Johns Creek

Big Creek, part of Cumming and often just generally referred to as “South Forsyth,” is a lively Atlanta suburb with great schools and a growing community. “People always want to go where there’re good schools. And all the schools in Forsyth County are really highly rated,” says Aimee Lawrence, a Realtor with Century 21 Results. “I get people all the time who say, we want to move up that way because we want to have a good school district.” Several highly rated public elementary schools serve the area, and students may attend Big Creek Elementary School or Sharon Elementary School, which earned A-plus and A grades from Niche, respectively. Older students progress to A-rated Piney Grove Middle School and A-plus-rated South Forsyth High School. South Forsyth High School offers a variety of rigorous academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and dual enrollment at Lanier Technical College. Housing in the Big Creek area of Cumming is largely made up of new traditional and Craftsman-inspired homes built between 2000 and today. Popular exterior design choices include brick facades, two-car garages and recessed entryways with columns. These spacious homes often have four and five bedrooms and sit on lots with well-kept lawns and trimmed landscaping. Many single-family residences are adorned with mature oaks and maples common to the area. They most commonly cost between $600,000 and $700,000, though more modest homes start around $500,000. The area does have some condos, townhouses and apartments, especially within 55+ communities like the Gatherings at Herrington. “We have all kinds of parks in Forsyth County. The Big Creek Greenway is hugely popular,” says Cherie Edmunds, Forsyth County local and Realtor at Century 21 Results. Big Creek Parkway has 9 miles of paved paths running along Big Creek. Sharon Springs Park offers a spectrum of outdoor recreation, including eight tennis courts, eight baseball fields and batting cages, basketball courts, soccer fields and a walking trail. For an immersive outdoor experience, locals can visit Caney Creek Preserve. This 63-acre preserve has a forested walking path along a creek, as well as faux-rock climbing structures and a dog park. Less than 10 miles northeast of the Big Creek Area, Lake Lanier, the largest lake in Georgia, has opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing and hosts events like the annual Fourth of July fireworks at Mary Alice Park. The nearby North Georgia Mountains offer opportunities for weekend excursions. “There are dozens of wineries in the mountains. There’s also hiking, cute small towns, and festivals. There’s all kinds of fun. There are so many festivals, like the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. We’re also in very close proximity to Dahlonega. They have the Gold Rush Days festival in the fall and Bear on the Square festival in the spring,” Edmunds says. “More and more retail shops and restaurants are coming in,” Lawrence says. “The area is growing and expanding.” The Big Creek area residents have access to plenty of nationally known chains, including Walmart Supercenter, Publix and Chick-fil-A. At The Collection at Forsyth shopping mall, locals catch a movie at the AMC theater, pick up the latest best-seller at Barnes & Noble, or go dress shopping at Versona boutique. For dining out, residents head to the beach-themed Ocean & Acre restaurant at the Halcyon mixed-use development for locally sourced seafood. Hobnob Tavern is the go-to spot for bourbon and burgers. “It has a fun vibe,” Lawrence says. “They have karaoke and trivia nights.” Big Creek, in South Forsyth County, is a car-dependent area about 35 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta and 50 miles southwest of the North Georgia Mountains. Northside Forsyth Hospital is only about 4 miles northeast of the Big Creek area. “The healthcare system is a big employer, and it’s a draw for families and older people,” Edmunds says. Lower property taxes and exemptions also attraction people to Forsyth County: “In Cumming and in many of the counties around here, we have a senior exemption on taxes. Once you’re at a certain age you no longer pay the school tax, so your taxes go down exponentially,” Edmunds says.