How to Find a Georgia Home with Beautiful Mountain Views

After years of working hard and saving up, many people dream of the day they can finally retire. Whether you’re a year away or you’re planning years in advance, here’s everything you need to know about living the retired life in north Georgia. Why Live in Georgia With all the places you could live when you retire, you may be wondering why retirement in Georgia can be the right fit. For starters, several online articles have praised Georgia for its safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, beautiful outdoors, and kind, hospitable people. Georgia offers a unique experience for couples, professionals, and families — and it’s no different when it comes to retirees. Best Mountain Towns to Retire  There are several North Georgia Mountain towns from which to choose. Whether you’re looking for a quaint, small town or a city with a wide variety of activities available, living in the Blue Ridge Mountains has something for everyone. Three popular towns for retirement include: Ellijay, Georgia: Ellijay is the county seat of Gilmer County and is famous for its annual Apple Festival in October. Also known as the Apple Capital of Georgia, Ellijay provides a small-town, family-friendly environment for retirees. Blue Ridge, Georgia: Blue Ridge offers activities such as horseback riding in the Chattahoochee National Forest, touring the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, fruit picking at Mercier Orchards, fishing at the Toccoa River, and golfing at Old Toccoa Farm. Blairsville, Georgia: Blairsville, located in Union County, offers destinations such as Butternut Creek Golf Course, the Chattahoochee National Forest, the highest mountain peak in Georgia, Vogel State Park, and Lake Nottely.

The North Georgia Mountains are renowned for their beautiful mountain views and endless outdoor activities. You may be wondering if winter in north Georgia means bundling up in a cabin and hibernating until the sun comes back out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are just as many activities to keep you busy during the winter as there are in the warmer months. Here are a few ideas for how you can enjoy all that the North Georgia Mountains region has to offer in the winter. Take in the Unique Winter Views First and foremost, the North Georgia Mountains offer spectacular views year-round. The region has mild winters compared to many places in the US, which makes it easy to fish, hike, and sightsee any time of year. In fact, trout fishing season hits its peak in fall and ends in the summer, making winter the perfect time of year to head out to Soque River. Looking to get on your feet? Tallulah Gorge State Park is known for providing several parks and trails for hikers, all of which have phenomenal views during the winter months. With more than a dozen waterfalls within a 30-mile radius of Blue Ridge, Georgia, you can’t forget to visit a local frozen waterfall. What’s a beautiful sight in the warmer months becomes a magical view in the winter. If you’re in the North Georgia Mountains in the winter, you simply can’t miss it! Delicious Food Choices When it’s cold outside, one of the best feelings is to get inside with some warm, delicious food. Thankfully, this couldn’t be any easier thanks to the wide variety of uptown dining options in and near Blue Ridge, Georgia. With plenty of award-winning restaurants and a wide variety of pubs, barbeques, and brunch spots, dining out in the Blue Ridge Mountains won’t disappoint. Some highly recommended restaurants include Black Sheep Restaurant Bar & Patio, Harvest on Main, Cantaberry Restaurant, The Village Restaurant, Checkers, The Celebration Cafe, and Riverview Beanery. If you aren’t quite sure where to go, look into a Blue Ridge Mountain food tour, where you can sample a variety of sweets, brews, or gourmet dinners. Christmas Activities in Georgia For many people, winter brings one of the most exciting events of the year: Christmas. One of the things many people love about living in the North Georgia Mountains is the great sense of community and hospitality. These traits make Christmas extra special in our neck of the woods, with several Christmas events in Georgia that are perfect for couples, families, and groups. Visit Mercier Orchards during the holidays to create a gift basket filled with unique baked goods and produce. Head to a local shop to meet the artisans who create hand-crafted gifts such as bamboo fly rods, fashion accessories, and ceramics. You also can’t miss the wide variety of art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops, where you’re sure to find unique gifts for the loved ones in your life. Once you’ve wrapped up your Christmas shopping, consider staying at one of the area’s many gorgeous cabins for a cozy night in. Celebrate the Season in the North Georgia Mountains  Whether you want to brave the cold for fantastic views, you’re looking to hit the slopes, or you’re on the hunt for a festive place to celebrate the holidays, the many North Georgia Mountain events and activities are sure to please. Though the sun may be out less often and the temperatures are dropping, there’s plenty of things to do to keep your spirits high in the winter.

In 2015, there were 501,000 homes sold in the United States. While mortgage rates are projected to rise, Fortune also predicts that mortgage credit will be more widely available, new constructions will continue to increase, and medium-sized cities will continue to provide an attractive alternative to high real estate prices in cities like San Francisco and New York City. These trends all point to a steady real estate market for individuals and families looking to buy. We’ve researched more than 20 phone apps for home buyers and calculated the top-rated real estate apps by factoring in reviews from both iPhone and Android users. The result? A list of unique, sleek, and highly-loved apps that are sure to improve your home buying experience. Top-Rated Home Searching Apps

Buying a home is a process that comes with many questions. If you’ve never bought a house in the mountains before, you’re sure to have even more questions about the process. Our team wants to make sure you have all the answers you need throughout the home buying process, which is why we’ve gathered and answered some of the most common questions about buying a home. Finding the answers you need will help reduce home buying stress, making your house search more enjoyable every step of the way. How long does it take to buy a house? The full process depends on how long it takes to find the house of your dreams. Once you’ve found a property you’d like to place an offer on, you and the seller will agree on a closing date. This date typically ranges from 30-60 days from accepting the offer. Need to move in sooner or later? Remember that everything is negotiable with the seller — including the closing date! What credit score do I need to buy a home? This is one of the most popular questions people ask when they want to buy a home in Georgia. On average, a credit score around 620 will increase your likelihood of being approved for a home loan. Another point to remember: Lenders look at many different factors when considering your applications, such as your debt-to-income ratio and your employment history. Do I need to hire a realtor when buying a home in Georgia?  It’s important to understand the role that a realtor plays when you set out to buy a home. Along with helping you find properties that fit your requirements, a realtor will guide you through the legal process, present important facts about buying a home, help you spot potential problems in a new home, and negotiate your deal with the seller. In most situations, the fee for the realtor doesn’t come out of the buyer’s pockets, making their services an affordable and valuable asset to the home buying process.

We’re coming to the end of winter and, for many people, that means it’s time to come out of hibernation and plan a weekend trip. If you’ve been considering a move to the North Georgia Mountains, what better way to get a lay of the land than to spend a weekend exploring the area? Our guide below will walk you and a friend or partner through some of the best sights, tastes, and attractions that the area has to offer. Follow the steps exactly or use them as a starting point to carve your own adventure — either way, you’re bound to have an unforgettable weekend in one of the country’s most beautiful destinations. Friday Night: Check into Your Mountain Cabin  You could stay in a local hotel but, with so many unique mountain cabins nearby, why would you? After making the drive out to North Georgia, the first thing on the list is to get checked into a nearby cabin. Our recommendation? Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

If you’re thinking about visiting or moving to the North Georgia Mountains, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard about the many waterfalls the area has to offer. With more than a dozen waterfalls within 30 miles of Blue Ridge and more than 100 waterfalls spanning across the mountains, there is a waterfall trail for everyone.  We’ve gathered information on eight of the most remarkable waterfalls in the area, with hikes ranging from 0.4-mile strolls to 4-mile intense treks. Read all about them below. Amicalola Falls Distance: 2.1 miles Parking: $5 per car Location: Dawson County

Who doesn’t love a quaint mountain town? With tons of history, stunning mountain views, and more things to do than you could possibly count, the mountain towns in North Georgia can’t be missed. But where should you go first in the North Georgia Mountains? But where should you go first in the North Georgia Mountains? Without a little guidance, picking the perfect mountain town in this vast expanse of land can be overwhelming. If you’re planning to visit the mountains in North Georgia, we recommend checking out any (or all) of these three historic, exciting, and beautiful towns. 1. Ellijay, Georgia  Located at the center of Gilmer County, Georgia, Ellijay provides great access to the scenic routes through the North Georgia Mountains. What’s unique about Ellijay is its combination of a small-town feeling and its abundance of things to do. Some of the most popular destinations in Ellijay include R&A Orchards, Mountain Valley Farm, Engelheim Vineyard, Reece Apple House, and Hillcrest Orchards. Noticing a theme here? Ellijay is the perfect place to get in touch with nature. Its name is even derived from Elatseyi, a Cherokee word meaning “new ground” or “green place.”

When you buy a new home, one of the most exciting feelings is customizing it to match your exact tastes. This excitement is only elevated if it’s a home you plan to share with your partner in retirement or a home that will serve as a home base for extended family get-togethers. Since many of the homes in the North Georgia Mountains are already beautiful, there isn’t too much you need to do to show them off. But, if you’re looking for some inspiration for adding your personal touch, here’s what you need to know. Get home design inspiration at your fingertips Getting inspired is easier than ever thanks to the many visual resources available on the internet. One phenomenal place to get inspired? Instagram.  With the free app on your phone, you can head to the search bar and type in “home inspiration,” “homes in North Georgia Mountains,” or “interior design,” for example. You’ll get a list of accounts that match that search and hashtags (which will show you posts from a variety of accounts). You can like (and save!) these photos as well as follow accounts that consistently post inspiring content.