8 Best Places to Live in Athens-Clarke County, GA

Athens-Clarke County, GA,  is a great place to live for many reasons. People come to Athens for the excellent schools, Athens’ lively music and arts scene, and the University of Georgia. They stay for these reasons, but also the friendly people, mild weather, and lack of traffic. Athens is a great place to raise a family, launch a career, or retire.

Let’s look at the benefits of living in Clarke County. We’ll also profile some of the best places to live in Athens and Clarke County that place you close to its top amenities.

Why live in Clarke County, GA?

With seven colleges and universities, Athens is definitely a college town. Events and activities are always happening, particularly in the fall and spring seasons. The main attraction is the University of Georgia, a top-ranked public higher education school with around 29,000 undergraduates. Its beautiful campus was established in 1785, making it one of the oldest public universities in the nation. US News and World Report ranked Athens one of the best college towns in the country and no. 48 among national universities.

Six other colleges and universities call Athens home, like Athens Technical College, Piedmont University, and the private Emmanuel College. Besides creating a lively atmosphere, Athens has a highly educated population.

Besides education, Athens is equally known for its lively music and arts scene. Athens is known as the birthplace of alternative rock. The B-52s and REM were from here. The town has more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the country. Take a local music history tour to get a complete feel of Athens’ influence on American pop/alt music.

With such a rich culture, Athens naturally hosts several festivals throughout the year, like the five-day Athfest Music & Arts Festival, the North Georgia Folk Festival, Classic City American Music Fest, and the Wildwood Revival. Besides music and arts, the Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle is a major Halloween event with a boisterous parade. Procyclers speed through the streets of downtown Athens at breakneck speed during the Twilight Criterium, one of the most exciting events on the national cycling circuit.

For families, the Clarke County School District is an above-average school district in Georgia, with around 14,000 students. Kids of all ages enjoy attractions such as the Bear Hollow Zoological Park, the Sandy Creek Nature Center, and the WOW Park.

Athens is one of the best places to live outside Atlanta. The south’s largest metro is about an hour’s drive away, making it a great place to live if you want to be close to a major city but don’t want to deal with the traffic and congestion. Athens is also convenient to Augusta, Macon, and Savannah. Day trips are possible to all these cities.

Athens is a great choice if you’re looking for a place to retire. The city was ranked one of the best places to retire in the US and the best in Georgia by Livability in 2020. Forbes also placed it on its “25 Best Places to Retire in 2019” list for its low cost of living and moderate climate.

The weather is mild, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing in the short and humid winter. Temps reach the low 90s in the summer, with muggy days perfect for a dip in the river or pool.

Learn even more about moving to Athens and what you can expect from life in this southern city.

Where to live in Athens, GA

Athens is a solid city to buy a home, with a strong real estate market. Buyers have many different home types available. You can find everything from historic homes in the downtown area to new construction homes in the suburbs.

Athens is broadly divided into five areas: In-town, West Athens, North Athens, East Athens, and Five Points/University. Historic homes are more concentrated In-town. More spacious lots and new subdivisions are found in West and East Athens.

Here are a few popular areas for homes in Athens:

Downtown Athens

Downtown Athens is the city’s heart and home to the University of Georgia. This vibrant area is full of restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural attractions. Downtown is home to many historic buildings and sites, including the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse and the Classic Center. You can live within walking distance of where all Athens’ biggest festivals take place, from ArthFest to the Twilight Criterium.

From rustic cottages to quirky lofts with character and architectural uniqueness to modern apartments and townhomes equipped with everything you need, there’s something for everyone. The median price in June 2022 was $284,900, with two listings on the market.

Cobbham

The Cobbham neighborhood is situated between the downtown area and East Athens. One of the city’s earliest suburbs, this neighborhood has old and new homes, as well as apartments and duplexes. Historic homes started as spacious pre-Civil War estates. After the war, Victorian homes filled in the gardens.

Cobbham is a small community highly desired for its walkability to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. It has a prime location near UGA Medical School.

The June 2022 real estate market had seven listings with a median price of $499,000.

Five Points

Five Points is a historic neighborhood between the Broad River and the UGA campus. Quiet and charming with its tree-lined streets, this neighborhood is home to a variety of businesses. Residents shop at boutique stores, indie booksellers, old-fashioned soda shops, and organic grocers.

The June 2022 real estate market had 27 listings with a median price of $599,000.

Normaltown

The Normaltown neighborhood is between downtown Athens and West Athens. Now considered the “hip” part of an already happening city, Normaltown was named after the State Normal School for teacher education, which was later a Navy Supply Corps School, and now is part of the UGA campus. Normaltown residents enjoy an eclectic range of coffee shops, donut bakeries, bars, and low-key restaurants.

This neighborhood has diversity, with old and new single-family homes, as well as apartments and duplexes. The June 2022 real estate market had 10 listings, with a median price of $464,500.

West Side

The West Side is one of Athens’ most popular areas to live, with several neighborhoods, various home types, and a wide range of lot sizes. The Westside is especially ideal for people who want the convenience of “In-town” living while still being able to commute out of town on Loop 10, HWY 78, or 316.

Residents enjoy being close to their favorite shopping, restaurants, and award-winning schools such as Timothy Road Elementary and Oglethorpe High School.

Highly coveted areas such as Forrest Heights, Kingswood, and Homewood Hills are predominantly populated by those looking for the comfort of a typical suburban neighborhood with big yards and community-minded neighbors. The June 2022 real estate market had 21 listings, with a median price of $427,000.

Chicopee-Dudley

Chicopee-Dudley is situated between downtown Athens and along the Oconee River. The neighborhood is mostly residential and home to both students and long-term residents.

Despite its lack of commercial attractions, Chicopee-Dudley offers other benefits like a quieter lifestyle while still being closer to downtown than the suburbs. Trail Creek Park and the North Oconee River Greenway are great places to play soccer. The expansive Walker Park has recreational fields and trails.

The June 2022 real estate market had 18 listings with a median price of $359,000.

East Athens

This neighborhood, which lies south of downtown Athens, has a variety of established subdivisions, new construction, and apartment complexes. This region’s popularity with students and faculty stems from its proximity to the UGA campus and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

East Athens is desirable for individuals searching for more cost-effective living within 5-10 minutes of Downtown Athens and the University of Georgia (UGA). You’ll discover more established neighborhoods here with a little extra breathing room. The historic Whitehall and its teaching forest are on the East Side.

The local Southeast Clarke Park spans 124 acres and contains amenities like a BMX/skateboard park, dog park, nature paths, and a splash pad.

The June 2022 real estate market had 80 listings with a median price of $284,900.

Popular developments in East Athens include:

The Ansonborough mixed-use development on Gaines School Road and Cedar Shoals Drive includes a grocery store, pharmacy, post office, coffee shop, hair salon, and more shops and restaurants. The gated community features low-maintenance apartment-style condos as well as stately townhomes.

Cedar Creek, founded in the 1960s, has 652 houses with a very active civic organization. Close by are Kroger, Publix, and plenty of food options.

Winterville

Winterville is a suburb east of Athens, between the Athens-Clarke County line and the Oconee River. Here you’ll have a sparse suburban town of around 2,000 residents. Developed around the old train depot, Winterville exemplifies small-town living. Its annual Marigold Festival is a popular tourist attraction.

The June 2022 real estate market had 48 listings with a median price of $299,500.

Living in Athens, GA

Athens-Clarke County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The city always has something happening, whether it’s a live music event or a college sports match. Plus, it’s more affordable than the Atlanta metro, with all the essential amenities.

The Athens real estate market is strong, and many types of homes are available. Live in a historic downtown home or buy new construction in the suburbs. The various neighborhoods have access to many amenities, so you can find the perfect place to call home.

Come see why Athens is one of the best places to live in Georgia! A local real estate agent can help you narrow down your Athens-Clarke County home search.