Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Dahlonega Georgia

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS - ALMOST HEAVEN

Named for its bluish color seen at distance, the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch from northern Georgia into Pennsylvania. The elevation in northern Georgia reaches as high as 4,700 feet at Brasstown Bald. Although the elevation in Dahlonega is only 1,454 feet, elevations begin to climb within 10 miles as you enter the Cohutta National Forest. Scenic state parks in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia include Black Rock Mountain State Park, Tallulah Gorge and Amicalola State Park, home of the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Amicalola Falls State Park is less than 20 miles from the heart of downtown Dahlonega, to us one of the best mountain towns in Georgia. These state parks have abundant hiking trails, waterfalls to explore and stunning flora and wildlife to observe. Gibbs Gardens is another landmark in the area, a stunning residential garden on the scale of The Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina. Folks searching for where to retire in Georgia will find this unspoiled region offers outdoor bliss 365 days of year.

SMALL TOWN CHARM

America’s first gold rush town hasn’t changed much from the early 1800’s and folks in Dahlonega plan to keep it that way. The Dahlonega Gold Museum sits in the middle of the town’s square surrounded by ice cream parlors, candy stores, bakeries and one of a kind boutiques. The preserved historic buildings are fascinating and reflect the wild wild west, a time when the land was dominated by the Cherokee Indians. Holly Theatre built in 1915 is home to Georgia’s top performing theatre companies. This art infused town is where you’ll also find bluegrass musicians playing impromptu in the middle of the town square. Dahlonega is one of the coolest best small towns in Georgia, especially if you dig history.

LOW COST OF LIVING - RECIPE FOR A HAPPY RETIREMENT

Homes in Dahlonega GA neighborhoods average $127,000. That’s almost half the average price of a home in the Northeast. Of the 28 best cities to live featured on our website, real estate taxes in Dahlonega are among the cheapest at 27.60 mills converted equalling to .011 percent, if you live within the city limits. Folk's searching for where to retire are finding Georgia more attractive as a retirement state because Georgia is phasing out state income tax on retirement benefits. In addition to saving money on taxes and Dahlonega homes, many things cost less in Dahlonega such as dining out and business services. If you’re searching for a great Dahlonega GA neighborhood, ask us to introduce you to our trusted colleague who knows Dahlonega best.

BEST GEORGIA VINEYARDS - ITS ALWAYS FIVE O’CLOCK HERE

There are active 11 wineries in northern Georgia:

• Wolf Mountain Vineyards
• Montaluce Vineyards
• Habersham Winery
• Tiger Mountain Vineyards
• Frogtown Cellars
• Sautee Nachoochee Vineyards
• Cavender Creek Vineyards
• Persimmon Vineyards
• Yonah Mountain Vineyards
• Three Sisters Vineyards

Both Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Montaluce Winery have beautiful mountain views and delicious restaurants. During the month of August, this best small town hosts the Dahlonega Wine Trail Weekend where attendees enjoy weekend activities centered around the vineyards. The northern Georgia wineries are interesting to explore and sample wine. 

KICK ASS MOUNTAIN FESTIVALS

This best mountain town in Georgia knows how throw a party. Popular Dahlonega festivals include the Dahlonega Trail Fest in March which kicks off the mountain hiking season, the Bear of the Square Music Festival in April, Mountain Flower Art Festival in May, Georgia Wine Festival in June and Gold Rush Days in October. Dahlonega Georgia is best known as home to the beginning and finish line of the Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty Cycling event, a 104 mile and 58 mile cycling event through the mountains of northern Georgia. More than 3,000 cyclists attend each year challenging the 11,200 foot vertical fluctuations.


NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLET MALL

To have brand name shopping within 20 minutes of a best small town is unusual. North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall is an impressive mall with 140 stores, home to stores such as Coach, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at the Northern Georgia Premium Outlet Mall or in the best small town of Dahlonega, the metropolitan city of Atlanta is less than an hour’s drive to the south.

LAKE SIDNEY LANIER & THE CHESTATEE RIVER

Just 10 miles south of Dahlonega, Georgia’s most visited lake is 38,000 acre Lake Sidney Lanier. With 692 miles of shoreline, this emerald green Georgia lake is dotted with islands and was home to the 1996 Summer Olympics. For the most part, Lake Sidney Lanier is not visible from the roadway hidden by trees, so you might miss it driving by. If you want to live in the mountains and still boat, Lake Sidney Lanier is a great option. There are more than 50 community parks, many with boat ramps and boating services on Lake Sidney Lanier. The Chestatee River flows through the best small town of Dahlonega and is the ‘smaller brother’ of the Cattahoochee River. As it twists and turns along its path, folks enjoy fishing, tubing and canoeing in this beautiful crystal clear river. Rainbow and brown trout are easily caught in the Chestatee River.

DELICIOUS FOUR SEASON WEATHER

Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega Georgia experiences only 3 inches of snowfall each year. The average temperature December through February is in the 30’s. May through September, the average temperature ranges from the high 60’s to mid 70’s. The seasons are mild yet are conducive to beautiful spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage. When cold fronts roll in, although rare, tornados are Dahlonega’s biggest weather hazards.

BRAIN FITNESS FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

Baby Boomers seeking fun college courses to keep their mind sharp will find a long list of college courses designed just for them at the Brenau University Lifelong Learning Institute (BULLI) in Gainesville, 20 miles south of Dahlonega. In addition to the college’s regular curriculum, this historic campus offers courses specifically designed for mature adults over age 50. Lifelong learning courses include studies in music, the arts, social sciences, history and wellness. Georgia’s Amendment 23 provides for reduced tuition for seniors over age 62. Ask us for more info. North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, the school with the big gold dome, offers lifelong learning courses in creative, recreation and business studies. Courses include gardening, infused glass, ballroom dancing, computers and more. 

TRUSTED MEDICAL CARE

Chestatee Regional Hospital in Dahlonega is a 49 bed private room acute care facility. Specialties include emergency care, surgical services, imaging, diagnostics and pain management. CRH underwent renovations in 2007 which include a new Maternity Services Unit.  But on a larger scale, 557 bed Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville was named one of the Top 100 Hospitals by Thompson Reuters and is Georgia’s #1 Heart Hospital, just 20 miles south of Dahlonega. And if Northeast Georgia Medical Center can’t handle your medical issue, there are dozens of top rated hospitals in Atlanta, one hour to the south.

Whether you’re a Florida half backer seeking to escape the summer heat or a northerner leaving the frigid winters behind, Dahlonega GA neighborhoods offer four mild seasons, incredible mountain beauty, breathtaking waterfalls such Amicalola Falls, small town charm, quick access to major cities and home affordability. How many more reasons would you need to retire in Dahlonega?

Don’t be afraid to ask us to help you with your search for where to retire in Georgia. This is our specialty. Write info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799.