8 Best Places to Live in North Georgia Mountains in 2023

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We picked the best places to live in the North Georgia Mountains that offer a quiet, charming lifestyle nestled deep in the beautiful, rugged mountainside.

Northern Georgia is famous for its mountains that are part of the Blue Ridge mountain chain, which starts in the Peach State and extends all the way up to Pennsylvania.

This cozy part of the state is home to several small communities that promote a relaxed way of life at an affordable rate. It also offers a scenic landscape that is unrivaled in its beauty.

Many folks have been moving to the mountains recently, especially from big cities like Atlanta and Augusta, as rising prices in the city have made these mountain towns an even better value.

So, let’s take a look at the best mountain towns in Georgia where you can relocate to and live an active life in the great outdoors.

The 8 Best Places to Live in North Georgia Mountains in 2023

8. Toccoa

best-places-to-live-in-north-georgia-mountains-Toccoa

Population: 8,374
Cost of Living Index: 9% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Toccoa is located in northeast Georgia, near the border of South Carolina. It is about an hour from Athens and an hour and a half from Atlanta and is also the biggest city on this list of the best places to live in the North Georgia Mountains.

The town is full of young professionals, many of whom own their own homes.

There are lots of amenities and things to do and see in Toccoa. This includes Toccoa Falls, the Currahee History Museum, Travelers Rest Historic Site, the Historic Ritz Theater, and Whistle Stop Antique Mall.

7. Young Harris

Population: 1,029
Cost of Living Index: 4% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Young Harris is a small town in the mountains of northeast Georgia. It is nestled in the mountains, about two hours from both Atlanta and Athens.

Young Harris is also home to Young Harris College, which is how the town got its name.

There are lots of things to do in Young Harris, especially since the college helps to supply several sites around town. These include the Rollins Planetarium as well as Dobbs Theatre.

You can also take a visit to the Crane Creek Vineyards or relax in Cupid Fall Park, which is a public space located right outside of the center of the city and features a small cascading waterfall.

Young Harris is also a town that is generally free from most crime. They received an “A” rating on AreaVibes.com, with a crime rate that is 57% below the national average.

6. Dillard

Population: 319
Cost of Living Index: 4% Above Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Dillard is a tiny town in the mountains of North Georgia, near the border of both Tennessee and South Carolina. It is about an hour and a half away from Athens and a little under two hours away from Atlanta.

This little community is the smallest one on this list of the best places to live in the North Georgia Mountains and truly reflects the charm of rural America.

Some of the attractions here in Dillard include a distillery called the R.M. Rose Company and Sky Valley Resort, where you can play golf, and relax at the beach or the pool.

You can also go hiking at the Mud Creek Trail to Mud Creek Falls, or ride horses at Dillard House Stables.

Additionally, there are several locally-owned shops and cafes around town where you can enjoy a more relaxed pace of life.

Dillard is also one of the safest towns in Georgia. It has an “A” rating on AreaVibes.com for safety, with crime rates that are 21% below the US average.

5. Clarkesville

best-places-to-live-in-north-georgia-mountains-Clarkesville

Population: 1,754
Cost of Living Index: 2% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Clarkesville is about an hour and a half from Atlanta and just over an hour away from Athens. It is also just 20 minutes from Toccoa, which was #8 on this list of the best mountain towns in Georgia.

Despite its small size, there is a lot going on in Clarkesville. You can visit Apple Mountain Alpacas, the hiking trails at Hemlock Falls and Moccasin Creek Park, or go on a chartered fishing tour with Blackhawk Fly Fishing or Fern Valley on the Soque.

There are also lots of specialty and antique shops to check out here, too.

4. Dahlonega

Population: 6,196
Cost of Living Index: 30% Above Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Dahlonega is a quintessential Georgia mountain town that is located right in the heart of North Georgia. It is also roughly an hour and twenty minutes north of both Atlanta and Athens.

Dahlonega is home to the University of North Georgia, which provides the town with a young, energetic spirit. You can enjoy this youthful atmosphere in Dahlonega’s charming downtown or at one of the town’s numerous events and festivals throughout the year.

It was also the site of the first major gold rush in the entire US in 1829. Don’t miss the Dahlonega Gold Museum right in the center of town.

Meanwhile, there is access to some great wilderness adventures here within the neareby Chattahoochee National Forest, such as Desoto Falls and Dicks Creek Falls.

Dahlonega is also one of the safest places to live in Georgia. It earned an “A+” crime rating on AreaVibes.com and a crime rate that is 67% below the national average.

3. Jasper

Population: 3,850
Cost of Living Index: 0% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Jasper is another city in the mountains that offers a small-town vibe. It is just an hour from Atlanta and has plenty of community charm, making it one of the best places to live in the North Georgia mountains.

Jasper is a great place to live if you love hiking. You can check out Eagles Rest Park and Burnt Mountain Preserve Trail for hiking as well as Bent Tree Stables for horseback riding.

This is also one of the best places in Georgia if you are somebody who loves wine. You can visit a wide-range of vineyards, including Waldmet Cellars, Sharp Mountain Vineyards, or Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery.

This historic town also offers a look into the past, including the House of Scripture church and the Old Pickens County Jail.

Jasper also offers numerous arts and cultural events at the Tater Patch Community Theater.

2. Hiawassee

best-places-to-live-in-north-georgia-mountains-Hiawassee

Population: 815
Cost of Living Index: 2% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Due to its location on the Hiawassee River, the small town of Hiawassee is one of the best places in the Georgia mountains to enjoy watersports. You can rent boats at the Lake Chatuge Marina, the Ridges Marina, or Boundary Waters Resort & Marina.

It also offers ample access to other outdoor adventures, including hikes in Bell Mountain, High Shoals Falls Trail, Blue Hole Falls, and Southern Water Trails.

Like with any other town in the North Georgia Mountains, there are also plenty of specialty and antique shops for your enjoyment.

Meanwhile, Hiawassee earned an “A” crime rating on AreaVibes.com with crime rates that are 40% below the national average.

1. Blue Ridge

best-places-to-live-in-north-georgia-mountains-Blue-Ridge

Population: 1,157
Cost of Living Index: 5% Below Georgia State Average
Location: Check on Google Maps

Blue Ridge tops our list as the best place to live in the North Georgia Mountains in 2023. This beautiful mountain town calls itself “Georgia’s Coolest Mountain Town” and is known for its majestic waterfalls along with a quaint downtown that is filled with boutique shops, and locally-owned restaurants that make it a wonderful place to relocate to.

It is nestled deep in the mountains about an hour and a half from Atlanta and just over two hours away from Athens.

Additionally, it offers some great outdoor attractions, including Springer Mountain, Little Rock Creek Falls, Aska Trails, Jacks River Falls, and the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge.

If that’s not enough, residents here can also enjoy Blue Ridge’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene, including numerous art galleries and performing arts venues.

Best Places to Live in North Georgia Mountains – Summary

Overall, the best places to live in North Georgia Mountains are:

  1. Blue Ridge
  2. Hiawassee
  3. Jasper
  4. Dahlonega
  5. Clarkesville
  6. Dillard
  7. Young Harris
  8. Toccoa

All of these mountain towns offer a great, balanced life that is fit for virtually everyone, from families to retirees. Most of them are also pretty affordable, especially compared to the big cities in Georgia.

We recommend taking a trip to visit all of these mountain towns in Georgia to determine which one is best for you.