Ten Reasons to Love Clayton County, GA

It’s easy to fall in love with a community that’s working together for the common good. As with many communities, Clayton County, GA is a work in progress, but we’re headed in the right direction, thanks to government leaders, workers, and passionate residents who contribute their time and energy towards making it a special place. My husband and I arrived more than 20 years ago and have loved raising our family here. By asking myself what I should tell a new friend about Clayton County, I narrowed my list of favorites to just ten:

1.  Attractive and Affordable real estate

I have toured many homes in Clayton over the years, and I’ve seen some of the most beautiful homes with unique floor plans sitting on 1+ acres of land! Unfortunately for newcomers, most of these homes are already taken. However, on occasion, there are some that come on the market, which would be your opportunity to grab one quickly!

The good news is there are new home communities with their own unique attributes that are making headway throughout Clayton. The average new home price in Clayton County is only $238,902. Plus, if you’ve always dreamed of building a home, affordable land is abundant, putting a custom home within reach.

2.  We put Education First

Nothing is more important than education, and eight Clayton County high schools are 2020 AP Honor Schools and two are among US News & World Report’s best Georgia High Schools.

Clayton State University is one of Atlanta’s largest, offering Bachelor’s Degrees in more than 30 disciplines and more than a dozen Master’s programs and Post-Master’s certificate programs.

3.  Easy access to Downtown Atlanta – and the World!

In Clayton County, we are just minutes from the heart of Atlanta – one of America’s most dynamic, exciting cities – and vice-versa! There are Nineteen Clayton County exits off four major interstates.

Speaking of convenience, we love having Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport right here in Clayton County.

Plus, with the recent announcement of MARTA expanding commuter rail service to Clayton, we are in the process of planning for our own Beltline project – a Clayton County Beltline, a mixture of commuter rail, bus rapid transit, and regular bus service. It’s all about connectivity and getting people from one point to the next.

4.  A Great Place to Find a Good job – Or Start Your Own Business!

With our excellent transportation infrastructure, good schools, and ready workforce, Clayton County attracts major companies such as Clorox, Fresh Express, Sherwin Williams, and Toto USA.

I’m very excited that local leaders are creating a world-class mixed-use development around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Aerotropolis Atlanta is leveraging the airport’s $23 billion economic engine to build a Clayton-centric business powerhouse.

If you’re bringing your business with you or looking for a place to get started, you will find a warm welcome from a government and Chamber of Commerce eager to boost your dream, possibly with tax credits, incentives, and access to capital.

Clayton County’s 6,000 independent businesses are proving every day that we are a hotbed of self-motivated, innovative entrepreneurs.

5. Parks, Recreation and Walking Trails Abound

I love lakes and Clayton has some beautiful views. Plus, Clayton County is home to 16 community, neighborhood and regional parks, four recreation centers, and the Gerald A. Matthews sports complex.

The Clayton County International Park, previously known as the “Atlanta Beach” is being renovated this year with an improved Tennis Center, beach facilities, events complex, and pavilions.

The Reynolds Nature Preserve and Interpretive Center features 146 acres of beautiful undisturbed woodlands.

Clayton Connects is opening mile after mile of a master-planned 112-mile walking and biking trail system connecting Clayton communities and Atlanta-area trails.

6.  Arts, Culture and Community

I love community venues that bring neighbors together, such as free concerts, movies in the park, downtown streetscapes, eclectic food trucks, and a coffee house. Warm weather brings out the best in Clayton and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

You will find local artists celebrated year-round at Arts Clayton in Jonesboro. The admission is free, so I love spending time gazing at the arts and enjoying the ambiance of the gallery – it gives me so much inspiration.

An experience not to be missed is a performance at magnificent Spivey Hall, known as “The Carnegie Hall of the South.” Located on the campus of Clayton State University and frequently featured on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” Spivey Hall has an international reputation for exceptional programming and acoustical excellence.

We love the three performance areas under one roof at the Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center. Technologically advanced and seating 1,800, we catch emerging young performers, concerts, and dance performances.

7.  Community Safety

We are so proud of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, one of America’s best. Recently accredited by the Commission of Fire Accreditation International, they are one of just 238 agencies (out of 27,198) to be certified in the nation.

With both a county police department and sheriff’s office complementing local law enforcement, Clayton County’s public safety presence deters crime and keeps our communities safe. A growing Neighborhood Watch Program builds ties between police and community, making everyone safer.

8. Fresh Food and Water Heaven

We love the Atlanta State Farmers Market for fantastic fresh fruit and vegetables offered by more than 100 vendors in a one-of-a-kind 155-acre marketplace. It’s the world’s largest fruits and vegetables stand.  Sometimes called “The Refrigerator of the South,” the Market has 890,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, half at refrigerator temperature and another 16,400 s.f. for freezing. By the way, they sell flowers and plants too!

With a recent $10 million upgrade, the 100 very busy vendors at the Farmer’s Market will be offering the freshest produce to residents, supermarkets, and restaurants throughout the southeast for years to come.

In Clayton, we have our share of “country” feel, and the city of Lovejoy grows farm-fresh vegetables in a lush, quiet 14-acre garden and sells them at its charming, rustic General Store.  How cute is that!

Plus, Clayton County has the best water in the state and wins awards year after year.  No shortages here, we have plenty of fresh water.

9.  A Growing Tourism Industry

People come from all over to visit the Road to Tara Museum, with memorabilia from “Gone With The Wind.” Novelist Margaret Mitchell has deep family roots here. The Museum is a perfect complement to the Stately Oaks Plantation, one of the most picturesque antebellum mansions in the South. A popular bus tour offers an in-depth look at the Museum, Plantation, the Warren House (scene of a Civil War battle hospital and headquarters), and the Jonesboro Confederate cemetery. Simply historic!

10.  Lights, Camera, Clayton!

Did you know more major films are made in Georgia than in Hollywood? It’s true, and Clayton County is taking its place in the entertainment spotlight. Fifty film and TV productions were shot in Clayton last year, more than 100 since 2010.

Thanks to attractive, reasonably-priced homes, arts, nature, fresh food, education, and cultural history, I am at home in Clayton County, GA. I could go on, but you get the picture (haha!). My love for Clayton County, GA is contagious, you know. I hope you catch it and start spreading the love…

 

Lake Pictured Above:  Lake Shamrock-Blaylock, Clayton County, GA

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About the Publisher

Altimese Dees founded The Real Estate Gallery of Georgia, LLC., in 2008 out of a passion and commitment to providing real estate representation to buyers, sellers, property owners, investors, builders, corporations, and governments. Altimese is the publisher of ComeHome2Clayton.com. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home or office in Georgia, please contact Altimese Dees, Broker/Owner, The Real Estate Gallery of Georgia; Direct: 678-644-1712; Email: deesaltimese@gmail.com; Web: www.RealEstateGalleryGA.com and www.TrustedRealEstateConsultant.com.