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ATHENS, GEORGIA
With a population of just over 100,000 residents, Athens sits among the pines of northeast Georgia, 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. Founded in 1801, the "Classic City" was spared destruction during the American Civil War and still boasts numerous excellent examples of Greek revival architecture. A thriving college town, Athens gets much of its population, and derives much of its arts and cultural energy, from the University of Georgia.
Each year, Athens hosts the summer music festival Athfest, the Athens PopFest and the North Georgia Folk Festival, and residents can keep up to date on the local music scene by reading the free weekly Flagpole Magazine.
In the downtown area, the Classic Center is a major venue for special events and performing arts, and the University's Performing Arts Center brings national and international performers to Athens, with two of the country's most acclaimed concert halls.
The Athens Twilight Criterium, drawing over 30,000 spectators, is a nationally-famed nighttime race, hosting eight separate race classes and 150 cyclists competing in the main event, the men's criterium, a 60-km course around downtown Athens.
Housing options for incoming residents include single family houses, many in Athens' historic neighborhoods, as well as apartments, downtown condominiums, and rural properties outside of town. Students can also take advantage of the University's dormitories and married-student housing.
Downtown Athens
Although Athens' musical reputation draws many visitors to the town's center, the historic downtown district also has much to offer in the way of dining, nightlife, coffee houses, shops, galleries, and boutiques. The several blocks of largely intact 19th century architecture contain over 55 restaurants in the walkable downtown area, located just outside the University's main gate and adjacent to North Campus.
Music and Club Scene
Athens gained national and international fame in the 1980s with groundbreaking bands like R.E.M., the B-52's, Pylon, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, and Love Tractor. The city known as "the Liverpool of the South" has maintained its status as a mecca for musicians and startup bands through the years, and today, on most nights of the week a visitor to the historic downtown district can hear live music played in dozens of venues.
Arts and Culture
High culture, pop culture, and counter culture come together in Athens' arts and cultural climate. Athens is home to a thriving arts scene, with many visual artists, musicians, writers, and performers working on campus and living in and around town. The late Reverend Howard Finster, a highly influential folk artist, created the art environment Paradise Garden and over 45,000 pieces of individual art in nearby Summerville, Georgia.
Recreational Areas
The State Botanical Garden, a few minutes south of campus, is operated by the University for the general public to find beauty, knowledge and solitude in a garden setting. The University's Lake Herrick recreation area, along with nearby Sandy Creek and Watsons Mill Bridge, offer excellent outdoor recreation opportunities and several miles of well-kept walking trails, with the Appalachian mountains about ninety minutes' drive to the north.
Bicycling in Athens
Athens is one of the most bike-friendly areas in the country, with some of the bicycling circuit's top riders choosing Athens as their home and training ground. From the center of town, a ten minute bike ride will open up countless miles of surrounding rural roads, and bicycling clubs offer opportunities to amateur riders of any skill level.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Athens is significantly lower than the national average. The city offers many recreational and entertainment possibilities that are free to the public or inexpensive.
Downtown Athens, Ga.
40 Watt Club
State Botanical Garden
Performing Arts Center
Finster's Paradise Garden
Outdoor cafe downtown
Classic Center