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Country Living doesn't get any better than this and it is just 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta. This is about the best kept secrets in the Atlanta Area. A cozy private lake located at the corner of Gwinnett, DeKalb and Rockdale Counties is beautifully tree lined, and covers 96 acres. Norris Lake is suitable for just about all water sports for young and old. Your kids will find healthy enjoyment water skiing and wake boarding and of course swimming and diving.
The BASS fishing is absolutely fabulous, witnessed by the huge turnout at the twice annual fishing tournament held by the Neighborhood activities committee. Large mouth bass of 10 pounds and more are not uncommon and of course there is an abundance of brim and catfish.
This summertime mecca is located just 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta and offers a wonderful, rural ambience that sort of reminds me of Maybury RFD, not Atlanta, Georgia. Norris Lake was originally created as a 30 acre pond in 1936 and was intended to be a fishing camp with a few small cottages for weekend retreats. Over time more land was flooded and plans evolved to make the area a golf course community. Fortunately, that never happened.
Most most of the original waterfront homes were small seasonal homes but they have nearly all been replaced by year round houses and new waterfront homes continue to be built. But even with all of the newer homes, Norris Lake still feels like a page of history. Many residents still own and operate vintage power boats from the 1970's, including Master Craft and Correct Craft, inboard, ski boats. Holiday weekends are sometime like an antique boat parade. Unlike most of the lakes in the Atlanta area, there are no horsepower limits or speed limits on Norris Lake. the only limitation is that boat length cannot exceed 20 feet.
Dotting the shore line are a number of little boat houses built in the 1950's and 60's that are barely big enough for a boat. Yet, right next door you are likely to find a new $80,000 wake board boat, jet ski or pontoon party boat. Norris Lake is privately owned and access is granted only to resident members and their guests. It is hard to believe, but because of the membership requirement, on any given summer weekend, you will seldom experience more than a half dozen power boats on the water at a time. During the week you will likely have the entire lake to your self, except for a few small fishing boats along the shoreline. But, you will never have the confusion and traffic of Lake Lanier.
And speaking of Lanier, even during the peak of the drought when Lanier was virtually un-accessible, Norris was filled to capacity and overflowing the spillway. Waterfront homes generally are priced between $150,000 and $350,000. Many of the homes are available on lease purchase, or lease option, rent to own, owner finance or contract for deed. Of course conventional cash is always welcome.
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