Is Athens the place for us? (Columbus, Dayton: fit in, rental, crime)

[Joshy]

My fiancee and I are REALLY wanting to move away from mansfield and are looking for a town (not a city...or at least not a city that feels like a city) with a strong SENSE OF COMMUNITY, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS. A place that an artist would want to raise children. I am looking into Athens and would like ANY feedback about the good and bad of the place. Desperately seeking a community that does not stare at their collective shoes.

[paintballer1708]

SENSE OF COMMUNITY, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS.

I think you picked the right spot then. Athens has the oldest university in the country other than Harvard and Princeton. Its a nice quiet town in SE Ohio. It is also know as a party town but that doesnt change the overall apperance of the city. It is very nice. It is into education and the arts. I think you picked the best place in SE Ohio to move to. I think you will like it there.

[htlong]

i thought william and mary was the second oldest college in the country

[georgiamom]

I love Athens. I miss it so much. I lived there for 10 years while attending college. It has absolutely everything you want or need. Parkersburg and Lancaster (bigger malls) are only 45 minutes away and Columbus (where you can get anything) is only an hour and a half away. Don't forget to check out the Athens Recreation Center for the kids. Ohio University is AWESOME! There are lots of summer educational programs arount OU. Also, check out the Summer Otter Day Camp for kids. My son loved it. Good luck and if you need any more info, just contact me.

[OUGuy297]

Ohio University is the oldest university west of the Appalachian mountains. My wife and I attended college there from 1998-2003, and we really loved it. It is starting to grow a little bit now, they have a Wal-Mart with a plaza and a some other big-box retailers. That was all new when I visites last fall.

The presence of the university really drives up rental housing though, so you may want to look a little ways out of town. There is a nice community nearby called The Plains, where you might be able to find more affordable housing. Good Luck!

[bobcat07]

I agree Athens seems to be a good fit for you. There are plenty of street festivals and various other art performances/shows. For a family I would make sure to choose where I live carefully, I know I wouldn't want to raise kids where I live now (as a student). There are some very nice family areas though and the public transit system is really nice. I love Athens and it's laid back atmosphere. Also, I am an education major at Ohio University and I know the school offers an after school program called "kids on campus" in which college students along with advisors provide children with a learning environment that is fun and educational and also allows them to interact with other kids. All in all Athens is a great small town.

[Andrea Jean]

Athens is on my family's list of possible places to relocate, and I am planning a trip to explore in the spring. Does it commonly snow in this corner of Ohio in early April? I've seen the statistics, and it seems to be a possiblity. I'm just wondering if a local can tell me if it's likely. I have a lot of places to visit right after Easter, and don't want to get stuck somewhere.

We are looking into Athens because I want to finish school in a few years, when the kids are all in school. Does the U have very many non-traditional students? I'd hate to be the only "old lady" in class.

What is the crime like the area? Are there any neighborhoods to avoid, or are they all pretty safe? Does the U have any bad effects on town, like high drug problems? I know that we'll see some of this anywhere, but sometimes college towns are known for more than their fair share.

Does the U community integrate well into the town, or is there an "us" versus "them" attitude with the locals? This was the case in the town that I'm from and it tended to make everyone involved with the U into a sub-culture that didn't really fit in with everyone else.

I know, too many questions. I get three more for every one that I ask, so I'd better stop before I have to put chapters into this. I'd appreciate any answers that people have!

[julievb]

OU is great! I went to school there from 97-2001. It's a small college town that revolves solely around the school. Halloween gets a big crazy/fun too!
I never came across any crime/break-ins. Oh, & it BARELY snowed while I was there the 4 years....maybe 8 times total. Classes were cancelled once!! I miss it now---since I'm in SD, Ca.

[cyberdasher]

How about Yellow Springs, OH? Within 20 miles of Dayton and about 50(?) to Columbus.

[Athens Lady]

Hello! I'm in Athens and work for the county. I've been here for about 14 years and LOVE it! I'd be happy share info on the area and here is the county website: www.athenscountygovernment.com, the Athens City website: http://www.ci.athens.oh.us, and the visitor's bureau: www.athensohio.com. If you love the arts, also check out Nelsonville: http://www.nelsonville.net, the town is really turning into a hot arts center and the town overall is really revitalizing.


Hope that helps.