Cresswind at Spring Haven
Newnan, Georgia
Dawsonville, Georgia
What It Is Like to Retire in Dawsonville
Dawsonville, Georgia, is a small, scenic town in northern Georgia, located at the southern end of the Appalachian Trail, and is the county seat of Dawson County. Located 50 miles north of Atlanta, it has a population of about 2,500, a more than 28% increase since 2000, and is a popular tourist destination with thousands visiting the Amicalola Falls State Park, and Springer Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. Dawson County was known for its moonshine during the prohibition era, and as history has it, gave rise to stock car racing and NASCAR, as bootleggers modified their cars to get better speed for fleeing, which then became both a sport and a moneymaker. Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery, are part of the Dawsonville Municipal Complex, and tell this interesting history of the town. Photo of Historic Dawson County Courthouse Courtesy of Wikipedia and Thomson200 (public domain).
Where to Retire in Dawsonville and Home Prices
Dawsonville has single family homes and rental apartment complexes (see link at left). Zillow calls it a "Hot" market with the median home value at $253,724 in early 2020.
What Is Special about Dawsonville
As a mountain community, Dawsonville is in a pretty spot surrounded by the natural beauty of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and Amicalola Falls with Lake Lanier nearby.
What Is Not Special about Dawsonville
The town is isolated with the nearest large airport in Atlanta, about 70 miles away, and the nearest hospital is over 20 miles away in Gainesville.
Who Will Like Retirement in Dawsonville
Retirees looking for a small, quiet town in the mountains and enjoy outdoor recreation including walking, hiking, fishing and golf may enjoy living here. The town is growing and there is a library, senior center, parks, and annual events. Parts of the town are walkable and bikeable.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Construction, manufacturing, retail and tourism all help to drive the economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
The average January temperature is 42 degrees, with July's average 78 degrees.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
There are several restaurants in and around Dawsonville including those that serve local cuisine such as BBQ, and those with great views at Amicalola Falls State Park. Dawsonville has a couple of museums which share its history of bootlegging during prohibition, and of the birth of NASCAR racing. The town does offer a lot to do outside, and is close to State Parks, Lake Lanier, and the Appalachian Trail. For the best cultural scene, you can drive south to Atlanta, about an hour away.
Crime
The crime rate is a little below the national average.
Medical facilities
Northeast GA Medical Center is in Gainesville about 25 miles away.
Transportation
The nearest large airport is in Atlanta, about 65 miles from Dawsonville.
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