Closest Beach to Athens? (Atlanta, Savannah: school, live in, moving to)

[sray017]

My girlfriend and I will probably be moving to Athens soon so she can attend grad school and we were wondering if there are any beaches less than 5 hours away?

How do they compare to the beaches in the Gulf or is it worth driving the extra distance to go to the Gulf?

[MoreCowbell]

Savannah or somewhere in South Carolina will be where you would go, and they look close to the same distance away. Savannah area beaches are nice but the Gulf of Mexico beaches are much nicer. I have never been to SC so I can't help there, but the beach area I hear the most about is Myrtle Beach, which is up the coast closer to NC.
We just ruled out Athens because it is too far from the ocean, but is a nice enough area.

[FFG3]

Originally Posted by sray017

My girlfriend and I will probably be moving to Athens soon so she can attend grad school and we were wondering if there are any beaches less than 5 hours away?

How do they compare to the beaches in the Gulf or is it worth driving the extra distance to go to the Gulf?

Tybee Island is a great beach in Savannah. I live in Savannah and it takes me around 4 hours to get to Athens. Hilton Head, SC is in the Savannah area as well and has great beaches.

[sray017]

Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Savannah or somewhere in South Carolina will be where you would go, and they look close to the same distance away. Savannah area beaches are nice but the Gulf of Mexico beaches are much nicer. I have never been to SC so I can't help there, but the beach area I hear the most about is Myrtle Beach, which is up the coast closer to NC.
We just ruled out Athens because it is too far from the ocean, but is a nice enough area.

She was looking at Tampa... and while she was looking I was praying for Tampa.

But Athens seems like a really nice area and a great school for her. So we'll sacrifice the beach if we must.. but not for long.

[MoreCowbell]

Very noble of you! The area and school are both very nice, especially if you like football and live music.
You'll have a few years close to the mountains, just make the best of those and then head for a beach! Good luck!!

[sray017]

Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Very noble of you! The area and school are both very nice, especially if you like football and live music.
You'll have a few years close to the mountains, just make the best of those and then head for a beach! Good luck!!

Unfortunately we're moving away from the good football (Roll Tide ). But we'll make the best of some OK football and get to the beach when we can. We're not really mountain people. Give us some sun and sand and we're good for a long time.

I think we'll make it... maybe.

[sedimenjerry]

I think it would probably be worth the extra drive just to go to Panama City Beach.
It's practically the unofficial official beach for Atlantans. In fact, I'm going there next week!

[sray017]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

I think it would probably be worth the extra drive just to go to Panama City Beach.
It's practically the unofficial official beach for Atlantans. In fact, I'm going there next week!

We visited Athens yesterday/part of today. She wasn't very impressed with the town or the school for that matter. It is very nice but it's much of the same stuff that's available here in Birmingham. We'll be visiting Tampa towards the end of July; hopefully she'll like it so we can be close to St. Pete.

Thanks for all y'all's help and info.