Moving to Athens, Ga need advice badly (Athens-Clarke County, Watkinsville: for sale, apartments)

[MSchemist80]

I've accepted a job with USDA in Athens, Ga and am a bit lost. I am a 28, single male and just finished my MS in Chemistry. I've lived in the Chicago area all my life. The lab where I'll work is on the southeast side of town by the airport. I would like maybe a two bedroom apartment in a quiet area. I'd like a place without the "Animal House" atmosphere; loud music all night with wasted students.

I've been combing the archives. I am wondering if I would be better off living in Winterville, Watkinsville, or Arnoldsville rather than Athens proper? Are apartments available there? Is there a good apartment broker someone could recommend?

My primary concerns are
1. Safe and somewhat quiet
2. Cost most bang for your buck
3. Distance I'd like to be withing 10 miles of where I work.

[rxlynn]

Hi - my family has been looking at Watkinsville as a possible place to move, and I did not see any apartments when we were driving around - all single family housing. There may be some somewhere, but I didn't notice them. Watkinsville is basically a bedroom community for Athens - schools are fantastic, so lots of families. Perhaps you could get a rental house there? I think it would be convenient to where you will be working.

[Ollie1946]

First, you might want to do a search on this site for Athens. You should find a number of conversations regarding life here.

Second, I am unaware of a USDA lab site near the airport but then I am not sure how you define near. The only one of which I am aware is on College Station Road.

Watkinsville is in Oconee County while Winterville is in Athens-Clarke County. Both of these "villes" will meet your requirement for peace and quiet. Watkinsville would be more of a commuting convenience than Winterville. Watkinsville would be my choice given they do have a few restaurants and Oconee County is considered one of the most liveable places in GA. They have almost no crime and it is a lovely area.

With that said, there are plenty of apartment possibilities near the USDA on College Station. Some of them are walking distance and certainly biking distance should we hit another gasoline increase which we almost certainly will. Also, these places are very convenient to restaurants of all sorts and to other shopping. Yes, they are student oriented, but everything in this town is.

My recommendation is to rent nearby. Become familiar with the area and then choose where you want to wind up. There is not much in the way of rental units in Watkinsville or Winterville.

Our local paper is online: AthensOnline.com It has a crime map. Most of our crime is property crime and much of that is related towards students who leave computers and IPODS in their cars for all to see. Also, when students are away on weekends and holidays and breaks, then every thief in a 100 miles knows it. Duh!

If you want to contact me directly, go ahead. I can recommend a doctor, a dentist, a bank and other necessities that would be very convenient to you from College Station.

Right now, we are awash in rentals of all sorts and also homes and condos for sale. But you would want to explore in my opinion.

Good luck.

[ReturningWest]

I'd say Watkinsville area, good luck finding a non-college rental apartment tho...commuting around Athens is pretty easy even in "high traffic" times. I doubt you'd find much to rent in Winterville there is NOTHING there but a quickmart.

I'd try to rent a home in an nice subdivison, with the economy being the way it is you should be able to find something.