OK, now a few questions about Athens

I recently asked for information on Atlanta neighborhoods and received many, many very helpful replies. Thanks to all who responded. I'm also curious about Athens, and wonder what those who live/have lived there can say about the town. My husband is really flexible about where we live, says he doesn't really care so long as we don't move to northern states and have to struggle with lots of snow, so the decision/research is up to me at this point.

Are there any nice little communities between Athens and Atlanta, or are they all sleeper-towns/suburbs of Atlanta with no personality? I grew up in large cities, and lived and worked in NYC and DC until 5 years ago and have since become used to smaller towns, quieter evenings, and a little space around me (2-5 acres). After doing research, it seems that Athens might offer those things more than Atlanta, but I'd love input. Any neighborhoods/areas in Athens that are worth checking out, or is it a small enough town so that there are no distinct areas?

And, how hard is it to get a job with UGa? If I did, would I regret it, or is the university a good employer?

Anything else I should consider? It seems as if we'll definitely move to Georgia, I'm just not sure if it'll be Atlanta or Athens, or somewhere in between yet.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate everyone's time!

almost 4 years ago. I grew up in Stone Mtn ('bout 12 miles from Atlanta). I like Athens, but I really consider it part of the metro area now. If you are looking to get away from that, Athens is probably not your spot lol! It is surrounded by some great little towns though. My parents live in Commerce about 20 miles from Athens one way and Gainsville the next. My mom works in G., but my dad works in Atlanta. It's a 70 miles one way drive, but no one, even UGA, has offered him anything close to the salary he's used to. Cost of living is no less in that area than the closer suburbs of Atlanta. Anyway, Commerce is a cool little town, about 5000 ppl. The book Cold Sassy Tree is based on the town. My parents can walk to everything in town, but the personality is in shift as more ppl move out. New subdivisions and stores are going in, which is a real shame. The town between Commerce and Athens is Jefferson and I'd say the same about it. There is a house there that I just love, and if we could buy it I'd seriously consider moving back to Ga lol. There are many great small towns around Athens. The best thing to do would be to spend a weekend driving around to see which you like.

Have you looked at some of the other metro areas in Ga? If I were to move back to Ga now, after living in a small city for most of the last 10 years (60,000 ppl), I'd look at Macon, Albany, or Savannah, but much as it's home, nowhere near Atlanta.

but I'd like to be relatively close to a major airport (Atlanta) and UGa attracts me, I like smaller towns but big universities! And Athens does seem to me to be a bastion of blue in the midst of a whole lotta red...

if you know what I mean.

I'd opt for Athens. I haven't lived there, but visited a couple of times. I wouldn't mind living there. Besides, a town that spawned REM and the B52s? Gotta be good.

before living in Jackson County. The development pressure is huge in the rural areas.

Not that it's perfect, mind you, but it is a liberal oasis in a red desert. Athens-Clarke County has a combined city-county government. Clarke County is the smallest county in Georgia. It can be hard to get a job at UGA. There are many "overqualified" people here, but it's not impossible. UGA employs thousands and thousands of people.

2-5 acres with a house can be found in Athens ,however, prices have been going up recently due to development pressures. We have, at least for now, a rural-residential zone buffering our borders with other counties. (I work in the land planning field and am very familiar with Athens-Clarke County and surrounding areas.)

I live on this east side. I can walk to schools, diverse shopping and retail, grocery stores, liquor stores, restaurants, churches and gas stations from my house. There are several established neighborhoods here from older subdivisions (Brookstone, Green Acres & Cedar Creek) to townhomes (Georgetown, Stratford and Ansonborough) to newer subdivisions. In addition, There are some very nice country spreads complete with room for a horse out in the Barnett Shoals Road, Whit Davis Road and Morton Road areas.

There are many distinct neighborhoods in Athens. The basic division is East Side - West Side. The two high schools are located so that one is east and one is west. There are west side areas which range from rural tracts, big lot subdivisions, older subdivisions closer to town and in-town historic neighborhoods and downtown houses and historic condos. Boulevard and Cobbham are historic areas. You will pay to buy here but there are very cool old homes.

I can answer any questions about traffic, crime, economics, race,
schools and politics that you may have. My god daughters both attend Cedar Shoals HS (east side) and are getting a very good education.

It's nice to hear that the city/county is making an effort to keep the growth in check, or at least well-planned. My best friend is the county planning manager in Bozeman, MT, and battling with developers (and the feds who want to do that awful gas drilling in MT) is not easy (though her county is the ONLY one in all of MT and Wyoming, I think, that has so far managed to keep the drilling at bay).

My husband and I, in the next few weeks, will probably spend a weekend cruising between Athens and Covington and Jefferson to get a feel for the area. We'd looked along I 985/23 - Gainesville and northward, but I kinda prefer the idea of being in Athens or halfway between Atlanta and Athens, b/c I like the idea of access to the university, even if I don't work there.

I grew up about an hour and a half from Los Angeles in San Bernardino County in a tiny orange growing town; even 25 years ago the two areas felt separate and distinct but the last time I visited about 5 years ago it all blended together. I don't like it, but I think perhaps that's the way Atlanta is going, swallowing up small towns on the way.

Equal distance from Atlanta and Athens.
Right outside metro area, but still has small town feel.
And I'm there........taking over the local Dem Party and making us a force to be reckoned with :)

very intriguing...

I'll check out a few realty sites for Covington. I think friends of ours recently bought a house there but I think it's one of the newer developments and I want to stay out of those.

Our town wasn't burned when Sherman came through, so we have lots of our beautiful old homes.

to work on my Masters degree. I like it here. I moved from Atlanta, and first thought that I was moving to the country, however there is always something going on here, and there's still a great music scene. I moved from Decatur, a fairly liberal area near ATL, and am glad that I am again in a blue section of our red state.

We just bought a house in one of the historic areas - though the prices may seem high to some, it's cheaper than renting here, and about a quarter of the cost of buying in a metro area. The neighboorhood I live in is very close to downtown, so walking to school or downtown is always an option.

Let me know if there are any more specific questions I could answer.