About Rick Abbott
Your North Georgia Mountain Living Guide
Hi, I’m Rick Abbott — a licensed real estate agent with eXp Realty specializing in North Georgia’s mountain communities, including Big Canoe, Jasper, Pickens County, Ellijay, and Gilmer County. I’m also someone who’s actually lived the move I help my clients make.
Six years ago, my family made the decision so many Atlantans think about but few actually take — we left the city behind for the mountains.
We started our North Georgia journey in Ellijay, one of the region’s most beloved mountain towns, where we spent four years soaking up the small-town charm, apple orchards, and outdoor lifestyle that makes Gilmer County special.
From there, we fell even deeper for North Georgia mountain living and made our next move to Big Canoe — one of the most sought-after gated mountain communities in the Southeast — where we proudly call home today.
Before real estate, I spent ten years as an IT executive. A decade of taking complicated problems apart and figuring out what the numbers actually said. It’s not the usual background for an agent up here, and it turns out to be the part of this job I like most.
Most people looking at these mountains are comparing communities, not just houses — what you get for what you pay, what’s included, what it’s actually like to live there day to day. Those questions have real answers. So when we get to them, let’s look at the real numbers. The view will sell itself — my job is everything the view doesn’t tell you.
I created North Georgia Mountain Living as a resource for anyone curious what life in these mountains is really like — because I’ve lived it across multiple communities and know firsthand what makes each one unique.
Life in North Georgia isn’t just where I live — it’s how I live. You’ll find me on the trails as a member of the Big Canoe Trails Committee, helping maintain and improve the trail system that makes this community special for hikers and nature lovers.
When I’m not on the trails, I’m likely on the water. Lake Petit is one of my favorite spots — there’s something deeply peaceful about a mountain lake surrounded by North Georgia hardwoods. I’m also an avid fly fisherman; the region’s cold mountain streams are some of the best fly fishing in the Southeast, a well-kept secret locals treasure.
The social fabric of mountain community life surprised me most when we moved here. The friendships, social clubs, live music, and genuine sense of community you find in North Georgia mountain communities is something you don’t experience in the city — and it’s one of the things I’m most passionate about sharing with people considering the move.
Whether you’re a hiker, angler, music lover, or simply someone craving a slower, more meaningful pace of life — North Georgia has something genuinely special waiting for you.
Ready to explore North Georgia mountain living?
Whether you’re curious about a specific community, wondering what daily life in the mountains is really like, or ready to start looking at property — I’d love to hear from you.
Rick Abbott | eXp Realty | GA License #454451