Explore the appeal of residing or investing in Athens, Georgia! Our extensive guide serves as your ultimate resource for discovering all this lively city has to offer and locating your ideal property. From its various neighborhoods to its deep-rooted history and flourishing arts scene, there is something for everyone– so take a look around (virtually speaking) with us today.
The Appeal of Athens
Athens, located centrally in Georgia, has a population of 129,000 people with diverse cultural backgrounds. The city also has a rich culture which attracts tourists from both near and far. Its historic downtown area is charming; here one can find lots to see— including an active live music scene plus delicious food from many different cuisines!
Quality of Life
Athens offers an unparalleled quality of life. Its attractive small-town ambiance and lively cultural offerings make it easy to see why people adore this city. Whether you’re into retail therapy (try the extensive Georgia Square Mall) or checking out cool restaurants (such as award-winning The Last Resort Grill), there is plenty to keep you busy here.
Don’t overlook the many parks in Athens, including Memorial Park and Sandy Creek Nature Center. With top-rated schools like Clarke Central High School, it’s perfect for families— settle down and enjoy everything the city has to offer!
Economic Opportunities
Athens has a bright economy with major employers like the University of Georgia, Athens Regional Medical Center, and The Kroger Company. Leading employment sectors here are education, healthcare, and retail– but it’s not just those sectors that thrive; Fortune 500s such as Caterpillar have set up shop in town too! At 3.8%, the unemployment rate in Athens is slightly below the national average of 4.2%– but don’t let this difference fool you. Athens has a strong job market with lots of opportunities. It’s stable for people who live here, and there are plenty of opportunities to make money if you’re thinking about investing in the city!
The Real Estate Market in Athens is Growing
Affordability and Value
If you’re thinking about purchasing property in Athens, GA, don’t overlook its affordable real estate market. It has a variety of housing options, including historic homes and new developments. Median home prices are below the national average according to Zillow data— good news for budget-conscious investors as well as those buying their first house!
Some of the most sought-after neighborhoods include:
- Five Points: People love this area because it’s so peaceful, yet still centrally located. The typical home goes for $945,000.
- Cobbham and Boulevard: Who wouldn’t want to live in a beautiful historic home right near everything Athens has to offer?
- University and Glenwood: These quiet neighborhoods close to downtown Athens are in a great location.
- Baxter: If you’re on a budget, this area has homes listed at $272,000 on average: the lowest in Athens.
Real Estate Market Insights
The housing market is booming in Athens, GA with average home values at $319,277— an increase of 3.8% over last year— showing high demand for real estate according to Zillow. If you’re selling a house, things move quickly: on average, just 41 days pass between listing and sale agreed. Investors searching for rentals will find a variety of tenants in this city: young professionals, UGA students, and families who want to live somewhere inexpensive. There are also new buildings going up all over town– for example, at The Mark– so if you buy one now its value could go up!
Buying Process
Athens has a booming real estate market with diverse properties available. To ensure your investment is a success, it’s vital to work with a neighborhood real estate agent; they’ll know the area inside out and will be able to offer guidance throughout the process. Don’t forget to budget for additional costs like maintenance fees and property taxes too. If you want to save money on your purchase, consider buying off-peak (i.e. not in spring or summer), or even paying up-front in cash!
Living in Athens
Cultural and Recreational Activities
Athens, Georgia, provides its residents with a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities. The city has many museums and art centers. These include the Georgia Museum of Art and the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art— both highly regarded. There’s something for everyone, with options including biking and hiking trails at the State Botanical Garden for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as adventure watersports at Lake Oconee. What’s more? There are also famous parks such as Memorial Park and picturesque trekking spots, including Raven Cliff Falls– enough variety to keep even the most indecisive entertained!
Education and Healthcare
Being more than just a lively city with deep-rooted history and culture, Athens also has top-notch schools. Both public (like the Clarke County School District) and private (such as Athens Academy) institutions offer students quality education; further education options abound as well! The city has a commendable healthcare system too– facilities such as St Mary’s Health Care System and Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center are top-notch.
Community and Lifestyle
In Athens, there is a lively community that is close and welcoming to all. Families, students, and professionals mix easily in this area, making it both homely feeling as well as diverse. Regular events such as Twilight Criterium or Athens Farmers Market provide ways for different types of residents to come together around shared interests like good food, art, or music!
Residents have some great choices for dining out they could go to The National for tasty food or have coffee at Two Story Coffee House. If shopping is more your thing, you can browse in Heery’s Clothes Closet or visit the historic downtown, which has loads of independent stores!
Transportation and Accessibility
Even though it’s small, Athens, Georgia, has great transportation options. Interstate highways I-85 and I-20 make it easy to drive to other places. And if you don’t feel like driving, there are airports nearby: Ben Epps Airport flies in and out of Atlanta as well as Charlotte; Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is just an hour away via train or car from downtown Athens. Athens Transit offers dependable bus services for city travel, even though Athens is a college town with an increasing population. Traffic is also manageable in comparison to bigger cities!
Overall Conclusion on Living and Buying Real Estate in Athens
To sum it up: Athens, Georgia has a lot to offer residents and home buyers. With good weather, friendly people and lots of things to do, it’s no wonder this town is popular! Furthermore, there are a slew of jobs for young professionals, as well as safety for families and retirees. This makes Athens a great investment opportunity; why not move to this lovely city?