Blue Ridge Real Estate

We’re definitely seeing more traffic in the North Georgia Mountains this summer! After leaving the office Sunday morning, I believe it took 3 full minutes to exit my parking lot. That may not seem like a lot to readers who reside in the city, but that’s nearly unheard of in Fannin County. If one of our local drivers wait more than a few seconds for their “window of opportunity” on Hwy 515 (aka Appalachian Hwy), it’s a reason to grumble.
I guess I found it interesting because of the day and time: Sunday @ noon. I suppose this departure time reflects an early lunch/late breakfast and dash back home to squeeze in some last minute yard work.
The tags (from what I could scan) were mainly Fulton and Cobb County – Atlanta – residents. At one point in our recent history, about 50% of our visitors were from Florida. Although the poll was a somewhat unofficial accounting from the local cabin rental companies, that stat has been quoted many times. My “car-tag” survey was even more unscientific, but the trend would make sense. Even though the Florida real estate market is experiencing a mild recovery, their local economies still stink. Our Atlanta visitors are experiencing the same down-turn, but the quick weekend trip to the mountains is easy and cheap.
Let’s look at the comparison: A two hour north-bound Friday night trip will usually allow plenty of time to arrive, grab a bite to eat, and sit down in time to watch the Braves game. This trip is a far cry from the six hour weekender to the beach, which puts your arrival time sometime after midnight. Entertainment in the mountains consist of a few good books, maybe a trip to the drive-in, grilling steaks on the porch, finished off with a dip in the hot tub while looking out over a few mountain ranges. Beach entertainment is fantastic, don’t get me wrong- sand, ocean, salty air, great seafood, and, you can bring the same books. But for some reason, a trip to the beach seems to lighten the wallet or pocketbook a little more.
But what brings me back to my original thought is the comparison of the Sunday trip home. Sandy floorboards, slightly sunburned and six hours later (seven with the time change), our Atlanta folks drag into the house satisfied and happy, but tired. On the other hand, the mountain weekend visitors to the mountains have the ability to squeeze one more day into their mini-vacation, or beat a path home to make it back for Sunday school. But more than likely you’ll be leaving around noon with the rest of the crowd. We’ll see you next weekend!