Lafayette

Roadside markets, cows grazing on the rolling hills, bright red barns and plant nurseries – such are the scenes of Rock Spring, a rural community found in Walker County, Georgia. While only 30 minutes south of Chattanooga and bordered by large, busy Georgia communities, Rock Spring keeps its slice of country peace. "It's definitely in the country, off the I-75 route, unlike places like Ringgold. You're not landlocked, though – there's some pretty good routes to get to nearby cities," says Christopher Owens, a Realtor with eXp Realty. "You'll get some beautiful views, and there's good country living to do." Whether living on a tree-shaded back road or in the neat grids of a subdivision, Rock Spring can surprise you with its range of architectural styles. There are renovated log cabins, cottage-feel bungalows and quintessential ranch homes for those who prefer the countryside charm aesthetic. Want something more modern? Many Rock Spring homes were built at the tail-end of the 20th century, so it's easy to find a contemporary Craftsman or Colonial Revival, typically circled around cul-de-sacs. The median selling price for single-family homes in Rock Spring is $355,000, and properties typically sell after a month and a half on the market. Two-bedroom homes - or generally, older ones - usually start at around $250,000, while newer, larger properties can span the range between $330,000 to $600,000. The higher prices are more of an outlier, based on homes with four or more bedrooms or if they have several acres. Public schools in Rock Spring fall under the Walker County School District, and children can begin their educational journey at Rock Spring Elementary School. It receives an A- grade from Niche for its dedicated staff, and the school keeps yearly updated, comprehensive School Improvement Plans available on its website. Students may also start at Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School for ease of transition into higher grades – Saddle Ridge is considered above average by Niche, taking the No.3 spot for best middle schools in Walker County. Whether attending Rock Spring Elementary or Saddle Ridge, students will finish primary education at LaFayette High School. Named the regional winner for Most Positive School" in the Northwest Georgia Region, LaFayette High puts a ton of energy and focus on providing their students a well-rounded experience, blending academics, extracurriculars and community involvement. The main thoroughfare of Highway 27 cuts directly through Rock Spring, so getting to daily errand stops is made quick and easy. While nearby LaFayette has larger commercial areas, Rock Spring has all your essentials – and its small-town vibe shines through its local businesses. Whether stopping for freshly grown garden delights at the Rock Spring Produce Market, popping into a bank or looking to get a car tune-up, the neighborhood has you covered. You'll find many residents in Pie Slingers Pizzeria, enjoying craft beer and hand-tossed pies in the eclectic and retro space. "You're not far from the Chickamauga Military Park, and they did a great job at maintaining the area, so it's clean and kept up with – it's great to drive through and visit. There's a ton of Civil War monuments, campgrounds and hiking trails – they even do a couple of marathons through the park during the year. It's a nice place to take a nature walk and discover some history," Owens says. The Rock Spring Athletic Association provides both indoor and outdoor recreational space for sports such as baseball, basketball, football and more. If you're a fan of off-roading, nearby Houston Valley OHV Trails offers a 25-mile system for motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles, with the pathways ranging from easy to difficult. For those who don't want to be removed entirely from city convenience but definitely want a laidback, slow-living lifestyle, Rock Spring is waiting.

The historic city of LaFayette serves as the county seat of Walker County, Georgia, a small town in northwest Georgia only 30 miles south of Chattanooga. Known by locals as “The Queen City of the Highlands,” LaFayette was originally called Chattooga until being renamed in 1836 after Marquis de LaFayette, the French aristocrat who fought in the American Revolutionary War and became a leading character in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Today, LaFayette is known for its rich history, bustling Main Street and proximity to the region's best rock climbing and spelunking sites. Most of the nearly 6,000 homes in LaFayette are located within a few miles of Main Street west of Highway 27, where the streetscapes fan out in asymmetrical patterns through the deep Georgia woods among the hills overlooking the Chattooga River. Like most rural neighborhoods, the lot sizes and architectural styles are varied, but home buyers can expect to find several ranch, split-level and Craftsman-style homes on large wooded lots throughout LaFayette, with home prices ranging from $180,000 to $300,000. The city of LaFayette’s Parks and Recreation Department calls itself “The Gateway to Your Outdoor Adventures” and has expanded its local programming to meet that lofty claim. The department recently added boat docks on Queen City Lake, providing easy access for anglers, sailors, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. The city sponsors youth football, baseball and softball leagues at the Ross Abney Complex and Simmons Memorial Park, and the LaFayette Swimming Pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Adults love the LaFayette Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course surrounded by the natural beauty of the north Georgia Mountains. LaFayette is located within Walker County, Georgia, home to some of North America's most breathtaking rock features, including Lookout Mountain, Rock City and Ellison’s Cave. South Main Street cuts a vertical line down the center of the community, serving as the heart of LaFayette’s cultural, commercial and historic districts and providing a space for the town to unite. Residents can find several locally owned boutiques and restaurants in the classic brick facades lining South Main Street, along with LaFayette’s city center, public library and police department. For groceries, residents can stock up at Food City or drive to the Walmart Supercenter on the northern edge of town. Downtown Dough & Co is one of the newer bakeries in town but has quickly gained a reputation for its apple fritters, blueberry cake donuts and extensive coffee menu, while Dari-Dip is a LaFayette institution, serving southern-style comfort food and desserts for nearly 70 years. Students in Lafayette attend Naomi Elementary School, a C-plus-rated school with a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. From there, many students move on to LaFayette Middle School — which earns a B-minus on Niche — and LaFayette High School, a C-plus-rated school with an average SAT score of 1210. Graduates of LaFayette High regularly attend prestigious local universities like Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. Located among the North Georgia Mountains of Walker County, LaFayette is a car-dependent community on the furthest northwestern corner of Georgia near the borders of both Alabama and Tennessee. Residents can drive 30 miles north to Chattanooga on Highway 27 or commute into Atlanta via Interstate 75, home of the nearest international airport. The city of LaFayette buzzes with excitement each June during the Honeybee Festival, an annual day-long festival that highlights the contributions of the area’s honeybees and the local beekeepers who support the production of LaFayette’s world-famous honey. The festival includes live music, BBQ and honey-tasting competitions, educational events and a beauty pageant. The town also hosts seasonal events and festivals, including a Halloween-themed “Scare on the Square” and an annual Christmas Bazaar.