Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS Category
10 Reasons To Retire In The North Georgia Mountains: Reason 2
Thanks for coming back for the second reason why you should consider Blairsville in Union County as one of your Top Picks of places to consider retiring. I believe that Art has some very compelling reasons why you should do just that.
Reason 2: Why You Should Retire In The North Georgia Mountains
Tourism Assets
Union County is a scenic wonderland of mountains, forests, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and wildlife. For those who love the outdoors and discovering natural beauty, we have a lot to offer. The Union County Chamber of Commerce receives around 3,000 visitors each year looking to relocate, retire, or vacation. Come, relax and enjoy our Beautiful North Georgia Mountains and friendly people.
On January 9, 2008, the City of Blairsville was officially designated as a Better Hometown Community through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Core areas of attention include Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring and Promotion. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is continuing their efforts toward downtown revitalization by adding new and exciting downtown festivals, organizing clean-up days on the square, identifying and recruiting attractive downtown businesses, and planning appropriate streetscape. The DDA was recently awarded a Transportation Enhancement Grant through the Georgia Department of Transportation to assist with their streetscape efforts.
Union County is known for its Blue Ridge Mountain beauty and world-famous sorghum syrup, and Union is one of the three Northeast Georgia counties situated completely within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Union County has 204,736 acres of land, 97,843 of which is Chattahoochee National Forest. Blairsville, the County seat, is located 112 miles north of Atlanta, and about a 2 hour drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina. Union County is easily accessed by well-developed highways and an area airport.
Union County boasts several structures on the National Register of Historic Place. The Old Historic Courthouse, located on the square in downtown Blairsville, is a Romanesque style brick and granite structure built in 1899. Unique in its Appalachian Georgia setting, the Old Courthouse was recently restored, adding a new bell tower and clock that chimes each day, replicating the look and charm of the original building. The courthouse now serves as a local history museum and cultural center. On Friday nights during summer and fall the beautifully restored courtroom on the second floor serves as a concert hall, filled with the sounds of local bluegrass, country and gospel music. Others include the Old Blairsville Jail (currently Blairsville City Hall), the Walasi-Yi on the Appalachian Trail and the Raburn Casteel House.
Butternut Creek Golf Course and Meeks Park are both part of the Union County Recreation Department. The golf course includes a clubhouse, Pro Shop, large picnic pavilion and 18 challenging holes. Meeks Park is a beautiful recreation complex with paved scenic walking trails bordering Butternut Creek. The park also includes picnic areas and a public pool offering senior water programs, such as water aerobics. Meeks Park is home to the Butternut Creek Festival, Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Fourth of July fireworks, The Sorghum Festival and many other community activities.
Misty Mountain Model Railroad, America’s largest 0-gauge train display is a 3,400 square foot layout with 14 0-gauge Lionel trains traveling on a mile of track over 12 bridges and 4 trestles and through 15 tunnels. This model railroad is a sure to delight all.
Union County is unsurpassed for natural beauty. Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia, delights with a 360 degree vista of four states atop Georgia’s highest elevation of 4,784 feet. The Museum offers a film about the Bald and the area. Hiking trails and picnicking areas are available. The observation tower at the summit has panoramic daytime views and nighttime vistas that delight astronomers.
The Appalachian Trail winds through the heart of Union County. At the top of Blood Mountain, is the Walasi-Yi Center, a historical stone structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trail itself passes through the Walasi-Yi Center marking the only covered portion of the Appalachian Trails 2100 plus miles.
Vogel State Park, located 11 miles south of Blairsville, is Georgia’s second oldest state park. Within the park is a beautiful lake and waterfall as well as a CCC Museum. Hiking, fishing, paddle boats, and mini-golf are some of the activities available at the park. Vogel is also the location of music & cultural events throughout the year.
Helton Creek Falls is just one of our local area waterfalls. Helton Creek Falls is a beautiful double falls set in deep hardwood forest. The total vertical drop of the falls is more than 100 feet. A 300 yard trail leads to the falls. Other waterfalls include DeSoto Falls, and Blood Mountain Falls.
Lake Nottely, is a 4,180 acre lake with 106 miles of shoreline. Originally built by the Tennessee Valley Authority, for the purpose of flood control and power generation, Lake Nottely serves as recreation for boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. There are two marinas and several public boat ramps along the lake.
In addition to its natural beauty, the area provides plenty of recreation and entertaining events for all ages and interests including festivals, concerts, parades, and civic and cultural organizations.
The Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highlands Games was designated a Southeast Tourism Society “Top 20 Event” for spring of 2008. The festival, which takes place the 2nd weekend in June, includes bagpipes, bands, highland dancers, genealogy information and athletic competitions along with Scottish gifts and food. The Butternut Creek Festival, a July event, is in its 10th year. The Festival is limited to 65 of the finest artists and hand craftsmen from throughout the mountain area of North Georgia, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.
Hungry? There a variety places to dine in Blairsville, offering a little something for everyone. From country cooking to fine dining and everything in between Blairsville’s array of family-run restaurants are a great place to find just what you want for a country-style breakfast, a hearty lunch or a relaxing dinner.
If you missed Reason 1, be sure to catch up on it and check back real soon for #3 of 10 Reasons Why You Should Retire In The North Georgia Mountains.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about Blairsville or Union County, please feel free to Contact Me or simply pick up the phone and give me a call at 706.633.8186, I would love to talk with you. I hope you are enjoying these series of articles, and I look forward to having you back on The Porch.
Make it a GREAT Day!
10 Reasons To Retire In The North Georgia Mountains: Reason 1
A good friend and business associate Art Miller who is also a Realtor here at Blairsville Realty, has been heavily invested in writing an article for the Blairsville Union County Chamber of Commerce about the 10 Best Reasons To Retire in the North Georgia Mountains. I asked Art if he wouldn’t mind if I posted his thoughts here on The Porch so that you will know “Why You Should Retire in the North Georgia Mountains!”
Reason 1: Why You Should Retire In The North Georgia Mountains
Our Weather, Climate and Change of Seasons!
Union County ranges in elevation from 1,600 ft. to 4,784 ft. above sea level. Because of its unique topography, Union County offers residents Four Distinct Seasons. Winters are generally mild, with an occasional dusting of snow. The average annual snowfall is 3 inches. Spring brings new life to the Mountains in the form of vibrant yellow-green leaves and many colorful wild flowers. Summers are mostly comfortable, with cool evenings. Autumns bring vibrant colorful changes in the leaves, making the North Georgia Mountains and particularly Union County one of the most popular for leaf-watching. Union County’s average rainfall is approximately 65 inches.
Thank you so much Art for allowing me to share your information here on The Porch. This will make a great series of articles that I am sure will be a great benefit to those who visit.
Thanks so much to you for stopping by and visiting me here on The Porch. If you have any questions or concerns about Blairsville Georgia, or any of the surrounding areas here in the North Georgia Mountains, I would be happy to answer them for you. Although I have been fortunate enough to have been born and raised here in these Mountains, you can bet that it is still at the Top on My List on places I want to retire. Unfortunately it will be a few more years for me!
Come back tomorrow to find out Reason # 2 to Retire in The North Georgia Mountains.
Make it a GREAT day!
Blairsville Union County Georgia Chamber Announces NEW Tourism Campaign
Members of the Blairsville - Union County Chamber of Commerce today made an exciting announcement on the New Tourism Marketing Campaign. “Each Season…Something New” is the new theme that seems so fitting to our beautiful Mountain community. Blairsville Georgia is the “Escape from the Daily Routine of Life” declared Cindy Williams, President of the Chamber. It truly is a Fun and Exciting place to visit every season throughout the year. It seems there is always something new, from a Festival or a Concert, to a Parade or Show going on in the community. Not to mention the most important, the beautiful seasons that we have here in the North Georgia Mountains.
There were over 160 in attendance today for the “Big Announcement” at the North Georgia Technical College. Many members of our community and merchants of Blairsville were in attendance with much anticipation. Cindy and her staff did an outstanding job in their presentation with the launch of our New Tourism Marketing Campaign. A slide show was presented with many key statistics on our community and ways in which the committee for tourism will be working in the future to promote Blairsville, Ga.
A lot of emphasis was placed on the Internet and how important it is to have that presence there. The New website will launch very soon and we actually had the opportunity to have a sneak peak at it today at the meeting. The header will feature a slide show of amazing photographs of the Blairsville Area during each of the seasons. All of the local events and activities will be posted there as well allowing for future visitors to plan in advance for their get-away to Union County. Key attractions and locations throughout the community will be posted there as well for information on places you have just got to see. You will be able to find information on the best places to eat and things to do like horseback riding, hiking, rafting, mountain biking and so much more during your visit to the North Georgia Mountains.
Come to Blairsville Georgia this year, I know you will not be disappointed. Oh yeah, should you get here and you just don’t want to leave, well that is where I can help. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to help you with any need you may have, especially Real Estate needs here in the North Georgia Mountains. Thanks so much for stopping by my site, more commonly known as “The Porch.” I hope you have found the information on here to be helpful, and please leave a comment on this or any other article that you have read. I find that my readers get just as much out of the comments that are left by other readers as the do me…maybe even more!
Make it a GREAT day!
Tags: Blairsville+Ga, North+Georgia, Union+County, Chamber+of+Commerce, Tourism, Marketing+Campaign, Real+Estate, Mountains
Peaceful Mountain Morning In Blairsville Georgia
On my way into the office one morning back in the early part of December, I noticed the low lying clouds that surrounded me. It was the perfect time to catch a picture at the Top of The Summit, a Residential Development in the Beautiful North Georgia Mountains located just outside of Blairsville Georgia.
There is currently one Home For Sale within The Summit, and 18 Residential Lots For Sale. The views are Spectacular not only at the top, but from virtually anywhere within the development.
If you would like for Me to provide you with additional information about the North Georgia Mountains, or more particularly The Summit in Blairsville, GA., I would be grateful for the opportunity to assist you with any Real Estate need you may have and answer any question you may have. I have recently posted a Union County Residential Market Report that you might find interesting as well.
You can Contact Me or you can give me a call on this gadget that is attached to my hip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That number is 706.633.8186. I absolutely love my job, and I would love to help you in anyway. I hope you enjoy the Pictures, I thought they turned out pretty good.
Make it an Awesome Weekend!
North Georgia Union County Residential Market Report
I want to go ahead and apologize a little bit in advance because you are going to think that I have absolutely lost my mind as you continue to read through this post. I am going to be jumping all over the place as I report to you exactly where we were as far back as 4 years ago when I got into Real Estate, where we are now, and of course where I think we are going.
As you can see from this first Graph, we have seen a very sharp decline in sales here in Union County progressively over the course of the past 4 years. However, as you will see in later posts, that it is not just Union County that has been seeing numbers like this. Over in Blue Ridge Georgia, and Ellijay Georgia, Mountain Homes For Sale there have also been on the rise because of a decrease in Homes being Sold. I have to say that it is very hard for me to get my head around the fact that there were only 8 Residential Sales in Union County this past December. There are over 200 Licensed Realtors in Blairsville according to our Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, so let’s say 6 different Realtors sold a Mountain Home or Cabin last month, that means that over 184 Realtors in Union County worked for Free!
So what is going on with the North Georgia Mountain Home Pricing in Union County?
If you have read any of my previous North Georgia Market Reports, then you know it is my first time to took a good hard look at Price Distribution. What is Price Distribution? Good Question, and when you find out please leave me a comment and let me know would you? Actually, Price Distribution is nothing more than taking the number of Homes Listed, the Number of Homes Sold, and the number of Homes For Sale, all within a given period of time at certain price points. These price points are usually within $25,000 to $50,000 in increments, and each increment is then given a number based upon the data in each classifications above. Now you may want to know what the difference is between number of Home Listed and Number of Homes For Sale. Simple, Homes Listed is all the Homes that have been for sale or listed in a given period of time, and Homes For Sale are only those Homes that are currently on the Multiple Listing Service at that time. This is a Great Tool to use while helping a Client Sell their Mountain Home in this Shifting Market. It is an outstanding strategy tool that if used properly can give you things such as a safe but aggressive pricing strategy, it can help you to know exactly where the competition is and where you need to be. Right now the highest concentrated Homes that are being Sold in Union County is in the $160,000 to $180,000 price range.
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