[tas1812]

Hello all;

I will be relocating to Athens within the month and need help in locating a really good studio apt (for now) will be looking for house to rent within (hopefully) six months. Any input from Property Management would be good. Moving from (cold) Western New York area.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[harry chickpea]

Well, overnight temps have been around 10 degrees at our place recently, so...

The local newspaper is on the web at eCourier.com and the chamber of commerce has a website as well. There is a major apartment complex (Sandpiper) on Clinton St near Hwy 72, but other than that I think most apartments may be owned by individuals. A call to the chamber might lead you in the right direction.

[cpg35223]

I think you would be better off in Madison and commute.

[Southlander]

Why? What's wrong with living in Athens?

[harry chickpea]

I would suggest that commute ONLY if there were no apartments available. Athens is a pretty and vibrant town, and 72 going to Madison is not a safe drive. Fully 60% of the times I've driven it I've passed a wreck or nearly been in one. The road is a divided 4 lane over hilly country with traffic lights hidden at the bottom of at least two hills, and has multiple access points from stores and parking lots onto that road where people commonly drive sixty and over to make up for the multiple traffic light stops.

If I have to get to the other side of Huntsville from Athens, I go down 65 and up the interstate feeder to avoid that stretch entirely. It ends up being faster and MUCH safer.

Commuting from Decatur up 31 would be a breeze in comparison.

[tas1812]

thank you for your replys -- I will give the Chamber a call and check out the website

[Michelle4AMH]

You might want to check a local website Athens Alabama information and business directory for more info on apartments and rental houses. There are lot of nice things about Athens. I would definitely give it a look first. I have researched the area for myself recently and found a lot to be desirable about the area. I don't know what your circumstances or needs are, but I will give you my opinion. The area is growing fast...particularly the East side towards Madison. There is a New Fire Station, new medical plaza, a Publix on the way and big majority of the restaurants and businesses/strip malls on Hwy 72 have all sprung up in the last 3-4 years. There has been a committee formed to revitalize the downtown area..it has new restaurants, quaint little book shops, art stores,and there is talk of loft apartments being there in the future. New announcements all the time about things to come...schools rank well...even the Elementary in the "worst" area of Athens seems to get good test scores. I think in the future Athens is sitting on a gold mine because of it's location right off the interstate. The growth and prosperity of the Huntsville area will spread that way..no doubt. Yet, all the bigger city benefits and activities are just a short drive away. Just my take as a Huntsville area resident...that seems to be turning into an Athens fan for the big picture.

[harry chickpea]

Shhh! Don't spoil it by bringing in the hoards. The Publix hasn't broken ground yet, but there is one in Madison. The downtown is good. I don't recall having seen one with the potential of the one in Athens. If you put Athens Alabama as a search term in google videos or youtube, there is a video someone made of the town that is not a bad take on it.

[tas1812]

that was an awsome youtube video --- thanks for the info. Athens really seems like the small town that I now live in. I have found all of your comments to be helpful--your's also Michelle. I have been following Mayor Dan's blog for the past month--I now know alot about his personal life (I hope he gets his diabetes under control) -- well I am counting down the days now--I will be leaving within the next two weeks. I will be living-temporarily-with my daughter in TN. Can't wait to start my new job and life in Athens!!!

[Michelle4AMH]

Yes...I am sure Mayor Dan is a nice guy..but I get a little chuckle out of his blog too when I have read it. You would think it was a REALLY small town....kind of like Mayberry...from his blog sometimes. He loves to talk about where and what he eats when he goes out and who all he saw when he was there. Actually, the 2007 consensus showed Athens population at close to 22,000 I believe, with a postive growth rate of around 15%.