Newnan, Georgia

 Most people living in Newnan, Georgia, are hard-working middle class suburban families. There are acres of country living and the downtown restored area is home to older families and those of retirement age.

Newnan is family-oriented and striving to hang on to its small town roots. Although the tradition and people are warm, Newnan is growing faster than expected, so there are drawbacks such as traffic and construction. Crime is not rampant, but it does exist. Residents and officials are quick to keep safety a priority.

The only social scenes one finds in small town life are primarily festivals and football games. But Newnan is growing. The new Ashley Park between downtown Newnan and I-85 provides a hangout for teens and singles with outdoor mall shops, a theater, restaurants, fountains, and walking paths. The Red Neck Gourmet and other grills off the downtown square are quaint and provide music and activities on the weekends. There is a local actors' theater.

Newnan is not a super hot spot for young professionals on the move, but it does provide entertainment on a small scale. It is just over a half hour's drive into downtown Atlanta.

From a real estate angle, Newnan offers a wide range of living for different income levels. It is a great value compared to some of the housing in adjacent Fayette County (and its Peachtree City neighbor). Land outside of town on the western limits is available for building, and at good bargains. When balanced with some of the good schools in the area compared to other locations, it's a wonderful place to find something affordable.

A small rental home will begin around $900 a month; about the same price for a medium range three bedroom apartment. A newer home rental can cost upwards of about $1500 to $1700 per month. North of the intersecting Highway 34 will run more, because the area schools are the most desirable. South of the highway, there is a substantial drop, but not in the quality of homes, and the schools are still considered good.

Newnan offers some apartment living but not a multitude of choices. Units run as high and are as affluent as renting a home in the area, if they are off the interstate. As one moves toward downtown, there are several smaller complexes that offer lower prices and allow pets.

High end complexes are situated behind the area shopping development off of Lower Fayetteville Road. Some of these apartments offers garages and begin at $950 a month for a one bedroom. Closer to town and more moderate in arrangements (and allowing pets), Preston Mill is a respectable unit and runs over $900 a month for a three bedroom. Preston Mill and its neighbor units are right next door to Jefferson Parkway Elementary School, making it a sought after choice for those with children.

Newnan is right off of I-85 South, an interstate that crosses Atlanta's 285 outer loop, and also cuts through the heart of the city. On the interstate, construction is an issue, as is the speed of traffic flow.

Many people in the Newnan area carpool, and there are opportunities and places to do so. Locals are known to leave cars off of Highway 34 in some of the strip mall parking lots. A quiet number use the lots at the local golf course that runs along the interstate.

There is busing available, but it isn't a popular option.

Because of some golf communities, it isn't uncommon to have to deal with golf carts on occasion in city subdivisions, but rarely on the highway.

Check out all of the apartments in person before meeting with staff. Take a walk. Some allow pets and if you don't have one, you'll have to put up with a lot of irritations.

The standard contract minimum for an apartment in the area starts at 6 to 7 months.

Be aware of traffic patterns around the apartments and homes you investigate. There are several busy areas with problems in the afternoons due to growth and construction. This also means noise.

Go for a pool community. It gets HOT! HOT! HOT! in the summertime!

School boundaries cut across areas in queer and unexpected ways. Know what school district your property will be in before hand.

If you're looking for a home rental, using a real estate agent would be easier. Because of country living, a lot of finds are spread out and hidden!

Where there are children, animals follow. Newnan city officials struggle with animal control in the area. The shelters, much maligned for mismanagement, are overcrowded with abandoned pets. Residents love their cats and dogs, and they can be seen and are welcomed almost everywhere: parks, city events, even tagging along in the family car. There are strict regulations to keep a pet so make sure you are aware of the laws should you move to Newnan with Fido.

Shopping is the new thing to do at the upscale Ashley Park with a Dillards, Barnes and Noble, eateries, and movie theater. Grills and bars around Newnan's courthouse square offer music and arts ambience for those who like to lay back. Friday night football games and city festivals on the weekends are always a big draw. Newnan also has a surprisingly nice bowling alley and indoor black light golf course known as Junction Lanes, and there are two movie theaters. There's no reason to have to drive into Atlanta every weekend if you want something to do.

Downtown Newnan is a great place to spend an evening or afternoon. The historic district is pleasant to explore because of the restored homes in the area.

Ashley Park, west of Newnan's interstate exit off of Highway34, is well secured, and the outdoor shopping environment is fun.

Cannongate Golf Course (Fischer Road) or the course in Summergrove (Lower Fayetteville Road) is also a popular choice. These are both located in subdivisions, but the area is a nice drive.

Avoid driving Highway 34 into downtown in the mornings and at rush hour. It is riddled with traffic lights. The interstate exits congest this main route into town. An alternate choice would be Lower Fayetteville Road.

Highway 29 runs north and south along I-85 from the northern town of Palmetto into Newnan. Use it as a traffic-saving alternate.

 Because of growth everything you need is in town: Home Depot, Lowes, Super Wal-Mart, Target, Belk, Kohl's, and the list goes on. Grocery stores are Krogers (one with a gas station) and Publix. The Target is a Super Target and provides some groceries as well.

There are several banks, a YMCA, and plenty of dance, martial arts, and tumbling and gymnastics schools. What Newnan is missing is a SAM'S or COSTCO wholesale club. One must drive almost an hour east to the Jonesboro area.

Chik-Fil-A is everywhere in Atlanta, and in Newnan, too. All of the major restaurant chains can be found, along with lots of private owned Mexican restaurants. Sprayberry's is a family owned barbeque joint with historical roots.

Newnan is keeping up with the 21st century. The majority of schools are meeting the No Child Left Behind laws, although there are those in the county who are struggling. The best schools in the area, however, are comparable and even supersede others in the state in many areas. There are three high schools, all offering different numbers and focuses. Families in the area are very active in their children's' education, as is the local paper, which makes focus articles a priority.

One warning: don't look for much from the library system. Although a new million dollar facility has been constructed, the system has a poor supply of materials. Genealogists should look elsewhere.

See Schools and Family

Real estate in Newnan is a great deal compared to some neighboring cities. Property in-town runs higher, but because of the acres of prime land available outside of town, prices are competitive.

There are several real estate companies in the area. This reviewer especially recommends THE HOME SOURCE. I have worked personally with two different agents from this company in a year's time and the service was fantastic.

Typical southern temperatures mean hot and humid summers in the nineties. Winters are mild with the exception of cold temperatures in late January and February. Don't look for snow. A couple inches a year is lucky. Because of recent droughts, watering restrictions have affected swimming, golf, and lawn care.

Central Georgia gets its fair share of tornados. Keeping an emergency kit and educating yourself about where to go and what to do are essential to living here.