What It’s Really Like Living in Lawrenceville, GA

by Sarah Maslowski

If you’re looking for a Metro Atlanta suburb that offers bigger homes, smaller price tags, and a prime location just 30 miles from Atlanta, Lawrenceville, GA might surprise you.

I’m Sarah Maslowski with KeyPoint Homes Group, and I help families from all over the U.S. relocate to the Northeast Metro Atlanta suburbs. Lawrenceville is one of the most overlooked yet affordable towns in Gwinnett County, and today I’ll share exactly what life here is like—from housing and commutes to schools, shopping, and future growth.

Why Do People Overlook Lawrenceville?

Lawrenceville is actually one of the largest towns in Northeast Metro Atlanta, with about 32,000 residents across nearly 14 square miles. It’s in Gwinnett County—Georgia’s second-largest county.

So why does it fly under the radar? Partly because Lawrenceville is older than many nearby suburbs. It’s the second oldest city in Metro Atlanta, with a lot of homes built in the 1970s and 1980s.

That history brings both challenges and opportunities—let’s dig into the housing market.

The Lawrenceville Real Estate Market: Affordable and Spacious

Here’s the big headline: the average home price in Lawrenceville is around $429,000, well below the Atlanta metro average of $539,000. Compare that to Buford (around $630,000) or Suwanee (about $758,000), and Lawrenceville feels like a bargain.

Why? Many homes are older and not fully updated, which means buyers can find more square footage for less—and build equity through renovations. It’s not uncommon to find five or six-bedroom homes on full basements in the $600K–$650K range. In Alpharetta or Johns Creek, the same home would cost $800K–$900K or more.

👉 Tip: If you want space and value without straying too far from Atlanta, Lawrenceville delivers some of the best bang for your buck.

Location & Commute: Suburban but Accessible

Lawrenceville sits at the crossroads of Interstate 85, Georgia 316, U.S. 29, and Georgia 20, making it one of the most commuter-friendly suburbs in Northeast Atlanta.

Commute to Atlanta: manageable compared to farther-out suburbs.
Drawback: heavier traffic along main corridors like Sugarloaf Parkway and GA-316.

Many young professionals choose Lawrenceville because it strikes the balance: suburban living with reasonable commutes into Midtown or the Perimeter job hubs.

New Construction in Lawrenceville

Land is more limited than in places like Cumming, but Lawrenceville still has a healthy mix of new builds. You’ll find communities from builders like:

DR Horton & McKinley Homes – 4–5 bedroom homes in the mid $500s.
DRB Homes – 5–6 bedroom homes in the mid $500s to low $600s.
Meritage Homes & Stanley Martin – homes starting in the $400s–$500s.

And the big news? Toll Brothers is building a luxury community called Ledgestone, with 82 home sites starting around $1 million. Toll Brothers only choose areas after deep research, so their investment signals strong demand and growth potential in Lawrenceville.

Lifestyle, Shopping & Dining

Lawrenceville is a mix of big-box convenience and small-town charm:

Commercial hubs: Target, Home Depot, Kroger, Publix, Marshalls, and a strong presence of Korean and Asian grocery stores, reflecting Lawrenceville’s diversity.
Downtown Square: restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques with a walkable, historic feel.
Entertainment: Mall of Georgia, Gwinnett Stripers baseball, Topgolf, Andretti Indoor Karting, and even Georgia’s only Medieval Times at Sugarloaf Mills.
Gas South Arena: concerts, comedy, hockey, and more—without trekking to downtown Atlanta.

👉 Local tip: If you love international dining, Lawrenceville is one of the best spots in the metro for authentic Korean BBQ, ramen, and global flavors.

Future Growth: The Rowan Development

One of the most exciting projects near Lawrenceville is Rowan, a 2,000-acre “knowledge community” planned along GA-316.

Focus: agricultural, environmental, and medical innovation.
30-year buildout led by a nonprofit foundation.
Phase one already includes roads, utilities, and multi-use paths.

This project is expected to bring new jobs, greenways, and long-term housing demand to the eastern part of Lawrenceville—making it a suburb to watch for future growth.

Schools in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett County Public Schools are generally well regarded, with 41+ public elementary, middle, and high schools serving the Lawrenceville area.

That said, Lawrenceville doesn’t have as many “top ranked” schools as Suwanee or Buford. As a former teacher, my advice is always the same: do your own research, tour the schools, and find the right fit for your child. Online ratings don’t tell the whole story.

Bottom Line: Should You Move to Lawrenceville, GA?

Lawrenceville is one of the most affordable and convenient suburbs in Northeast Metro Atlanta.

✅ More house for your money
✅ Commuter-friendly location
✅ Diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment
✅ Exciting future growth projects

🚦 Trade-offs include heavier traffic and fewer “storybook” neighborhoods compared to towns like Buford or Grayson.

If you want value, space, and a suburban feel without giving up Atlanta access, Lawrenceville deserves a spot on your list.

Ready to Explore Lawrenceville?

If you’re considering a move to Metro Atlanta, my team at KeyPoint Homes Group would love to help you explore Lawrenceville and other great suburbs.

👉 DM me “MOVE” or reach out here to get started.
👉 Still exploring? Check out my other city guides to compare the best places to live around Atlanta.