Oconee County (Watkinsville, Bishop: house prices, buy, schools)

[pmbarber]

Another Floridian here looking to move to GA. Im a native Floridian, but after 37 years I have seen enough to know that it is time to get out before it gets any worse. I have done alot of research, and have read countless pages on this board......very helpful by the way, one of the areas that I find most interesting is Oconee County. The area sounds nice, kind of hilly (not sure if thats a word), rural, decent schools, good housing and close to a larger city like Athens. I was thinking of somewhere near Watkinsville or even Bishop. I was wondering if someone could give me an overview of the area. Are my claims above describing the area correct or am I way off base. How is the city of Athens? Thank you in advance for any and all information you can give me.

[LLD]

I don't think Athens is a large city, only about 175,000 in the Athens metro area. It's a college town generally with University of Georgia there. I love the downtown area full of good restaurants, music venues, pubs etc. Housing prices are also very good in Athens and the surrounding area, but everything is relative to what you yourself are used to.

I have a friend that lives in Athens and he likes it. I also have a cousin who lives there and very much likes it. It seems to be a progressive town and the people were very friendly when I was there. And it is definitely more technology oriented I would think than other similar towns the same size but I think that is because of the university. Try reading their online newspaper to get more information -- www.onlineathens.com.

Oconee County is very popular and the house prices will be more there than in Athens and a few of the other surrounding areas. I remember talking to a cab driver when I was last there, he was telling me everyone wanted to live in Oconee County. Me personally, I would buy an historic house in town if I were to choose Athens.