Hiawassee, GA

Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia, Hiawassee is a quiet, scenic town with fewer than a thousand year-round residents. As the county seat of Towns County, it serves as the everyday hub for the area while keeping its peaceful, small-town charm. Life here revolves around the outdoors, especially Lake Chatuge, where locals spend weekends boating, fishing, and taking in the mountain views across the water.

ATTRHarrison Keely / CC BY 4.0

Families moving here will find the Towns County school system centrally located on a single campus, keeping morning drop-offs simple. There is always a reason to get together, too, thanks to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds hosting live concerts, craft fairs, and camping along the shoreline. With Brasstown Bald just down the road and the Appalachian Trail close by, Hiawassee delivers a slower, scenic pace of mountain living.