Oakwood/Flowery Branch Flowery Branch, GA

Since the 1800s, Flowery Branch and Oakwood were stopping points for a major train line that ran from Charlotte to Atlanta. Oakwood got its name because the town offered a stopping point for the rail system to refuel on hardwoods as fuel.

Because of its significance among the rail systems, Flowery Branch displays a wooden caboose that was built in the early 1900s. Located in the historic downtown area of the Branch, the caboose is host to exhibits, pictures and numerous written materials on the town and the area. The old-time caboose only adds to the charm of the area, because it serves as a gathering place for a variety of events, weddings and town meetings.

Whether you enjoy home-style country kitchen diners, traditional southern barbecue, or International fare, you'll find it all in Flowery Branch.

Moonie's Texas BBQ provides Flowery Branch residents with traditional southern pulled pork and chicken barbecue. Family owned and operated, this rustic restaurant entices residents with hearty helpings of side dishes that include creamed corn and a famous banana pudding. Other favorites include the signature pit dog and the spicy Frito chili pie.

Those who enjoy dining al fresco can't miss eating at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille. Located in the Hideaway Bay Marina, this local restaurant serves up fresh-catch seafood, Vidalia onion rings, and deep-friend mac and cheese. Fish Tales can also be counted on for house specialties, such as the fried grouper fingers and the famous boom boom shrimp.

Residents don't have to visit Europe to get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine with Napoli's Pizza in the neighborhood. With signature dishes such as Napoli's eponymous pizza that features a blend of meats and cheeses, this cozy authentic restaurant serves up family fun and great service. Don't leave until you've sunk your teeth into the homemade garlic knots or cheese Napoli pasta.

Even though Atlanta can be found just down the Interstate, this neighborhood provides locals with the Branch House Tavern for nighttime entertainment. Watch the big game on one of 50 HDTVs or try your hand at karaoke. If dancing is more your style, the Branch House offers live entertainment nightly from local artists with plenty of room to strut your stuff.

Interstate 985 flows through the center of Oakwood and Flowery Branch and leads to Interstate 85, which travels to downtown Atlanta. A variety of local roads, including Atlanta Highway and McEver Road, also lead to the metropolitan area of Atlanta, but they offer a more scenic route to the state capital.

Travel by car is the most common method of transportation. Cabs are accessible by a phone call and private shuttles travel back and forth between the Atlanta International Airport. Carpool parking lots encourage residents to travel in pairs to the heart of the city, along with the HOV lanes on Interstate 85. Flowery Branch and Oakwood are just outside Uber's typical service area.

Sidewalks allow cyclists and pedestrians a place to travel safely, but these sidewalks are limited to downtown areas only.

The neighborhood offers plenty for the outdoor types to enjoy. Alberta Banks Park caters to a variety of youth sports teams in the area with baseball fields available at no fee. The facility provides a playground for children, a picnic area, tennis courts and concessions. Pets are also allowed inside the park as long as they are on leashes.

For those looking for an exercise facility, Mulberry Creek Park has a dog park area available at no cost and a children's playground. The community center provides memberships with access to an indoor track, dance classes, meeting room and a weight room for the health conscious.

Sports enthusiasts find the Atlanta Falcon's training facility very useful. In late summer, the team returns for training with several select practices open to the public, and toward the end of the summer training, a meet and greet is offered for fans to talk to players and cheerleaders.

Residents living in the Oakwood/Flowery Branch area face a higher than average cost of living than both the state of Georgia and the national average. For those looking to transplant to the area, a typical one-bedroom apartment rental averages around $800 per month. Apartments a little further from the city center may be available for slightly less, but transportation costs can make up the difference.

Because automobiles provide the primary source of transportation, gas prices are important. The price per gallon of gas falls at 10 percent less than the national average. Travelers can expect to pay around $6 for a beer at a local bar or pub.

Well-known national shopping chains and local boutiques carry everything from the most modern and up-to-date fashions to vintage styles that suit every taste. Chain stores provide plenty of deals for the savvy shopper. Additional deals can be found at one of many outlet malls found in surrounding cities, including the outlets in Dawsonville and at Sugarloaf Parkway.

Keeping with the slow-paced atmosphere, Sample Pleasure Antique mall greets guests in the downtown historic area of Flowery Branch with a variety of unique items for the home, and if specialty items are more your style, you can choose from a selection of shops like Billy's Toys and Comics. Billy's is a toy-collectors dream come true with hard-to-find items as well as a wide range of comic books and modern brand-name toys.

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be found at the downtown farmer's market, which is held every Thursday at the Caboose museum on Main Street in Flowery Branch, while several chain stores such as Kroger, Ingles Market and Publix Super Markets are available for all your grocery needs.