If you’re ready for a restful, beautiful place to call home - North Georgia is the place to be. The pace of life might be a little slower in North Georgia, but the scenery, people, and home rental prices make it a great place to vacation, retire, or pull yourself out of the rat race. Let’s learn more about this ideal rental market.
What is North Georgia?
The portion of Georgia that extends from the Atlanta metro to Georgia’s northern borders is commonly known as North Georgia. Geographically the North Georgia area borders the Atlanta metropolitan area to the south, upstate South Carolina to the east, western North Carolina to the northeast, east Tennessee to the North, and northeast Alabama to the west.
What Counties are in North Georgia?
The most populous and popular North Georgia counties include Cherokee County, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett County, and Georgia’s most populous county – Fulton County. North Georgia also includes Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Cass, Catoosa, Chattanooga, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield County.
Is Atlanta in North Georgia?
Atlanta is arguably the capital of the deep south, but is Atlanta considered a part of North Georgia? It depends on whom you ask. Geographically, the Atlanta metro area is found in North Georgia, but because Atlanta is so large, it often gets its own distinction when referring to North Georgia homes. Some realtors consider the Atlanta metro a part of the North Georgia market, but it’s often separated into two unique markets.
Best Places to live in North Georgia
Looking to call North Georgia home? Consider these three small but idyllic towns.
Blue Ridge
Located in far north Fannin county, Blue Ridge is named for the Blue Ridge Mountain chain that starts in North Georgia. Blue Ridge is a prime town for outdoorsy types, or those looking to calm down from the rat race. Blue Ridge’s crime rate is approximately 25% lower than the Georgia average.
Population: 1,407
Median Home Rental Price in Blue Ridge: According to Sperling’s Best Places, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Blue Ridge is $629 / monthly as compared to Georgia’s $821 per month average. 2-bedroom rentals average $720 per month while you can rent a 4-bedroom Blue Ridge house for $1090 per month on average.
Amenities and Things to Do
Blue Ridge is rather bucolic, but that’s the appeal. While nestled in your Blue Ridge rental, you can explore the Mercier Orchards, grab a pint at Grumpy Old Men Brewing, or take a tour of the local landscape on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. If you enjoy southern trails and southern brews, Blue Ridge is the place to be.
Homes for rent in Blue Ridge GA — Homes for rent in Georgia
Ellijay
Georgia is known for peaches and peanuts, but Ellijay is the Apple Capital of Georgia. Filled with both National Forest and rolling farms, Ellijay is an excellent place to be if you love being surrounded by greenery and the natural world.
Population: 1,719
Median Home Rental Price in Blue Ridge: Prospective renters should know a 1-bedroom house rental in Ellijay averages $700/ month, less than the Georgia average. A 2-bedroom rental averages $810, while a 3-bedroom will cost approximately $1060 per month.
Amenities and Things to Do
Like most of North Georgia, Ellijay is pastoral, which appeals to people who want to slow life down. You can pick apples at the Reece Apple House, sip some vino at one of several vineyards, pick up some vintage furniture at Black Bear Antiques, and stop by the Panorama Orchards and Farm Market for fresh-picked produce.
Homes for rent in Ellijay GA — Homes for rent in Georgia
Blairsville
Blairsville is the smallest town on our list and is the county seat of Union County in far northeast Georgia. Like all towns on our list, Blairsville is on the doorstep of the Appalachians, the Chattahoochee National Forest, and is a great place to explore southern sandstone.
Population: 652
Median Home Rental Price in Blairsville: Blairsville is the smallest town on our list but comes with the cheapest average home rental prices. Prospective renters should expect to pay $537 per month for a 1-bedroom, $673 for a 2-bedroom, and $843 for a 3-bedroom – all well below Georgia’s state average and national rental prices.
Amenities and Things to Do
Unlike the other two towns on our list, Blairsville is a hop, skip, and jump from on-the-water fun. Blairsville residents are at the southern tip of Nottely Lake for fishing, boating, and whatever else like you to do on a sprawling lake. They’re many other big things to do in this small town like the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center, the Trackrock Archeological Area, the Disney-inspired Sleepy Hollow Enterprises, and much more.
Homes for rent in Blairsville GA — Homes for rent in Georgia
How Far is Georgia from North Carolina?
North Georgia borders North Carolina to the east. If you need quick access from North Carolina to Georgia or the other way around, you should consider Fannin, Union, Towns, and Rabun counties in Georgia for your Georgia rental home.
Homes for Rent in North Georgia
North Georgia offers several types of close-knit communities, larger towns, and is on the doorstep of the beautiful sights and rolling hills of the southern Appalachian Mountains. If you want an affordable place to rent, that’s close to a major city, and within a short drive to North Carolina, set your sights on North Georgia. When you’re ready, browse houses for rent in Georgia to find the perfect house, apartment, or condo for you and your unique lifestyle.
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Photo credit: AlexiusHoratius, Nantahala Mtns lookout, CC BY-SA 3.0.
