Benton House of Grayson - Grayson, GA

Tucked away on a quiet street lined with mature trees, and just a stone's throw from a small pond known as Dove Lake, Benton House of Grayson is ideal for seniors looking for calm and quiet, but who also don't want to be too far from suburban Atlanta. Grayson is a comfortable bedroom community of just over 2,600 residents, many of whom are recently arrived retirees who enjoy the area's reasonably priced amenities and easy access to urban life.

- Walkability score: Grayson falls short in walkability, earning only a 14 from Walkscore, which means a car is needed for most errands.

- Age: Grayson is located entirely within ZIP code 30017, which has a median age of 38.6. Half of the community's residents are younger than 38.6, and half are over. Overall, the median age in Grayson is very close to the national average of 37.8.

- Senior Housing: Despite its slightly higher than average age, Grayson has only two or three local senior residences. Most of the town's older population owns or rents private homes on the many secluded residential streets.

- Weather: Grayson is part of the Atlanta Metropolitan area, which annually sees about 117 days of rain. Temperatures in this part of Georgia are very mild, with average highs of about 70 degrees and lows of about 52.

- Veterans' Facilities: Grayson is a mostly residential community and lacks extensive veterans' facilities and clubs. Nearby Atlanta, however, boasts multiple veterans' halls and hospitals, as well as American Legion facilities.

Transportation

- Buses: Metropolitan Atlanta is served by a large and well-functioning public transportation system called MARTA. These public buses regularly run through Grayson, with a few stops within walking distance of Benton House. Using this system, it's possible to connect to the rest of the area's bus routes, including one that runs straight to the airport.

- Trains: MARTA operates a limited number of rail routes. The 2.7-mile loop of the Streetcar, as it's called, runs from downtown to Sweet Auburn, but Grayson is not served by the system.

- Taxis: Grayson, like many outlying communities, lacks regular taxi service, and so residents are unlikely to be able to flag one down as it drives by, but all major taxi companies in the Atlanta region are able to make the 15-minute trip out when called.

- Ride Shares: A popular local alternative to taxis, ride sharing through Lyft, Uber and multiple other car-sharing companies are good options and operate 24-hour service.

Health and Safety

- Hospitals: Grayson does lack many of the institutions a larger city would have, such as close-by hospitals, but Eastside Medical Center, located in Snellville, is roughly 10 minutes to the west along main roads.

- Crime Rate: Grayson is a relatively high-income community with an older-than-average population, so it isn't surprising that rates for virtually all crime categories are significantly lower than the national average. The one notable exception is motor vehicle incidents, which nearly mirror the national data for driving under the influence offenses.

Sports and Leisure

- Golf Courses: Grayson has no golf courses of its own, but three major clubs do surround the community in an arc that stretches from northwest to southeast. The clubs are Northwood, Gwinnet, and Bear Creek.

- Tennis Courts: The 30017 ZIP code is notably deficient in tennis clubs. Virtually all public facilities are located at least 20 minutes west, which is much closer to the city center.

- Gyms: Cheer and Dance are taught at the Atlanta Jayhawks' facility northeast of Grayson. This facility is senior-friendly, but other fitness facilities are generally lacking in Grayson itself.

Shopping and Entertainment

- Clothes Shopping: As a mostly residential community, Grayson unsurprisingly lacks large department stores. Virtually all of the local shopping is to be found down the Grayson Parkway, along Highway 124, where all the national chains operate popular (and often crowded) locations.

- Grocery Stores: Grayson has two major grocery stores to choose from. Kroger and Publix both operate markets in the town, and more specialized stores, such as Whole Foods, are just a short drive out of the Grayson town limits.

- Restaurants: Dining in the Grayson area is almost exclusively confined to the same strip of the 124 where the town's retailers are located. Dozens of stand-up, sit-down, casual, formal, take-out, and
dine-in facilities are strung out along this road, which also houses Grayson's movie theaters and other date-night attractions.

- Libraries: Grayson has its own branch of the Gwinnet Public Library. The facility is open seven days a week, generally opening at 10 a.m. and closing at either 5 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on the day.

- Senior-Friendly Salons: It's easy to book a hair appointment, or arrange for a mani/pedi in Grayson! Three salons: Dominican Sugar, John Francis, and Studio Z, serve the town, and all are happy to greet a local senior.

Religious Facilities

- Religious Facilities: Suburban Atlanta has many religious facilities to serve the souls of local residents. Many of these are Protestant Christian, with two Methodist and one Presbyterian church located in Grayson. Catholic, Muslim and Jewish religious centers are all conveniently located within a few miles in the direction of nearby Atlanta.