Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic-LivinginGainesville

Living in Gainesville/Hall County

(the following information is provided by the Gainesville Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hall County Chamber of Commerce.)

If there is such as thing as a perfect place to make a living and raise a family, Gainesville and Greater Hall County would rank near the top of the list. The reason: an ideal balance between the business environment and quality of life. The thriving economic environment attracts shopping, medical, financial and educational services and institutions that are second to none.

Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, bordered by the shores of Lake Lanier, home to finish lines of two motor sport and several water sport venues - the region offers some of the finest recreation in the South, and exciting new attractions. Gainesville is 45 minutes from downtown Atlanta and 6 hours from Charleston, SC.

For tourism or meetings and conventions, for motor sports to tranquil hiking, boating or golf, for fun boutique shopping and antiques, enjoy camping or relax in a luxury resort... and still less than one hour north of Atlanta you’ll love living in Gainesville-Hall County.

We have islands and highlands, scenic beauty and man-made fun; international raceways and romantic wineries. We have rolling hills and tumbling water slides; symphony and bluegrass; ballet and clogging; hiking and beach combing. There is also mountain music, arts and folklore, a strong sense of history, coupled with a spirit of adventure and discovery.

Our lodging facilities are some of the finest, from resorts to cabins, and even houseboats. And, you'll enjoy dining in one of many excellent restaurants.

A Climate for every Season

Hall County is located in an area of distinctive seasons and relatively moderate temperatures. The summers are hot and lazy, fall is spectacular with the vibrant hues of red, gold and orange splashed over mountainsides. Winters bring an annual snowfall that comes and goes without a great deal of fanfare. And spring arrives in the splashy colors of blooming azaleas, mountain laurel, magnolias and dogwood against the backdrop of emerald green pastures and thick forests of new foliage.

Average Annual Rainfall
• 52 inches

Average Temperatures
• 61 F annual
• 76 F summer
• 46 F winter

Gainesville also boasts: 47 public parks, more than any other U. S. county; eight championship golf courses; 34 tennis courts; 10 marinas and more than 450 campsites. Mild winters, moderate spring and fall weather, and surprisingly temperate summers allow area residents to make the most of their surroundings. Yet, for those who seek the thrill of quality snow skiing in winter and the ocean surf in summer, both are within four to six hour drives of Gainesville and Hall County.

Education Makes the Difference

Greater Hall County offers educational opportunities for students from kindergarten through college that are among the best in Georgia. Two public school systems, several private schools, a public two-year college, a private university and a technical college provide educational choices that are unmatched in the region. In addition, eight major universities are located within an hour's drive of Hall County.

Follow these links to find out more about:

Hall County School System: www.hallco.org
Gainesville City Schools: www.gainesville-city.k12.ga.us

Colleges and Technical Schools:
Brenau University, www.Brenau.edu
Gainesville College, www.gc.peachnet.edu
Lanier Technical College, www.lanier.tec.ga.us

Private schools:
Brenau Academy, www.brenauacademy.org
Heritage Academy, 770-536-6900
Lakeview Academy, www.lakeviewacademy.com
Maranantha Christian Academy, mailto:mcaeagle@juno.com
Riverside Military Academy, www.cadet.com
Westminster Christian School, www.gainesvillewcs.org
Several private pre-schools in the area.

Libraries:
The Hall County Library System serves the entire county with a main library in downtown Gainesville and four branches out in the county. Story times, book discussions and summer reading programs are available to all residents who use the library. Link to http://www.hallcountylibrary.org. for more information about the library.

A Healthcare Center for the Region

The families and citizens of Greater Hall County have access to health care services that are among the best in northeast Georgia. Gainesville has become a regional center for medical and health services delivery because of the reputation and strength of the facilities housed here. Available services support business and industry seeking top quality health care providers, plus family centered health organizations that support individual care.

At the hub of Northeast Georgia Health System is Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a main campus at 743 Spring Street and another, Lanier Park campus, on White Sulphur Road. Together, these facilities make up a 418-bed acute inpatient hospital service staffed by almost 300 physicians trained in a comprehensive range of medical specialties. Additionally, the Health System has long-term care facilities with 285 skilled nursing beds.

Recreation Abounds in Hall County

From swimming, boating, tennis, golf, hiking, and horseback riding to team sports like football, baseball, softball and soccer, Gainesville and Hall County has a venue and an outlet for every recreational activity.

The Gainesville Parks & Recreation Agency and the Hall County Parks & Leisure Services support award winning programs for both youth and adults. Hall County has more parks than any county in the United States - with 23 U.S. Corps of Engineers parks on Lake Lanier, and another 47 parks located throughout the county.

Clarks Bridge Park on Lake Lanier, the site of the rowing, canoe and kayak venue for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, is now home to the very active Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club and the Lake Lanier Rowing Club which offer lessons and events for teams and individuals. The park is the site of several major competitions annually, with a heavy contingent coming from major college and university rowing teams.

Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, a 1,200 acre park, features miles of nature trails, the Elachee Nature Center, a wildlife garden and nature activities. More than 2,000 people every year enjoy hiking, biking, jogging and horse back riding in Chicopee Woods. The Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center hosts a number of major horse shows, dog shows and livestock shows annually.

Avid golfers will find an array of challenging golf courses with breathtaking scenery and unique features against the backdrop of the mountains and Lake Lanier.

If horses are your recreational pastime, you'll be happy to know that Hall County is a growing center for the horse industry. From reining and cutting horses, to Grand Prix show jumpers and dressage horses, they're coming to Hall County because of its lush pastures, the beauty of the surroundings and the availability of large tracts of land. If you love horses, you'll find a place to ride in Hall County.

Hall County is ideally situated for residents to take advantage of the many state parks that exist in the mountain foothills. In close proximity are Amicalola Falls, with its 720-foot waterfall and Black Rock Mountain with panoramic 80-mile views at scenic overlooks. The scenic majesty of the Appalachain Mountains of North Georgia are a short drive north.

Atlanta, the South’s premiere city with its abundance of sports, including the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, Falcons, and Thrashers and entertainment attractions, lies less than an hour to the south, Gainesville and Hall County offer ample pleasures to suit almost any lifestyle.

Area Tourism is Strong

Tourism is big business in Hall County and has contributed greatly to the county's economic growth.

Gainesville/Hall County lodging facilities are some of the finest, from resorts to cabins, and even houseboats.

Lake Sidney Lanier, a 38,000 acre recreational lake attracts some 10 million visitors annually. It's the most popular U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake in the nation and its economic impact on the area is estimated at over $5 billion annually.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort and Water Park boasts the largest wave pool in Georgia and white sandy beaches where families frolic in the summer. The Emerald Pointe Resort on Lake Lanier Islands is a popular destination for business meetings (complete with a round of golf), conferences and just plain fun.

Visitors from all over Georgia and the southeast visit Hall County year round to attend its many festivals and events such as Mule Camp Market on the square in downtown Gainesville.

Clarks Bridge Park on Lake Lanier was the site of the rowing, canoe and kayak venue for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and attracts local and regional visitors who attend boating events there several times a year.

Road Atlanta, an international raceway, brings more than 400,000 enthusiastic fans to Hall County yearly and is the site of the international Petit LeMans race.

The Chateau Elan Winery and Resort attracts some 500,000 guests annually and offers fine wines, international cuisine, a championship golf course and a luxurious spa, hotel and Irish pub.

A Strong Housing Market

Hall County has a highly competitive housing market. The cost of a three-bedroom, two bath home averages $138,000. Homes in golf or swim/tennis communities start around $150,000 and peak at around $500,000 for custom built homes. Well-planned communities provide lifestyle choices catering to a broad range of interests.

Gainesville features a stately historic district with charming turn-of-the century homes bordered by mature in-town neighborhoods where giant hardwoods, magnolias and colorful azaleas abound.

The shores of famed Lake Sidney Lanier offer lake living at its best, with a variety of lakeside residential communities featuring golf, tennis and swimming.

If you prefer the country life, the picturesque Hall County countryside is dotted with small farms and rolling acreage with the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop.

Arts and Cultural Activities with Flair

With more than 20 active local arts organizations, Gainesville and Hall County offer an exciting array of theater and symphony, art exhibits and cultural programs. The Arts Council, Inc. serves as an arts hub for all of northeast Georgia.

The Gainesville Symphony Orchestra at Brenau University, Northeast Georgia's Regional Orchestra, a professional 70-piece orchestra. Presents four concerts each season, including the favored "Patriotic Pops Concert" each July 3rd at Brenau University Amphitheater.

The Gainesville Ballet Company stages an annual performance season, including The Nutcracker at Christmas and a repertory performance in the spring to give ballet students an opportunity to perform with guest artists.

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a cooperative venture joining the theatre programs of Gainesville College, Brenau University, a professional company and the community. Four productions are staged annually.

In addition to performing arts, Gainesville has many fine arts and crafts galleries to suit every taste.

The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is a comprehensive visual arts and education center offering art classes and workshops. The galleries of the Quinlan Arts Center are dedicated to monthly exhibitions of local, regional and international artists.

Both Gainesville College and Brenau University have substantial arts programs and galleries.

Local Media - Stay Informed

Gainesville/Hall County supports a thriving news and entertainment media environment and links with major Atlanta and national print, radio and television news organizations. In addition, Gainesville is home to an innovative blend of print media and the Internet. AccessNorthGa.com is north Georgia's premier on-line community featuring news and community information relevant to Northeast Georgia.