Kennesaw

Contemporary subdivisions are weaved among the bucolic landscape of West Cobb. Though it’s often considered the more rural side of metro Atlanta’s Cobb County, West Cobb is home to nearly 65,000 residents. This unincorporated section of the county consists of many residential communities with varying identities. But they share a landscape heavy with pine thickets and greenspaces that are removed from the more developed communities that surround West Cobb. On the east side of the neighborhood, 3,000 acres of forests and fields sprawl across Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The site of an 1,800-foot mountain, the park exists to preserve the history of an 1864 Civil War battle waged at the site. However, park ranger Ray Hammel says Kennesaw Mountain means much more to the community. “As Atlanta has expanded, it has become an important green space. People run, walk and hike,” says Hammel, the park’s chief of interpretation. “We even have people on equestrian trails.” More than 20 miles of trails wind through the park. As the Atlanta metro grows and development eats up more green space, Kennesaw Mountain will remain a respite for locals, Hamel says. “It’s not going anywhere.” Locals also may visit the smaller parks around the neighborhood, such as Lost Mountain Park or Oregon Park. Houses in West Cobb tend to be large and fairly new. The average size of 3,000 square feet is bigger than the national average, and the typical house occupies a lot of nearly half an acre. Styles vary between subdivisions, with common styles including ‘90s Colonial Revivals and Craftsman-inspired houses built in the 2010s. More than 90% of real estate in West Cobb is detached single-family homes, so a buyer would be hard-pressed to find a condo or townhouse. Turnkey two-bedroom homes can be picked up in the high $200,000s, though some high-end communities feature houses with as many as eight bedrooms that fetch more than $3 million. The median single-family sales price is roughly $550,000, lower than $625,000 in East Cobb. “The reason why people choose West Cobb over East Cobb is because they can still get the good schools, but they’re paying less for the houses,” says Victor Rodriguez, a Realtor at Watkins Real Estate Associates who discusses real estate on his Atlanta Suburban Living YouTube channel. Children in West Cobb live within the Cobb County School District, a public district graded an A-minus by Niche with more than 100,000 students. The district operates dozens of campuses, but kids in the neighborhood may start at Due West Elementary School and advance to Lost Mountain Middle School, both graded an A-minus. Teens can take classes at A-rated Harrison High School, which offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses including European History and Studio Art. Homes dominate West Cobb’s landscape, but shopping centers along State Route 120 provide a selection of stores and restaurants. West Cobb Diner makes classic Southern fare such as country fried steak and meatloaf, while Georgia sports bar chain Taco Mac offers roasted wings and TVs always turned to games. These restaurants share shopping complexes with stores including Publix, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Barnes & Noble. The premier shopping complex is The Avenue West Cobb, home to more than 40 businesses. The shopping center's dense layout makes it possible for shoppers to stroll between fashion stores such as Loft and restaurant chains such as Ted's Montana Grill. Down the road, Midway Presbyterian Church has held services since 1850. Midway is one of many Christian churches in the neighborhood, which is also home to Masjid Al-Furqan, also known as West Cobb Islamic Center. Every June, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park commemorates the anniversary of the Civil War battle fought there. Hikers explore the mountain and up to six cannons thunder during live demonstrations. However, that’s just one of the events throughout the year at Kennesaw Mountain. Group hikes to the mountaintop often happen on Saturdays, while rangers conduct guided museum tours throughout the week. Residents generally get around by car. State Route 120 routes to the city of Marietta, while Barrett Parkway connects the neighborhood to a busy shopping district in Kennesaw, 2 miles away. Commuters who work in Atlanta likely use Interstate 75 to make the 25-mile drive. A trip to Atlanta can take up to 90 minutes during rush hour.