest providers of natural gas in the southeastern United States, will relocate its headquarters to a new office space at The Battery Atlanta on August 1, 2024. The strategic move represents a milestone for the company, which has experienced impressive growth in recent years and developed a strong partnership with the Atlanta Braves. The new Cobb County-based office will be located adjacent to Truist Park, home of the Braves, and encompass 31,000 square feet of space. It will house the company’s more than 250 Georgia-based employees and feature a variety of collaborative spaces and dediTarget Corporation

cated areas for focused work.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 21

GET TO KNOW HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Design Trends: Get More in 2024

THE TOP OPTIONS IN TODAY’S ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES Traton Homes

22 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Kolter Homes LLC

By Amy Meadows

hen you think about design trends for active adult homes, it’s common to focus on functional features like one-level living, wide hallways and doorways, zero-entry showers and baths with grab bars and bench seats, lever handles for doors and anything that can make everyday life easier for those over the age of 55. Yet, today’s active adult communities—which can be found popping up all across metro Atlanta—offer home buyers so much more than that. These days,

they provide a chance for individuals to personally craft the forever home of their dreams, complete with a wide array of design elements that are as beautiful as they are practical. Here, we look at four current home design trends that are sweeping the active adult market and giving older residents the opportunity to spend their golden years in a truly comfortable and elegant environment. And they can be found in 55+ communities throughout the ATL.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 23

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Warm Colors, Natural Materials and Eclectic Interiors

According to Judie Woodall, a manag-

liberally throughout today’s 55+ homes,

ing member of Strategic Real Estate Advi-

with wood and stone countertops taking

According to Mandy Cornelison, design

sors, many fabrics being used are plusher

center stage.

consultant with Kolter Homes LLC, build-

and more inviting while boasting warmer

“Natural materials create a more or-

er of active adult community Cresswind

hues like browns, mossy greens, raisins

ganic and inviting atmosphere,” explains

Georgia at Twin Lakes, everything old is

and ambers. “Earthy tones are back,” she

Angi Sago, director of design for Traton

new again—and that includes the colors,

observes of the trend, which can be found

Homes, who notes that many active

materials and décor that active adults are

in many homes in Lake Arrowhead, the

adults are choosing interior elements that

selecting to use in their homes. She says,

renowned master-planned community

reflect a preference for both function-

“I love the current trend of modern details

located north of Canton that features

ality and aesthetics. With that in mind,

and furnishings mixed with a bold or

myriad active adult homes on lake,

many 55+ homeowners are moving away

interesting antique thrown in,” noting that

mountain and golf course sites. “There

from monochromatic and all-white

mixing classic elements with unique tile,

is less interest in coordinated spaces and

color palettes and selecting more organic

trim details on walls or even a funky ac-

matching furniture; it’s about unique

materials that complement their natural

cent chair or pillows are all the rage today.

pieces and thrifted finds that tell a story.

surroundings; of course, they also still

She adds that gray tones are on the decline

There appears to be an empowerment in

have a penchant for utilitarian materials

and making way for taupe and earth tones

finding your own personal style.” What’s

that are low maintenance and durable,

to come back in and warm up interiors.

more, natural materials are being used

such as Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring,

of metro Atlanta’s active adult communities, you will have the chance to Prepare for Inhavemany your home built from the ground up. This means spending time with construction and design professionals who can help you put all of the small details in place Your Design to make your home your own. To make the most of your time with those individuals, Meetings here’s some advice from some of the people who understand the process best.

Andi Sago, Traton Homes: “Take the time to research and determine the style and color schemes that resonate with your preferences. Bringing inspirational photos to your design appointments can be immensely helpful in conveying your vision to the design team. Avoid the temptation to select all of your design options in a single visit and opt for a phased approach with smaller appointments. This helps prevent feeling

Judie Woodall, Strategic Real Estate Advisors: “Determine your ‘must-haves’ versus your ‘nice to haves.’ Make a mood board, know your priorities and communicate them at the start of your appointment. Don’t rush but don’t linger, and don’t obsess over your decisions. Enjoy the process. You’ve earned it.”

overwhelmed and helps ensure you have ample time to make thoughtful decisions.”

Mandy Cornelison, Kolter Homes LLC: “Designing a home is truly a process. Before your

Cammy Luchina, Artisan Built Communities: “Have fun with the process and trust the professional along the way.”

design appointment, do your homework. Look for ideas and specific finishes and color tones that speak to you. Bring photos and samples of any furnishings that are going into your new home to your design appointments. Most importantly, focus on the big picture. Picture yourself living in the space and how you want it to function and flow. It’s your home, and you should build it so that you will love and enjoy it every single day.”

24 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

INTRODUCING THE ATLANTA AREA’S NEWEST 55+ COMMUNITY. Opening Early 2024

• New homes designed specifically for active adults ranging from 2- up to 5-Bedrooms • Hundreds of structural and design options to personalize your home for your needs • Nationally award-winning active adult lifestyle program with a full-time Lifestyle Director • Next-generation Club Cresswind clubhouse full of 55+ amenities • Minutes from downtown Newnan with easy access to I-85, Atlanta and the airport • Two lakes on property and walking trails

JOIN THE VIP LIST AT CresswindSpringHaven.com © 2023. Prices, homesites, amenities, home designs, square footage and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability, prior sales and withdrawal at any time without notice. Square footage numbers are approximate and may vary depending on the standard measurement used. Photos and/or drawings of homes may show upgraded landscaping and may not represent the lowest priced homes in the community. All renderings and floorplans in these materials are an artist’s conceptual drawings and will vary from the actual plans and homes as built. November 2023.

Join the VIP List

which is waterproof and comes in a wide

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

range of realistic finishes.

Space for Entertaining With age comes not only wisdom, but also the chance to dedicate your days to doing all of the things you have always wanted to do—including spending ample time with the people who mean the most to you. This desire is reflected in the 55+ homes that are being designed and built today. As Cornelison notes, “A home that is open and centered around hosting and entertaining is a top request. The ability to entertain comfortably in their homes is a huge function

Lennar Atlanta

that active adults are looking for. They value spending time with family and old and new

area that 55+ homeowners focus on when

many homeowners. Additionally, she says

friends at this stage of their lives and want

considering the design of their home. “A

that today’s home designs make it possi-

their guests to feel welcome and comfort-

bright, open kitchen with plenty of stor-

ble to have “a well-thought-out lighting

able in their home.”

age and countertop space is important,”

plan where you can change from remote

This means that open floor plans are a

Cornelison continues. Woodall agrees,

work in the day to charming entertaining

must, with the kitchen often being the top

noting that lots of storage is a must for

at night.”

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26 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

door living is one of the newest and most popular exterior design trends in the 55+ market, with covered or screened patios, outdoor fireplaces and grilling areas being included in plans for newly built homes. Nikki Stewart, marketing coordinator for Lennar Atlanta, also notes that covered and screened porches are the focal point of today’s outdoor home environments and allow for a homeowner’s living space to be greatly expanded. “[Active adults are looking for] customized outdoor living areas and landscape designs with entertaining in mind, including cocktail pools, fire pits, Big

Davidson Homes

Green Egg grills, water features, an abundance of outdoor lighting, edible gardens and more,” Woodall reveals, adding, “Our

Outdoor Living

designs of active adult homes. In fact,

purchasers are looking to improve their

In many cases, that entertaining can

according to the onsite agents at Kelly

quality of life and spend more time in the

take place in the outdoor living spaces

Preserve in Loganville, an active adult

great outdoors.”

that recently have become integral in the

community from Davidson Homes, out-

Cammy Luchina, director of sales for

for Over 50 Years Strong! — Voted Cobb County’s Best Builder —

Since 1971, locally-owned Traton Homes had been giving Atlanta-area homebuyers “Altogether More!”…more desirable locations, more stylish home designs, more desirable features and more value! Visit our website to learn more about our beautiful new townhome, 55+ active adult and single-family detached home communities priced from the $400’s to $600’s. Now Selling in the Florida Panhandle! See All of Our Communities at

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Sales and Marketing by Traton Homes Realty 770-427-9064 All information is believed accurate but is not warranted. Subject to errors, omissions and changes without notice.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 27

Artisan Built Communities, points to the popularity of outdoor living spaces and

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

garden areas as one of the most coveted design trends for home buyers 55 and older. “Active adults are looking for a social community with outdoor living spaces,” she notes. These features take a home’s living space to the next level and provide active adults with a chance to make the most of every inch of space both inside and outside of their residence.

Versatile Flex Spaces That type of thinking also applies to the types of rooms and spaces active adults have in their homes. Typically empty

Lake Arrowhead

nesters, these homeowners have the opportunity to decide how to use their square footage to their advantage. And

is an emphasis on having versatile spaces

As these spaces are considered, it’s

today, that often means having spaces

that adapt to different functions. She says,

important to think about how you want

that can be used in multiple ways.

“This includes features like kitchen islands

to live—and what the coming years might

“Another key feature that active adults

with integrated seating and clever storage

look like for you. Sago concludes, “Build-

are loving is an additional ‘catch all’ space

options, enabling those spaces to serve as

ing a house that reflects your current

that they can turn into an office, home

multifunctional hubs in the home.” What’s

preferences allows you to start enjoying it

gym, extra bedroom, craft room, man

more, these types of features can provide

immediately without the worry of future

cave or something else,” Cornelison ex-

specific spaces for homeowners to pursue

renovation projects. Keep in mind that

plains. “This age of design is exciting be-

hobbies while serving in other capacities

your needs and mobility might change

cause nearly everything goes. Your home

when needed. Woodall adds, “Multifunc-

over time. So design your home with

is your home, and if you love a particular

tional rooms continue to be requested

consideration for potential changes as

style or detail, you can go for it.”

so when the grandchildren leave, a craft

you age, ensuring that it will be appealing

room is renewed.”

and functional for years to come.”

According to Sago, there undoubtedly

For more information, visit: • Artisan Built Communities, discoverartisan.com • Davidson Homes, davidsonhomesllc.com • Kolter Homes LLC, kolterhomes.com • Lake Arrowhead, lakearrowheadga.com • Lennar Atlanta, lennar.com • Traton Homes, Artisan Built Communities 28 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

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HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Vibrant New 55+ Active Adult Community Near Woodstock

ccording to Forbes Magazine, interest in age-restricted

amenities. Not only will homeowners enjoy an amazing connected

communities (they’re not called retirement communi-

community, but their family and friends will also look forward to

ties anymore) hasn’t been this robust since the National

an unforgettable experience during every visit.

Association of Home Builders started compiling an index in

So, what can homeowners (and their guests) expect at The

2008. These neighborhoods are attracting everyone from empty

Reserve at Bells Ferry? First, the community is just minutes

nesters looking to downsize to older adults seeking a lifestyle

from the exciting shops, dining and activities in lively downtown

change to actual retirees.

Woodstock. Stroll Main Street’s boutiques, grab a gourmet bite

One of the newest 55+ developments currently under construc-

to eat and listen to live music with neighbors, friends and family.

tion in Georgia is The Reserve at Bells Ferry near Woodstock.

Additionally, there are outdoor attractions such as the Noonday

This marks the debut of Atlanta’s Brock Built in the realm of active

Creek Trail, Kennesaw Mountain and numerous local golf clubs.

adult communities, showcasing their commitment to fostering

This welcoming suburb escape combines the character of a small

peace of mind through high-quality, low-maintenance new homes

town with the convenience of city living just a short drive away

arranged within enduring communities. Brock Built’s symbiotic

from metro Atlanta’s most popular destinations, including The

design approach can be seen not just within their floor plans, but

Battery Atlanta and Truist Park.

also with the intentional placement near the best attractions and

Here you’ll find a connected community of homes with charming and functional design and plenty of comfort to spare. The homes here are loaded with style features and elevated finishes, all among beautiful, lush landscaping that you’ll never need to lift a finger to maintain and enjoy. “The Reserve at Bells Ferry is your opportunity to find a home where life matches your pace,” Brock Built says. When you are living in The Reserve at Bells Ferry, you will have exceptional opportunities to stay active and entertain friends and family. This community features an incredible collection of amenities where you can meet new friends in a gorgeous dog park, catch up over a friendly

30 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

game of cornhole, picnic with family under the pavilion or by the outdoor prep kitchen and grills and unwind together around the community’s garden, ample green spaces, pickleball courts and fire pit. With amenities like these, you can stay active and spoil your guests in style. Key floor plan features for The Reserve at Bells Ferry include 2+ bedrooms with 2+ baths (second level available), 1,600- to 2,690-squarefoot floor plans, a two-car garage and a covered patio. To learn more and to see available homes, visit

About Brock Built

brockbuilt.com/community/the-reserve-at-bells-ferry.

Brock Built boasts a rich legacy deeply embedded in metro Atlanta,

Brock Built says this unique location offers much more than

nurturing thriving communities that have flourished for decades.

a quiet retreat. Here, you’ll have everything at your door, from

Leveraging this strong foundation, the company excels in offering

shopping at the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta to quick-stop conve-

unmatched living experiences across Georgia, Florida and Alabama’s

niences around the corner at Publix or Kroger. Enjoy lunch in

most desirable locations. Brock Built has earned a stellar reputation

one of Downtown Woodstock’s cozy cafes and finish the after-

having showcased years of expertise building inspired homes in

noon with a sweet slice of pie at the local Pie Bar. Woodstock’s

enduring communities. Their promise is to develop communities

activity calendar is full of family-friendly festivals, nightly live

that provide a sense of belonging, to provide homeowners with

music and arts and entertainment events that keep neighbors

modern comforts and personalized details and to back it up with

gathering throughout the year. n

incomparable craftsmanship. Learn more at brockbuilt.com.

55+ Active Adult Living from the High $400’s-$600’s

AMENITIES INCLUDE:

Call to schedule your personalized appointment today!

404.961.3169

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 31

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Remodeling 101

TIPS AND ADVICE FOR NAVIGATING A REMODEL DURING A MOVE By Amy Meadows

oving into a new house is both exciting and stressful,

on a remodel during a relocation brings its own set of challeng-

especially if you are relocating from another city or state.

es. Fortunately, KNOWAtlanta has the tips and tricks you need

You want to feel comfortable and at home as quickly as

to navigate a renovation project, courtesy of Alair Homes, the

possible—and that sometimes means that you need to make

largest construction and home renovation in the world. Here, we

some changes to the residence you purchased. Of course, taking

share advice from three of the firm’s most prolific professionals:

32 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

to fully grasp their individual requirements, ensuring that the remodeling project is finely tuned to their preferences, whether it’s creating a dream kitchen, a luxurious master suite, or enhancing other key areas of their home in this dynamic area. What should people look for when choosing the right remodeler for their project? Heather Shuster: Choosing the right remodeler is crucial. When selecting a remodeler, it’s essential to find someone with a proven track record and a deep understanding of local codes and regulations [particularly for historical properties]. At Alair Decatur, our commitment to quality and craftsmanship ensures that your historical home is beautifully restored while complying with preservation standards. We pride ourselves on a dedicated project manager, guaranteeing the highest quality and historical accuracy in your renovation. How long should a new homeowner expect a remodel to take? Dale Contant: The duration of a remodel can vary significantly and is influenced by several factors, including the client’s unique circumstances and preferences. It’s important to note that external factors, such as world events, like the impact of COVID-19, can also play a role in the timeline or product availability. To determine a precise timeline, we recommend consulting with your remodeler. At Alair Homes, we take pride in our efficient project management, which not only considers the client’s needs, but also accounts for potential external factors, helping to keep timelines on track and minimize any disruptions, ensuring a smoother renovation experience tailored to your specific needs. What is your top advice for handling your remodeling budget? Frank Wickstead: Budget management is a key aspect of a successful remodel. At Alair Homes, we recommend being realistic about your budget and creating a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Our transparent, client-control approach allows clients to track costs and make informed decisions throughout the project, ensuring that the budget remains on track. We also provide value-engineering options, helping clients achieve their Alair Buckhead partner Frank Wickstead, Alair Decatur partner

goals without unnecessary expenses.

Heather Shuster and Alair Marietta partner Dale Contant. What are your tips for navigating a remodeling process in tandem When moving into a new home from a new city, what’s the best

with a moving process?

space to start with for a remodel?

Heather Shuster: Coordinating a remodel and a move requires

Frank Wickstead: When contemplating a remodel, it’s important

careful planning. At Alair Homes, we pride ourselves on our

to recognize that every family’s needs and preferences are distinct.

flexible and adaptable project management team. We often

It’s often advantageous to start by enhancing spaces that best align

collaborate with clients to create a phased plan, allowing them to

with your unique lifestyle. At Alair Homes, our design-build ap-

transition into their new home smoothly. Effective communica-

proach prioritizes customization. We work closely with our clients

tion is the cornerstone of our approach, and our project manageWINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 33

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

ment team is ever present, ensuring that any issues are promptly

in a collaborative approach, involving the client in every step of

addressed and resolved. This commitment to open and clear

the process. We encourage homeowners to express their vision,

communication is vital in guaranteeing a seamless transition and

set clear priorities and trust our experienced team to deliver

a successful remodeling process.

exceptional results. With Alair Homes, you can count on a team dedicated to quality, transparency and client satisfaction, making

What are your top overall tips for managing a remodel?

your remodeling journey a rewarding one.

Dale Contant: Managing a remodel successfully is a combination of planning, communication and trust. Alair Homes believes

For more information, visit alairhomes.com.

Alair Homes in Action Working across metro Atlanta and beyond, Alair Homes has completed myriad renovation projects in homes of all sizes. Let’s take a look at two standout projects that just might provide some inspiration for your own remodeling project.

Wynthrop Manor Drive, Marietta Bathroom Remodel The Alair team took a dated bathroom with an awkward layout and transformed it into a showstopper. They began by creating access to the space from the master bedroom through a rain-glass pocket door. Features in the new bathroom included a heated tile floor, a heated towel rack and a luxurious walk-in shower. Dark bronze hardware complemented the white and pearl tiles used throughout the space, and custom cabinetry added ample storage solutions for the homeowners. An infrared sauna took the space to a new level and provided an elegant focal point next to the roomy linen closet. The project earned Alair Homes the 2020 NARI National CotY award for a residential bathroom remodel between $75,001 and $100,000.

Glen Hampton Drive, Milton Kitchen Remodel The goal of this kitchen remodel was to open up the cramped space, improve the flow and let more of the outdoors in. To start, the Alair team replaced two small windows that were over two separate sinks with a large arched window over one sink to increase the front yard view. They also replaced the outdated finishes; the upgraded materials took this already attractive home to the next level. Additionally, a new wood finish floor complemented the upgraded cabinets and appliances and new island with seating. Fresh paint on the new brick walls gave the space the industrial look the homeowners wanted. Photo by Barbara Brown Photography

34 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Metro Atlanta Guide to Utilities

efore you put the key in the lock of your new home, you have to

prepare the property for your arrival. This means getting your utilities up and running soon after your home closing. Here in metro Atlanta, there are a number of services you’ll need to set up. Be sure to put these on your list as you begin the process.

Natural Gas While metro Atlanta has a temperate climate, you’ll want to warm your home during the winter. Also, natural gas is used for water heating, cooking, clothes drying and more. You’ll need to select

Electricity

a natural gas provider, and

Accounting for 48 percent

there are several that serve

of household energy use in

metro Atlanta. You typically

Georgia, electricity should be

can research rates, custom-

at the top of your utility service

er service offerings and

list. Depending on where your

discounts and sign up online,

home is located, you have op-

making the process quick and

tions. You can select a company

convenient.

like Georgia Power, which is

Did You Know? Georgia deregulated its natural gas market in 1998. Atlanta Gas Light owns and controls the natural gas pipelines, and natural gas marketers work with

the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company, or one of the Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) that provide electricity to the area; these non-profit utilities serve more

than four million customers

owned home, the former

as part of the Georgia Electric

owners can provide you with

Membership Corporation.

information. For new homes, the builder can point you in

Water With metro Atlanta being comprised of so many cities

Phone, Cable and Internet

and towns, it’s no surprise

These days, phone, cable

that there are various water

and Internet service is just

and sewer service providers.

as important as every other

Typically, your home will

utility. In metro Atlanta,

be serviced by either the

major service providers like

county water authority or

Xfinity and AT&T are going

the city government. If you

to be the most common op-

are moving into a previously

tions, as they cover the entire

it to access them. Companies like SCANA Energy offer both fixed rate and variable rate plans depending on your needs.

the right direction.

area. Some counties do offer alternatives, allowing you to

TIP To see which providers serve the county in which your home is located, be sure to check out KNOWAtlanta Magazine’s County Pages, starting on page 61.

personalize your service. As with all other utilities, a bit of online research can make the process fast and seamless.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 35

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Moving to Atlanta Timeline

here’s a lot of work that goes into coordinating an organized move, and it’s

smart to get a head start on planning before the moving truck arrives at your door. Here’s a handy guide to help you streamline some of the most important activities associated with your move to Atlanta.

ONE MONTH Before

ONE WEEK Before

n Research your options for moving or truck

n Confirm travel arrangements and pack a

rental companies and schedule your move. n Collect and organize necessary school, med-

ical and legal records. n Complete a change of address with your

local post office or online at usps.gov. n Notify other important parties of your

change of address, including your bank, credit card companies, insurance companies and subscription services. n Schedule disconnection of services at your

current home and reconnection at your new house, including phone, cable and Internet. n Hold a garage sale or donate items that you

decide not to keep.

travel kit for you and your family members for the move. n Confirm dates and time of packing and

moving with the moving company. If you’re moving yourself, confirm moving truck arrangements. n Finalize your packing and double-check that

all areas (including closets, garage, attic and basement) are cleared. n Pack a “First Open/Load Last” box; include

items you’ll need on the first day in your new home.

ONE DAY Before n Complete a house check; defrost the freezer,

drain the water hose and disconnect and prepare any major appliances you’re planning to move. n Make sure to have cash on hand to tip the

team from the moving company. n Confirm hotel or temporary accommoda-

tions, if needed. n Check the moving company paperwork to

identify the USDOT number of the truck that is scheduled; the number appears on the side of the truck and should match on moving day.

Welcome to Atlanta Save money on your natural gas with SCANA Energy. Schedule your new service up to 90 days in advance by calling 1.866.280.6236, or visit scanaenergy.com/MOVER60. 1.866.280.6236

36 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

AWARDS

CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING OBIE AWARDS AD ACHIEVEMENTS IN HOMEBUILDING The Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association and the Atlanta Sales & Marketing Council would like to congratulate the Winners from the 43rd OBIE Gala held on Oct 21, 2023. These prestigious awards recognize the best in the industry for Building, Remodeling, Interior Design, Marketing and Personal Achievement. Visit AtlantaHomeBuilders.com to view all of the 2023 Winners.

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Top Reasons to Purchase New Construction in The Coming Year

By Carol Morgan, President and Founder of Denim Marketing and Host of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

n the face of today’s higher interest

draw. Moreover, new homes are built with

footprint and can lead to substantial

rates, many current homeowners are

contemporary aesthetics and incorporate

savings on utility bills.

choosing to stay put, thus limiting the

the latest trends in home design, smart

For instance, according to Candace

technology and eco-friendly materials.

Fuqua, broker and owner of Avenue Realty

for those interested in purchasing a resi-

“Home builders often have design

Metro, “Homes at Pendergrast Farm are

dence. Fortunately, if you are considering

centers where home buyers can work

wired for an EV charging station. And one

purchasing a home in 2024, new con-

with a designer to make home selections

of our currently available homes incor-

struction offers several compelling ad-

like kitchen tile, island countertop, light

porates several energy-efficient features,

vantages over resale homes, making these

fixtures and flooring. This allows home

including spray foam insulation, fresh air

residences an ideal option for buyers.

buyers to personalize their homes,”

intake, a sealed building envelope and

Here are four reasons why you might want

explains Lori Lane, president, New

house wrap, and it is solar panel ready.”

to consider a new construction home.

Homes Division, Berkshire Hathaway

availability of previously owned homes

Customization and Modern Design

HomeServices GA Properties.

Less Maintenance and Updated Building Codes

One of the primary benefits of a new con-

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

struction home is the ability to customize

New construction homes are often more

maintenance in the first several years

the floor plan and select finishes and mate-

energy efficient than older homes thanks

of ownership because everything from

rials to suit personal tastes and lifestyles.

to advancements in building materials,

appliances to the roof is brand new, and

As homes are becoming more than just

construction techniques and energy

additional maintenance features often are

living spaces—often serving as work-

codes. They are typically equipped with

included in the purchase. This can save

places and personal retreats—having the

energy-efficient appliances, HVAC

homeowners both time and money, as

flexibility to design a home to accommo-

systems, insulation, windows and other

there is less need for repairs or replace-

date multifunctional needs is a significant

green features that reduce the carbon

ments. Furthermore, new homes are built

38 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

A new construction home requires less

to the latest safety standards and building codes, which can provide homeowners with peace of mind regarding the structural integrity of their home and the safety of the materials used. “Our active adult home buyers love that lawn maintenance is included. This allows them to live a true lock-and-leave lifestyle,” says Jennifer Landers, community manager for Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes.

Financing Programs and Builder Incentives

One of the primary benefits of a new construction home is the ability to customize the floor plan and select finishes and materials to suit personal tastes and lifestyles.

more favorable loan terms. For example, Kimberly Garwood, director of marketing with Traton Homes, notes, “Traton Homes is offering a variety of enticing incentives that include reduced closing costs, paid HOA fees coverage or complimentary design upgrades. In addition, our approved lenders extend a host of attractive financing options, including rate buy-down programs, that make purchasing a new home financially advantageous.” These reasons, combined with the

New construction homes often come with

center allowances or include optional up-

potential for builder warranties and the

the possibility of builder incentives and

grades at a reduced cost to attract buyers.

allure of being the first to live in a brand

favorable financing options. Builders may

Additionally, some builders partner with

new home, make new construction an at-

offer to pay closing costs, provide design

mortgage lenders to offer lower rates or

tractive option for home buyers in 2024. n

KNOWAtlanta’s Guide to New Homes

Cresswind at Spring Haven From the $300s-$700s

Cresswind at Spring Haven is Kolter Homes’ fourth Cresswind 55+ community coming to metro Atlanta in early 2024. Just 40 minutes southwest of Atlanta in Newnan, Cresswind at Spring Haven will feature flexible floor plans designed for active adults with hundreds of structural and design personalization options, including second floor bonus rooms, flex spaces, gourmet kitchens and more—plus Cresswind’s award-winning 55+ lifestyle and amenities. Join the VIP list today.

(888) 476-3017

cresswindspringhaven.com

Traton Homes

From the $400s-$600s Traton Homes, a locally owned award-winning builder for over 50 years strong, has won numerous awards for excellence in customer service and home design and was voted Best Builder in Cobb County in 2021, 2022 and 2023. We offer single-family detached homes, luxury townhomes and active adult homes in some of the metro’s best locations, with easy access to major thoroughfares, shopping, dining, recreation and healthcare. Discover “Altogether More” with Traton Homes.

(770) 427-9064

tratonhomes.com WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 39

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Toll Brothers

Rocklyn Homes

From the High $200s-$700s+

From the Low $300s-$2M

Toll Brothers has you covered in Atlanta’s most coveted neighborhoods. An award-winning Fortune 500 company founded in 1967, Toll Brothers is the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. Our locations offer residents access to amenities including the Atlanta BeltLine, parks, local restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and public transportation. Toll Brothers is currently building throughout the Greater Atlanta area including Morningside, Decatur and Grant Park.

Rocklyn Homes is an award-winning, family-owned company with a unique vision and passion to build beautiful, awardwinning, single-family homes and townhomes at great prices in some of the most sought-after locations in Atlanta. Backed by years of experience, they will deliver quality, value and reliability in every home they build. Visit a Rocklyn community and discover the Rocklyn difference: “The Most Important Home We’ll Build Is Yours.”

(855) 229-5676

(770) 817-2185

tollbrothers.com/KNOWAtlanta

Lennar

From the $300s-$800s

rocklynhomes.com

From $409,900

Find a Lennar home you’ll love in Atlanta! Lennar builds safe, amenity-rich communities all around the metro Atlanta area, and we have the perfect home for you! Enjoy our single-family or townhome designs with open-concept layouts and plenty of indoor/outdoor living space. Our Everything’s Included® package offers upgrades and appliances at no additional cost to you. We also offer a simplified homebuying experience through Lennar Mortgage, enabling you to make your lifestyle leap with ease.

Located in Midtown’s Garden District, our condominiums set the standard for urban living. From quality construction to curated amenities, J5 is perfect for intown buyers looking for a refined living space. High ceilings, a range of floor plans, livable indoor-outdoor spaces and natural light ensure your home feels bright and spacious. Close proximity to celebrated Midtown establishments grants unrivaled access to your destination. Welcome to contemporary Atlanta living.

(404) 931-7432

(470) 589-5055

lennar.com/atlanta 40 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

ownj5.com

Brock Built Homes High $200s-$1.7M

Our strong roots in metro Atlanta have allowed us the opportunity to provide unparalleled living in some of the most desirable locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Our stellar reputation comes from decades of expertly constructing inspired homes in enduring communities. We are committed to developing communities that provide a sense of belonging, providing homeowners with modern comforts and personalized details, while backing it up with unwavering craftsmanship.

(404) 351-7555

Artisan Built Communities From the High $300s

We want you to live a healthy, active lifestyle without even having to leave your community. We want you to have everything you want within walking distance, and we want this to be the best home you’ve ever owned. That’s why Artisan Built is simply a cut above the rest. Choose between 55+ active adult ranch plans and single-family two-story homes and townhomes.

brockbuilt.com

(678) 515-9526

discoverartisan.com

ENJOY YOUR DAILY DRIVE.

Exceptional homes in an array of architectural styles and price points. From low maintenance, ranchstyle living to spacious two- and three-story homes or even custom home offerings Traditions has it all. • 18-Hole Golf Course & Clubhouse • Private Owner’s Clubhouse with Catering Kitchen • 24/7 Access to Fitness Center • Six Lighted Tennis Courts with Stadium Seating • Pickle Ball & Sports Court • Junior-Olympic sized pool with zero-entry splash zone • Open Green for Outdoor Events • Sidewalks throughout

DiscoverTraditionsBraselton.com/KNOW I 706.684.0450

Monday- Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm & Sunday: 1 pm - 6pm I 401 Delaperriere Loop, Jefferson, GA 30549

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 41

HOMES & LIFESTYLES

Traditions of Braselton From the Low $400s-$900s

Welcome to Traditions of Braselton! Brimming with scenic beauty, this 1,140-acre master-planned community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains features an 18-hole championship golf course, opulent clubhouse, junior Olympicsized pool, six lighted tennis courts, an active HOA, highly revered schools, convenience to I-85 and more! Stunning new homes crafted by the South’s finest builders are priced from the low $400s to $900s. Traditions has it all!

(706) 684-0450

Paran Homes

From the High $300s-$600s Boasting nearly a century of combined experience in new home construction and an award-winning team of industry veterans at the helm, Paran Homes builds homes of uncompromised quality in many of Atlanta’s most sought-after locations while delivering a stellar home buying experience. Buyers can select from an array of move-in ready homes. Schedule an appointment and tour one of our models today!

(678) 726-9646

discovertraditionsbraselton.com/KNOW

paranhomes.com/know

Davidson Homes

Lake Arrowhead

Builder Magazine’s Biggest Mover in 2021, Davidson Homes is proud to offer homebuilding expertise to the fast-growing Atlanta market with a variety of incredible home plans in Bartow, Cherokee, East Cobb, East Paulding, Gwinnett, Henry and West Forsyth counties. Davidson Homes builds where you want to be. Enjoy professionally designed selections or customize your home with quality design options and upgrades, making it your dream home. Call or visit the website today!

Welcome to Lake Arrowhead, a gated mountain, lake and golf community outside of Canton. The private lake features 21 miles of shoreline, a marina, boat rental program, disc golf, 17 miles of hiking trails, pickleball and more. Long-range lake, golf and mountain views await you, and single-family ranch homes, lakeview townhomes and lakeside and golf villas offer something for everyone. Come see why Lake Arrowhead was voted the Best Place to Live in America.

(404) 999-1579

(770) 720-2700

From the $300s-$1.4M+

davidsonhomesllc.com 42 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

From the $300s-$900s

lakearrowheadga.com

JASPER DAWSONVILLE

KNOWATLANTA GUIDE TO NEW HOMES BUILDER AND DEVELOPER MAP Pickens

Dawson

BALLGROUND 4

Bartow

WALESKA

MILTON

SUGAR HILL

ROSWELL

Cobb

KENNESAW

DALLAS 12

POWDER SPRINGS

HIRAM

BUCKHEAD

6 10

DOUGLASVILLE

CLARKSTON

Atlanta

EAST POINT

Fulton PALMETTO

DECATUR

FAIRBURN

Walton 34

LITHONIA

CONYERS

Rockdale37 STOCKBRIDGE

PEACHTREE CITY

SOCIAL CIRCLE COVINGTON

Newton MCDONOUGH

FAYETTEVILLE

Henry

Fayette NEWNAN

JONESBORO TYRONE

MONROE 30

DeKalb

Clayton

Coweta

WINDER

SNELLVILLE

FOREST PARK

UNION CITY

Barrow

GRAYSON

STONE MOUNTAIN

HAPEVILLE 3

Jackson

Gwinnett

COLLEGE PARK

Douglas

Carroll

38 39 33 16

LILBURN

TUCKER

DACULA LAWERNCEVILLE

CHAMBLEE

AUSTELL

29 1

SMYRNA

DORAVILEE

31 42

SUWANEE JOHNS CREEK DULUTH

NORCROSS

DUNWOODY SANDY SPRINGS

MARIETTA

Fulton

BUFORD

ALPHARETTA

FLOWERY BRANCH

MTN PARK

ACWORTH

Hall

CUMMING

WOODSTOCK

OAKWOOD

CARTERSVILLE

Paulding

Cherokee HOLLY SPRINGS

GAINESVILLE

Forsyth

CANTON

HAMPTON

LOCUST GROVE

SHARPSBURG

25 26

SENOIA

MORLAND

Artisan Built Communities 1. The Georgian 2. NatureWalk 3. Serenity 4. Salacoa 5. Jason’s Walk Brock Built 6. Riverline 7. West Town 8. The Parc 9. The Reserve at Bells Ferry 10. West Highlands Davidson Homes 11. The Village at Shallowford 12. Riverwood

13. Mountainbrook 14. Kelly Preserve 15. The Village at Towne Lake 16. J5 Kolter Homes 17. Cresswind at Lake Lanier 18. Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes 19. Oak Hill Reserve 20. Cresswind Peachtree City 21. Cresswind at Spring Haven 22. Lake Arrowhead Lennar Atlanta 23. Creekside at Farmers Crossing 24. Towns at Glen Abby 25. Heritage Point

26. Twelve Parks 27. Hickory Bluffs Paran Homes 28. Oakleigh Pointe 29. Creekwood 30. Seaboard Junction 31. Traditions of Braselton 32. High Shoals Rocklyn Homes 33. Hawthorne Station 34. Beverly Heights 35. Old Salem Crossing 36. Riverside 37. Shoals Crossing

Toll Brothers 38. Beckham Place at Morningside 39. Eloise at Grant Park 40. New Talley Station 41. Park 108 42. Traditions of Braselton Traton Homes 43. Courtyards at Hickory Flat 44. High Parc at Smyrna 45. East Park Village 46. Haven at Stanley 47. Tapp Farm

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 43

GET TO KNOW EDUCATION

Admissions Season WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLYING TO METRO ATLANTA PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Atlanta Girls’ School

The Galloway School

44 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Mount Paran Christian School

By Ken Abramczyk

hen parents move to a new city or just want to investigate educational options for their children, they may turn to independent private schools to explore their options. As

they search, they want a good match. Fortunately, metro Atlanta’s independent schools roll out the welcome mat in a variety of ways, wanting parents to be comfortable knowing that their children will be educated in a nurturing environment. Of course, with private school application and enrollment deadlines often falling in late winter or early spring of each year (if a school does not have rolling admissions), the late fall/early winter admissions season can be a hectic and challenging one to navigate. How should you prepare for the process and what can you expect during that time from application to acceptance? Here, several independent metro Atlanta schools share their recommendations and advice.

Turn to AAAIS Many schools recommend visiting the website of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS) at the beginning of the application process. The organization serves about

Pace Academy

70 schools and over 35,000 students, and each member school follows the same AAAIS admission deadlines. Local private school application deadlines generally range

a web-based admission system that allows families to apply to

from mid-January through early February.

private schools. Of course, some non-AAAIS member schools

AAAIS member schools will notify families

request that families apply on their own websites, so parents

whether or not their child or children have

should contact each school to find out the best way to apply and

been accepted on March 30, 2024. Families

begin the process.

applying to one or more schools can respond by April 11 and secure their enrollment. The

Prepare for the Application Process

period between those two dates is known

James Foreman, director of admissions and enrollment manage-

as AAAIS’s silent period. During that time,

ment at The Galloway School in Atlanta, suggests that parents

member schools may not proactively reach

use resources, including AAAIS and, for his school, Galloway’s

out to admitted families nor can they host ad-

website, to connect with parents or school alumni. “Create a list

mitted families on campus, according to Nija

of possible ‘best fit’ schools and register in Ravenna to begin ex-

Majmudar Meyer, vice president for enroll-

ploring schools, upcoming events and admission requirements,”

ment management at Woodward Academy

he says. Parents can sign up for notification of events during the

and lead for the admissions cohort of AAAIS

admissions season. Then they can begin to tackle other tasks

for the past two years. She explains, “The goal

associated with the application process.

is to give admitted families time to carefully weigh their options, reflect upon their expe-

Pay a visit

riences with the different schools and make a

Many private schools offer tours that allow families to learn

decision that will best fit their family without

about them before submitting an application. David Hughes,

feeling rushed or pressured.”

admissions associate at Atlanta Academy in Roswell, suggests

In addition to AAAIS, many schools request that families register on Ravenna.com,

visiting a campus first to discover its features and amenities; for instance, at Atlanta Academy, the fully immersive music room WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 45

and recording studio often are standouts for visiting families. In addition, he says, “Our STEAM labs feature cutting-edge technology, such as laser cutters and 3D printers, which provide students with hands-on learning experiences.” Seeing

EDUCATION

these types of assets in person can help with a family’s decision. North Cobb Christian School invites families to either attend Preview Days, held twice a year on Saturdays in November and January, or come in for a personal tour, which can be set up at any time. Mill Springs Academy also offers individual campus tours for families, while The Galloway School offers tours weekday mornings starting in October and running through the end of January.

Woodward Academy

High Meadows, located in Roswell, also recommends families tour schools

ments of the application process, Mac

terials in January or February, depending

in which they are interested. “If High

McCallum, director of admissions and

on the school’s deadline.”

Meadows is that right fit, families can

financial aid at Pace Academy in Atlanta,

prepare by joining us for additional

says that because most metro Atlanta

Gather Materials

events like open house, alumni presen-

application deadlines are in January or

Gathering materials for the application

tation night or financial aid information

February, working backwards from those

process is of the utmost importance. If

sessions,” says Laura Nicholson, director

dates is good practice. He advises, “Visit

parents are planning for their children

of enrollment and advancement.

schools in October, November and De-

to switch schools, they should contact

cember and then submit application ma-

their current or previous school to obtain

In terms of timing all of the ele-

transcripts. “Basic paperwork is good to have, such as your child’s birth certificate and report cards,’ says Alex Sullivan, director of admissions and dean of discipline for the Upper School at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta. According to Honey Brannon, director of admissions and enrollment management at Atlanta Girls’ School, parents should get transcripts from the past two years and contact information of previous teachers and administrators who may be notified for evaluations and test results. This will give schools an understanding of a child’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as their academic background. Some schools may go beyond basic paperwork as well. For example, applicants at Paideia School in Atlanta North Cobb Christian School 46 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

should be prepared to provide a teacher’s evaluation, transcripts and educational

Gathering materials for the application process is of the utmost importance. If parents are planning for their children to switch schools, they should contact their current or previous school to obtain transcripts. records, says Tiffany Nelson, director of

Holy Spirit Preparatory School

ing sample or graded assignments.” For possible admission to Mill Springs

psychological or psychoeducational evaluation and Individual Education Pro-

admissions and enrollment management.

Academy in Alpharetta, which serves

gram (IEP) or 504 plan, if applicable, to

She notes, “Depending on the grade, your

students with ADHD and learning differ-

support their child’s learning difference.

applicant may be asked to submit a writ-

ences, parents should gather their child’s

“Parents can best prepare by understand-

From Pre-K through 12th grade,

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES for each child to thrive is

THE

WOODWARD WAY

woodward.edu/inquire

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 47

grade but generally include requests for transcripts or report cards, evaluation forms (from the child’s current school) and an admissions assessment.

Inquire About Rolling Admissions If families are relocating in the middle of

EDUCATION

a school year, or if personal circumstances require a school change for their children, they may want quicker admission into a school. Schools like Mill Springs Academy, Mount Paran Christian

Mill Springs Academy

School in Atlanta and Mount Pisgah Christian School in Johns Creek use

ing the needs of their child and their

user-friendly at its campuses in College

rolling admissions, which allows them

performance in the classroom,” says Jennifer

Park and Johns Creek; once families have

to review applications on an ongoing

Slaker, director of enrollment at Mill Springs.

submitted an application, the admissions

basis instead of using a fixed application

Fortunately, many local private schools

portal populates a checklist of required

deadline. In fact, Mount Paran reviews

work diligently to make the application

materials and deadlines. Families receive

applications as early as December. What’s

process as seamless as possible for fam-

weekly reminders as the application

more, families applying to The Walker

ilies. Woodward Academy, for instance,

deadline approaches. According to

School’s Early Learners, Pre-Kinder-

strives to make the admissions process

Meyer, the specific checklists vary by

garten and New Avenues programs at

86%

80%

11 million

of students earned an average of 24 Dual Enrollment Credit Hours

received scholarship offers

in scholarships excluding Zell Miller, HOPE, and GTEG

CLASS OF 2023 STATS 80

193

Graduates

acceptances to colleges and universities

Honors College Acceptances

TOP 10 RANKED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN GEORGIA

Scan the QR Code to Visit or Learn More PK3-12 | Fairburn, GA

48 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

its Marietta campus receive admission decisions on a rolling basis. Those who apply at Atlanta Girls’ School outside of the regular admissions season can expect a decision depending on the time of year and how quickly the applicant provides information and supporting documents. Kirsten Beard, chief admissions officer at Mount Vernon School recommends sticking to the application deadlines to participate in the first round of admission decisions. “Once decisions are released in late March, spaces are limited and applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis,” she says. “The best way to choose the right

The Walker School

school for your child is to ask lots of questions and get to know the school’s mission and approach to teaching and learning.”

Track the Application

tion through that online portal, which provides access to all applications in

admission for The Walker School. Some schools use other outlets to help

one location. “Parents will be able to see

families keep track of their applications.

Parents who submit applications

green checkmarks for each step complet-

For Mill Springs applicants, parents can

through Ravenna can track the applica-

ed,” says Katherine Harrison, director of

track deadlines and submissions for

FUTURE READY STUDENTS aischool.org

2023.11.20_AISAd_KNOWAtlanta_7.25x4.875_NOV.indd 1

3K - 12 @aischool

11/20/23 1:02 PM

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 49

Whitefield Academy

both admissions and financial aid in the FACTS Management platform. “Our timeline, depending on the season, is

Galloway students confidently embrace challenges while developing the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence to thrive as enlightened contributors in their chosen pathways.

about three weeks,” says Katie Thompson, director of outreach and financial aid. Applications at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw are run through the school’s student information system, where parents can track their application. And Mount Pisgah Christian School applicants must fill out an inquiry on the school’s website; this allows parents to then create an account on the school’s enrollment management system and submit an application, adding family information and the applicant’s school history. According to Megan Koch, director of admissions, “The parent and student questionnaires ask about your child’s strengths and weaknesses both academically and socially, interests and hobbies and ways in which your family feels they can contribute to the school community.”

PRE-K3 – GRADE 12 Schedule your family’s tour at gallowayschool.org/visit! 50 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

When the school can access this information easily through its own system, the application process runs smoothly.

During an interview parents should discuss their child’s attributes to the admissions associate, Galloway’s Foreman says. “Consider points of strength and growth for your child that you would like to see continued support within the learning community.” Harrison adds, “Be yourself and let your children be themselves.” Additionally, be as candid as possible during the process, Sullivan says, adding, “It’s not necessarily about trying to impress every school that you research, but more about finding the right fit.” Mount Vernon School

At Paideia School, the meetings generally last 30 to 45 minutes. “Think of these as conversations as opposed to an evalu-

Meet and Interview with the Staff

do this well, we really need to know the

ative interview,” Nelson says. “Our goal is

Sarah Garletts, director of enrollment

families walking through the process,”

to learn more about your family and your

management at Whitefield Academy in

she explains. “At Whitefield, we do not

child, particularly their previous and

Smyrna, says admissions professionals

require a parent interview, but we do

current educational experiences.”

sit in the unique space of being advo-

want to know every family so that we can

cates for the school and the family. “To

advocate well.”

Woodward Academy interviews students in sixth through 12th grades with

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 51

Families may want to spend the fall and winter months visiting campuses even beyond the standard tour, attending open houses, interviewing, going to games and seeing performances.

Where INQUIRY Meets

at least one of the parents in attendance. Meyer states, “To us, the ‘interview’ is a relaxed and fun opportunity for us to The Mount Vernon School serves over 1250 students from Preschool to Grade 12 on our 40-acre campus in Sandy Springs.

Join Us

learn more about your child and for your child to learn more about what makes Woodward such a special community.” At Mill Springs Academy, parents meet with the principal. “They are encouraged

Tomorrow calls for a new kind of leader.

to ask questions about Mill Springs’ curriculum, class management, and how the school differentiates for each student,” Slaker says. Families applying to North Cobb Christian School also participate in an interview with the principal of their respective division (Lower, Middle or Upper). Regardless of who is part of the interview, be honest, advises Koch at Mount Pisgah, who adds, “Let your children speak during the interview process—do not speak for them. If they are not presenting perfectly, it’s okay. They are being who they are: kids. The admissions team is looking for genuine applicants and

Every day, we connect bright, curious students with a community of support and opportunities that awaken their aspirations so that they can lead positive change in the world.

mission-appropriate families.” Pace Academy’s McCallum says, “Families should be transparent about their

Learn more at westminster.net

child’s academic readiness and should

WESTMINSTER

sions representatives regarding what the

Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.

1424 West Paces Ferry Road, NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30327

expect similar transparency from admisschool can or cannot provide.” Stephane Dunn, director of admission

52 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

and supporting exceptional students. That’s because, as Hughes says, “Upon enrollment, our parents will become a part of our diverse school community, where we build collaborative partnerships for the success of our parent population and student body.”

Engage and Connect with the School Families may want to spend the fall and winter months visiting campuses even beyond the standard tour, attending open houses, interviewing, going to games and seeing performances, McCallum says. However, parents should not drive them-

Paideia School

selves crazy trying to attend everything; he adds, “Be thoughtful about which at Mount Paran Christian School, says

MPCS administration will inquire the

events might move the needle most in

parents and students are interviewed

families with questions pertaining to

terms of your attempts to understand the

separately, including time with a school

missional fit.”

school.”

administrator. She explains, “Parents can

Through the interview process, Atlanta

Foreman does advise parents to take

prepare questions they may have about

Academy—like many schools—aims for

the time to engage in as many events

the school or the admission process.

meaningful connections beyond finding

as they can when possible. He explains,

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 53

“School communities want to get to know the parents just as much as they get to know their children, so please be authentic with your actions.” For students in particular, many schools have shadow events during which prospective students shadow current students. “Shadow visits, also known as the Hurricane for a Day program, is by far our most popular admissions event because it allows prospective students to get the full Atlanta Girls’ School student experience,” Brannon says. North Cobb Christian recommends that students Beyond high school readiness, our rich and rigorous program inspires students to be positive change makers and lifelong learners.

schedule a shadow day for students in

Join us for our Open House

director of admissions, notes, “Students

third through 11th grades. Beth Wright,

Sunday, February 11, 2024 2-4 p.m.

come to spend the day with a ‘buddy

Group tours oﬀered weekly. Visit our website to register.

student’ on campus. Prospective students

Age 3 through Eighth Grade | Roswell, GA 770.993.2940 | www.highmeadows.org An International Baccalaureate® School

spend the day following their buddy’s schedule to get a feel for their classmates,

teachers, curriculum and expectations.” Mount Vernon School in Atlanta requires a student visit or shadow day. Parents can engage with admissions by phone call, small group tours or open houses. “The best way to prepare for a call or visit is to reflect on your family values and what aspects of a school are important to you and your family,” Beard says. “Your experience on campus will be customized based on your questions.” Families are provided with a printed guide and encouraged to record their observations, answering questions of what they see, think and wonder.

Heed Key Advice Many schools strongly suggest that parents and families communicate their child or children’s academic and social needs and to educate themselves on the school’s offerings and school environment. Parents should enter into honest conversations with admissions officials with an open mind, says Harrison. However, she recommends that parents do not ask admission professionals to compare their school to other schools and be skep54 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

paceacademy.org/admissions

tical of those who are willing to do so.

tunity to get to know our school and

Harrison says, “It is their job to speak to

your child better. Engage as often as you

the strengths of their school’s programs.”

are able with the Whitefield community

As parents walk through the applica-

and let us be advocates for you in this

tion process, know that admissions pro-

CONNECTING LEARNING TO LIFE AT EVERY LEVEL

process.”

fessionals are there to help, says Garletts

Paideia officials encourage parents to

of Whitefield Academy. “We know that

make the process as stress-free as possible

this process can seem overwhelming at

for their child. “Children are very percep-

times, and it is our job to make it easier,”

tive and can pick up on an adult’s feeling

she says. “Use this season as an oppor-

of stress or worry,” Nelson says. “Encourage your child to be their authentic self through the process.”

For more information, visit: • Atlanta Academy, atlantaacademy.com • Atlanta Girls’ School, atlantagirlsschool.org • The Galloway School, gallowayschool.org • High Meadows, highmeadows.org

In the end, parents should carefully examine the mission and philosophy of each school and ensure that its mission and values align with their family’s priorities. “At the end of the day, parents should feel 100 percent certain that the school they’re selecting is the absolute best fit for their child,” Wright concludes. “Take time to find the school where your student will fully thrive.”

• Holy Spirit Preparatory School, holyspiritprep.org • Mill Springs Academy, millsprings.org • Mount Paran Christian School, mtparanschool.com • Mount Pisgah Christian School, mountpisgahschool.org • Mount Vernon School, mountvernonschool.org • North Cobb Christian School, ncchristian.org • Pace Academy, paceacademy.org • Paideia School, paideiaschool.org

JOIN US FOR A PRIVATE TOUR

• The Walker School, thewalkerschool.org

www.holyspiritprep.org/tour • 678.761.7992

• Whitefield Academy, whitefieldacademy.com

CLASSICAL CATHOLIC

• Woodward Academy, woodward.edu

Education from 6 months through the 12th grade WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 55

FORSYTH

TOW

KNOWATLANTA Canton GUIDE TO METRO ATLANTA PRIVATE SCHOOLS Cumming

HAL

ersville

Woodstock Acworth 19 Kennesaw

COBB

ULDING

Smyrna

28 Mableton

Austell

Roswell

Marietta

Dallas Powder Springs

Alpharetta 23 400

9 8

Buford

Sandy Springs

GWINNETT

Duluth

1 Dunwoody Doraville

18 10 24 Chamblee 20 11 25 14 7 3 4 5 27 12 21

Atlanta

Suwanee

316

Norcross

Dacula Lawrenceville

Lilburn

Tucker

Snellville

Stone Mountain

Loganville

DEKALB

Decatur

Douglasville

Lithonia

DOUGLAS

East Point

ROCKDALE Conyers

Hapeville

College Park Forest Park

FULTON Union City Fairburn

Morrow

CLAYTON Jonesboro

FAYETTE

Stockbridge

HENRY

1. The Alfred & Adele Davis Fayetteville11. Holy Spirit Preparatory School COWETA

Newnan

Academy 12. The Howard School 2. Atlanta Academy 13. Landmark Christian School 3. Atlanta Girl’s School Peachtree City14. The Lovett School 4. Atlanta International School 15. Mill Springs Academy 5. Atlanta Speech School 16. Mount Paran Christian School 6. The Cottage School 17. Mount Pisgah Christian School 7. The Galloway School 18. The Mount Vernon School 8. GRACEPOINT School 19. North Cobb Christian School 9. High Meadows School 20. Pace Academy 10. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 21. The Paideia School

56 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

22. Saint Francis School McDonough 23. Saint Francis High School 24. Springmont School 25. Trinity School 26. The Walker School 27. Westminster 28. Whitefield Academy 29. The Wood Acres School 30. Woodward Academy Main Campus 31. Woodward Academy North Campus

NEWTON

JACKSON

BARROW

WALTON Monroe

EDUCATION

Ahead of the Curve METRO ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGES FAST TRACK STUDENTS TO CAREERS By Ken Abramczyk

Gwinnett Technical College

s metro Atlanta residents look

nical colleges, many of which are part of

degree. If you are interested in learning

for careers, they are looking for

the Technical College System of Georgia.

more about the metro area’s offerings, the

rewarding opportunities that pay the

Last year 37,000 students graduated from

following technical colleges—and their

bills while giving them job satisfaction.

its 22 colleges, and the system boasts

hallmark programs—are ones to consider.

Yet, many also would like to get out into

that 99 percent of graduates are either

the working world without having to

employed or continuing their educa-

Chattahoochee Technical College

complete a four-year program of study

tion. These schools also promote their

chattachoocheetech.edu

at a large college or university. Instead,

affordability; tuition at technical schools

An education at Chattahoochee Tech

they would prefer to find their way to an

starts at $100 per credit hour for in-state

is accessible and affordable, says Jason

in-demand career that allows them to

residents, and fees vary depending on

Tanner, executive vice president for in-

attend a higher educational institution

the school and program. Students can

struction. “We offer programs that align

close to home that provides an easy com-

enter programs that range in length from

with in-demand and well-paying careers

mute and offers hands-on training to get

six months to two years, depending on

available in our service area in the metro

a great feel for the job.

whether program completion merits

Atlanta area and all across Georgia,” he

certification, a diploma or an associate

notes. “College and higher education are

Today, many people turn to local tech-

attainable local for students, so we encourage them to learn more about us and come in with the mindset that they will be admitted, that they can afford to go to college and that they will find a pathway that leads to a fulfilling career.” At Chattahoochee Tech, registered nursing is one of the most popular programs, while radiography is the school’s most popular health sciences program. “Outside of health sciences and nursing, programs like cybersecurity and computer programming are popular,” Tanner says. Chattahoochee Technical College 58 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

“But more traditional technical programs,

like automotive technology and industrial maintenance, are [also] requested by students and potential employers. We also have very popular programs in professional services like cosmetology.” Based in Marietta with eight campus locations, Chattahoochee Tech has programs that can be completed in eight weeks or one full term (16 weeks), while others lead to two-year degrees; some online flexibility is available depending on the classes. According to Tanner, “Our schedule offers evening and day courses for students who attend in person and online courses in core and program classes Georgia Piedmont Technical College

for those students who want some or all of either option.” What’s more, some programs are completely online, such as business technology or supply chain man-

cations at Gwinnett Technical College.

come to Gwinnett Tech for specific

agement and logistics. He adds, “Some

“Many of our students come to us with

training in computer sciences, healthcare,

programs will require a clinical compo-

no prior college or are first-generation

automotive early education and engi-

nent or practicum at offsite locations.”

college students,” she says. “Students

neering to gain the knowledge, skills and

When finished, income for those who graduate or complete programs or certification depends on the field and working circumstances in that industry. “We stress to students that they will be entry-level technicians when they finish something like industrial maintenance,” Tanner says. “Many manufacturers are paying such technicians $25 to $30 an hour.” Nurses’

We are the College of Real-World Training. We have a career path to get you where you want to go.

pay varies depending on shifts and specializations, while CDL drivers need to decide if going “over-the-road” (longer freight distances) versus shorter drives is worth the pay difference. Tanner concludes, “Students need to ask questions about the specific program they are interested in, and we will help them make informed choices about all of these things, including earning potential and the full range of benefits potential employers offer in addition to pay.”

Gwinnett Technical College gwinnetttech.edu

ChattahoocheeTech.edu 770-528-4545

A tech education creates economic mobility for students according to Melissa Smith, executive director of communi-

Business

Computers

Media

Health

Technical

A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.

WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 59

abilities to advance in their careers or get a career—not just a job. This knowledge is paramount to their well-being, families and our community.” While the school offers a wide array of programs at its Lawrenceville and

EDUCATION

Alpharetta (North Fulton) locations, registered nursing is Gwinnett Tech’s top choice. The school’s programs range in length depending on the area of study, typically from one semester to two years. Tuition and fees for a full-time student total $1,678 per semester with fees of $478 for the 2023-2024 school year. Stu-

West Georgia Technical College

dents can take classes in person, online and in a hybrid format. Classes vary on availability each semester.

in 18 months to associate degrees in two

ciate for business programs. Cosmetology

Of course, upon completion of a

years. Tuition at the institution and other

and welding enroll the most in the diplo-

program, salary ranges differ according

schools in the Technical College System

ma and technical certification areas.

to job positions. For instance, the annual

of Georgia is $100 a credit, a fraction of

West Georgia Tech boasts an aver-

mean average for auto technicians is

four-year institutions. Fees run at $394

age placement rate of 99 percent, and

$57,500; for computer network special-

but vary depending on the program of

89 percent of those are in-field. Dollar

ists, it is $90,400. Programs at Gwinnett

choice. Additionally, Myers notes, “Stu-

explains, “Whether we are training you

Tech allow students to find that path that

dents have plenty of financial aid options,

for a cybersecurity major or a precision

works best for them.

like a federal Pell grant, HOPE grant and

manufacturing major, you will have the

scholarship, Veterans Administration

job skills and knowledge to land a job in

[aid] and much more.” GPTC offers in

the industry of your choice.”

Georgia Piedmont Technical College gptc.edu

person, online and hybrid class options,

Many technical colleges tout a high

depending on program of study.

job placement rate, including Georgia

Students can complete a certificate training program in one to two semesters or an associate degree in two years.

Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) in

West Georgia Technical College

Clarkston. In fact, Cheryl Myers, executive

westgatech.edu

fees, but students in certain programs will

director, marketing and communications,

Practical skills and knowledge gained

pay additional fees.

reveals that the school boasts a 99 percent

from an education at West Georgia

job placement rate. With that rate, she

Technical College in Waco can lead to bet-

evenings and some Friday-only courses

notes, “Enrolling in technical college is

ter job prospects and career opportunities.

too for those who work during the week,”

one of the wisest investments one can

“Our programs are designed to meet the

Dollar says. “We work hard to offer class-

make. Earning a credential at GPTC

demands of the workforce, ensuring that

es in formats that students can work into

means students will combine classroom

students are well prepared for real-world

their work and family life. While some

and hands-on training so, when they

employment,” says Amy Dollar, director

programs do require a full-time student

finish their program, they’re ready to jump

of marketing and communications. “This

status, many allow students to attend

right into their career of choice.”

education is a valuable investment in their

college part-time so they can work and pursue their education at the same time.”

Tuition is $100 a credit hour and $386 in

“We also offer classes both days and

After nursing, GPTC lists cosmetology,

future success and financial stability.”

computer information systems, cyberse-

Demand for the college’s programs

curity and welding/joining technology

tend to follow workforce needs in the

50 programs in which graduates can

as its most popular programs among the

community and the available jobs. In the

earn $50,000 and up annually, allowing

more than 200 offered. Students can earn

most recent academic year, allied health

students to achieve their professional and

credentials from technical certificates

and nursing programs had the highest

financial goals quickly upon completing

completed in a few months to diplomas

enrollment, followed closely by the asso-

the program of their choice.

60 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

West Georgia Tech offers more than

GET TO KNOW METRO ATLANTA’S COUNTIES The Counties of Metro Atlanta

Fannin

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, the 20-county Atlanta

a dozen of the most sought-after counties in metro Atlanta. You’ll learn

Union

Whitfield

region will be home to more than eight million people by the year 2040. Murray

about each county’s proximity to the city of Atlanta, basic facts, the major

The counties that comprise the area are as distinctive as the people who live

cities and neighborhoods, school information and more. Consider it your

Walker within them, as each one has its own personality, features andGilmer resources.

primer for getting to know Atlanta and its beautiful communities. When

In the pages that follow, KNOWAtlanta will introduce you to more than

you relocate, all of the information you need is right here at your fingertips. Habersham

White

Lumpkin

Chattooga

Stephens

Gordon

Pickens Dawson

Lake Sydney Lanier

Banks

Floyd

Forsyth Bartow

Franklin

Hall

Cherokee

CARTERSVILLE FLOWERY BRANCH

Allatoona Lake

WOODSTOCK

Fulton

BRASELTON JOHNS CREEK

SUWANEE

ROSWELL

KENNESAW

Polk

Cobb

DULUTH

SANDY SPRINGS DORAVILLE CHAMBLEE BROOKHAVEN

SMYRNA

Haralson

Barrow

Oconee

LILBURN

Atlanta

Walton

DeKalb Douglas Fulton

Carroll

EAST POINT

UNION CITY

Greene FOREST PARK

Clayton

Rockdale STOCKBRIDGE

Heard

Morgan Newton

Henry

Fayette Coweta

Clarke

Gwinnett

DUNWOODY NORCROSS

Paulding

Jackson

ALPHARETTA

PEACHTREE CITY

Jasper Spalding

Putnam

Butts

METRO ATLANTA HIGHWAYS Interstate 75 I-75 runs northwest to southeast straight through the City of Atlanta.

Interstate 20 I-20 is a major artery running east to west through the City of Atlanta.

Interstate 85 I-85 runs northeast to southwest and converges with I-75 to form the Downtown Connector.

Interstate 285 Known as “The Perimeter,” this interstate loop encircles Atlanta and connects I-75, I-85 and I-20 to the city.

Georgia State Route 400 GA 400 runs north to south through the north-central suburbs of Atlanta and is concurrent with U.S. Route 19.

Interstate 575 I-575 is a 30-mile spur route that branches off of I-75 and traverses the northwestern suburbs.

Interstate 675 This auxiliary highway runs through the southeast part of metro Atlanta connecting Stockbridge to I-285. WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 61

Bartow County CITIES OF BARTOW:

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bartow County Schools bartow.k12.ga.us

Adairsville

Bartow

White

Cartersville City Schools cartersvilleschools.org

Kingston

Atlanta

Euharlee Taylorsville

Distance from Cartersville to Downtown Atlanta 43 Miles Distance from Cartersville to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 53 Miles POPULATION 110,843 MEDIAN HOME PRICE $334,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE bartowga.org Bartow County features the best parts of big city life and small-town living with Civil War and Native American sites, excellent dining experiences, a business-friendly economy, unmatched arts, shopping and excellent educational opportunities.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Shaw Industries, Inc. • Toyo Tire North America • Cartersville Medical Center • Voestalpine Automotive Components • Anheuser-Busch

ATTRACTIONS: • Red Top Mountain State Park • Tellus Science Museum • Booth Western Art Museum • LakePoint Sports Complex • Barnsley Resort

Booth Western Art Museum 62 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map.

Cartersville Emerson

Adairsville adairsvillega.net Recognized as one of the safest cities in Georgia, Adairsville was the first town in Georgia to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in its entirety. Cartersville cityofcartersville.org Offering access to an array of North Georgia’s natural wonders and a beautiful historic downtown, Cartersville blends the best of yesterday and today. Emerson cityofemerson.org This growing city is quickly becoming one of the nation’s hot spots for youth travel sports thanks to the LakePoint Sports Complex, which spans 1,300 acres. Euharlee euharlee.com Euharlee is a small town located just west of Cartersville and home to the Euharlee Covered Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Georgia. Kingston cityofkingstonga.org Kingston is a city steeped in Antebellum history and keeps it alive through a variety of artifacts and photographs in two museums. Taylorsville Taylorsville is home to Plant Bowen, a coalfired power station that has the second largest generating capacity of any coal-fired power plant in North America. White cityofwhitega.com A bedroom community of neighboring Cartersville, White covers one square mile of land—referred to as “The Friendliest Mile in Georgia.”

Red Top Mountain State Park

To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Cartersville Electric System cityofcartersville.org Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Greystone Power Corporation greystonepower.com WATER City of Cartersville cityofcartersville.org Bartow County bartowga.org

H Select provider

Downtown Cartersville

Cherokee County CITIES OF CHEROKEE : Waleska

Cherokee

Ball Ground

Canton

Atlanta

Holly Springs Woodstock

Distance from Canton to Downtown Atlanta 40 Miles Distance from Canton to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 50 Miles POPULATION: 274,615 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $475,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 6% ONLINE cherokeega.com Dubbed the place “Where Metro Meets the Mountains,” Cherokee County benefits from its status as a region that’s business savvy, environmentally alluring and undergoing tremendous growth.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Northside Hospital Cherokee • Inalfa Roof Systems • Pilgrim’s Pride • Chart Industries, Inc. • Piolax Corporation

ATTRACTIONS: • Lake Allatoona • Dixie Speedway • Gibbs Gardens • The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta • Cherokee Arts Center • Chukkar Farm Polo Club

Gibbs Gardens

Ball Ground cityofballground.com Ball Ground is a beautiful city in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains that’s home to quaint shops, eateries and a mix of residential options. Canton cantonga.gov The county seat of Cherokee, Canton offers the perfect blend of historic charm and progressive opportunity, with a revitalized downtown that features a museum, arts center, heritage center and theater. Holly Springs hollyspringsga.us Recognized as one of the best places to raise a family in Georgia, Holly Springs is a beloved community that also was named the number three city for new families in the U.S. by Pennygeeks.com. Nelson nelsongeorgia.com Located in both Cherokee and Pickens counties, Nelson was established in 1891 and is the “First Georgia Marble City.” Waleska cityofwaleska.com Home to Reinhardt University, Waleska is a small community alive with industry, including the lumber and agriculture businesses. Woodstock woodstockga.gov Once a farming village, Woodstock has transformed into a bustling and diverse community with a revitalized downtown, a worldclass trail system and excellent shopping and dining options.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cherokee County Schools cherokee.k12.ga.us

Canton

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. Lyndon Academy lyndonacademy.org To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Reinhardt University reinhardt.edu

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Windstream windstream.com ETC Communications etcnow.com Nelson-Ball Ground Telephone (770) 735-2000 ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Amicalola EMC amicalolaemc.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Sawnee EMC sawnee.com WATER Cherokee County Water Authority ccwsa.com City of Ball Ground Cityofballground.com City of Canton canton-georgia.com City of Holly Springs hollyspringsga.us City of Waleska cityofwaleska.com City of Woodstock woodstockga.gov

H Select provider

Woodstock WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 63

Clayton County • Atlanta State Farmers Market • Georgia Archives

CITIES OF CLAYTON: Forest Park

Atlanta

Lake City Morrow Riverdale Jonesboro

Clayton

Distance from Jonesboro to Downtown Atlanta 18 Miles Distance from Jonesboro to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 15 Miles POPULATION: 297,100 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $259,900 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 8% ONLINE claytoncountyga.gov Located 30 minutes south of Atlanta, Clayton County offers easy access to Interstates 75, 85, 285 and 675, along with rail service from Norfolk Southern and CSX and HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport. It is the only county in the Atlanta area to be classified as a Foreign Trade Zone.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Clayton Co. Public Schools • Clayton Co. Board of Commissioners • Southern Regional Medical Center • Chime Solutions • Fresh Express

ATTRACTIONS: • Porsche Cars North American Experience Center • Road to Tara Museum • Clayton County Performing Arts Center • T he Beach at Clayton County International Park

Lake City 64 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Lovejoy

Forest Park forestparkga.gov Forest Park was originally founded by farming families with an influx of railroad employees, but today is home to more than 20,000 people and has become a viable center for commerce. Jonesboro jonesboroga.com The county seat of Clayton, Jonesboro is known as the official “home” of Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind” and maintains its historic atmosphere with stately homes and beautiful landscapes. Lake City lakecityga.net Lake City’s pride and joy is the Lake City Community Center, a nearly 5,000-squarefoot multi-use facility designed for weddings, birthday parties, reunions and city meetings. Lovejoy cityoflovejoy.com Lovejoy, known as “The City of Peace,” is growing rapidly but strives to maintain the small-town community atmosphere that continues to attract residents and businesses. Morrow cityofmorrow.com Morrow is home to Clayton State University, the Southeast Region Branch of the U.S. Archives, the Georgia Archives, Reynolds Nature Preserve and Spivey Hall, a stunning performance center.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport

Riverdale riverdalega.gov Riverdale is located only about five miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and serves more than 14,000 residents, deeming it the second largest city in the county.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Clayton County Schools clayton.k12.ga.us PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Clayton State University clayton.edu

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com Central GA EMC cgemc.com WATER Clayton County Water Authority ccwa.us

H Select provider

Porshe Experience Center

Cobb County ATTRACTIONS:

Cobb

Atlanta

• Truist Park/The Battery Atlanta • Six Flags Over Georgia/White Water • Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park • Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History • Silver Comet Trail • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

CITIES OF COBB: Acworth Kennesaw

Marietta

Distance from Marietta to Downtown Atlanta 20 Miles Distance from Marietta to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 30 Miles POPULATION 766,802 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $434,900 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 6% ONLINE cobbcounty.org Long regarded as one of the best places to live in metro Atlanta, Cobb County captures the best of all worlds with growing businesses, neighborhoods and more just beyond the I-285 Perimeter. It provides easy access to recreation and entertainment opportunities, as well as a thriving commercial center.

Power Springs

Smyrna

Austell

Powder Springs cityofpowdersprings.org The town motto, “Small enough to know you, large enough to serve you,” speaks volumes about Powder Springs. Once a gold mining town, the city now boasts several parks, as well as a museum that chronicles its rich history. Smyrna smyrnaga.gov One of the fastest-growing cities in metro Atlanta, the “Jonquil City” is home to a wealth of family-friendly neighborhoods, upscale dining establishments, pristine public parks and a vibrant Village Green.

NEIGHBORHOODS OF COBB: Cumberland Situated 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, this unincorporated community serves as the region’s fifth largest business district and is home to the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park. Mableton At more than 20 square miles, Mableton is the largest unincorporated community in the metro area, as well as the hometown of former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes.

Acworth acworth.org Known as “The Lake City,” Acworth makes good use of its prime location on the banks of Lake Acworth with a full calendar of events centered around the water.

Vinings Unincorporated Vinings has become a go-to spot for a city-meets-the-suburbs experience, with upscale boutiques, exceptional restaurants and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

EDUCATION:

MAJOR EMPLOYERS:

Austell austellga.gov Although it’s located just 18 miles from Downtown Atlanta, Austell’s revitalized downtown and population of just over 7,000 still give it a small-town feel.

• Wellstar Health System • The Home Depot • Kennesaw State University • Lockheed Martin Corp. • Publix Super Markets

Kennesaw kennesaw-ga.gov Kennesaw is a bustling business center in Cobb County known as a great place to raise a family, while also being home to more than 5,000 companies and Kennesaw State University. Marietta mariettaga.gov Historic Marietta Square serves as the city center for this vibrant and ever-growing community, boasting quaint shops, delectable eateries, numerous museums, green space and more.

Truist Park- Home of the Atlanta Braves

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cobb County Schools cobb.k12.org Marietta City Schools marietta-city.org PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. GRACEPOINT School gracepointschool.org Mount Paran Christian School mtparanschool.org North Cobb Christian School ncchrisitan.org The Walker School thewalkerschool.org

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 65

Cobb County UTILITIES:

Whitefield Academy whitefieldacademy.com The Wood Acres School woodacresschool.org

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Chattahoochee Technical College chattahoocheetech.edu Kennesaw State University kennesaw.edu Life University life.edu

Marietta

ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Acworth Power acworth.org Cobb EMC cobbemc.com

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET

GreyStone Power Corp. greystonepower.com

Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com

Marietta Power mariettaga.gov

AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com

WATER Cobb County Water System cobbcounty.org Marietta Water marietta.gov

H Select provider

Vinings

Let KNOWAtlanta Help You with Your Move.

Vir tual Welcom Packag e e

KNOWAtlanta.com/publications 66 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

DeKalb County • State Farm • AT&T Services, Inc.

ATTRACTIONS: Atlanta DeKalb

• Stone Mountain Park • Fernbank Museum • DeKalb Farmers Market • Callanwolde Fine Arts Center • Eddie’s Attic • Arabi Mountain

CITIES OF DEKALB: Dunwoody

Distance from Decatur to Downtown Atlanta 7 Miles Distance from Decatur to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 17 Miles POPULATION: 757,718 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $395,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 6% ONLINE dekalbcountyga.gov Access to suburban settings, a fast-paced city lifestyle, hip locales and one of the region’s most diverse populations makes DeKalb County a popular option for young professionals, students and established business executives. More than half of the Fortune 500 companies with a presence in Atlanta also have operations in DeKalb.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta • Emory Healthcare, Inc. • United Parcel Service

Fernbank Museum

Doraville Chamblee Brookhaven Tucker Clarkston Decatur

Stone Mountain

Pine Lake Avondale Estates

Chamblee chambleega.com Chamblee is a vibrant city with a diverse community and plenty of international flair, with the Southeast’s only Chinatown and the Chamblee Motor Mile, a large antique district. Clarkston clarkstonga.gov Clarkston, known as a welcoming walking and biking community, is noted for its diversity, having been named “The Most Diverse Square Mile in America” by Time Magazine. Decatur decaturga.com Decatur Square is a hub for “indie” boutiques and galleries, as well as trendy restaurants and pubs that attract foodies for some of the best culinary experiences in metro Atlanta. Doraville doravillega.us With one of the largest concentrations of midcentury modern homes in metro Atlanta and located where interstates 285 and 85 meet, the city of Doraville is convenient for Atlanta commuters. Dunwoody dunwoodyga.gov Dunwoody is a bona fine shopping, dining and cultural hotspot in metro Atlanta, making it a

Lithonia

Stonecrest

Avondale Estates avondaleestates.org Known for its close-knit community, beautiful setting and diverse architectural styles, Avondale Estates has a large number of local businesses operated from homes and shops in the commercial district. Brookhaven brookhavenga.gov The urban town center of Brookhaven on Dresden Drive features many mixed-use developments and is bordered by residential neighborhoods.

Decatur

Avondale Estates WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 67

DeKalb County popular travel destination for both business and leisure. Lithonia lithoniacity.org Made up of less than one square mile, Lithonia includes some of the most affluent neighborhoods in DeKalb County. Pine Lake pinelakega.sophicity.com Pine Lake, the smallest city in DeKalb, is a community close to nature, where residents treasure and work diligently to protect the environment. Stonecrest stonecrestga.gov Stonecrest is the first majority-black city to form from the cityhood movement in DeKalb County, achieving its official status in 2017. Stone Mountain stonemountaincity.org Nestled on the west side of Stone Mountain Park, the City of Stone Mountain is known as a family-friendly place to visit and live. Tucker tuckerga.gov One of the largest and oldest unincorporated communities in Georgia, Tucker welcomes visitors year-round to its revitalized Main Street for outdoor events, activities and more.

NEIGHBORHOODS OF DEKALB: Candler Park candlerpark.org Candler Park is an area that hosts fancifully painted houses with yards, quirky shops and restaurants. Druid Hills druidhills.org Druid Hills is a beautiful urban neighborhood that is often referred to as Atlanta’s “second suburb” and boasts four National Register of Historic Places districts. East Atlanta The charm of East Atlanta is its ability to be eclectic and edgy, while also comfortably suburban. Edgewood edgewoodatl.org Edgewood’s unique housing, booming retail and entertainment sectors and diverse residents contribute to its vibrancy. Kirkwood historickirkwood.org Kirkwood is home to an array of quirky, locally owned shops, galleries, unique restaurants and more, as well as the Kirkwood Historic District.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS DeKalb County Schools dekalbschoolsga.org City Schools of Decatur csdecatur.net PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. Annunciation Day School annunciationdayschool.org To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Agnes Scott College agnesscott.edu DeVry University devry.edu Emory University emory.edu

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Snapping Shoals EMC ssemc.com Walton EMC waltonemc.com WATER DeKalb County Water System dekalbcountyga.gov

Emory University

Stone Mountain Park 68 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

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Concourse at Landmark Center, Dunwoody

Douglas County Atlanta Douglas

ATTRACTIONS:

EDUCATION:

• Sweetwater Creek State Park • Clinton Nature Preserve • Boundary Waters Recreational Complex • O’Neal Plaza • Ben’s Antique Mall • L&R Alpaca Haven Farm

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Douglas County Schools dcssga.org

CITIES OF DOUGLAS: Lithia Springs Villa Rica

UTILITIES:

Douglasville

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

Distance from Douglasville to Downtown Atlanta 27 Miles

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com AT&T att.com

Distance from Douglasville to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 23 Miles POPULATION: 145,814 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $349,900 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE celebrateddouglascounty.com With the lowest property taxes in the metro area and an energetic business environment to boot, Douglas County is an ideal place to work and live, and it’s located just 20 minutes from Downtown Atlanta.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Amazon.com Services, Inc. • Walmart • Silver Line Building Products, LLC • Gordon Food Service, Inc. • Kroger

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Douglasville douglasvillega.gov Downtown Douglasville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its rich Victorian, Romanesque and Queen Anne-style buildings and has become a destination for specialty shops and restaurants. Lithia Springs The crown jewel of this charming unincorporated community is Sweetwater Creek State Park, which is home to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill that was burned during the Civil War. Villa Rica villarica.org Villa Rica is home to the first gold strike in the United States and an historic downtown that has maintained authentic architecture, including Wick’s Tavern, the oldest commercial structure in West Georgia.

ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com GreyStone Power Corp. greystonepower.com WATER Douglasville-Douglas County Water & Sewer Authority ddcwsa.com

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Foxhall Resort WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 69

Fayette County • Line Creek Nature Area • The City Gardens of Southern Oaks • Georgia Renaissance Festival • Serenbe Farms

CITIES OF FAYETTE: Tyrone

Fayettville

Peachtree City Woolsey

Distance from Fayetteville to Downtown Atlanta 25 Miles Distance from Fayetteville to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 15 Miles POPULATION: 120,574 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $499,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE fayettecountyga.gov Fayette County combines rural beauty and urban convenience with a rich history and offers residents a variety of amenities and recreational activities, as well as the highest net worth index in the State of Georgia.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. • Eaton Lighting Solutions • Hoshizaki America, Inc. • Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. • Ply Gem Industries, Inc. (Window Division)

ATTRACTIONS:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fayette County Schools fcboe.org PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map.

Atlanta

Fayette

EDUCATION:

Brooks

Brooks brooksga.com Brooks is well-known for its friendly people, active churches, wholesome and casual outdoor lifestyle and pastoral wide open spaces. Fayetteville fayetteville-ga.gov Fayetteville has been recognized as one of the best towns in Georgia for young families, according to NerdWallet.com, as well as one of the best suburbs for retirement, according to Forbes. Peachtree City peachtree-city.org Georgia’s oldest and largest master-planned community, Peachtree City features a sprawling network of golf cart paths and family-friendly neighborhoods that are home to residents who enjoy a small-town feel near a global hub. Tyrone tyrone.org A high priority on finding a balance between smart economic development and functional green spaces in this small town of 7,000 people. Woolsey woolseyga.com The smallest town in Fayette County, Woolsey is primarily a residential community that offers a pastoral setting with quaint shops and small businesses.

Landmark Christian School landmarkchristianschool.org To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com AT&T att.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com Coweta-Fayette EMC utility.org WATER Fayette County Water fayettecountyga.gov/water

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• Atlanta Regional Airport • Old Fayette County Courthouse • Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum

Trilith Studios

Trilith 70 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Peachtree City

Forsyth County Forsyth

Atlanta

ATTRACTIONS:

UTILITIES:

• Sawnee Mountain Preserve • Big Creek Greenway • Cumming Fairgrounds • Kinsey Family Farm • Cumming Aquatic Center and Water Park • Buford Dam

NATURAL GAS Georgia Natural Gas gng.com SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

CITIES OF FORSYTH:

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Sawnee EMC sawnee.com

Cumming

Distance from Cumming to Downtown Atlanta 38 Miles Distance from Cumming to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 49 Miles POPULATION: 260,206 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $599,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE forsythco.com Forsyth County has been recognized as the 13th wealthiest county in the nation, as well as the seventh-fastest growing county nationwide by Forbes magazine, largely due to the 8,000-plus businesses in the community.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Northside Hospital-Forsyth • Forsyth Co. School System • Koch Foods • Tyson Poultry, Inc. • Target

WATER City of Cumming Water Department cummingutilities.com Forsyth County Water forsythco.com

H Select provider Cumming cityofcumming.net Cumming, the county seat of Forsyth, became one of metro Atlanta’s most popular commuter towns upon the completion of Georgia State Route 400 and continues to experience impressive growth year after year, welcoming both new residents and businesses regularly.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Forsyth County Schools forsyth.k12.ga.us PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.

HALCYON

Big Creek Greenway

Cumming Fairgrounds WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 71

Fulton County CITIES OF FULTON:

Atlanta Fulton

South Fulton

Distance from Atlanta to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 10 Miles POPULATION: 1,065,334 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $450,000 COMBINES SALES TAX RATE 8.9% ONLINE fultoncountyga.gov Stretching across the heart of metro Atlanta, Fulton County is broken up into several main areas and offers an array of options for its more than one million residents. The county is home to an ever-growing economy, thriving industries, renowned universities, significant cultural opportunities and much more.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Delta Air Lines • United Parcel Service • The Home Depot • Randstad North America • Arby’s

ATTRACTIONS: • Mercedes-Benz Stadium • The Georgia Aquarium • Atlanta Botanical Garden • Centennial Olympic Park • Zoo Atlanta • Piedmont Park • High Museum of Art • The Fox Theatre • Ponce City Market

Midtown 72 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Atlanta atlantaga.gov As the Peach State’s capitol and county seat of Fulton, Atlanta serves as the regional, national and global headquarters for many Fortune 500 and 1000 corporations. Alpharetta alpharetta.ga.us Named one of the best suburbs to live in Georgia by Niche.com, Alpharetta offers a full spectrum of attractions, excellent schools, sensible housing costs and growing industries. Johns Creek johnscreekga.gov Nestled along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Johns Creek’s beautiful landscape offers additional aesthetic appeal to an already beautiful metropolis. Milton cityofmiltonga.us A highly affluent city, Milton strives to maintain its rural heritage while looking to the future and offering residents an exceptional quality of life. Mountain Park mountainparkgov.com Mountain Park is an officially designated wildlife refuge that protects all wildlife, including birds, animals and reptiles — some rare. Roswell roswellgov.com With 13 parks, many well-preserved historical sites and a ranking as the 14th safest city in Georgia, Roswell is a family-oriented community. Sandy Springs sandyspringsga.gov Located just outside of the 285 perimeter, Sandy Springs is the second largest city in the metro Atlanta area and offers varied real estate options, competitive schools, outstanding outdoor recreation and more.

Ponce City Market

South Fulton cityofsouthfultonga.gov South Fulton elected its first mayor in March 2017 after the Georgia General Assembly voted in 2016 to approve the creation of this new city. Chattahoochee Hills chatthillsga.us Chattahoochee Hills is home to Serenbe, an agrarian community that is close to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport and makes it the ideal place to live, work and play. College Park collegeparkga.com Top employers in College Park include the Federal Aviation Administration and Woodward Academy, one of metro Atlanta’s top-performing independent schools. East Point eastpointcity.org In recent years, East Point has flourished due to its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, restaurants, hotels and shopping. Fairburn fairburn.com Fairburn has a rich cultural heritage enjoyed by residents and visitors alike and has the feel of a city coupled with small-town sensibilities. Hapeville hapeville.org Hapeville is home to the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as well as being the location for Delta Air Lines’ corporate headquarters. Palmetto citypalmetto.com Palmetto is located 25 miles south of Atlanta right on the former Atlanta and West Point Railroad, which is now owned by CSX Transportation. Union City unioncityga.org Some of Union City’s leading national firms include Newell Rubbermaid, General Electric, Costco, Caterpillar, Dendreon and Kraft Foods.

INTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS:

Ansley Park ansleypark.org An affluent residential neighborhood, Ansley Park sits astride Peachtree Street and is adjacent to the famous Piedmont Park. Atlantic Station atlanticstation.com With countless choices for apartments, condos, homes and Class A office space, as well as entertainment opportunities, Atlantic Station is one of the area’s most popular live-work-play developments. Buckhead buckhead.com Buckhead is rich with elegant high-rise hotels and complexes, beautiful homes and mansions and is one of the city’s most attractive areas for business.

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Cabbagetown cabbagetown.com Many murals and street art pieces, maintained by the Living Walls Street Art Association, keep Cabbagetown’s love of the arts alive. Castleberry Hill castleberryhill.org Known as Atlanta’s historic creative district, Castleberry Hill is made up of early 20th century warehouse buildings that have been converted into lofts. Downtown atlantadowntown.com Downtown Atlanta is home to many corporate and regional headquarters, government facilities, sporting venues and Georgia State University. Grant Park grantpark.org Grant Park’s Victorian neighborhood is home to Zoo Atlanta, which welcomes almost one million visitors each year. Inman Park inmanpark.org Known for its shops, public parks and dedicated Tree Watch, Inman Park comes alive with festivals, parades and a focus on all things local. Little Five Points littlefivepoints.net Little Five Points (L5P) is known at Atlanta’s hippest neighborhood and a popular alternative shopping and dining destination with consignment and costume shops, a local co-op and a diverse range of eateries. Midtown midtownatl.com Home to more than 200 acres of parks and gardens, as well as restaurants and shops, Midtown Atlanta is considered the city’s center for the arts. Old Fourth Ward Known as one of Atlanta’s most historic neighborhoods and the home and resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Old Fourth Ward has become a bustling and diverse district since the opening of Ponce City Market. Poncey-Highland ponceyhighland.org Poncey-Highland is rich with urban living, quality restaurants, shops and galleries, great schools and a variety of housing options. Virginia-Highland virginiahighlanddistrict.com This vibrant neighborhood is a popular spot for Atlanta’s young professionals and families thanks to its seven distinct commercial villages full of upscale shops, restaurants and pubs, nightlife and local entertainment.

Atlanta Public Schools atlantapublicschools.us

Westminster Westminster.net

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map.

Woodward Academy woodward.edu

EDUCATION:

Trinity School trinityatl.org

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fulton County Schools fultonschools.org

Wesleyan School wesleyanschool.org

The Alfred & Adele Davis Academy davisacademy.org Atlanta Academy atlantaacademy.com Atlanta Girl’s School atlantagirlsschool.org Atlanta International School aisschool.org Atlanta Speech School atlantaspeechschool.org The Cottage School cottageschool.org The Galloway School gallowayschool.org

To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Clark Atlanta University cau.edu Emory University emory.edu Georgia Institute of Technology gatech.edu Georgia State University gsu.edu Morehouse College morehouse.edu Spelman College spelman.edu

High Meadows School highmeadows.org

UTILITIES:

The Howard School howardschool.org

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

King’s Ridge Christian School kingsridgecs.org The Lovett School lovett.org Mill Springs Academy millsprings.org Mount Pisgah Christian School mountpisgahschool.org The Mount Vernon School mountvernonschool.org Pace Academy paceacademy.org Saint Francis Schools saintfrancisschools.com Springmont springmont.com

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com GreyStone Power Corp. greystonepower.com Sawnee EMC sawnee.com City of College Park collegeparkga.com City of Fairburn fairburn.com City of Palmetto citypalmetto.com WATER Fulton County Water fultoncountyga.gov City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management atlantawatershed.org Mountain Park mountainparkgov.com Roswell Water Department roswellgov.com

H Select provider Mercedes Benz Stadium- Home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 73

Gwinnett County ATTRACTIONS:

Atlanta

Gwinnett

• Coolray Field • Infinite Energy Center • Lake Lanier • Southeastern Railway Museum • Freeman’s Mill Park • Château Élan Winery & Resort

CITIES OF GWINNETT: Buford Sugar Hill Braselton Suwanee

Distance from Lawrenceville to Downtown Atlanta 31 Miles Distance from Lawrenceville to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 42 Miles POPULATION: 964,546 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $429,900 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 6% ONLINE gwinnettcounty.com Continually listed as one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing counties, Gwinnett County is prized for its access to bustling city life, booming communities, a nationally recognized school system and gorgeously maintained natural spaces. Only 30 minutes away from Downtown Atlanta, Gwinnett’s economic opportunities span far and wide for area workers.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Gwinnett Co. Public Schools • Northside Hospital • Publix • Gwinnett Co. Government • Walmart

Suwanee 74 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Duluth Dacula Berkeley Lake Peachtree Corners Lawrenceville Norcross Lilburn

Grayson

Snellville Loganville

Berkeley Lake berkeley-lake.com In 2017, Berkley Lake was recognized among the Top 10 Best Suburbs to Live in Georgia by Niche.com. Braselton braselton.net Home to Château Élan Winery & Resort, Braselton rests in four counties, including Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Barrow. Buford cityofbuford.com A city where recreation and art abound, the streets of downtown Buford are filled with art shops that show off local talents in every medium. Dacula daculaga.gov Dacula is best known for its large Memorial Day Parade and Little Mulberry Park and has experienced immense growth over the years. Duluth duluthga.net Duluth is home to retail and cultural centers,

top-notch healthcare facilities and a high quality of life and was named the number six safest city in Georgia by the National Council for Home Safety and Security. Grayson cityofgrayson.org Grayson is a popular city for families, with excellent schools, quality housing, parks, restaurants and plenty of shopping. Lawrenceville lawrencevillega.org Gwinnett’s oldest city, Lawrenceville’s mixture of recently established buildings co-exist with Antebellum homes, the town’s original square and the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Lilburn cityoflilburn.com Lilburn has a small-town, neighborly feel that sets it apart from other urban cities and was named the number one diverse place to live in Georgia by Niche.com Loganville loganville-ga.gov The unique blend of hometown feel combined with modern conveniences draws companies and organizations to open their doors and prosper in Loganville. Norcross norcrossga.net Norcross has restored many of the town’s historic sites to their full glory and boasts an array of businesses, restaurants and recreational venues that help the city remain dutifully progressive. Peachtree Corners peachtreecornersga.gov Known for its picturesque parks, lush green spaces and plenty of outdoor activity, Peachtree Corners offers residents unparalleled quality of life. Snellville snellville.org Snellville is a hub for arts and recreation, including the highly anticipated annual Snellville Days Festival, which draws crowds from all over the Southeast and has been ranked as one of the top 20 tourism events by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Sugar Hill cityofsugarhill.com Considered one of the premier communities in metro Atlanta, Sugar Hill is mere minutes away from Lake Sidney Lanier and the North Georgia Mountains. Suwanee suwanee.com With an array of housing options, the largest school system in Georgia, stellar green spaces, and more, Suwanee is a great place to work, play and live.

Château Élan Winery & Resort

EDUCATION:

UTILITIES:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Gwinnett County Schools gwinnett.k12.ga.us Buford City Schools bufordcityschools.org

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Georgia Gwinnett College ggc.edu Gwinnett Technical College gwinnetttech.edu

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Jackson EMC jacksonemc.com Sawnee EMC sawnee.com Walton EMC waltonemc.com

City of Buford cityofbuford.com City of Lawrenceville lawrencevillega.org City of Norcross norcrossga.net WATER Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources gwinnettcounty.com City of Buford Water Department Cityofbuford.sophcity.com City of Lawrenceville lawrencevillega.org City of Norcross norcrossga.net City of Loganville Loganville-ga.gov

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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Chattahoochee River

Georgia Gwinnett College

Mall of Georgia WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 75

Hall County CITIES OF HALL:

for growth with a vision for the future known as “Oakwood 2030.” Clermont

Hall

Lula

Atlanta

Gainesville

Oakwood Flowery Branch Braselton

Distance from Gainesville to Downtown Atlanta 54 Miles Distance from Gainesville to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 64 Miles POPULATION: 207,369 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $450,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE hallcounty.org Bordered by the beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hall County is a vibrant, growing and diverse community that offers an unparalleled quality of life and a sound economic base for business and industry.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Northeast Georgia Medical Center • Hall Co. School System • Gold Creek Foods • Kubota Manufacturing of America • Fieldale Farms Corp.

ATTRACTIONS: • Château Élan Winery & Resort • Road Atlanta • Lake Lanier Islands and Golf Resort • Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville • Buford Corn Maze • Northeast Georgia History Center

Lake Lanier 76 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Braselton braselton.net Braselton spans four counties, including Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson, and is home to Château Élan Winery & Resort, which attracts more than half a million visitors each year. Buford cityofbuford.com Home to more than 12,000 residents, Buford sits on the Hall-Gwinnett line with residents, employees and students from both counties. Buford is situated at the southern tip of Lake Lanier at Buford Dam. Clermont clermontga.com The rural farming community of Clermont comprises a total area of three square miles and is known for its many festivals that are held throughout the year. Flowery Branch flowerybranchga.org Flowery Branch is home to the Atlanta Falcons Training Complex and a revitalized historic downtown area known as Old Town. Gainesville gainesville.org As the county seat, Gainesville serves as the business, government and cultural center of the region with a daytime population of more than 150,000 commuters. Gillsville gillsvillega.com Gillsville is known for its iconic Hewell’s Pottery shop that began operating in 1850 as a family venture and is celebrated during an annual festival. Lula cityoflula.com Lula spans two counties, Hall and Banks, and once a railroad hub, it is well known today for its annual Railroad Days Festival. Oakwood cityofoakwood.net With more than 60 percent growth in the last 15 years, Oakwood city leaders are planning

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hall County Schools hallco.org Gainesville City Schools gcssk12.net PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. Lakeview Academy lakeviewacademy.com To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org. MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Brenau University breneau.edu Lanier Technical College laniertech.edu

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com Jackson EMC jacksonemc.com Sawnee EMC sawnee.com WATER Gainesville Water Dept. gainesville.org Flowery Branch City Hall flowerybranchga.org

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Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville

Atlanta Falcons Training Facility

Henry County • Army Aviation Heritage Foundation & Flying Museum • Southern Belle Farm

CITIES OF HENRY: Atlanta

UTILITIES: Stockbridge

McDonough

Henry

Hampton Locust Grove

Distance from McDonough to Downtown Atlanta 30 Miles Distance from McDonough to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 27 Miles POPULATION: 245,235 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $389,000 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE co.henry.ga.us With Southern neighborhoods, a solid education system and plenty of recreational and economic opportunities, Henry offers something for everyone and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Henry Co. School System • Luxottica Retail Group • Piedmont Henry Hospital • Henry Co. Government • Federal Aviation Administration

ATTRACTIONS: • Atlanta Motor Speedway • Panola Mountain State Park • Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary • Cubihatcha Outdoor Center

Hampton hamptonga.gov Best known as home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton has more visitors than any other city in the county, and races draw more visitors than any other sporting event in Georgia. Locust Grove locustgrove-ga.gov Located within 35 miles of Downtown Atlanta, Locust Grove offers a growing selection of retail, dining, lodging and business opportunities. McDonough mcdonoughga.org Attractions in this Civil War-era town include Southern Belle Farm, a 200-acre working farm with seasonal family activities like a corn maze, pumpkin patch and strawberry picking. Stockbridge cityofstockbridge.com Known as the “Gateway to Henry County,” Stockbridge offers excellent economic opportunities and public services coupled with small town hospitality.

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com Spectrum spectrum.com ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company georgiapower.com Snapping Shoals EMC ssemc.com Central Georgia EMC cgemc.com WATER Henry County Water Authority Hcwa.com City of Hampton hamptonga.gov City of Locust Grove locustgrove-ga.gov City of McDonough mcdonoughga.org City of Stockbridge cityofstockbridge.com

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EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry County Schools henry.k12.ga.us

Eagles Landing Country Club

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Panola State Park WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 77

Paulding County • The Dallas Theater • High Shoals Falls • Moonlight Stables Equestrian Center

UTILITIES: NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com H

CITIES OF PAULDING: Paulding

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com AT&T att.com

Atlanta Braswell Dallas Hiram

Distance from Dallas to Downtown Atlanta 33 Miles Distance from Dallas to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 37 Miles POPULATION: 173,780 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $389,900 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE paulding.gov Once devoted to agriculture, including livestock, corn, oats, pecans and poultry, Paulding County has diversified and taken an industrial path in recent years, leading to substantial growth in the county.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Chick-fil-A • Wellstar Paulding Hospital • Interroll Atlanta, LLC • Kroger • Walmart

ATTRACTIONS: • Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport • Silver Comet Trail • Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site

Silver Comet Trail 78 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

Braswell braswellga.org With city limits in both Polk and Paulding counties, Braswell is a rural community of less than 500 residents that welcomes bicyclists, joggers and walkers along the Silver Comet Trail. Dallas dallasga.gov Paulding’s county seat, Dallas is known for its quaint and friendly historic downtown community, as well as its reputation for being a great place to raise a family and start a business. Hiram cityofhiramga.gov Hiram was established in 1891 as a rural railroad town but has progressed into a commercial corridor for Paulding County with a downtown business district that offers dining, shopping and entertainment.

ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company Georgiapower.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com GreyStone Power Corp. greystonepower.com Oglethorpe Power Corp. opc.com WATER Paulding County Water Department paulding.gov City of Dallas Water Department dallasga.gov/utilities

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EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Paulding County Schools paulding.k12.ga.us PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.

Hiram

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Rockdale County Atlanta

ATTRACTIONS:

UTILITIES:

• Panola Mountain State Park • Monastery of the Holy Spirit • Georgia International Horse Park • Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area • Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden • The Dinky

NATURAL GAS SCANA Energy scanaenergy.comH

CITIES OF ROCKDALE:

ELECTRICITY Georgia Power georgiapower.com Snapping Shoals EMC ssemc.com

Rockdale

Conyers

Distance from Conyers to Downtown Atlanta 25 Miles

PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET Xfinity xfinity.com AT&T att.com

WATER Rockdale Water Resources Rockdalecountyga.gov

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Distance from Conyers to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport 27 Miles POPULATION: 94,082 MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $348,500 COMBINED SALES TAX RATE 7% ONLINE rockdalecountyga.gov Despite being Georgia’s second smallest county, Rockdale County has experienced substantial growth in recent years. Twenty-five miles away from Downtown Atlanta, Rockdale offers commercial diversity for business and a variety of opportunities for families.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Golden State Foods • Hill Phoenix, Inc. • Pratt Industries • DiversiTech Corp. • Piedmont Rockdale Hospital

Conyers conyersga.com Conyers is a combination of small town and big city, with rural scenes and urban shopping, and the community reflects an amazing legacy of progress, involvement and society.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Rockdale County Schools rockdaleschools.org PRIVATE SCHOOLS Turn to page 56 for the independent schools listing and a map. To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.

Costly Mill Park

South Rockdale Community Park

Georgia Int’l Horse Park WINTER 2024 KNOWAtlanta 79

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Before you make a move … Visit the hottest address in town KNOWAtlanta.com

EDUCATION Atlanta International School

Chattahoochee Technical College

The Cottage School

The Galloway School

High Meadows School

Holy Spirit Preparatory School

Landmark Christian School

Life University

The Lovett School

The Mount Vernon School

Pace Academy

Saint Francis Schools

The Westminster Schools

Whitefield Academy

Woodward Academy

For more than 35 years, KNOWAtlanta has been the premier source of information for those who are calling Atlanta home. With updated information on the cities and counties of the metro area and profiles on topics spanning education, health care, economics and housing, KNOWAtlanta’s point is clear: to keep you in the KNOW.

UTILITIES SCANA

36, BC

AREA INFORMATION City of Peachtree Corners

City of Smyrna

Town of Braselton

80 KNOWAtlanta WINTER 2024

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