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Hey gang, Tim Trevathan here, with Tim Trevathan Homes, helping people from all over the country make a move and find their dream home. You know, the Atlanta area continues to expand: physically, economically, and culturally. And in 2026 get to finally enjoy the fruits of our labor. We’re getting new and improved green spaces, a metro area that will finally get a “downtown,” newly-built homes in a surprising location, a county whose growth is just exploding, DOT action…and some interesting new laws affecting homeowners that just took effect – trust me, you won’t want to miss it. So stick around as I introduce to you: Eight new changes you’ll start seeing in Atlanta Outside the Perimeter…all coming up, right now. [Theme music, graphics]

Now, if you’re a subscriber to my channel, you know I’ve mentioned Suwanee, Georgia in at least a couple of them. So the first big change you’ll see in 2026 outside the perimeter is taking place to beautify Suwanee. Suwanee, Georgia is nestled in Gwinnett County and is one of the most desirable, and affordable, North Atlanta suburbs; one reason people seek out Suwanee is that it has 12 distinct city parks and trails of its own, in addition to being in the Gwinnett County park system. But Suwanee’s newest park additions and updates are HUGE! The project entails development of two new, large parks and a renovation to a couple others, to fully revitalize and give Suwanee a true Downtown with emphasis on leisure. Town Center on Main and DeLay Nature Park, adjacent to one another with a combined 28 acres, are meant for recreation activity as well as natural, scenic walking trails. PlayTown Suwanee was just renovated with almost an acres of swings, slides, sandboxes and other family fun. But an important and not-to-be-overlooked, Main Street Park – created as Suwanee’s original park 30 years ago – has been patiently waiting for a much-needed facelift. And now, the city of Suwanee has begun the renovation to update landscaping, resurface and update the basketball court, and create additional grassy areas and new sidewalks. There will be plenty of seating and parking. And all of this is expected to be completed late-Spring or early-Summer, 2026. Yes, Suwanee’s new Downtown social center is ready for its close-up.

The second big change coming in 2026 outside Atlanta’s perimeter is a gigantic downtown development in Johns Creek, Georgia and things are moving fast! It’s all centered around the new transformation of 192 acres of a previously underutilized area into a central hub called Johns Creek Town Center. Now, don’t confuse Johns Creek’s Town Center with the park in Suwanee! Johns Creek Town Center is on land at Medlock Bridge Road, McGinnis Ferry and Johns Creek Parkway. Johns Creek Town Center will establish a truly vibrant, walkable city center featuring a new 40-acre mixed use retail district. Close to that, The Boardwalk at Town Center is being created as a huge area of green spaces featuring pedestrian parkways, a lakefront amphitheater and pond overlooks.

But perhaps the most anticipated and core feature of Town Center is a mixed-use project built on 43 acres of land. This part is called Medley. Just imagine, if you will, 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment concepts; 110,000 square feet of office space; a gorgeous new hotel…and just so you’re never far from home after working or shopping: 900 residential units of a mixture of townhomes and luxury multifamily homes – all in the same luxurious locale. A good comparison would be the well-established and highly-successful Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia. It’s not just a little village for those who live there – people make it a point to drive to Avalon for quality shopping and fine dining or a movie. And Medley, without even being complete, has already signed as tenants Sephora, High Country Outfitters, CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Summit Coffee, and Five Daughters Bakery, just to drop a few names. And there are many more to come! Improvements will include new pedestrian tunnels and pathways to make the area even more walkable and connected. The Boardwalk at Town Center park is expected to open in Summer 2026; Medley’s first phase is slated for Fall 2026 and we can’t wait!

I mentioned Alpharetta a moment ago, so gather ‘round for Number Three on our list. If you thought Alpharetta was as developed as it possibly could be and that no one is building residences there anymore, have I got a surprise for you! Just off Georgia 400 at Haynes Bridge Road is a wonderful, new residential community called The Gathering-Alpharetta. This neighborhood of new construction homes is close enough to North Point Mall, downtown Alpharetta and Avalon that you can easily enjoy upscale shopping, dining or entertaining options…but with your own luxury enclave to unwind and relax. The Gathering-Alpharetta (a BrockBuilt community) offers an array of both single family homes and townhomes with an unparalleled indoor and outdoor experience in the heart of Alpharetta. There are homes for sale right now and plenty of buildable plans for your own customization in 2026.

They start at $589,900 and go up to $1.6 million and each well-appointed townhome or single family home has 2-5 bedrooms and baths and 3-4 stories. Each home includes unique features, such as flex spaces, Kitchenaid appliances, oversized island, two-car attached garage…there’s even a three-story home that comes with a private elevator! Step outside to a community garden, pond, inviting green spaces, an exercise loop and integration with the AlphaLoop path, giving you serious options for outdoor leisure and enjoyment. So who said no one was building new homes in Alpharetta any longer? Because with the right kind of thoughtful interior and exterior features and a killer location, The Gathering-Alpharetta may just prove everyone wrong.

But maybe North Fulton County isn’t your cup of tea. If you prefer to live a bit farther North, yet conveniently just off Georgia 400 in Forsyth County, there are plenty of other developments in Cumming, Georgia, two of which are open or will be opening in 2026. And for those of us who have been holding our collective breath…we can finally exhale.

Number Four on our list: The Crossing at Coal Mountain, with Phase One ready in late-Summer 2026. This will include a retail plaza with around 47,000 sq. ft. to be filled as roughly 60% restaurants/bars, 40% shops (spas, salons, fitness), and a 20,000 sq. ft. pad for a small grocery or market. Add to that: a new luxury apartment complex, a mixed-use building with vertical construction on the main building featuring retail/residences/offices, and the first phase of luxury single family homes from Toll Brothers (part of the larger project with over 400 homes and townhomes). Due to all the growth, improvements to essential roads, utilities, and supporting infrastructure for the aforementioned Phase One will also be in place this year.

And keep in mind, this is just the kickoff of a massive 140-acre mixed-use community designed as a walkable town center, featuring residences (apartments, for-sale homes), retail, dining, entertainment, and green spaces for community gathering. So be on the lookout for the 2026 rollout of Phase One of The Crossing at Coal Mountain in Cumming, Forsyth County, Georgia.

Now, I mentioned that Cumming, Georgia is undergoing unbelievable construction and new development – no surprise, because Forsyth County has probably more undeveloped land than any area of metro-Atlanta. And just a little North of the Coal Mountain area you will find extremely desirable land noted for its scenic natural landscape. Lake Lanier, Dawson Forest, Shawnee Mountain Preserve, Gibbs Gardens and multiple golf courses are nearby. It may appear a little far out, but trust me when I tell you that Cumming, Georgia is what everybody is talking about in 2026! And the new community I’m going to tell you about next is a highly-desirable sanctuary, yet in very close proximity to shopping and dining in Cumming and, of course, GA 400 for easy commutes to Alpharetta or even Atlanta. The next big change you’ll see completed in 2026 outside the perimeter, for Number Five on our list, is the new single family home development called Meadow Brook Farms. This community of 80-plus dwellings is a product of David Weekly Homes, so you can expect his award-winning farmhouse style and well-appointed features, like gourmet kitchens, high ceilings, recessed lighting, plenty of windows that let in natural light…and each home is being built on spacious one-acre lots! Starting in the mid-$600 thousand range, Meadow Brook Farms homes boast 3-4,000 square feet, with 4-5 bedrooms, 4 baths…and even 3- and 4-car garages! Outside your abode, you can enjoy a pool, cabana, a whimsical fort-themed playground, plenty of sidewalks, and trails, not to mention golf courses, entertainment and shopping nearby…all while still being in the metro-Atlanta area and in close proximity to the Technology Corridor along Georgia 400. Several homes will be ready for move-in in February and March, with more homes being completed in the Spring. Meadow Brook Farms is one of the more exciting communities coming outside the perimeter in 2026 and who knows? It may be just right for you.

For the next change, you had to know that Atlanta area traffic will only get worse as we develop further. Fortunately, the Georgia DOT has got your back! Number Six on our list of 8 new changes coming to Atlanta OTP will be: Interstate Widening and express lanes. Therehave already been road widening efforts in progress, such as SR-20 that connects Woodstock to Cumming running East-West. I-85 and I-75 on the North side of town are widening. Where I-285 connects to I-20 (both on the East side and West side), those interchanges are getting complete reconstruction. And the Top End of the Perimeter, the West and East sides, are getting Express Lanes. So is GA-400 which means, that’s right: 400 just might become a toll road once again, but for express commute. But we’re a couple years away from that! Right now, you’re seeing trees being cleared and various stages of road work all over Atlanta at and outside the perimeter. But lane closures are frequently done at night and the GDOT have kept up with our population demands. Just ask any local: the I-285 at 400 interchanges used to be a mess! Now, it’s one of the smoothest and most enviable commutes in the metro area.

Blech! <Shudders> Let’s move on to some Fun Stuff for our Number Seven of new changes coming to metro Atlanta, OTP: Events! Because the areas outside the perimeter are so desirable to live in, there are a number of arenas that have attracted some major sports, concerts and shows. Just off I-85 in Duluth is the Gas South Arena, which welcomes trade shows and conventions along with sports and entertainment. In January the North Atlanta Home Show was a huge succcess. And Gas South Arena is the home of our ECHL hockey team, the Atlanta Gladiators. The games are affordable and the arena couldn’t be more welcoming! If you like professional volleyball, you can also see the Atlanta Vibe games, as this is their home arena too. And the Gas South Arena is hosting musical events, like Josh Groban with Jennifer Hudson June 17 and Meghan Trainor’s The Get In Girl tour July 25. And don’t forget to check OTP venues for more music. Also in Gwinnett County, Downtown Norcross will bring you a cultural phenomenon: Irish Fest on March 8. Then there’s JordanCon April 17-19 at Crowne Plaza Atlanta Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, or AAA ball at CoolRay Field for the Atlanta Stripers’ action. Just a host of fun things to see and do outside the perimeter all year long.

So, finally, Number Eight and the final of the changes coming to Atlanta in 2026 – and this is actually statewide: New laws passed that took effect on January 1st. Granted, they’re not sexy, but pay attention! Because what I’ll mention here are a few changes to protective laws that will have an impact on you – whether you’re contemplating homeownership in Georgia, driving and registering a car here, are moving to Georgia as a CPA…or even if you’re having a dental emergency! (No, you heard that right – and this is one you’ll be able to sink your teeth into!)

First up – pay attention homebuyers: a new law has mandated homeowner insurance companies must provide more notice before canceling a policy; previously, only 30 days’ notice was the requirement but starting January 1, 2026, homeowner insurance companies must provide a full 60-day notice that they intend to cancel a policy that was issued after January 1st. Also of interest to homeowners, HVAC warranties will automatically transfer to the new owner when a house is sold. This, in particular, is a big relief in Georgia as it was not automatic and sometimes had to be negotiated, then hurriedly arranged prior to closing. It has not always been easy to implement at the last minute, but starting with any HVAC system sold after January 1st, any manufacturer warranty automatically transfers to the new owner when the house is sold. In addition, warrantees take effect on the actual installation date, not later. So these new laws to home warranty policies are very welcome changes for Georgians in 2026.

Now, while no one likes to think about natural disasters, there are a couple of bills taking effect and one of the most notable new laws authorizes taxpayers to establish a catastrophe savings account and provides for its regulations, such as how much may be contributed to such an account, along with specific inheritance provisions, so you’ll want to consult with your estate planning professionals for more specific guidelines. Again, not exciting, but this is thoughtful and high-impact legislation!

If you’re buying a car in Georgia, starting in 2026, third-party vendors can now issue temporary license plates electronically – much preferable to the temporary, flimsy dealer plates attached.V ehicle dealers will have the whole scoop on dealer tags that are issued, so you won’t have to worry about it. Another new and related law: people will be prohibited from registering their vehicles to business entities simply to avoid taxes.

Here’s an interesting car-related new law: booting companies must receive formal permits and follow new posting rules. No more surprises for leaving your car someplace! There are plenty of other statewide rules that passed and will began taking effect in 2026 and I encourage you to do some research into those, if you have a stake in environmental and waste regulation changes, employment, professional licensing, health services, accounting, tax money, or other property and business incentives.

Now, I’m going to leave you here with a couple of fun ones I think are absolute game-changers for the general public in Georgia. Starting January 1st, Georgia authorized the practice of Teledentistry, allowing dentists to reach patients wherever they are for second opinions, evaluations etc. It’s not meant to replace in-office care completely and will obviously need regulation, but this is exciting win for healthcare in Georgia that took effect January 1, 2026 The other new law of note impacts both the economy and education for professionals in the state: beginning January 1st, Georgia made changes to CPA license requirements to create alternative pathways for people to become certified public accountants. The new law also makes it much easier for established, out-of-state CPAs to transfer their accreditation to Georgia. Laws like these make Georgia a leader and trendsetter in the South for similar law-making.

Wasn’t that fun? Eight of the most exciting changes coming to Atlanta outside the perimeter in 2026. Some of these developments will influence where and how we live along with how we work. I’m Tim Trevathan, your real estate expert in Atlanta. I help people from all over the country make a move and find their dream home. Please reach out to me if you have any questions. I would love to hear from you! And if you haven’t already, just click the Subscribe button so you can learn all the latest happenings on Atlanta and Atlanta real estate. Take care everyone. So long everyone.

SOURCES:

SUWANEE PARKS:

https://www.suwanee.com/explore-suwanee/parks

https://www.suwanee.com/explore-suwanee/parks/town-center-on-main-delay-nature-park

https://www.suwanee.com/services/planning-services-inspections-zoning/current-construction-activity/main-street-park

https://www.suwanee.com/explore-suwanee/parks/town-center-on-main-delay-nature-park

JOHNS CREEK TOWN CENTER DEV: THE BOARDWALK AT TOWN CENTER PARK & MEDLEY):