Best North Georgia Towns To Live | Jasper | Ellijay | Blue Ridge | Blairsville | North GA Mountains

Today, we’re talking about the great mountain towns that go straight up Highway 515….Jasper, Ellijay, Blue Ridge & Blairsville.
Jasper – Jasper, GA is located in Pickens county, an hour north of Atlanta. It is a small town, with a population of about 3900, as of 2020. With something to offer every age group, and still being close enough for a potential commute to Atlanta for jobs, Jasper could be a great mountain town to call home.
Ellijay – Ellijay, GA is located in Gilmer county, and is only about 15-20 minutes further north than Jasper, so just outside of an hour from Atlanta. Ellijay is about half the size of Jasper, so its population is a littler smaller at about 2000 in 2020. Super cute downtown area with a thriving short term rental market.
Blue Ridge – Blue Ridge, GA is located in Fannin county, and is about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. Blue Ridge is even smaller than Ellijay, with an even smaller population of about 1200 in 2020. However, this city feels way more populated due to its very high tourist attraction. With lots to do in this town, great views whichever direction you head in and a great tourist downtown area, Blue Ridge can be a great place to call home or a great place to have a vacation home or investment property.
Blairsville – Blairsville, GA is located in Union County, and is about 2 hours north of Atlanta. Blairsville is the smallest of all of these mountain towns, with the smallest population coming in at 725 in 2020. So whether you’re looking to retire here or raise a family here or anything in between, Blairsville is a great place to call home!
Of course in any of these mountain towns, you are in the heart of North Georgia, which is known for having wineries. You will either have a selection of wineries in whichever town you choose, or you will be close by with several to choose from. Each of these towns are very similar but have a little different draw and appeal. If you have visited any of these towns, please let me know which one you prefer and why! If you are looking to move to the area, I love it when people reach out, so please give me a call, text or email…I’d love to see how I can help you!

****UPDATE**** - As of 8/1/22, I am now affiliated with a new broker, eXp Realty.

Trish Rodriguez
eXp Realty
678-859-6058

[sheldonlawson]

Elijay is no longer a small mountain community like it used to be… lived here my whole life…..4th generation. seen the traffic get worse and worse. Thanks to people piling in here. Mostly from Cobb county or up north somewhere looking for cheap housing in the mountains.

[emilystadler]

Super informative and helpful! My family is taking a trip to Ellijay in a few weeks and this gave me a better idea of what to expect in this area of Georgia.

[Hollowsmith]

One other underrated area in Gilmer County is Whitepath community about halfway between Ellijay and Blue Ridge off the 76. The Buckhorn Estates is a nice HOA in Whitepath that doesn't allow short-term rentals, so if someone wants permanent living or a summer home, it's ideal. Plus being just 10 to 15 minutes from BOTH Ellijay and Blue Ridge with hiking and waterfall wilderness areas all around you makes Whitepath about as sweet of a 15 minute radius as it gets in North Georgia.

[maryrinkevich]

We are looking to move/retire in the North GA mountains. Your 2 vids are the best we've seen! We loved all of the information. So helpful while we are in our decision making mode. Subscribed. Thanks!

[sparc]

The only real drawback to the park in Ellijay is that it is across the river from the town's water treatment plant and if the wind is blowing the wrong way, you have that smell to contend with.
Blue Ridge locals tend to avoid the town on weekends because the town's population triples on weekends and even more if there is a holiday involved. But during the regular week and during off-season, it is the epitome of small-town America.

[janetkowalski]

We lived in Blairsville for 12 years and loved it! We are currently in West Virginia and Florida but considering finding a place in North Georgia or southwestern North Carolina. Beautiful with 4 distinct seasons each of which is mild. Spring flowers start the end of January!

[tomyatco]

Awsome! Subscribed! Can’t wait to get in touch with Trish..

[Cat-lohl]

On point as always! Like your information

[claudettealexander]

Go go go you are doing something that is need.

[gremlinmaster]

I bought property in Ellijay about 10 years ago with the hopes of moving there someday. it's still on my "to do" list. Another hidden gem in the area is Carters Lake. It is so pristine. To my knowledge there is no private property that borders the lake. Only government owned wilderness, parks, campgrounds, one marina and one beach. The best view of the lake is on the west end where you have to drive over the top of the dam to a park. A must see.

[dianegerlach]

I fell in love with Georgia after working on a movie, Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland in Chicamauga. Since then I have driven the backroads all the way to Mobile.

[sharpestjim]

I have loved North Georgia since I first stumbled upon the area during a motorcycle trip from Sarasota FL in 1984. I have seen the area grow in ways that are, frankly, astonishing. But, then again, not at all surprising. Everything that Trish talks about is true: Quaintness, outdoor recreation, all of it. But, sadly, everything that draws people to the area means more people. Dahlonega, especially, since it is so easy to reach from the northern Atlanta suburbs. Real estate prices in recent years have more than doubled. So don't expect to find anything "cheap" anywhere. Personally, I like Blairsville and Hiawassee best since they're farther out and harder to reach. The sprawl has not overtaken them yet. But if you enjoy the outdoors, there is really no finer place to be. It has been my favorite for nearly four decades.

[DV]

Blue Ridge was beautiful. But sadly you have to travel pretty far to the attractions. Atleast to amicolola falls and Brasstown which were our desired designations. We still had the best time of our lives even though i drove about 600 miles while in Blue ridge lol. We are definitely headed back to the area! Blairesville for Thanksgiving!🤩

And its not hot! Compared to wear i live. It got up to 86 but it is so dry and clean. Right now in Louisiana where i live it is 88 feeling like 103 lol. We literally left this past Tuesday. It was 60 degrees pulling out the driveway on My mountain rd.

[gonzalod]

Hi Trish, congrats on your channel, there is really not much of this content on YouTube for this area…I went on vacation this year with my family and we fell in love with the area, have been thinking about getting a vacation/ rental home there but not sure how safe it is to move around in the winter time with those roads with ice and snow…also like you showed on your videos some roads and driveways are REALLY steep…how bad is it? How much does it impact tourism? Would love to see some winter videos to see what it’s really like to deal with it. Thks!

[scottanderson]

Sadly all these mountain communities are becoming more and more popular the last time I was in Blairsville the intersection of 129 and 515 was so busy you felt like you were still in Atlanta the hotel prices have doubled and the lady running the hotel was so arrogant I felt like I was in Key Wast 😐 country charm

[raymondmartens]

Been going to Blairsville for some 15 yrs now for vacations and visiting friends we absolutely love it. living in south Florida soon to retire this one is top on my list with blue ridge a close second. We are thinking of that general vicinity of GA..North and South Carolinas and Tennessee. Do you have recommendations for those other states?

[miriammarquez]

Do you have any videos of Homesteading in North GA

[frankszlachetka]

Thinking of living in Blairsville from mid April to mid October and then back to Florida for the remainder. Looking to be on or near Lake Nottely however the Crime Rating for that area is a F on the search maps. Thinking a Gated Community even though I want lakefront living. Both Retired and in mid 60's.

[terridoerschuck]

where is the waterfall featured with the overlook deck?

[frankszlachetka]

To Elanor from Tampa. Being you mentioned Tampa as a past living area, do you feel there is a huge difference in these 2 areas. Want to get relief from the Heat and Humidity levels. Thanks Frank