Atlanta metropolitan area has, especially during the last decade, been one of the most popular and fastest growing regions in the United States. It's relatively easy to see why; Atlanta offers all the advatages of a major, international city, complete with entertainment, tourist attractions, and multi-cultural businesses and services. Yet, just a few miles outside the city proper, living is peaceful and easy in quite, rustic surroundings.

Even the weather here is ideal! Unlike the "deep" south, Georgia still enjoys four distinct seasons. The summers are long, bright, and sunny and the winters, while still requiring a coat, are much milder than Northern ones. Typically, the area will receive only one or two light dustings of snow each winter.

Georgia has one of the lowest tax burdens of cities of its' size in the United States. In fact, a 1996 Money Magazine article rated Georgia as having the lowest state and local tax burden of the country's 100 largest metropolitan areas!

Houses are still relatively inexpensive. If we compare similar types of properties in New York, Chicago or other major cities, Atlanta area houses are cheaper. Based on Y2k comparisons, a typical $200,000 home in other major metropolitan areas will be in the $85-$95,000 range in the Atlanta area.

Annual property taxes in the Atlanta area are also very reasonable, with an average rate of just 1.1% of the property's value. For example, a $200,000 home will taxed somewhere in the $1,800 to $2,200 range.

Within metropolitan Atlanta, the most popular area for new residents, by far, is the north-eastern suburban area, with Gwinnett County running a strong lead.

Newcomers to the area cite housing affordability as a major plus - it ranks among the most affordable areas in the country for housing. For example, based on a recent market study, the median price of a 3-bedroom house in Gwinnett County varies from $82,500 to $91,00. The same type of houses are sold in the northern U.S. (N.Y., N.J., etc.) from $168,000 to $210,000!

Like the Atlanta economy, the housing market has experienced steady growth. The number of homes sold has grown annually and builders have kept a steady supply of new homes on the market. An average of 16,000 new homes have been built each year since 1997. Of these, approximately 3,000 are apartment units and the rest are single-family dwellings.

Plentiful jobs, beautiful scenery and a diversity of entertainment choices assure that Atlanta's growth will continue! All in all, the Atlanta area is a wonderful place to raise your family!