Athens (Madison: hardwood floors, crime rate, house)

[imaterry78259]

Is Athens the cooliest city in GA

[tonythetiger]

I'm relocating from a long year in Orlando-I would like to get away from the tourists, crime, etc. Would Athens be a cool place to be? Yea, it's a college town but I'm divorced, in my 'young 40's' and would would probably go to every football game! Just looking for a safe place to call home.

Interested in churches, shopping and good restaurants.

Thank you!

[meltinjohn]

I saw bits and pieces of Athens on youtube. It looks great to be honest.
Like a small city with kind of a NW vibe.

[athensvaasi]

I lived and worked 10+ years in Athens, and I enjoyed it. Recently moved out because for my line of work Athens did not have very much to offer. Downtown Athens is really cool, but primarily student oriented. Good suburban housing (5-7 miles from downtown) can be had for 150+ K. I once read that for comparable towns Athens crime rate is low.

[Megan1967]

I'm considering moving to Athens in the next 4 years.

Someone mentioned crime. It never entered my mind to worry about crime in a city it's size. Is it known for crime (other than petty stuff)? Doesn't sound like it from the responses that poster received, but still, made me sort of take notice.

Another poster said you could get decent housing for 150K, but I'd like to know more. "Decent" is so relative. I live in a well kept up 3 bedroom, 2 full bath, 1300 sq foot (not counting the mechanical/laundry room), 11 year old, track home with some upgrades like cathedral ceilings and hardwood floors, tile and carpet in the usual places (all carpet was replaced last spring, too) and a small yard. Here in Madison it is assessed at 197K. The market is crap here right now and I'm not sure what I could get for it if I tried to sell it today, but since I'm in no hurry, let's assume I can get assessed value. What would a comparable house cost in or near Athens?

Thanks much in advance!

Megan