Are you looking to move to an area with small town charm AND big city amenities? Then Buford, GA should be top of your list!

First, where is Buford?

Buford, GA is 38 miles northeast of Atlanta, up I-85 and 985, and it straddles two counties, Gwinnett and Hall. Plus it has two zip codes: 30518 and 30519.

THE PROS, Why Would You Want to Move to Buford, GA?

Proximity to Lake Lanier, the largest lake in GA

What do you do at Lake Lanier? More like, what can't you do?! You can swim, fish, hike, camp, rent boats, enjoy picnics, go skiing and many other outdoor activities! You also don't want to miss Lake Lanier Island with Ss many fun-filled activities to enjoy at like the outdoor water park, Margaritaville, and you can even stay at the Legacy Lodge or reserve space at the Margaritaville RV park. 

Next, You Can’t Beat Buford’s Great Schools. 
Buford High School and Mill Creek High School rank an 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools.org scoring above average in college readiness and equity which simply means they try to provide educational programs that serves the academic development of all types of student groups.
Brand new school, Seckinger High School, opening in the fall of 2022. Check out my guide to Schools in Buford for more detailed information!

Historic Main Street
Enjoy the original buildings dating to the turn of the 20th century when Buford’s leather industry and railway access first caused the city to expand.  This area is lined with local businesses from restaurants, to boutiques, to hair salons. Learn more in my Historic Main Street Tour.

Mall of Georgia
This is the largest shopping mall in GA with nearly 200 stores spanning 3 levels, an IMAX theater, and an outdoor amphitheater. Plus hundreds of additional shops and restaurants in the immediate area around the mall. You'll find the brand new Exchange at Gwinnett just down the road from the mall which is a collection of retail, restaurants, and fun experiences like Top Golf and Andretti Indoor Karting. This area also includes significant residential development as well.

THE CONS, Reasons You May NOT Want to Move to Buford, GA:

BestPlaces.Net has a cost of living index based on a US average of 100
Overall, Buford is at 101.1 compared to the national average meaning it’s slightly more expensive than the US average as well as the State of GA average. This is mostly due to the cost of housing in Buford. Necessities like groceries, utilities, and health care are all slightly cheaper compared to the national average, so that’s certainly something to keep in mind when looking at what you can afford and setting your expectations of a household budget before you move.

Commute times
The average one-way commute time in Buford is just under 29 minutes which is above the US average of 26 ½ minutes. Thinking about living in Buford and commuting into Atlanta? Prepare yourself for an hour drive one-way. It also takes a little over an hour to get to the Hartsfield-Jackson airport, depending on Atlanta traffic of course!

Lastly, the Summer Heat
Buford has warm summers! There’s no hiding from it. July is the hottest month with an average high of 87 degrees. Although, if you've been anywhere near the south this summer, that average feels low, but it has been hot everywhere! Don’t forget about the humidity which peaks in June, July, and August. The trade-off is that winters are incredibly mild. January’s low is on average 30 degrees. Buford still sees some occasional snow, but on average only 1.6 inches a year. Don’t be surprised if you need to occasionally flip on your AC in the winter - it hit the 70’s this past Christmas!

I have lived in Buford for 17 of the 22 years I have been a Realtor, so I have first-hand knowledge of the pros and cons of living in Buford, GA. I have personally loved the convenience of our location to so many things, but when deciding to move here you do need to be aware of the heat, the cost of living, and potential commute times.

If you are thinking about moving here and have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out!




This article is brought to you by Cindy Bunch, Realtor with the Bunch Team Realty Group at Keller Williams Atlanta Partners. Learn more about our team and reach out to us anytime to help with your real estate goals.