Whether you’re moving to Atlanta from a city across the country or within the metro area from a neighborhood across town, building a new community of friends can be both exciting and intimidating. You may feel like venturing out on the weekends to various hot spots or participating in local meetups are the only way to connect with new people and find potential friends, but that’s actually not the case at all. In fact, for many new residents, all you have to do is walk out of your front door and down the street. That’s because communities and neighborhoods across metro Atlanta—with their outstanding resort-style environments and spectacular amenities—have been designed to provide the perfect setting not only for meeting people, but also for turning neighbors into friends.

Let’s look at two communities that have become renowned in the metro area for a variety of reasons, including the many ways that they provide exceptional opportunities for neighbors to connect, get to know each other and build long-lasting friendships.

Great Sky, Canton

The Community

Boasting more than 300 acres of protected green space on the edge of the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir in Canton, Great Sky is a gem amid the picturesque rolling hills of North Georgia. This master-planned community blends modern conveniences and sought-after amenities with the natural beauty of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Great Sky’s featured builders include Venture Communities, Toll Brothers, and Encore by David Weekley (offering an active adult 55+ section), which together provide home buyers with access to a variety of home styles and price points (from charming, paired units to luxury single-family homes), distinct architectural styles and craftsmanship and much more. The neighborhood takes resort-style living to new heights while focusing on the important connection between nature, community and healthy living.

The Connection

“Planners, developers and homebuilders all recognize that connection is key to creating a successful community,” notes Jordan Cheney, marketing manager for Great Sky. “At Great Sky, we intentionally design shared spaces and plan community-wide events to bring people together. From neighborhood gatherings to seasonal celebrations, we provide opportunities and places for neighbors to meet each other and to celebrate. We make it easy for people to show up, have fun and form meaningful friendships.”

When it comes to meeting new neighbors, Cheney adds, “Our advice is show up and say yes! Attend a community event, sign up for a class, take a walk on the trails or join a pickup game on the courts. Even a quick chat at the clubhouse or playground can spark a connection. Great Sky offers plenty of opportunities—you just need to take the first step.”

The Amenities

According to Cheney, Great Sky offers a wide range of resort-style amenities intended to connect people and promote healthy living. Residents enjoy tennis courts, pickleball courts, a half basketball court, nature trails and stunning mountain and water views. One of the community’s standout features is its three pools—including one with a waterslide—which are perfect for families and summer fun. The community clubhouse serves as a central hub for events and informal meetups between neighbors, while monthly activities make it easy to connect with neighbors. With so many ways to stay active and engaged, there’s something for everyone.

The Events

Cheney notes that a dedicated lifestyle director is onsite within the community to curate a full calendar of social events and play a central role in planning activities that appeal to a wide range of interests, making it easy for newcomers to get involved and feel welcome from day one. Some of the events that neighbors look forward to most throughout the year include:

• Spring brunches
• Pickleball tournaments
• Family-friendly holiday events
• Game nights
• Fitness classes
• Community coffee
• gatherings
• Craft activities
• Playground playdates
• Lunch and learn events
• Live music at the pool

Whether residents want to simply stop by and say hi to their new neighbors or spend a good amount of quality time with burgeoning friends, there’s an ideal activity or meetup at Great Sky. And whatever the season, there’s something for everyone to enjoy together.

Lake Arrowhead, Waleska

The Community

Touted as the spot where the metro area meets the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Lake Arrowhead community is located in Cherokee County just 50 miles north of Downtown Atlanta. It is set in a serene mountain environment marked by a 540-acre lake that offers more than 20 miles of stunning shoreline and crystal clear waters that are perfect for boating, fishing and swimming. The gated resort-style mountain, lake and golf community also features 68 miles of hiking trails, onsite amenities and so much more, including access to four homebuilders: JW Collection, Majestic Lifestyle Builders, Rezide Properties and TIH Homes. Together, these renowned companies offer everything from ranch-style homes and luxury lakeside villas to charming townhomes and cottages.

The Connection

“Lake Arrowhead has an extremely friendly group of residents that enjoy living in the community and are genuinely excited to share with new residents all the opportunities that are available to get involved with clubs, events or one on one lunches,” says Judie Woodall, a managing member of Strategic Real Estate Advisors. “The residents are very humble and welcoming and enjoy making new friends. Your neighbors genuinely want to get to know you, so being friendly and approachable, offering a smile or a wave or having a brief conversation can lay the foundation for deeper connections.”

The Amenities

The facilities throughout the Lake Arrowhead community offer superb spaces for people to gather, chat and really get to know each other as they enjoy an array of entertaining activities. For instance, the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse features a library, the Highlands Grill for a host of options for dining and access to the 18-hole championship Highlands Golf Course (a great place to have an outing with new friends). The community also features pickleball and tennis courts at Red Cloud Park, a marina offering access to the lake itself and Great Festival Park, which includes a dog park (where pups can make their own friends). Additionally, Red Cloud Park is also where residents can meet and greet at the arrow-shaped pool or gather for some tasty treats at the covered grilling pavilion.

The Events

According to Woodall, “New construction communities offer a variety of strategies to help new residents connect with neighbors.” Lake Arrowhead is no exception and works year-round to offer a variety of opportunities that bring residents together, allowing them to celebrate and build friendships along the way. Some of the most highly anticipated events and opportunities include:

• Block parties that involve food, music and games like cornhole and Frisbee
• Neighborhood potlucks and barbecues that involve sharing recipes and learning about culinary traditions and tastes
• Holiday celebrations that allow residents to gather around holidays like Halloween, Christmas,  Independence Day and Memorial Day
• Meet-and-greet gatherings that serve as information meetings with existing residents, community leaders, the property management company and activities directors, allowing new homeowners to feel like they are in the know
• Social media groups on Facebook and community bulletin boards that provide a space for residents to share updates, discuss local issues and promote community engagement

What’s more, new residents receive welcome packages and baskets that include information about the neighborhood, local amenities, community resources, discount coupons to local businesses and more, all of which are designed to help people learn about their surroundings quickly. It’s a comprehensive approach to ensuring that everyone not only feels welcome in Lake Arrowhead, but also completely at home.