Lilburn, GA

I actually wrote this on my phone during Garrett's ice skating lesson yesterday. I needed to play with it a little more before unleashing it on the public...

Location, Quality of Life, Location

It's time for Garrett's (mostly) weekly private ice skating lesson. These are done during public skating sessions, so there is always lots going on... Garrett always jokes about the figure skaters... girls without pants (remember, he's 4). But, I digress...

The point is that I drive 30 minutes or so to get here, twice a week, once for his lesson and once for hockey practice. We also have season tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers, and drive about 30 minutes the other way go to games. My wife goes into her office about once a week... also downtown, and about 30minutes away. I visit my office once every week or two... about 45 minutes the other way. We have balanced where we live with the needs that we have to be in different parts of town.

Oddly (or not), we love where we live because we are in the center of our world. As I counsel clients when buying a home, we talk about their "wheres." Where do they work? Where do they play? Where do they have commitments. And it is different for every person.

Some may need to live close to work, others may work from home. Some have family members that they need to be able to attend to, others want proximity to a certain school. It's different for every person.

If you are a buyer, one thing to keep in mind is your "where." There is an allure with the bigger homes further out in the suburbs. Every metropolitan area has them. Same price, 50% more home... But there is more of a price. Forget the cost of gas... It can certainly be a variable to consider... But there is something much more important.

Quality of Life

I love driving. I love road trips. Some of my best memories are hitting the road with my family or friends and seeing the world. Commuting is NOT a road trip. None of my best stories start with "I was stuck on I-85 in traffic..." I would rather spend that time doing other things. I would rather mow the grass than sit in rush hour traffic.

Sure, there are ways to turn that time into productive time... but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be better spent playing with my kids, talking with my wife or even relaxing.

That is one of the reasons I like Lilburn so much. It is convenient to downtown Atlanta. The homes are a good value. The school clusters are rated quite highly. There are a host of recreational opportunities. From the Mountain Park Pool and Lilburn Town Park to Stone Mountain Park and two different Moe's restaurants (I like Moe's...), Lilburn presents a very compelling case as a way to have great quality of life, a nice house at a reasonable price and a convenient location.

If you are new to the Atlanta area, let's talk about Gwinnett County and Lilburn. If you are in the area, you already know about it... and we can find you a great new place.

From the new LilburnDwellings.com.

Sitting on the banks of the Yellow River, along US 78 in Lilburn, GA is the Yellow River Game Ranch.

Rather than looking at exotic animals from afar, here the idea is up close and personal… occasionally VERY personal. Here most of the animals wander the park with the visitors. Of course the bears, bobcats, cougars, foxes and bison ARE separated from onlookers but deer, peacocks, chickens, rabbits and squirrels are quite happy to walk up and introduce themselves… especially for a cracker or a peanut. In fact, they may remind you that they would REALLY like a peanut or cracker…

The Yellow River Game Ranch is also the home of the Southeast’s most famous weather prognosticator… General Beau Lee… our Groundhog. I guess it is good work if you can get it… one day a year… celebrities… free food. While we were there today, General Lee certainly didn’t see his shadow, he was busy watching TV with his satellite dish.

So, wander through the pictures. And, the next time you want to hang out in the shade and make some new furry friends, drop into the Yellow River Game Ranch. Say hi to the General for me.

Feel free to check into the post here on LaneBailey.com for the rest of the pictures... there are more than 40.

While it might seem that way, with the really cool play structures, slides, swings and climbing walls... it really isn't.  After all, big kids (spelled a-d-u-l-t-s) gat the band shell and the tennis courts.  And then there are the walking trails.  There is a trail that surrounds the park, and there is also the access to the new Camp Creek Greenway trail.  And it is only set to get better as Lilburn follows its long-term plan. 

The Camp Creek Greenway will connect the Lion's Club Park to City Park, and then continue to connect to the proposed Jackson Creek Greenway north of Olde Town.  In the future, there is a plan for these Greenways to interconnect and provide a scenic and safe walk alternative for a wide variety of destinations around Lilburn.  

But there IS a place for Kids...

So, the playground is a major draw, as is the big open space.  Kids can run and play, kick balls, toss frisbees and hang out during concerts. 

Don't forget the events...

• August 16th - Bike Parade, Safety Rodeo and BMX Stunt Show
• Sept. 6th - Music on Main
• Sept. 20th - Garage Sale - Overflow lot (the start of the Camp Creek Greenway Trail)
• Oct. 11th - Lilburn Daze - Craft Show and Downtown celebration

Parkview High School alum Eric Shanteau has made the US Olympic Swimming Team, competing in the 200 Meter Breast stroke. He finished 3rd in the 2004 Trials in both the 200m and 400m Individual Medleys, just barely missing the team.

That, in an of itself, would be an amazing accomplishment. His list of swimming accomplishments is long and illustrious. Parkview High School records, Georgia State High School records... Take a look here...

But, there is something else. Eric is fighting testicular cancer. At 24 years old. No whining. Instead, he is showing the same determination that has pushed him to acheive all that he has acheived. NBC published a story about him being inspirational. No doubt. He didn't tell anyone about it until after the Trials.

BTW, his older brother Ryan, one of my clients, was not a swimming slouch either, competing for GA Tech after setting records for Parkview.

So, if you don't get the chance to watch anything else during the Olympics, tune in and cheer on Eric in the 200 meter Breast stroke.

I'll post up video and results after the event. I'll also try to bug Ryan for some pictures after the event...

**From LaneBailey.com**

While preparing for my new blog (snicker, snicker... teasing it now) I ran across an interesting PDF. 

Lilburn, GA commissioned a real estate analysis to look at ways to revitalize the city.  Some of the recommendations have already been undertaken.  In fact, the family went wandering on one of the new walking trails across from the recently upgraded park, playground and city complex. 

So, diving in to the plan (69 pages!) there are some pretty cool things to learn.  These would be especially good for entreprenuers and prospective shop owners, as well as developers and property investors.  While looking over the current business propfiles, RCLCO (the company that performed the study) also showed which types of businesses were needed or desired to best suit the direction the City of Lilburn wishes to go. 

Specifically, in downtown Lilburn (Old Town Lilburn) the city would like to keep going in the direction of the small shops and local services.  Currently there are several antique shops, and what seems to be missing is a local coffee house.  They also see a need for restaurants and perhaps a local pizza place. 

On a larger scale, there is a need for residential development and perhaps some more infill close to town (walking distance).  There is also the possibility of a rail station (if there is a link between Atlanta and Athens via light rail, look for a station in Lilburn... GREAT opportunity if that happens). 

For people considering a move to the area, it is nice to know the future plans of the city, and how those could affect property value and demographics.  Overall, I like the direction that the city wants to take.  Of course, the execution is the important part.  So far, I have been on one of the new greenways, the Camp Creek Greenway.  It is very nice.  I am going to have to check to see how the development of the other greenways is coming along.  Also, the city Park and recreation area is very nice. 

It is obvious that the City of Lilburn is taking these improvements very seriously.  That is a great sign... and clue that it might be a good time to look at Lilburn for a business or investment opportunity.