Ellard - Alpharetta, GA

The Creek tribe called the area home in the 1700s until the discovery of gold in the region. Primarily a mill area, Roswell and the surrounding lands became a ghost town when General Sherman had all of the mill workers shipped north during the Civil War. Today the city of Roswell, which includes Ellard, has a population of around 93,000.

Area residents of Ellard enjoy an extensive cultural atmosphere with a variety of museums and annual events to choose from. The Teaching Museum provides a home for exhibitions, programs and many different art collections. Barrington Hall, one of the oldest homes in the area, holds an annual tea with Beatrix Potter and hosts the annual Lavender Festival.

Whether you want to entertain clients or enjoy a family dinner, Ellard hosts a variety of fast-food chains, elegant dining areas, and restaurants serving international cuisine and American fare, all centrally located near Holcomb Bridge Road.

An intimate place to celebrate special occasions, di Paolo remains a highly respected, elegant dining establishment in Ellard. The restaurant features a wood-burning oven that adds the perfect touch to its Italian menu items. Sample the renowned littleneck clams in a white wine broth, or order the house-cured duck prosciutto with local honeycomb. The restaurant also has a large wine list and hosts many events throughout the year.

For dinner and a movie, the Studio Movie Grill serves delicious American fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. Known for its made-to-order pizzas and chicken salad, this restaurant entertains you with a variety of movie choices as you sit back and enjoy your dinner.

If you are craving authentic Mexican cuisine, El Potrillo Mexican restaurant provides one option in the area. Known for its hearty portions and fresh ingredients, El Potrillo remains a local favorite. Popular dishes include the stuffed chile poblano and the homemade enchiladas. The restaurant also has a kids' menu and provides catering services for special events.

Those looking for something to do in the evenings can find a host of bars and clubs in the area. TJ's Sports Bar and Grill has over 60 television screens, so you can watch the big game while having drinks with friends. Hooligans Tavern, another favorite local hangout, has 30 television screens and a large patio for special events.

Typically, residents of Ellard and the Roswell area prefer to travel by car. Cheap and accessible public parking abounds, with most shops providing private lots free of charge. Roswell also lies within the area serviced by Uber, so you can use the popular app on your smartphone to request a ride. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority bus locations throughout the city provide transportation to downtown from several areas in Roswell.

If you need to request a cab pickup, you simply call one of the local cab companies and schedule a ride. Hailing a cab by standing in the street proves more difficult.

Bike lanes and paved shoulders for pedestrians make recreation and commuting throughout Ellard convenient and safe for cyclists and residents who prefer to travel on foot.

Outdoor recreational activities provide a popular option for those who want to get a little exercise while relaxing with pets or family. For a nominal fee, residents and their dogs can enjoy trails, water rafting, picnic areas and a playground at the Chattahoochee River Recreational Area. Located just 3 miles to the northeast on Holcomb Bridge Road, the East Roswell Park has several different playing fields for youth sports teams. You can also participate in disc golf while children play on the playgrounds.

Hembree Park holds a family camp out every year in November. Located 8 miles northeast of Ellard on Holcomb Bridge Road, the park supplies ingredients for s'mores, hot dogs, hot chocolate and breakfast during the camp out.

The cost of living in Ellard hovers around 20 percent higher than the rest of Atlanta. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment tops $850. A ride on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority costs a flat rate of $2.50 from Ellard to midtown Atlanta. Gas prices in Ellard remain around 1.9 percent lower than in other parts of the nation. The price of a beer at a local pub runs between $3 and $5 depending on whether you drink domestic or international beer.

Shopping in Ellard provides both high-end boutiques and high-value shopping malls. Popular anchor chains, including Kohl's and TJ Maxx, have excellent values on clothes for the whole family, while specialty boutiques provide a unique shopping experience.

Encore Boutique sells used and new designer clothes, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Try on an elegant Armani suit, or treat yourself to an assortment of jewelry from local artisans. The store receives new inventory items on a regular basis, and you can also take advantage of the limited layaway that holds an item for up to two weeks with a small deposit.

The K-la boutique also has a large variety of items for women, including the latest fashions and accessories. The shop sells everything from belts and bags to underwear and outerwear.

For grocery shopping, locals prefer to shop at national chains, including Publix and Kroger, both located less than a half a mile away. If you want to locate hard-to-find organic items and spices within a five-mile radius, visit Sprouts Farmers Market. The store sells many locally grown items unavailable from traditional grocery stores.