What is Athens all about? (for sale, real estate, crime rates)

[DrexlerMcStyles]

My wife and I are considering moving to Athens early next year. We have been living in Albuquerque, NM for the last 2 years and hate it. We miss the south, having lived in New Orleans for 3 years, we only left because of Katrina. My wife is a bartender, and has dealt with ridiculous liquor laws here in New Mexico. We want to be sure that Athens has a good bar scene (neighborhood bars, dive bars) and that she wont be treated like a criminal for doing her job (sting operations, etc). I am a photographer and was curious how the art scene is your city. Also, we would want to live (rent) close to downtown, in an old neighborhood. For those of you that might know New Orleans, we lived in the Bywater/ Fabourg Mairgny area near the French Quarter. Thats the type of neighborhood we are looking for, kind of eclectic artist type of area. Any general info or advice, pro and cons of living in Athens would be appreciated. We do not have children. Thanks

[DrexlerMcStyles]

bump

[Ollie1946]

let me suggest first that you search the forum and you will find a lot of "info" on athens. since i am not into the bar scene i have no first hand knowledge other than there are a LOT of bars. now whether you can make a living at it, i just don't know. there is plenty for sale near down town with the qualifications you described. no issue there other than $$$$. still, we are in a real estate downturn and prices have fallen and are likely to continue for sometime to come. crime is high and climbing. big problem. but if you are used to New Orleans, it won't bother you here so much. remember, on the job front, you are competing with college students and with young people who move here for the music scene and or students who graduated but refuse to live anywhere else so they remain and do whatever job they can for whatever wage they can get. they might live with 5 or 6 other people, but nonetheless they are here in Athens.

do the search and then ask more questions would be my initial advice.

i do live here.

[keeshonder]

DrexMCS - there are lot of clubs and bars in the area, most of them downtown, not many in the outer neighborhoods. Not sure what the funky ABQ liquor laws are, although I did spend a lot of time in the area, mostly around Rio Rancho. This is a Southern State, and as such, it does have blue laws, like dry counties, counties where only beer and wine can be sold, or, like Athen-Clarke, where bars are open 7 days a week (although some are closed or don't serve on Sundays). Like anywhere I have lived, they have sting operations against under aged service. Also, everyone gets carded, regardless of age.

There are some neighborhoods near downtown that might interest you. Perhaps not quite as eclectic, but similar. You can go to the ciy-data.com pages and compare the crime rates.

Athens has been designated as a "Destination City" because of it's classic neighborhoods, it's thriving downtown and it's art scene, including music and visual arts.

Hope some of this helps.

[Michelle DeRepentigny]

Depending on your price range, check out the Five Points area of Athens, it is a little pricey but you'll love the housing.

More affordable options include areas of North Athens, where there has been a lot of regentrification & revitalization in the past few years - this area features many cottage style & bungalow style homes with some new artisian homes built on infill lots.

The North Athens area is an easy walk to downtown where the art and music scene is incredible. We do occasionally have "stings" because we are a college town and periodically there are crack downs on under age drinking.

[J2rescue]

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience in Albuquerque. I really enjoyed my time there. I love the way the mountain is visible almost anywhere and it has surprisingly great weather. At at any rate, it is understandable that you would miss the south.