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Suburban Conversion to the Mountains
By Karin Elliott | January 7, 2008
One question about taking the living in the North Georgia mountains is “How do you manage up here without the daily conveniences of the suburban lifestyle?”. In Duluth, we had EVERYTHING available pretty much 24 hours a day! Child with a Fever at 2AM?? Go to Kroger!! “I NEED something to wear TONIGHT!!”, “I’m BORED and it’s raining”. “HOW far is the Mall?????” These are common concerns of the soon to North Georgia mountain homeowners who so desperately want to break out and have their own space but are afraid to lose the conveniences of suburban life. You are reading this blog because I lived it, survived the transition, and I love living here!!
The fact is, it was a pretty easy transition. Currently, my family lives in the North Georgia community of Big Canoe, but prior to living in Big Canoe, we were metro Atlanta residents of suburban Duluth, Ga, and prior to that North Jersey (last exit for anyone that cares!!). Sometimes I do miss the malls, NYC, and the big winter snows. However, I keep reading that 70% of Jersey wants out! (for once I was ahead of the game!!) The taxes, traffic, and cost of living up there are factors that make my toes tingle here in my safe and beautiful utopia. Truth be known I went through withdrawls up here with all the peace and quiet, dark nights with shining stars, and things that go crunch in the night. Not to mention the “pack a snack” trip to what I used to call “civilization”.
After a few months I “got” the whole concept up here. Plan for the week or more and hit the Publix, Ingals, Kroger, or our local IGA. Stock the fridge and pantry. Plan for unexpected friends to visit for a “vacation weekend”. YES!!! You will be living where people want to vacation!! The fun part is that your friends will enjoy themselves even if the Pottery Barn tags have been torn off your furniture because life in Big Canoe and the North Georgia mountains invokes the spirit of relaxation in everyone.
Malls? Middle of the night Tylenol? What to wear? Rainy Day boredom?? Hmmm??? Guess I forgot all about it after a few months. For now I wear my jeans unless I have a funeral to attend. I love the rainy days because I can shop online and wait for the UPS guy to bring my necessities rather than a trip to the mall. Every season is entertaining. It snows enough to keep everybody happy rather than snowbound. Every day is a day we get to witness natural beauty. The suburbs do offer a lot…they offer incredible convenience too. Living in the North Georgia mountains offers you something different - the chance to focus on the quality of you life.
~Karin
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