Athens Reviews

594 reviews

Athens is a cute college town. There's a lot to do here, whether you enjoy nightlife, greenery, or meeting new people.

Athens is a great place to live. The community is connected and also a great place to attend school.

When I moved to Athens in 1976 it was a big town with a funky, creative energy and its own unique vibe. There were many converted spaces for inexpensive rentals, and local eccentrics whom everyone got to know. Now it has become, not a big town, but a small city, with heavy traffic, Atlanta prices, and huge, ugly apartment complexes. People used to have to make their own entertainment at night--thus the evolution of the Athens music scene--but now there are So Many Bars that you can't go downtown on weekends without seeing someone throwing up or falling down. There is an excellent cultural scene: concerts with music of all kinds, art shows, free lectures, and Athens is ahead of the curve on promoting Green living--recycling, composting, etc. The Botanical Gardens, the Firefly Trail and Sandy Creek Nature Center are all pluses for nature lovers. The light pollution, the homeless problem, and the traffic congestion are minuses. I don't live there anymore.

Review Athens

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I have lived in Athens my entire life, and my overall experience has been mediocre. Growing up, downtown and the Georgia Square Mall used to be thought of as the cool place to be. Now, the mall is run down, with a minimal amount of relevant stores still open, and downtown Athens is becoming a center for homeless people and drugs. The only safe neighborhoods in Athens now are way out of range for the typical healthy middle-class family. The overall look of this city is going down hill as well. Buildings, roads, and neighborhoods are biginning to look run down and old.

I love Athens! I have grown up here and it's a phenomenal place to live! It can feel almost like a small boulder or cool mountain town with more diversity. If you're looking for a place to have a family or settle down - Athens is perfect.

It's the definition of a college town, that's all you really need to know. Huge nightlife, around 83+ bars, etc.

Athens has been a very fun experience. The job market is good however housing is too expensive and often inaccessible. Not very diverse either.

I go to college in Athens and so far this city has been pretty fun. I will say that there are some sketchy parts of town but other than that I’d say it’s a fun place to live

I love the community and all of the different resources. I wish that there was more of a connection with the homeless population, but I love living in Athens

I live in Athens and attend the university of Georgia as a student. Athens is always moving and growing. Whether you are a foodie and want to try all of the different restaurants or a drinker and wish to try the multiple breweries and bars here or like a scenic run on the trails, I have never been bored here. While the bustle of traffic from the university can be an inconvenience there is always something close by that can keep me busy or give me a space to be alone.

It is truly a quaint tender town. It is for sure a college town but not in the ways you would expect, the college students add so much more value to the town. They're not your typical party-going college students, the students of this town serve across many churches and youth-encouraging organizations. The town itself has so much culture and different views to offer.

I lived in Athens all my life, and the city is beautiful. Downtown is always full of excitement and the people there are very warm and welcoming.

The city government is very involved with the goings-on in the city, and they do their best to make it a place you want to be. The infrastructure is relatively advanced, they put on cool events, things are kept clean, but there are deep problems in the city that are not solved easily. There is an extremely high rate of homelessness, a factor not unrelated to the immense wealth disparity between those affiliated with the university and Athens locals. Additionally, there are many landlords who are all too ready to take advantage of students and their need for “good enough” housing. All that being said, Athens is a good place to be a student, there’s tons to do, there are well kept parks and nature is never far away, and you’re pretty close to Atlanta as well. There’s also a thriving local music scene, and some of the best restaurants too. If the homelessness could be better addressed, and some checks and balances placed on landlords, it’d easily be a 5-star city in my book.

Love Athens. It is a wonderful college town with tons of things to do. I am happy with the environment and love that it is very pedestrian focused.

As an Athens native who has migrated elsewhere and then back again, the city has its pros & cons. It’s a unique city, and has a small town college feel to it. Downtown Athens, while still somewhat unique compared to other downtown areas, has lost the distinct feel & aesthetic it once had. Local outfits were once bustling but are now replaced by chains who outbid on commercial spaces. Clarke county has held the highest poverty rate in GA, which is also troubling. The most problematic issue I see are the schools. As an alumna of CCSD with a elementary aged child now attending, I can see the drastic difference in experiences and atmosphere. Leadership in CCSD is lacking& they put any warm bodies in classrooms. A few good teachers & admin remain however, most are there for a paycheck. Early intervention of the youth is imperative. Economically, it’s mostly a “who knows who” set up for employment opportunities. Crime increases yearly as well. Overall, the town I once loved is declining

As an Athens GA resident I have to say the downtown area is beautiful. There are a lot of cool shops to explore and so much Georgia bulldog pride due to the University of Georgia being located in Athens GA which makes us a college town (Go Dawgs! ). I absolutely love seeing all of the art downtown and all of the bulldog statues scattered all around the city! I also love how artistic the city looks with beautiful art pieces placed around the city as well. The only down side is I feel the city is too small and missing amusement parks and other forms of entertainment. But overall its a cute city.

Review Athens

I have loved living in Athens! I personally am interested in food and farmer's market scenes, and I have been able to make an extraordinary number of friends with the same interests. Everywhere I go, I always see someone I know, which makes me feel like I belong and that I have a great community. Athens always hosts a number of events, too, which are great ways to get involved. Overall, I love the strong commitment to community here.

I was born and raised here in Athens and have yet to move elsewhere. That can only mean that I like Athens! I grew up on the eastside and still live on that side of town because there is more diversity, more trees and grassy areas, less people, and less traffic. I like that Athens is a progressive town in a conservative state. I like that it feels like a small town and that there are all kinds of cool people here. There are so many artists, both physical art and music, and many opportunities to support these artists at concerts and artist markets.

Athens, Georgia, is a charming and delightful city that captures the essence of Southern hospitality and boasts a unique blend of history, culture, and vibrant college-town energy. This vibrant mix of students, locals, and visitors creates a welcoming and inclusive ambiance, making Athens a truly inviting place for all.
One of the most endearing aspects of Athens is its rich musical heritage. The historic North Campus of the University of Georgia, with its iconic arches and majestic buildings, offers a glimpse into the past and adds a sense of grandeur to the city's landscape. The culinary scene in Athens is also a major draw, with a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and food trucks offering diverse and delectable dishes. Coupled with a warm and friendly community that takes pride in its city, Athens, Georgia, embodies the essence of a delightful and enjoyable destination that leaves a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to experience its charms.

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