By Steve Fennessy

Some friends of mine are selling their house in Cobb County and building one in Serenbe, the bucolic New Urbanist community in a southwest corner of Fulton County. Yes, they’re tired of the Cobb commute, but it’s more than that. They have two boys under age five and want them to grow up where they can ride their bikes and explore the woods and come home at dinnertime tired and dirty and exhilarated. As they described it, the decision came impulsively. The place has that effect. On a recent visit, my wife and I discovered that a weekend at Serenbe—there’s a spa, three restaurants, and activities aplenty—is both restorative and serves as not-so-subtle marketing for relocation.