The city of Alpharetta, Georgia, located directly north of Atlanta, is a bustling area with a population near 44,000 and growing. The name Alpharetta is Greek for “first town”, though some claim it is a variation of Alfarata, a fictional Indian girl in a 19th century song called “The Blue Juniata”. Now 150 years old, the city originated from a trading post for Indians and white settlers because of its proximity to fertile farmland and a freshwater spring. Gone are the days of trading and farming, as Alpharetta has redefined itself into a modern, stimulating place to live. If you’re planning a move to the area, here are some things you might like to know:

Housing prices

With lots of relatively new construction and development, Alpharetta is an aesthetically pleasing city with well-kept houses and charming neighborhoods. Beauty comes at a premium, as both rental and home prices are approximately double the national average. Rental rates are about $817 per month, while home prices average around $305,000. Many neighborhoods boast amenities such as nice-sized yards and subdivisions with tennis courts. Alpharetta is an excellent place to invest in housing as home values for the area continue to climb.

Entertainment and dining

Alpharetta is a city of celebration. There’s almost always a festival or special event going on, from the Arts StreetFest to the Scarecrow Harvest. It also has a reputation as a shopper’s dream with a wide selection of specialty and antique shops. The Alpharetta culinary scene offers an assortment of options, from fine dining to mom-and-pop eateries to lively cafes.

Job market

Business is booming in Alpharetta, where unemployment rates are only half the U.S. average. The city is home to many high tech companies such as Hewlett Packard, AT&T, Verizon, Siemens, and Sun Microsystems.

Education

Alpharetta schools are part of the Fulton County Public School System, recently rated by Money Magazine as “One of the Top 100 School Districts in Places You Can Afford.” The school system boasts only 17 students per teacher and consists of 15 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and four high schools. Higher education opportunities in Alpharetta include a Georgia State University campus, the Alpharetta Campus of DeVry University, and the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Recreation

Opportunities to get outside and have fun abound in Alpharetta. The city features nationally recognized parks and recreation facilities, including nine golf courses, multiple tennis courts, and many multi-purpose sports fields. Of prime delight to inhabitants is the Big Creek Greenway, a six-mile paved trail that winds through heavily wooded, unspoiled countryside. On the Greenway you can bike, walk your dogs, run, or rest on the benches that line the path. As you rest, you might even enjoy the sight of a deer ambling through the woods.

Crime rate

Compared to cities of similar size, Alpharetta has a low crime rate that is below both national and state averages. Groups such as the Citizens Auxiliary Patrol Service and the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation augment the Alpharetta Police Department. Alpharetta also strives to be on the cutting edge of crime prevention, demonstrated recently with the acquisition of a state of the art License Plate Reader system used to search for stolen vehicles and wanted persons, among other things.

Weather

Alpharetta receives roughly 218 days of sunshine per year with summer temperatures hitting highs around 87 degrees, though the humidity can make it feel hotter. The city gets approximately 53 inches of rain per year, which accounts for the lush green hillsides and forests. The average low in January is around 28 degrees and the city gets about 2 inches of snow each year.

Access to Atlanta and beyond

Though Alpharetta is one of the farthest lying suburbs of the Atlanta metro area, it’s a straight shot into downtown Atlanta. In non-rush hour traffic, the trip takes about 30 minutes. Rush hour traffic boosts that time to an hour or longer. Alpharetta is only 14 miles north of Atlanta’s central business district and 28 miles from Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport, named the “World’s Busiest Passenger Airport” seven years in a row.

An overall high quality of life

Though Alpharetta offers easy access to all the big city delights of Atlanta, you’ll find it has its own unique identity that gives it a small-town, friendly feeling. Community interest is strong, given the numerous civic clubs, volunteer organizations, and business associations. Add to that the appeal of well-tended neighborhoods, many restaurants, and diverse entertainment options, and you have an ideal environment that caters to both the professional crowd and those raising families. The city of Alpharetta is probably best summed up by its own town slogan:  Enjoy, Experience, Explore; Everything’s Possible!