The city lies 65 miles northwest of Atlanta, giving access to the many amenities of the sprawling Georgia capital. A few do commute to Atlanta’s prosperous northern suburbs, giving the rather long average commute time. Cost of living and median home prices are attractive. Many of the area’s traditional businesses are in decline, but low costs and central location among larger Southern cities are attracting some new business. There are a few items of historic interest, but the town offers little entertainment or intellectual stimulation. Atlanta is 70 miles southeast.

The area located in gently rolling to hilly area of woods and plains along the Coosa River, with a more mountainous southern extension of the Appalachian Range lying just north and west. The climate is typical of the humid southeast, with pronounced maritime and continental effects. Summers are warm and humid with most days in the 90’s, a few into the 100’s, and frequent thunderstorms. Occasional heavy rains originate from hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Winters are mild with temperatures seldom below 20 degrees. Snow is rare. First freeze is early November, last is late March.