Athens, GA Area Guide

What do the locals think about Athens?

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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Athens, GA

A hip, college town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Athens, Georgia is an exciting, southern, mid-sized city. With a beautiful Victorian downtown bustling with activity, it is a wonderful place to call home. Located 61 miles northeast of Atlanta, Athens is a cultural center of its own making without the larger city’s higher cost of living.

Athens is the home of the University of Georgia’s main campus. The University of Georgia is a world class research institution and supports the local culture and economy. Obviously if you are a fan of sports, there is no lack of college athletic events to attend and follow, but it does not end there. A world class university means museums, theater and historic sites galore.

Athens is also known for its vibrant music scene. Many world famous acts call Athens home, including the B-52s, R.E.M., Widespread Panic and Drive-by Truckers. In addition, Athens is home to summer music festivals for many genres. There are also local folk and classical music institutions. The youth orchestra provides music educational opportunities for local up and coming musicians.

While some from larger cities might assume that mid-sized Athens couldn’t have a variety of quality cuisines, they would be sorely wrong! With fantastic restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, you will always find the perfect date night location in Athens. There are also several breweries they are rightly proud of. For the families, there are also many family friendly restaurants that don’t compromise on food quality. The vegetarians and vegans are not left out either with a wide array of restaurants specializing in plant based cuisine.

With so much to do a see in Athens one might assume that it is a costly place to live. The reality is that the cost of living here is lower than both the national and state average. Athens rental and purchase prices sit well below national averages, getting you into the home of your dreams for about 80% of what you might expect in other similarly sized cities. In addition, other necessities are also lower than both national and state averages.

While most people in Athens get around by car, there are other ways to enjoy the city. Athens encourages other modes of transportation by having a highly walkable downtown as well as bike lanes and paths. For members of the University of Georgia community, there is also a bus that takes students and faculty all over campus.

Athens is the sort of place people dream of living. Between the music, food and inexpensive cost of living, you can’t go wrong in this southern gem.