Waleska

Waleska is north of Canton, the county seat, far enough off the beaten track to have avoided the massive development that much of Cherokee has seen.

Unlike many small Georgia towns, Waleska did not come into being as a whistle-stop for the railroads or as a residential center for a mining concern. Instead, Waleska grew up around Reinhardt College, which was founded in 1883 and remains the centerpiece of the city.

Located in the most mountainous area of Cherokee County, Waleska has the flavor of the Blue Ridge.

Lake Arrowhead

Located west of Waleska, Lake Arrowhead is a 20-plus-year-old, 8,000-acre community that began as a mountain resort offering tennis, golf, lakes and pools.

In recent years, it has become more attractive to residential buyers who like the idea of year-round, resort-style living.

Ultimately, up to 5,000 lots are planned for development in Lake Arrowhead. Homes on less than half have been built, so buyers have many to choose from, including mountain or lakeview lots and golf course lots.

Holly Springs

Established in the early 1900s, Holly Springs was once a destination for travelers seeking the healing properties of the town's many springs.

In the 1950s, the railroad gave up its Holly Springs stop and the town fell into a sort of slumber. But that's all changing.

Located about midway between Woodstock and Canton, Holly Springs sat mostly unnoticed for many years as developers discovered sister cities.

Now, subdivisions are proliferating and Holly Springs is poised to roughly double its population with the construction of a mixed-use community. And the town has realized it must act if it is to retain its sense of identity.

City residents and businesses have united to restore the historic Holly Springs depot for use as a meeting and events center for the public and the city. The depot, which sat unused for several years, is now a showplace in the center of town -- a springboard the city hopes to use to encourage further preservation of its downtown.

Towne Lake

At the forefront of Cherokee's growth was Towne Lake, in the south part of the county.

From its inception in the 1980s, Towne Lake promised a whole new lifestyle for Cherokee residents. A master planned community of about 8,000 households, Towne Lake features two golf courses with clubhouses, pro shops and dining rooms, along with neighborhood swim and tennis clubs, tot lots and playgrounds.

The area also offers housing options from apartments and condos to million-dollar estates. Shopping centers, restaurants, medical facilities and office parks are part of the plan.

Many residents say they are able to live, work and play within the community, which was, after all, the master plan.

BridgeMill

Another master planned community, BridgeMill was developed in the late 1990s by Towne Lake's developer, now called BridgeMill LLC.

A variety of homes are offered, from estate homes to condominiums, and sales are brisk.

The 18-hole golf course, along with a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and dining room, are major attractions for buyers. But that's just a small part of this community's amenities package. BridgeMill's 50-acre athletics club includes 27 tennis courts, a 2-acre aquatic center, a 6,000-square-foot recreation clubhouse, jogging paths, playgrounds and an activities coordinator.

Woodmont

Builder John Wieland's first foray into the golf club community market, Woodmont has quickly become one of Cherokee's premier neighborhoods.

Development began in 1998, and Wieland has said that once he saw the land, he envisioned the "perfect neighborhood" on the site.

As the home of the first Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course in Georgia, Woodmont has prime appeal to golfers. But you don't have to be a golfer to enjoy the neighborhood. Kids love the pool with an elaborate water slide, swim lessons, gymnastics and tumbling classes at the clubhouse, and other activities planned by the full-time activities director.

Parents love the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association program and lessons, personal training workshops, tournaments, socials and other events.

Bradshaw Farm

Since development began in 1995, Bradshaw Farm has been one of Cherokee County's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Built on 600 acres formerly owned and farmed by the Bradshaw family, the Chatham-Cousins development incorporated the farmland roots of the property into the overall design. The original grain silos were retained, and their silhouettes have become a part of the Bradshaw Farm logo. The barn-style clubhouse furthers the family farm motif.

In addition to the 18-hole golf course and driving range, the neighborhood has two amenity areas that include tennis courts, playgrounds and two pools with a water slide and waterfall. All kinds of activities are planned for children and adults.

Victoria Cottages

You may have lived in Cherokee County for years and never known about Victoria Cottages on Lake Allatoona. It's the kind of place you pretty much have to be looking for to find.

A one-lane road meanders through the village, and there's only one way in and one way out. It's easy to lose your bearings on the twisty wooded trails that wander off the main path.

Established in the early 1950s after Lake Allatoona was created, the little peninsula soon became a sought-after site for vacation homes and weekenders. Lakeside A-frames, log houses and shanty-type cottages abounded.

After I-575 opened, more people decided to make the resort their year-round home. Original residents added on to their cottages and new residents built pricier homes.

Today, the community of about 200 houses is one of the few you will find with houses that front Lake Allatoona. When houses go on the market, they're generally snatched up, and it's not unusual for hopeful buyers to wait a year or more for a house to become available.

River Green

River Green, a new David Chatham/John Wieland community in Canton, brings the traditional neighborhood development, or TND, concept to Cherokee.

Basically, TNDs strive to re-create the feeling of community and connectivity that the neighborhoods of yesterday had. Homes in River Green are built along traditional lines: Craftsman style, reminiscent of the neighborhoods of the early 20th century, is especially popular. Also, an interconnected system of trails will lead throughout the neighborhood to each of three amenities centers, as well as to a village retail center that will include a grocery store and several neighborhood shops. The neighborhood also will be connected by sidewalks to an elementary school (yet to be built on land donated by the developers), as well as neighboring Teasley Middle School.

An activities director will plan a full social calendar.

"People are really searching for community," Wieland said. "They want to know their neighbors -- to be able to ride their bike to the village center. They want activities that bring them together with their neighbors."

More than 1,000 homes are planned for River Green, which will include townhouses and condos, as well as single-family homes.