As a UGA soon-to-be graduate, I am a bit biased. Clearly. But, I find myself being extra sentimental upon leaving this classic town for more reasons than meets the eye. I have a theory that Athens is made for people from all walks of life. If you walk on the intersection in front of the arch and simply take a full 360 view of this iconic town, you will see anything from retired veterans in need of the smallest act of kindness and wide-eyed and bushy-tailed 18-year-olds with almost no concept of money to well-established families with the most perfect Air BNB posted. And that is my point. Athens has room for all of us.
Be as fast paced or laid back as you choose:
I compare Athens to the classic scene in Finding Nemo where you meet Crush and Squirt for the first time. If you want Athens to take you somewhere exciting and new in your future, jump in. The amount of organizations fighting for a better tomorrow is eyebrow raising. If you want to admire Athens from afar, grab a coffee and watch people find their inspiration way. Speaking of people with coffee… if you’re in the mood for something fun to do, I guarantee you can stop along any of the coffee shops and ask a person sitting in the window what their plans are tonight. And pretty inexpensive. Which brings me to my next point.
Cost of living and/or recreation is WAY affordable:
Black and White picture of the iconic Georgia Theatre in Athens Georgia with Baby Boy da Prince on the Marquee
You can find little homes that costs $315 (not including utilities) every month. THAT IS ABSURD. People would give their eye teeth to find a cozy and safe place for that price in any other city. I am 4 minutes from anything and everything fun. If I want to go to a concert, no problem. Tickets at the iconic Georgia Theatre or 40-Watt are rarely over $5-$15/person and they have the most lovely assortment of talented wonders that you will want to see. Or if you’re in the mood for some cheap alcohol Athens practically runs off of cheap alcohol. A fancy double shot is four bucks. A trendy sit-down dinner usually runs you $15-$20. And that is with drinks and an appetizer.
The Breweries. Need I say more?
Creature Comforts, Terrapin, Copper Creek, Southern Brewing Company. This tiny town has four lovely breweries. Want something Hoppy? Terrapin. Want food with that? Copper Creek. Want a range from sour beer to the most american tasting IPA? Creature Comforts. In each of these Breweries you can expect all, but most definitely not limited to:
Inside the Creature Comforts brewery in Athens, Georgia. Chalkboard menu and copper lamps with a group of people standing around.
A dean from one of UGA’s Colleges
A trendy mom and dad visiting their kid
Small Dogs
Hipsters who give you serious social media envy
Greek life students who like to party
Greek life students who like to study
Big Dogs
Artists with all the tattoos or none of the tattoos
People who like drinking, but like to be in bed by 12
Quiet Photographers
And Puppies.
Athens is an ideal place for someone who doesn’t know exactly what they want to be. And that is the beauty of it. Because Athens provides a plethora of personalities, activities, philanthropies, food and nightlife for you to figure out what you do and do not like.
Come and visit.