Discover Athens
Athens, Ga. – The Best “Smallish” City In The Country.
Where you live is one of the single most important decisions you will make for yourself. For me, the decision to “come home” to Athens was easy. I am forever amazed what all is offered in A-town. Everything from a bustling economy, with an enthusiast college university lifestyle, affordable housing, fine dining and top rated arts and music scene, what’s not to love? And I think once you discover our unique smallish city with the big personality you too will enjoy calling Athens home!
Highlights – Location Is Everything
I love every inch of Athens – right down to it’s nitty gritty. The geo-location has a critical way to provide relevancy to a comfortable life-style. Our region enjoys temperate seasonal changes with generally mild winters and warm summers. Only moments from the rural foothills of Northeast Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and about an hour shuttle ride to corporate Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Athens encompasses a gamut of cultural diversity. Maybe you are considering relocating, or furthering your academic studies; perhaps you are a middle-aged baby boomer opening a new business, or a professional businessperson transferring to a new job, or simply looking for a great place to retire, Athens offers a dense array in a small package which appeals to all age groups. Its central downtown axis radiates an energetic mix of historic architecture, contemporary art and an eclectic nightlife. Athens’ perimeter is surrounded by rivers and lakes, and the Atlantic ocean, or Gulf Shores are just a short day trip away. We are home of the University of Georgia and the fourth-largest city in the state. Athens is a small town with big opportunities. Come visit and you may never leave!
Living The Good Life
Explore Georgia’s multitude of parks, botanical gardens and other recreational opportunities administered by Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services and Oconee County Parks and Recreation. Enjoy miles of greenway that extend through downtown for walking and biking. For over 30 years Athens has been host to many international races and events. Every Spring Twilight Criterium, a Pro Cycling Event, attracts thousands. Experience AthFest with live bands on outdoor stages and in Athens’ renowned clubs. Original music, art, local film screenings, and KidsFest provide entertainment year round. If you love to hunt and fish, the Redlands public WMA is 37,500 acres of hunting, fishing, biking and camping all within twenty minutes from downtown. Athens is home to hundreds of churches and religious institutions, tons of local schools, and two of the states’ best hospitals call Athens home. Check out my Athens area resource guide.
UGA offers some of the top researchers in the world. Employee’s of the college and retirees 62 and older can take classes for free! Athens is one of the few bike-friendly towns in the entire Southeast and the ability to go car free is a welcomed change. The University of Georgia campus transit system offers Free public transportation for all college students.
As a REALTOR® I love to talk about the affordable student housing and residential properties within walking distance from downtown, fancy public parks, miles of greenway, 1/2 mile from the football stadium and near the largest employer. Athens real estate prices range from less than 300,000 for small cottages to multi-million dollar historic mansions, and the city has numerous, wonderfully distinct neighborhoods (14 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places), many representing antebellum, Victorian and early 20th century architectural periods. There a plenty of deals to be found especially in the eclectic, diverse neighborhoods that are near downtown. Downtown Athens has done a good job keeping its ambience even with big-box retail being built in the Butler’s Crossing and Epps Bridge areas. Surrounding counties such as Jackson, and Madison which are outside of downtown are also quite reasonable if you are looking for a little bit of land and bigger lots. Also Watkinsville, which is about eight miles south of Athens in Oconee County has a more rural or country feel. Plenty of empty lots available for new construction in Athens west side and many surrounding areas, as well as updated older homes and fixer-uppers!