Debbie Neuberger SVP, Customer Care | realtors.com
Many people work their whole lives to trade their daily car commute for a more leisurely life navigating green hills in a golf cart. Now, there’s no need to wait for retirement to make this dream a reality: Peachtree City, GA offers living car-free as the norm.
Located 30 miles outside of Atlanta, Peachtree City (or PTC as locals call it) is an award-winning master-planned community and the largest, most golf cart-friendly municipality in the country. Chartered 65 years ago in 1959, it boasts five verdant golf courses. Since then, golf carts have become the main mode of transportation for residents.
With 11,000 registered golf carts owned by the city’s 38,244 residents traversing over 100 miles of paved paths, many choose to leave their automobiles behind. “It is truly an identity piece of our community,” says Tyler Runyon, executive director of Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Residents are well aware of golf carts... much of the city’s planning revolves around them."
Peachtree City stands out among U.S. cities by promoting golf cart living for all ages. Chelsea Thompson, a social media creator who has lived in PTC for 17 years, states: “We love the family atmosphere and, of course, the golf cart paths.” Local high school students often use golf carts to get to class and even have designated parking lots.
The advantages include added safety and avoiding vehicle traffic. Runyon notes that Peachtree City is called “The Bubble” due to its safe and sheltered environment. Local home inspector Kareem Mincey describes it as having a "resort-like vibe mixed with everyday living."
Golf cart communities align with Americans' growing desire for simpler lifestyles without automobiles. Michael Crute from Keller Williams First Atlanta highlights PTC's walkability and bike-friendliness.
Other cities are catching on too; Charleston promotes golf carts as alternatives to cars while Westfield is converting into a similar community. Realtor.com senior economist Ralph McLaughlin believes such trends could become permanent staples in U.S. cities.
Peachtree City also attracts notable fans like Francis Ford Coppola who filmed “Megalopolis” there and renovated a local Days Inn into All-Movie Hotel after falling in love with PTC's peaceful nature accessible via golf carts.
Georgia's film industry has earned significant revenue thanks to state tax credits and production incentives—$4.3 billion last year alone according to Variety—with films like “Sweet Home Alabama” shot in PTC.
Beyond film jobs, major employers like Porsche North America headquarters are nearby in Atlanta attracting relocations according to Johanna Styne Sullivan from Engel & Volkers Atlanta.
Real estate interest grows alongside rising costs; July's median list price was $621,000—a nearly $200k increase over larger Atlanta metro area's median price according Hannah Jones from Realtor.com®. Inventory rose by 141% yet homes sold faster than national averages indicating high demand.
Ready-to-shop listings include:
- 524 Colebrook Way at $599k
- 212 Hearthstone Reach at $499k
- 302 Whitcomb Hill at $1m
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