Cartersville

With multiple master-planned communities featuring pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and golf courses, Cedarcrest residents enjoy a wealth of recreational opportunities right in their backyards. Largely situated in Paulding County, the second-fastest-growing county in Georgia, the area has seen a development boom since the early 2000s. “Cedarcrest Road is five miles long and there are a dozen subdivisions along that stretch of road,” says Gregg Shelton, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, who’s been selling homes in the area for 25 years. “Bentwater has five swimming pools and five parks. Seven Hills has pools, pickleball and tennis courts. Governors Towne Club has got some really high-end homes and high-end amenities. They’ve got a golf course, a tiki bar, and a spa. They’ve got it all. And that’s just three of the subdivisions.” In addition to the amenities, families are drawn to the area for its well-ranked schools and proximity to Atlanta. “It’s extremely kid-friendly,” Shelton says. “There are master-planned communities with their own activity directors. It’s just a great place to raise a family.” Neo-traditional homes built from the early 2000s to the present day are the dominant style in Cedarcrest. Neighborhood streets are flanked by sidewalks, making the area highly walkable. “There’s a huge mix of lot sizes there,” Shelton says. You can find homes with no yard, homes with an acre of land, or anything in between.” The average sales price hovers around $500,000. A three-bedroom home could be found for $400,000, while a more spacious five-bedroom could sell for upwards of $700,000. “When I moved out this way, there wasn’t much out here, but over the recent years, it has really blossomed and has been developed,” says Jenifer Stewart, a Realtor with RE/MAX Around Atlanta. “Even though the prices have risen in recent years, it is still more affordable than closer to the city, and you can live on a golf course for less than $1 million.” Public school students typically attend Paulding County School District schools, which scores an overall B Niche grade. “Cedarcrest is in Paulding County and Cobb County, but 95 percent of kids go to Paulding County schools,” Shelton says. Kids may start at Shelton Elementary, which scores a B-plus, before moving on to A-minus-rated Sammy McClure Sr. Middle and B-rated North Paulding High. North Paulding has a dual enrollment program where students can take college courses to earn both high school and college credits. Most Cedarcrest residents have little need to leave their subdivisions in search of outdoor recreation, but Lake Allatoona is a popular getaway. Located just east of Cedarcrest, the lake can be accessed at multiple parks. At the 82-acre Proctor Landing Park, on Proctor Landing Drive, locals can sunbathe on the beach, swim in the lake, or play a game of volleyball. It’s open from mid-April through mid-September. Bentwater Golf Club, on Golf Links Drive, is a private 18-hole golf course offering views of Red Top Mountain. After working up an appetite on the course, members can grab a bite to eat at the club’s restaurants — The Grille and Bar 72. Locals can stock up on groceries at the Kroger along Dallas-Acworth Highway or the Publix at Seven Hills Station on Seven Hills Boulevard. The shopping center also hosts Pizza Shack, the go-to spot for pizza and wings. Salt and Pepper Café, on Cedarcrest Road, is another local favorite for Sunday brunch. An evening out with friends could be spent sipping wine and listening to live music at Qualusi Vineyards. The family-run winery on Blossom Trail was named after the Cherokee Indian word for grapes. Cedarcrest is 40 miles from Atlanta via Interstate 75 South, and downtown Acworth is 7 miles east by way of Cedarcrest Road. “Cedarcrest has all your major amenities. There are doctors' offices and dentists’ offices. They could use a couple more restaurants, but most people just go to downtown Acworth,” Shelton says. “Downtown Acworth has some amazing restaurants and it’s only a few miles away. Henry’s is one of the most well-known Cajun food restaurants in Georgia.”