The city of Roswell, GA, and its southern charm has something for everyone. In this post we will take a closer look at the city of Roswell and 5 things to know before deciding to move there.
Roswell, GA has a population of about 95,000 people. Located about 25 minutes from downtown Atlanta, it’s divided along Georgia 400 into east Roswell and west Roswell, which also includes Historic Downtown.
So let’s dive in – here are the 5 things you should know about the city of Roswell, GA.
#1: Parks and Nature
You will find parks and natural scenery all throughout the city of Roswell, GA. With 22 parks covering over 900 acres (that’s about 640 football fields, y’all!), beautiful scenery and wildlife are just steps away from where you live. The Chattahoochee River provides 9-miles of trails, as well as green spaces, and water access where you can rent or bring your own canoe or kayak and float on down the river.
At historic Old Mill Park, you can take a stroll or hike along the trails, stop for a photo op along the covered pedestrian bridge or enjoy the sights and sounds of the Vickery Creek Waterfall. Old Mill Park was one of my family’s favorites during all the COVID crazy!
Old Mill Park is perfect for a family hike.
Roswell Riverwalk runs right next to the Chattahoochee River. The boardwalk gets you close enough to see wildlife and beautiful sunsets without getting wet. It also connects you to Azalea and Don White Memorial parks where you can find river access for your canoe, kayak, or plain ole’ floaty. There are also fishing docks as well as picnic areas.
At Riverside Park you’ll also find a huge playground and splash pad for the kids to enjoy. It is a summer favorite!
#2: Events and Festivals
All year long you can find something fun to do in Roswell. From the Arts Festival, to its Wine Festival, the 5k and 10k races, the GA 400 bike race, and a family favorite: Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ where you can taste over 100 delicious flavors made by the Crankers and even better, 100% of the proceeds directly benefit homeless mothers and their children.
The 600-seat Performing Arts Center offers theater performances, music, dance, puppet shows, and special events all year long.
And, if you’re a history buff, the rich history of Roswell is just a walk away. You can take a self-guided walking tour of the historic district, a tour of the Historic District Cemeteries, or maybe even the Roswell Ghost Tour!
#3: Shopping and Dining
Y’all. Downtown Roswell is THE cutest town. Seriously. It is perfect for a date night or afternoon stroll. Canton is the main street and it is lined with quaint little sidewalk cafes and restaurants. A few favorites are Table and Main, Monkey 68, Loyal Tavern – for sports lovers, and Lazaro’s Cuban Cuisine. The Stout Brothers Beer Market has a great variety of beer in a fun atmosphere, and Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room is worth a visit too. The city of Roswell, GA really is a foodie’s paradise and outdoor dining is the best!
If you love to shop, Canton Street has some great finds so make sure to stop by the local shops on the Historic Town Square like Linen & Flax for clothing and home décor. Roswell General, an upscale outdoor gear and supply store, has all kinds of grilling needs as well as gifts and unique goods. It even has a Meat truck that comes every Friday afternoon where you can get your quality seafood and meat delivered. Sunny and Ranney is a great spot to shop for furniture, I love their mission! It’s a non-profit that sells home goods and furniture to support home makeovers that transform the lives of kids with special needs.
#4: Commute/Education
The commute time can really vary depending on where you live in Roswell and where you work. The close proximity of Roswell to Georgia 400 makes the daily commute about a 15-20 minute drive to nearby Alpharetta, Dunwoody, or Sandy Springs where many large companies now have their offices. It is worth noting that the further west you move in Roswell, the longer your commute time will be (around 30-45 minutes) to travel into downtown Atlanta due to single lane roads and school traffic.
Speaking of schools, the public schools in the city of Roswell are also varied in their ratings. This could be a pro or a con depending on the area you live in. You will want to make sure to check out GreatSchools.org for individual school ratings before buying a house. For those considering private education, High Meadows and Fellowship Christian School are a few to choose from.
#5: Housing
The cost of living in Roswell is diverse depending on where you choose to live.
The average home cost in all of Roswell in 2021 was around $600,000. Downtown, you’ll find a closer-knit community with shopping and dining just around the corner, but your home cost will be higher per square foot. If you live outside the downtown area, you’ll get more house for your money. You’ll also have more swim and tennis communities as well as golf course communities.
Another thing to note is part of west Roswell is in Cobb County, which will have lower property taxes than the rest of the city of Roswell, which is in Fulton County. Fulton County has the highest property taxes in the state.
Whether you consider yourself a history buff, an outdoorsy type, a foodie, or passionate about the arts, it won’t be hard to find something to love about the city of Roswell, GA!
