True Cost of Living in Buford, GA
Many people have decided to make the move here to Georgia because we have a very low cost of living compared to a majority of other states throughout the country. Now that many people can work remotely, they are choosing to leave states like California, Florida, and Texas to take advantage of the cheaper home prices, tax rates, and general cost of living. Buford, which majority of it is located in Gwinnett county, sits right on the edge of the suburbs before you start to get into towns that feel like they are a part of the busyness of Atlanta There is a tiny portion of the town that is in Hall county, but most of it lies in Gwinnett, which is a massive county. It’s actually the second most populous county in Georgia, and Buford itself has about 17,000 residents. The town also sits on the southern end of Lake Lanier, and is a straight shot down to Atlanta, making it a super popular town for those that need to commute to the city. Because of its incredible location with its close proximity to Atlanta and the fact that it sits on the lake, it is definitely on the more expensive side for this area. Let’s take a look at bestplace.org, which is a website that breaks down the cost of living in towns all across the US. They use a sale of 100 to describe the overall cost of living in an area compared to the national average. The state of Georgia as a whole has a score of 93.4, which is below that national average of 100. However, Buford has a rating of 101.1 which is obviously over the national average. I made this same video about the cost of living in Gainesville, and they had a rating of 89.6 which is well below the state and national average, and Buford’s average. Now, why does Buford have such a higher cost of living compared to Gainesville if they are so close to each other? A majority of it lies in the location, which is why the home prices in Buford are so high. It also has to do with the fact that Buford is a bigger “city” and would be considered more of an extension of Atlanta than Gainesville is. So let’s talk about home prices. The cost of housing received a rating of 112.1 as compared to the state average of 80.7. They list the average home price in Buford as $259,200 and I certainly believe that is low. According to Redfin, in June of 2021, Buford home prices were up 33.7% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $415K. That is almost $100 thousand more dollars than the median home price of $320 thousand dollars in Gainesville right now. Clearly home prices are pretty steep in Buford, but there is so much that goes into those high prices. Aside from the location we talked about earlier, Buford City Schools are another massive reason you see such inflated home prices here. Buford City Schools have been the number one school system in the state for years now, so obviously people want their kids to go to school here, which means people can charge more for their homes since people so desperately want their kids to go there. I made a video all about Buford so if you want to hear more about that kind of information about the town, I would recommend checking that out. Another reason homes are so expensive is because there are so few of them available because of the crazy demand. The cost of housing is the main contributor to the higher cost of living in Buford compared to other towns in and around Hall county. Property taxes are also higher in Buford as well, since home values are higher, but I also just made an entire video talking about all the fun details of property taxes, so you’ll want to check that out for more info. Generally though, if you move from a state like Illinois or New Jersey, you will think the property taxes here are a swinging deal since the average rate is only 0.8%, compared to Illinois’ 2.27% and Jersey’s 2.49% percent. Something else you will want to think about if choosing to move to Buford, or really anywhere in Georgia, is HOA fees. Most homes in Georgia are located inside neighborhoods, a majority of which have homeowners associations. These homeowners associations, or HOA’s, charge homeowners anywhere from $100 a month up to several thousand dollars a year- depending on the amenities they provide. This fee is used to maintain the neighborhood pool, tennis courts, keep up the landscaping in the common areas, et cetera. This is an extra fee you will want to factor in when you’re deciding if the cost of living here is an improvement to where you currently live. The average cost of groceries is below the national average in Buford. We have tons of great grocery stores like Publix, Kroger, Walmart, Costco, and a new Sprouts as well which is super exciting. They have a Target and just about any other shopping you can think of, with the state’s largest mall, The Mall Of Georgia, taking up residence here. Utilities are below the national average in Buford as well. Despite needing to run your AC practically all year long here in Georgia, utilities are very reasonable. Let’s talk about gas and transportation. Georgia is one of those states where you pretty much have to have a car. Public transportation is not something we really have here, however, that isn’t all that much different from most other states in the US. Sure, a few cities in the states have busses or the subway, but it really isn’t all that common, so you probably won’t be missing out on that. Something you’re also not going to be able to do is catch an Uber or Lyft anywhere… if you are in Atlanta, you can of course do that but up here in the metro areas- don’t hold your breath. Right now, at the time of filming this video, the average cost of gas in Buford is $2.96. The current average in the US is $3.18. Georgia has a tax rate at $0.28 per gallon, which compared to states like Pennsylvania at $0.59 per gallon, and California at $0.62 per gallon- is very low. Compared to other parts of Hall county and its surrounding areas, Buford may seem like it’s a much more expensive place to live. While the housing prices here are higher, when you look at median home values in other states, you realize that Buford is not all that expensive. Especially when you factor in what kind of home you will be buying for that price. You can find a beautiful newer home for that median sales price of $415,000 in a really great neighborhood. If you only have $415,000 in other parts of the country like California, Oregon, or New York, you might find it virtually impossible to find a house in this price point in certain parts of these states, so it’s all relative. If you compare the cost of living in Buford to Gainesville or Oakwood, it does come with a heavier price tag. However, if you were to live in Atlanta instead of choosing to live somewhere like Buford and commute, you are going to pay much, much more to live in the city. Even with what we as locals would consider the higher costs of being in Buford, if you are coming in from California, you are going to love how much farther your money will get you. Don’t miss out on the updates and info on Georgia’s real estate latest through my YouTube channel! Watch new uploads every week!
Real Reasons not to move in Buford
Buford, Georgia is a booming town here in North Georgia. There are so many people that are desperate to live in this town for several reasons, but there might be a few reasons you would want to avoid living there. As an agent and team leader here in the North Georgia suburbs, my team and I specialize in helping families from all across the country relocate here, and I would say about 8 out of 10 times, when people reach out, they mention that they think Buford would be a great place to live, and I do agree, it is a pretty awesome town. There is a tiny portion of Buford that is in Hall county, but majority of it lies in Gwinnett County. It also sits on the south end of Lake Lanier, which is a big part of the town’s charm. There is great shopping, great schools, and it’s in a pretty fantastic location. So why wouldn’t you want to live here? The first and probably biggest reason you might not consider living in Buford is the cost of homes. As I’ve mentioned in previous videos, Buford is expensive. Now, it’s not as pricey as towns like Cumming or Alpharetta, but if you have a more reserved budget, you might find that Buford is a bit out of your price range. The median sales price of homes in Buford in September 2021 was just under $400,000. Prices will also fall on the higher side if you are in the Buford City School district as well, since there is a massive demand to be in this district since these are some of the highest rated schools in the state. You’re also going to have to pay more than $400,000 if you want to be on Lake Lanier in Buford as well. Depending on where you are relocating from though, you might think that this median sales price is really not all that high. Many clients are so pleased to find out how far their money stretches here, when they come from more expensive states like California or Florida. However, some people automatically assume that since the median sales price of a home in Georgia is lower than the national average, that every part of the state will be super affordable, and depending on your budget, that’s just not the case. Another reason you may not choose to move to Buford is, well, you might not be able to find a home! Inventory is very limited in Buford because like I mentioned earlier, demand is so high. At the time of filming this video, there are currently 133 homes for sale in Buford, and only 30 of those are in Buford City School district. By the time you factor out the listings that are just parcels of land, the ones that aren’t in your price range, aren’t big enough or are maybe even too big, it’s slim pickings. You will notice a lot of new construction coming to Buford, because developers want to capitalize on the demand for the area obviously. That leads me to my next reason as to why you may not want to move to Buford. This area is constantly growing and changing. There are new construction neighborhoods, new stores and shopping complexes and restaurants popping up all the time. Buford recently got a new Sprouts grocery store and a Top Golf, which is an indoor golfing experience that’s hugely popular. Of course there is already the huge Mall of Georgia, not to mention the no less than 15 car dealerships, and all of the stores and strip malls. If you are not on board with a lot of growth or changes, or want to be in more of a rural area, Buford might not be the place for you. Luckily enough, there are plenty of towns around Buford that can give you a more rural feel, but growth and expansion is happening everywhere you look these days here north of Atlanta. With all of this growth comes traffic, so if you classify that as a reason not to move, then add that to your list as well. I wouldn’t consider this a reason not to move here, but it is something that surprises some people, so I did want to mention it. Many people have this idea of Georgia that everyone here is of the same race, religion, income bracket, and political affiliation and that my friends, is simply not true. Buford is a melting pot of all of these different things. There may be some smaller towns around the state that might fit the mold of that stereotype, but that won’t be the case in Buford or any of the towns surrounding it, especially the closer you get to Atlanta. What do you think? Would any of these things keep you from buying a home in Buford? If you are still interested in learning more about the town, check out this other video on my channel about the best neighborhoods in Buford.
Pros and Cons of Living in Buford, GA
If you are considering moving to Buford, GA this article is for you. Buford, Georgia, located in the northeast metro Atlanta area, offers an appealing blend of top-rated schools and abundant shopping options. Whether you're considering a move to Buford or just exploring the idea, it's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of living in this bustling town. Hi, I'm a local realtor here in Northeast Metro Atlanta, and I'm here to guide you through the pros and cons of calling Buford home. Pros of Living in Buford Georgia Ideal Location Buford enjoys a strategic location that balances suburban living with easy access to Atlanta. Situated on the southern end of Lake Lanier, Buford offers proximity to the city while providing a calmer suburban atmosphere. Convenience of Shopping Buford is a shopper's paradise, with easy access to numerous big-box stores, boutiques, and restaurants. The bustling Mall of Georgia, featuring popular retailers, remains a focal point for locals. Diverse Dining Options The town boasts a wide range of dining options, especially in the downtown Historic section. Local favorites like Rico’s World Kitchen, Tani Thai, and Aqua Terra offer delicious culinary experiences.Highly Rated Schools Buford is home to Buford City Schools, consistently ranked as the best school district in Georgia. While it's challenging to secure a home within the district, Buford also offers access to other excellent schools, providing various educational options for families. Cons of Living in Buford Traffic Congestion Due to its popularity and abundant shopping areas, Buford experiences heavy traffic congestion, particularly around the mall and commercial districts. Commuting during peak hours can be challenging. Limited Lakefront Homes While Buford is close to Lake Lanier, the availability of lakefront properties is limited. Only a handful of homes on the lake may be on the market at any given time, making waterfront living a competitive endeavor. Suburban Feel Buford generally has a bustling and suburban atmosphere, which may not suit those seeking a quieter, more rural environment with larger properties. School District Demand The demand for Buford City Schools is extremely high, and securing a spot within the district can be challenging. Tuition is available for some grades, but it's subject to qualifications and waiting lists. Housing Market in Buford Buford's housing market is dynamic, with the average sales price fluctuating. In June 2023, the average sales price was $532,000, making it more affordable than some neighboring towns like Suwanee. While there are limited lakefront homes available, Buford offers diverse housing options, including neighborhoods and some newer construction homes. KeyPoint Buford, Georgia, offers a convenient lifestyle with access to shopping, dining, and top-rated schools. Its strategic location and proximity to Lake Lanier add to its appeal. However, traffic congestion and limited lakefront properties are some drawbacks to consider. The highly competitive school district may also pose challenges for families. Whether Buford suits your lifestyle depends on your preferences and priorities.
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