Porterdale is getting a makeover
Founded as a mill town in 1830, Porterdale was the biggest employer in Newton County through the 1940s. Nowadays, it retains its historic charm while offering a modern sensibility. The town of 2,000 people is rife with renovated historic bungalows and many of the old industrial buildings have been converted into loft apartments. “Porterdale was a model mill town. We had three working mills, a department store, a grocery store, a barber shop and a beauty shop. We had our own doctors. It was totally self-contained. When the mills closed in the 1970s the town went into decline,” says Kay Piper, owner and broker of The Magnolia Realty Group, LLC. “It’s been undergoing a revitalization. I have sold 65 homes in the city of Porterdale that have been gutted to the studs and completely renovated.”
Porterdale is free of big-box strip malls, but residents have easy access to shopping in neighboring Covington and Atlanta is 37 miles away. “My family has lived in Porterdale since the1800s. I was born here and I’ve been back for 35 years,” Piper says. “It’s just a wonderful place to live. It’s a small community where you know your neighbors.”
Porterdale teems with charming bungalows
Porterdale’s Historic District offers a wealth of century-old bungalows with screened and open porches that invite neighbors to chat. Most homes were built in the 1910s and 1920s, but homebuyers can also find contemporary homes with two-car garages outside of downtown. The narrow, grid-patterned streets are usually lined with sidewalks and lots tend to run small.
Prices range from $200,000 to $500,000. Historic homes sell from $200,000 to $300,000, while homes in the newer subdivisions cost between $300,000 and $500,000. “People tend to move here for affordability,” says Jim Griffin, a 50-year real estate agent with Kittle Homes Realty. “Porterdale has a lot of historic homes that aren’t too pricey.”
Residents enjoy the outdoors at Porterdale Yellow River Park
Porterdale Yellow River Park, on Railroad Street downtown, offers picturesque views of the river along its walking trails and a kayak launch to spend the day on the water. There’s also a dog park and a disc golf course there. A few blocks away, B.C. Crowell Park has a playground, basketball court and a baseball diamond.
Students are zoned to attend Newton County School District schools
Newton County School District serves Porterdale. Students may attend Middle Ridge Elementary, Clements Middle and Newton High, all rated a C on Niche. Home of the Rams, the high school offers a wide variety of sports programs including golf, rifle and girls’ wrestling.
Covington is the destination for shopping
For dining out, Yellow River Ale House on Main Street is a go-to spot for Mediterranean fare with more than 20 beers on tap. Porterdale Bar & Grill on South Broad Street is a longtime staple that serves up burgers and beer. After eating, patrons can stay a while to throw darts or take part in their karaoke and bingo nights, which are held weekly.
Residents get their shopping done 3 miles north in Covington. Along U.S. Highway 278, there are several familiar chains, including Kroger, Planet Fitness, Starbucks and Ross Dress For Less. “The Historic Downtown Square in Covington is famous for its restaurants and shops,” Piper says. “The Mystic Grill is a really popular restaurant that was featured in The Vampire Dairies [TV] series.”
The community gathers on Main Street to celebrate
Downtown’s Main Street is the site of anticipated annual events like the annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony and a Fourth of July celebration that features fireworks and live music. In addition, Food Truck Nights takes place on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside of Porterdale City Hall.
Residents hop on Interstate 20 to get to downtown Atlanta
Porterdale boasts a walkable downtown, but golf carts are the preferred means of transportation. “Golf carts are allowed here,” Piper says. “People drive all around town on their golf carts.” Residents do need to drive to get out of town, though. Covington can be reached with a 3-mile trip on Highway 81 North. Residents are next to Interstate 20 for a 37-mile commute west to downtown Atlanta, and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 44 miles away on the same stretch of road. “Working professionals drive to Atlanta and live here, so the commute is good,” Griffin says.
