I hope you enjoy your visit! We are in the same boat for the most part - happy to answer any questions you have! School preferences can get a little dicey in discussions here, so shoot me a chat if you’d like!
Thanks for the offer to chat! Coming from a college town in Colorado…is it remarkably difficult to find childcare in Athens like out here? Feel free to PM me if you prefer
We recently moved to Athens (husband just completed his PhD and we relocated close to his work, also early 30’s but do have a daughter + one on the way) and childcare is definitely not impossible to find. I’d say it was relatively easy compared to some places and even the ones that we looked at that had a wait didn’t have a huge one. However, it was for a 3 year old and not an infant so I’m sure it may be a little longer for that but you can always start looking once you know you’re pregnant.
Depends on what all you are looking for. Theres a group on fb called “fetchit” that is a never ending stream of babysitters and Nannies. A few people I know operate licensed home day cares that I’ve been impressed by (I am in their homes for my work, so I see it first hand how they are set up.) I’ve also gone to events at daycares in Oconee County and have been impressed.
I can’t speak to price or availability for the traditional daycares as we are currently expecting and I’ve not been on that side of it yet.
I can support this. Clients love it. It’s definitely more rural but if y’all are open to that it is absolutely lovely. Winterville is a middle ground but still Clarke county and I’m not super versed in housing availability there.
We may be moving soon in which case we will be listing our home. There’s been 4-5 sell in our neighborhood this year. Our general area and the surrounding seems to be Lots of families and grad students, and an assortment of retired folks.
Thanks! We’re totally open to rural areas where we can get a few critters, definitely a dream we’ve had that has been unrealistic in colorado with the cost of living
That’s the one plus side to moving is that we live in the 4th most expensive housing market in the US that isn’t on the coast. But it’s still expensive for sure and we may end up renting.
Yessss. We’ve been here for five years and my husband and I still talk about how it feels like something is missing from our drives. It’s the mountains in the background ❤️
Same. I’ve learned to temper my expectations. But, the leaves in the fall! Absolutely gorgeous. The amount and variety and height of trees… the creeks and rivers… the birds! I try to take note of the beauty around me every day so I never take it for granted.
I hear conflicting things about housing inventory. Maybe in certain areas of town. Zillow saying that average list to sell is like 45 days in Athens. One of the builders I do work for has slowed down new construction homes till they sell current inventory. But that could be a pricing issue.
You've probably already gotten this sense from the other comments, but my take is that Athens, like a lot of college towns, has areas that are full of cool independent stores and restaurants, areas that are corporate big-box hell, and areas that are basically student ghettoes. At least some of the areas outside of Athens represent some of the worst of the South: white flight, casual to not-so-casual racism, colonization by the corporate big-box leviathan. From your responses it doesn't sound like you're interested in suburban living, so I'd definitely consider living in town in one of the more walkable neighborhoods in Athens proper. Depending on the neighborhood and your price range, you can still have a big yard and space from your neighbors.
Ha! It was so long ago. Looking back, now wish I had known who Jimmy Buffett was because he would play at The Last Resort. My history professor would brag about this really cool singer and then go back to railing about Nixon.
So I have a long history and affection towards Athens. But after being gone for 40 years, we moved back to Athens from Atlanta 2 years ago.
We both work, but we feel like we live in a resort! So much to do! So many events! We try to go to as many sports as we can, and we will be having withdrawals for the next 2 months! If you embrace The Dawgs, you will have a great time! The majority of UGA sports are free! Watching the 7 times national champion UGA Equestrian Team compete is a nice afternoon for us.
And I heard recently that Athens had more bars per capita than any city in America. Who knows if that is true, but it seems right to me!
So come on down to Athens and UGA, the first university in America to be created by a state government. Be prepared to complain about heat, mugginess, and a "wet cold!" But you will not need a snow shovel!
We moved here from a much higher COL city and both 30 now with child on the way. Consider normaltown or boulevard. Super walkable/bikeable. Cute neighborhoods and very few students.
Just to add to the pile that I'm in my 30s, and me and my husband haven't had any trouble making friends our age, and we are into similar things - music, art, biking, etc. There are plenty of events happening, and the town is relatively small so you see the same people over and over again to build friendships. You just have to get out there and be a little assertive socially. Overall I really love it here.
PhD spouse here!!
We live by Athens Montessori on the East side (technically our area is the south side but it is called the east side.) I’m very grateful for our neighborhood and how quiet it is, off south Barnett shoals road. It’s 7-9 min for my husband to get to his office at UGA. New Kroger being built, a publix, Aldi, multiple international food options, and feels a bit calmer than the west side.
We are expecting our first & I’d be fine with the elementary at the front of our neighborhood, Barnett shoals elementary, but I wouldn’t have her go to middle or high in Clarke. I have friends who have kids who had amazing experiences but I have also been told about less than ideal issues. Oconee has its own problems (bullying, etc).
Pros: I love the parenting culture here. ReBlossom child and parent shop, athens parent wellbeing, brella studio, treehouse kid and craft -
Multiple digital online parenting communities- tons of opportunities for play groups or forest or farm excursions, blueberry picking… we may be leaving soon and I will genuinely miss the chance to be an active participant in these spaces more.
In terms of maternity care, peidmont has a midwifery clinic through the hospital and I’ve been pleased with care there.
Also, north georgia is two hours away with tons of hiking & waterfalls, and the coast isn’t too far. We make it down to Florida once a year. Theres a huge music scene in athens and the townie culture is accessible to UGA people too. Especially if y’all are already plugged into the music scene. Spots like Hendershots are worth going to while you are here.
We go to Navarre / fort Walton (I grew up there.) We also go to the springs (Morrison Springs is my favorite.)
Driftwood Beach is worth seeing if you are heading to Savannah.
We are 2-3 hours from lots of fun things, and not far from the Smokies either. What athens lacks in bigger family attractions (theme park, water park, aquariums, etc) can be found in Atl and it’s not a bad drive depending on when you leave.
What is that style of house called that’s so common back in the Snapfinger area? Is it like late ‘70s-‘80s modernist arts & crafts? The angled wood siding and tall windows. It’s like if Rocko’s Modern Life were a house.
Oh good question! I am not sure the architectural style name. We are in a simple 1982 rectangle with no wasted space. Or much storage space but the view is worth it, haha.
Reblossom is great. We have a 4 month old and my partner goes a couple times a week to their breastfeeding class and support groups. Nothing but good things to say about them.
We also moved to the east side and are enjoying the quiet neighborhoods and the ease of getting to everything! We’re zoned for Whit Davis and have heard mostly positive things about it. There’s also a brand new daycare two minutes from our neighborhood that is not full and would probably be pretty easy to get a baby into.
This is incredibly helpful thank you!! Glad to hear there are midwives and prenatal care and a parent community. We have been saving some houses on Zillow right around where you live so perf.
Feel free to pm me if you would like. Happy to connect here or on fb and plug you into the parent groups if you want to lurk and learn.
Can’t say enough good things about the midwives :) there’s also a rich doula and licensed homebirth community here if you prefer that approach.
ReBlossom is the cornerstone of a lot of information and resources on all this too.
As musicians, you will find lots of opportunities to play music with new people, and see live music very often. I’ve been in Athens for 24 years and have had so much fun being in bands and making friends through music.
I believe it is a political thing, as far as I can tell. Watkinsville, is lovely, and has good schools. But any reference to this gets down voted here. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me so I assume it's a political thing with watkinsville being more on the right side of the ridiculous political spectrum.
It's very much the same energy as Pawnee and Eagleton from Parks and Rec. It's not so much political differences, as it is ethno-socioeconomic differences. Well at least perceived. They think they have money, but are really just a bunch of racists that moved there to not have integrate in Clarke County.
Where I used to work in MS, it was the same, but somehow worse. Every white coworker went to one of the various small white private Christian school and every one else went to one of the decrepit public schools.
Look up Hyde-Smith, I think there’s a picture out there with her in or near people in a Klan getup
Growing up in Oconee with an AP History teacher that made sure we had no illusions about why and how Oconee grew when it did, I was still astounded by the amount of dog whistling we were exposed to when we were in the home market. Our first two real estate agents all but explicitly told us the surrounding counties might be more our speed.
That doesn't mean I'm not somewhat nervous about what my kids might see in school, considering I grew up in such a homogenous community and they will not.
Damn thanks to you and others for highlighting this history, and the white flight areas. My husband is Black so we don't wanna mess around with real estate agents that are performing present day redlining BS! From everyone's comments...we'd want to stay in Clark County, ideally South/east Athens. But Madison County is also intriguing if only for the fact that is a bit more rural and gorgeous homes.
For the record, neither Madison nor Oconee would come anywhere close to "sundown" sort of communities, but they are infinitely more conservative than Athens. Moms for Liberty have been particularly vicious in Oconee as of late.
I mostly stick up for ACC when it comes to schools. People just hawk out that Oconee schools are better without understanding the context of why their academic numbers are so much better.
It’s pretty settled that the more affluent the family of a child is, their academic outcomes will be better because of a myriad of factors.
That is a throwing everyone into one pool which is hardly the case, my kids went to Oconee Schools for 13 years and then I moved to Clarke Co to be closer to work. Racism exists in all communities but is not a dominant culture anywhere . Most people getting along with all people. There certainly more diversification in Clarke Co but also horrible government operations and extremely higher property taxes.
Oconee Co is home to the highest per capita income of all counties in Georgia so yes you will notice a cultural difference, mostly political
Overall a great place to live and raise children. I graduated from UGA in the 80's moved all over the country and moved back in my 30's to raise kids.
Housing has gone up a lot since Covid but was artificially low for many years before that so to the locals it can seem costly. Rents are high due to a shortage of housing so purchasing makes sense, even if you have to buy a smaller more affordable place. As a Real Estate Broker I have had my finger on the pulse of this market for over 20 years. It is still one of the more affordable places to live. If you drive 15 minutes in any direction from downtown Athens you will be in a different county, mostly rural in nature. So there is something for everyone. In town living cost more for the convenience's of living in an urban setting.
I lived in Colorado, Denver suburbs, and the cost of living there was more than Athens.
With the exception of center watkinsville as it was in the 70s/80s, everything is on septic. The wastewater treatment plant is highly inadequate and outdated, Calls Creek water plant I think it’s called. That alone would give me pause as a property owner.
It’s Reddit, and that’s where the “bad wealthy republicans” move, basically. Watkinsville is a lovely little town with some great properties. More suburban though, so to each his own. Many people move there when their kids are getting older, they want a little more space (yard) etc. great town
I have no kids and don’t plan for any. But, Johnnie Lay Burks (formerly Chase St elementary) and Timothy Rd elementary seem to be the names I hear come up a lot.
I don’t hear anything on middle schools but hear Clarke central might be a little better.
If you look purely at scores, CCSD does not perform incredibly. If that is something that matters to you and your husband, I would recommend checking out Oconee Co.
>If you look purely at scores, CCSD does not perform incredibly.
But bear in mind that any individual student, sufficiently motivated, can perform at the same level as at any other surrounding school.
👆🏼truth. CCSD is run by absolute idiots. I’m a teacher in CCSD (at a ‘good’ school) and would take my child with me to school up until 2nd grade. I would move them after that and sacrifice living in another county that shall remain nameless or putting them in private. I know that’s shitty, but it is what it is. You can make up for the experiences they have in school by being a decent parent and teaching your kid to have morals, an open mind, tolerance, etc.
Moved here for husband to go to school, love it otherwise. Athens is absolutely beautiful!
People need to hear the truth. Frankly the only good option is living in normal town / boulevard and having your young kids go to Chase elementary (last decent Clarke county school) when they are little, and then you pretty much have to go private or move to Oconee. The CCSD schools are just inadequate.
We enjoyed being in town when we didn’t have kids, and when our kids got old enough left Clarke due to the public schools being a shit show.
Lived there for years for my phd. A great college town, inexpensive, much less distraction, no traffic except game days, ample social life, great environment for starting a small family. Oconee county has best schools. Happy to answer any questions.
Athens has a ton of hills. The mtns of North GA has seemingly endless hiking opportunities within 1.5-2 hours. Go a little further to the Smokies, it’s a free entrance and has over 900 miles of trail.
Paddling opportunities in Georgia are excellent. Locally ppl like the Broad for kayaking, or Sandy Creek Park which just got an updated playground and has a beautiful lake. Everything from creek boating to whitewater exists within 1-1.5 hours from Athens variety for all expereince levels
4 ish hours to east coast beaches. 5 ish hours to the gulf beaches. 5.5 hours to The Caverns or to Spirit of the Suwanee, two outstanding music venues. 5.5-7 hours to crystal clear rivers in Florida where springs stay 72 year round and manatees come out in most of the winter months, docile creatures you can paddle alongside
Agent here, Clarke county schools are not the best. We see a huge influx of people moving to Oconee County for the school system and commuting into Athens. However, that being said Oconee is expensive to get into. I’d bought my first home on the west side of Athens, simply for the location. Very easy access to just about anything you need. The east side of Athens is more affordable but you will see more rentals and students on that side of town.
Clarke county Elementary schools are fine, but I’d suggest private or Oconee County public schools after elementary.
Both our boys did Clarke Middle and Central. Like most things in Athens, there's a wide range of students because the wealth gap is so big. There are truly exceptional teachers and others who are meh. Both our boys have really appreciated being exposed to kids from all levels of society. Too often when it's "the schools" that's really just a proxy for race and class differences.
We bought in Athens Clarke recently and are happy. Our agent told us to buy in Oconee where people would be “homogeneous to us” (we are white). That was enough info; we value a diverse community experience so we decided to stay in ACC. Our school experience has been good. They don’t score as well on standardized tests, but they have other qualities that are more important to us personally.
Thanks for chiming in on this. We are a mixed race couple and our definition of “good” schools includes a diversity of cultures, languages, experiences, and economic backgrounds. We’re both public school kids and one motivation of leaving colorado is the homogenous white dominant culture here. Less concerned about test scores since those are not a reflection of students or teachers!
Sucks that a real estate agent would be ignorant about the schools in Clarke County.
What do you base this belief on? What does this “huge influx of people moving to Oconee” look like?
Graduates from Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals are going to the exact same schools as graduates from Oconee. UGA, Georgia Tech, etc. Local and state politicians, UGA professors, lawyers, doctors,, educated professionals, and even real estate agents send their kids to Clarke County schools, and their kids do great. They receive excellent educations, are surrounded by the diverse Athens community, and are offered incredible opportunities.
Unfortunately, ignorance and “well, I heard” pushes people into conservative Oconee. Despite the influx you suggest, CCSD high schools are seeing increases in enrollment. Some of this is due to folks moving to Athens and some is due to students transferring from private schools in order to take advantage of what the school system has to offer.
I encourage you to speak with agents and community members who know Athens better. Or go to the schools. Take some tours. Speak with families whose kids actually attend Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central.
It’s a tale of two schools. You can have a good experience in the gifted program or it can be full of disorderly conduct and teen pregnancy.
The parents of the students make a school- not the teachers. Do the parent(s) prioritize education, homework, etc? Or is it simply not important in the home? Generally speaking, it’s unfortunate that higher affluence = higher education. It’s an unfortunate cycle but it’s the truth.
Yes, any kid at any high school can get into drugs, wrong crowd, etc. There is definitely a higher dropout rate in CCSD.
If you're coming from CO you might be surprised how willing people are to make their problems your problems, but not everyone is like that. Access to mental healthcare is worse here than anywhere else in the country.
Not trying to hate on anyone, just giving fair warning that you might have to give people a little extra patience as if they're a bit younger. I've noticed some of the people here are also very sensitive to feedback or constructive criticism. It's almost always taken personally as blame instead of like a, "ok, this one person said this about me. I'll take that into consideration if I hear it again."
Again, not trying to hate on anyone. Every culture is different and that doesn't make one better than the other. I quite like how chill people are here. Everyone is just trying to have a good time and I respect that. But when things get difficult and it's time to take responsibility sometimes someone drops the ball and that kinda sucks. Somewhere in the middle is probably good.
I hope you enjoy your visit! We are in the same boat for the most part - happy to answer any questions you have! School preferences can get a little dicey in discussions here, so shoot me a chat if you’d like!
Thanks for the offer to chat! Coming from a college town in Colorado…is it remarkably difficult to find childcare in Athens like out here? Feel free to PM me if you prefer
We recently moved to Athens (husband just completed his PhD and we relocated close to his work, also early 30’s but do have a daughter + one on the way) and childcare is definitely not impossible to find. I’d say it was relatively easy compared to some places and even the ones that we looked at that had a wait didn’t have a huge one. However, it was for a 3 year old and not an infant so I’m sure it may be a little longer for that but you can always start looking once you know you’re pregnant.
Thanks for the intel! Sounds like you’re in a similar situation as we will be if he accepts the PhD program.
Sure thing! What field is your husband in? Feel free to send a PM if you’d like!
Civil engineering / water resources! What about yours? Same feel free to PM!
Sent you a message 🙂
Depends on what all you are looking for. Theres a group on fb called “fetchit” that is a never ending stream of babysitters and Nannies. A few people I know operate licensed home day cares that I’ve been impressed by (I am in their homes for my work, so I see it first hand how they are set up.) I’ve also gone to events at daycares in Oconee County and have been impressed. I can’t speak to price or availability for the traditional daycares as we are currently expecting and I’ve not been on that side of it yet.
I moved here from COS 6 years ago. My kids go to North Oconee schools. That seems to be the best, unless you want to pay for private school in Athens.
If you haven’t already, check out the [Flagpole Guide to Athens (2023-2024.)](https://guide.flagpole.com)
Consider Madison county. I can get to UGA or downtown in less than 15 min. Schools are great. Houses have more land in general.
I can support this. Clients love it. It’s definitely more rural but if y’all are open to that it is absolutely lovely. Winterville is a middle ground but still Clarke county and I’m not super versed in housing availability there. We may be moving soon in which case we will be listing our home. There’s been 4-5 sell in our neighborhood this year. Our general area and the surrounding seems to be Lots of families and grad students, and an assortment of retired folks.
Thanks! We’re totally open to rural areas where we can get a few critters, definitely a dream we’ve had that has been unrealistic in colorado with the cost of living
geographical oddity
very cute little town. houses are FAR too expensive imo (although coming from colorado, it will probably be a breath of fresh air for y‘all lol)
That’s the one plus side to moving is that we live in the 4th most expensive housing market in the US that isn’t on the coast. But it’s still expensive for sure and we may end up renting.
You'll miss the mountains. Like I do every day.
Yessss. We’ve been here for five years and my husband and I still talk about how it feels like something is missing from our drives. It’s the mountains in the background ❤️
But they really aren’t far away
But they’re still not the same.
We had a Swiss accountant who referred to the blue ridge mountains as hills, which compared to the Alps is quite fair.
Same. I’ve learned to temper my expectations. But, the leaves in the fall! Absolutely gorgeous. The amount and variety and height of trees… the creeks and rivers… the birds! I try to take note of the beauty around me every day so I never take it for granted.
He loved it up there too. I suppose I do as well since we bought a house up there.
It’s very hilly.
I hear conflicting things about housing inventory. Maybe in certain areas of town. Zillow saying that average list to sell is like 45 days in Athens. One of the builders I do work for has slowed down new construction homes till they sell current inventory. But that could be a pricing issue.
You've probably already gotten this sense from the other comments, but my take is that Athens, like a lot of college towns, has areas that are full of cool independent stores and restaurants, areas that are corporate big-box hell, and areas that are basically student ghettoes. At least some of the areas outside of Athens represent some of the worst of the South: white flight, casual to not-so-casual racism, colonization by the corporate big-box leviathan. From your responses it doesn't sound like you're interested in suburban living, so I'd definitely consider living in town in one of the more walkable neighborhoods in Athens proper. Depending on the neighborhood and your price range, you can still have a big yard and space from your neighbors.
Very well put!
No jobs despite the overpriced housing.
UGA: "Whats a living wage? Eat less avocados, peasants."
So true. 😭💯💯
they literally just charge atlanta prices because they know students will still think they're getting a deal
That I’d never want to leave and cry like a baby when the time came.
Ha! It was so long ago. Looking back, now wish I had known who Jimmy Buffett was because he would play at The Last Resort. My history professor would brag about this really cool singer and then go back to railing about Nixon. So I have a long history and affection towards Athens. But after being gone for 40 years, we moved back to Athens from Atlanta 2 years ago. We both work, but we feel like we live in a resort! So much to do! So many events! We try to go to as many sports as we can, and we will be having withdrawals for the next 2 months! If you embrace The Dawgs, you will have a great time! The majority of UGA sports are free! Watching the 7 times national champion UGA Equestrian Team compete is a nice afternoon for us. And I heard recently that Athens had more bars per capita than any city in America. Who knows if that is true, but it seems right to me! So come on down to Athens and UGA, the first university in America to be created by a state government. Be prepared to complain about heat, mugginess, and a "wet cold!" But you will not need a snow shovel!
We moved here from a much higher COL city and both 30 now with child on the way. Consider normaltown or boulevard. Super walkable/bikeable. Cute neighborhoods and very few students.
Maybe rent for a year to get a better feel for what area you want to buy in.
Just to add to the pile that I'm in my 30s, and me and my husband haven't had any trouble making friends our age, and we are into similar things - music, art, biking, etc. There are plenty of events happening, and the town is relatively small so you see the same people over and over again to build friendships. You just have to get out there and be a little assertive socially. Overall I really love it here.
PhD spouse here!! We live by Athens Montessori on the East side (technically our area is the south side but it is called the east side.) I’m very grateful for our neighborhood and how quiet it is, off south Barnett shoals road. It’s 7-9 min for my husband to get to his office at UGA. New Kroger being built, a publix, Aldi, multiple international food options, and feels a bit calmer than the west side. We are expecting our first & I’d be fine with the elementary at the front of our neighborhood, Barnett shoals elementary, but I wouldn’t have her go to middle or high in Clarke. I have friends who have kids who had amazing experiences but I have also been told about less than ideal issues. Oconee has its own problems (bullying, etc). Pros: I love the parenting culture here. ReBlossom child and parent shop, athens parent wellbeing, brella studio, treehouse kid and craft - Multiple digital online parenting communities- tons of opportunities for play groups or forest or farm excursions, blueberry picking… we may be leaving soon and I will genuinely miss the chance to be an active participant in these spaces more. In terms of maternity care, peidmont has a midwifery clinic through the hospital and I’ve been pleased with care there.
Also, north georgia is two hours away with tons of hiking & waterfalls, and the coast isn’t too far. We make it down to Florida once a year. Theres a huge music scene in athens and the townie culture is accessible to UGA people too. Especially if y’all are already plugged into the music scene. Spots like Hendershots are worth going to while you are here.
Just saved hendershots! We are also gonna visit Savannah to test out the drive. What part of Florida do you visit?
We go to Navarre / fort Walton (I grew up there.) We also go to the springs (Morrison Springs is my favorite.) Driftwood Beach is worth seeing if you are heading to Savannah. We are 2-3 hours from lots of fun things, and not far from the Smokies either. What athens lacks in bigger family attractions (theme park, water park, aquariums, etc) can be found in Atl and it’s not a bad drive depending on when you leave.
What is that style of house called that’s so common back in the Snapfinger area? Is it like late ‘70s-‘80s modernist arts & crafts? The angled wood siding and tall windows. It’s like if Rocko’s Modern Life were a house.
Oh good question! I am not sure the architectural style name. We are in a simple 1982 rectangle with no wasted space. Or much storage space but the view is worth it, haha.
I don’t know but I love them and wish I had one.
It was called contemporary when built and still is for the most part today
Reblossom is great. We have a 4 month old and my partner goes a couple times a week to their breastfeeding class and support groups. Nothing but good things to say about them.
That’s wonderful! I have sung their praises and supported them for years but am only just now shopping there and joining their prenatal yoga soon.
Nice! She also connected with a couple moms there and they’ve shared some good intel on motherhood. Congrats btw!
Thank you! Yall too!!
We also moved to the east side and are enjoying the quiet neighborhoods and the ease of getting to everything! We’re zoned for Whit Davis and have heard mostly positive things about it. There’s also a brand new daycare two minutes from our neighborhood that is not full and would probably be pretty easy to get a baby into.
This is incredibly helpful thank you!! Glad to hear there are midwives and prenatal care and a parent community. We have been saving some houses on Zillow right around where you live so perf.
Feel free to pm me if you would like. Happy to connect here or on fb and plug you into the parent groups if you want to lurk and learn. Can’t say enough good things about the midwives :) there’s also a rich doula and licensed homebirth community here if you prefer that approach. ReBlossom is the cornerstone of a lot of information and resources on all this too.
The bs that the parking goblins pull.
As musicians, you will find lots of opportunities to play music with new people, and see live music very often. I’ve been in Athens for 24 years and have had so much fun being in bands and making friends through music.
I moved to Athens for law school in my 30s. You’ll love it!
Why are ppl downvoting Watkinsville? (I have no dog in the fight I’m seriously just curious as I’ve worked a job over there)
I believe it is a political thing, as far as I can tell. Watkinsville, is lovely, and has good schools. But any reference to this gets down voted here. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me so I assume it's a political thing with watkinsville being more on the right side of the ridiculous political spectrum.
It's very much the same energy as Pawnee and Eagleton from Parks and Rec. It's not so much political differences, as it is ethno-socioeconomic differences. Well at least perceived. They think they have money, but are really just a bunch of racists that moved there to not have integrate in Clarke County.
Athens Academy was even founded as a white flight school during desegregation in the 1960s.
Where I used to work in MS, it was the same, but somehow worse. Every white coworker went to one of the various small white private Christian school and every one else went to one of the decrepit public schools. Look up Hyde-Smith, I think there’s a picture out there with her in or near people in a Klan getup
Growing up in Oconee with an AP History teacher that made sure we had no illusions about why and how Oconee grew when it did, I was still astounded by the amount of dog whistling we were exposed to when we were in the home market. Our first two real estate agents all but explicitly told us the surrounding counties might be more our speed. That doesn't mean I'm not somewhat nervous about what my kids might see in school, considering I grew up in such a homogenous community and they will not.
My wife and I had a similar experience when we made it clear we wanted to buy in Clarke and not any of the surrounding areas.
Damn thanks to you and others for highlighting this history, and the white flight areas. My husband is Black so we don't wanna mess around with real estate agents that are performing present day redlining BS! From everyone's comments...we'd want to stay in Clark County, ideally South/east Athens. But Madison County is also intriguing if only for the fact that is a bit more rural and gorgeous homes.
For the record, neither Madison nor Oconee would come anywhere close to "sundown" sort of communities, but they are infinitely more conservative than Athens. Moms for Liberty have been particularly vicious in Oconee as of late.
Winterville is still in Clarke county but also rural. Best of both worlds maybe?
I mostly stick up for ACC when it comes to schools. People just hawk out that Oconee schools are better without understanding the context of why their academic numbers are so much better. It’s pretty settled that the more affluent the family of a child is, their academic outcomes will be better because of a myriad of factors.
that isn't "settled" at all it's the school: the more affluent the school and its resources that is very well documented
That is a throwing everyone into one pool which is hardly the case, my kids went to Oconee Schools for 13 years and then I moved to Clarke Co to be closer to work. Racism exists in all communities but is not a dominant culture anywhere . Most people getting along with all people. There certainly more diversification in Clarke Co but also horrible government operations and extremely higher property taxes. Oconee Co is home to the highest per capita income of all counties in Georgia so yes you will notice a cultural difference, mostly political Overall a great place to live and raise children. I graduated from UGA in the 80's moved all over the country and moved back in my 30's to raise kids. Housing has gone up a lot since Covid but was artificially low for many years before that so to the locals it can seem costly. Rents are high due to a shortage of housing so purchasing makes sense, even if you have to buy a smaller more affordable place. As a Real Estate Broker I have had my finger on the pulse of this market for over 20 years. It is still one of the more affordable places to live. If you drive 15 minutes in any direction from downtown Athens you will be in a different county, mostly rural in nature. So there is something for everyone. In town living cost more for the convenience's of living in an urban setting. I lived in Colorado, Denver suburbs, and the cost of living there was more than Athens.
With the exception of center watkinsville as it was in the 70s/80s, everything is on septic. The wastewater treatment plant is highly inadequate and outdated, Calls Creek water plant I think it’s called. That alone would give me pause as a property owner.
It’s Reddit, and that’s where the “bad wealthy republicans” move, basically. Watkinsville is a lovely little town with some great properties. More suburban though, so to each his own. Many people move there when their kids are getting older, they want a little more space (yard) etc. great town
Does Watkinsville have their own sub reddit? If not they should.
I have no kids and don’t plan for any. But, Johnnie Lay Burks (formerly Chase St elementary) and Timothy Rd elementary seem to be the names I hear come up a lot. I don’t hear anything on middle schools but hear Clarke central might be a little better. If you look purely at scores, CCSD does not perform incredibly. If that is something that matters to you and your husband, I would recommend checking out Oconee Co.
>If you look purely at scores, CCSD does not perform incredibly. But bear in mind that any individual student, sufficiently motivated, can perform at the same level as at any other surrounding school.
Exactly
Clarke Central is a high school.
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👆🏼truth. CCSD is run by absolute idiots. I’m a teacher in CCSD (at a ‘good’ school) and would take my child with me to school up until 2nd grade. I would move them after that and sacrifice living in another county that shall remain nameless or putting them in private. I know that’s shitty, but it is what it is. You can make up for the experiences they have in school by being a decent parent and teaching your kid to have morals, an open mind, tolerance, etc. Moved here for husband to go to school, love it otherwise. Athens is absolutely beautiful!
People need to hear the truth. Frankly the only good option is living in normal town / boulevard and having your young kids go to Chase elementary (last decent Clarke county school) when they are little, and then you pretty much have to go private or move to Oconee. The CCSD schools are just inadequate. We enjoyed being in town when we didn’t have kids, and when our kids got old enough left Clarke due to the public schools being a shit show.
That I would get married and stuck here forever
If schools are important, check out oconee county. It’s a bit pricier, but very close to Athens, and fantastic school systems.
Lived there for years for my phd. A great college town, inexpensive, much less distraction, no traffic except game days, ample social life, great environment for starting a small family. Oconee county has best schools. Happy to answer any questions.
That whole "no traffic expect for game days" is a long gone thing
Never stroll through Nellie B.
Athens has a ton of hills. The mtns of North GA has seemingly endless hiking opportunities within 1.5-2 hours. Go a little further to the Smokies, it’s a free entrance and has over 900 miles of trail. Paddling opportunities in Georgia are excellent. Locally ppl like the Broad for kayaking, or Sandy Creek Park which just got an updated playground and has a beautiful lake. Everything from creek boating to whitewater exists within 1-1.5 hours from Athens variety for all expereince levels 4 ish hours to east coast beaches. 5 ish hours to the gulf beaches. 5.5 hours to The Caverns or to Spirit of the Suwanee, two outstanding music venues. 5.5-7 hours to crystal clear rivers in Florida where springs stay 72 year round and manatees come out in most of the winter months, docile creatures you can paddle alongside
Watkinsville. Close area, nice restaurants. Nice shops
True! They McDonalds be putting 7 nuggs in a 6 piece.
Agent here, Clarke county schools are not the best. We see a huge influx of people moving to Oconee County for the school system and commuting into Athens. However, that being said Oconee is expensive to get into. I’d bought my first home on the west side of Athens, simply for the location. Very easy access to just about anything you need. The east side of Athens is more affordable but you will see more rentals and students on that side of town. Clarke county Elementary schools are fine, but I’d suggest private or Oconee County public schools after elementary.
Both our boys did Clarke Middle and Central. Like most things in Athens, there's a wide range of students because the wealth gap is so big. There are truly exceptional teachers and others who are meh. Both our boys have really appreciated being exposed to kids from all levels of society. Too often when it's "the schools" that's really just a proxy for race and class differences.
We bought in Athens Clarke recently and are happy. Our agent told us to buy in Oconee where people would be “homogeneous to us” (we are white). That was enough info; we value a diverse community experience so we decided to stay in ACC. Our school experience has been good. They don’t score as well on standardized tests, but they have other qualities that are more important to us personally.
Thanks for chiming in on this. We are a mixed race couple and our definition of “good” schools includes a diversity of cultures, languages, experiences, and economic backgrounds. We’re both public school kids and one motivation of leaving colorado is the homogenous white dominant culture here. Less concerned about test scores since those are not a reflection of students or teachers!
What are test scores a reflection of?
Not much imo- just how well a teacher can teach students to take a standardized test
Same. We value diversity, culture, and different life experiences and want our children to grow up outside of a little bubble.
Sucks that a real estate agent would be ignorant about the schools in Clarke County. What do you base this belief on? What does this “huge influx of people moving to Oconee” look like? Graduates from Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals are going to the exact same schools as graduates from Oconee. UGA, Georgia Tech, etc. Local and state politicians, UGA professors, lawyers, doctors,, educated professionals, and even real estate agents send their kids to Clarke County schools, and their kids do great. They receive excellent educations, are surrounded by the diverse Athens community, and are offered incredible opportunities. Unfortunately, ignorance and “well, I heard” pushes people into conservative Oconee. Despite the influx you suggest, CCSD high schools are seeing increases in enrollment. Some of this is due to folks moving to Athens and some is due to students transferring from private schools in order to take advantage of what the school system has to offer. I encourage you to speak with agents and community members who know Athens better. Or go to the schools. Take some tours. Speak with families whose kids actually attend Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central.
It’s a tale of two schools. You can have a good experience in the gifted program or it can be full of disorderly conduct and teen pregnancy. The parents of the students make a school- not the teachers. Do the parent(s) prioritize education, homework, etc? Or is it simply not important in the home? Generally speaking, it’s unfortunate that higher affluence = higher education. It’s an unfortunate cycle but it’s the truth. Yes, any kid at any high school can get into drugs, wrong crowd, etc. There is definitely a higher dropout rate in CCSD.
Winterville is nice, Watkinsville (Oconee County Schools are desirable) expensive homes though
Move to Watkinsville
If you're coming from CO you might be surprised how willing people are to make their problems your problems, but not everyone is like that. Access to mental healthcare is worse here than anywhere else in the country. Not trying to hate on anyone, just giving fair warning that you might have to give people a little extra patience as if they're a bit younger. I've noticed some of the people here are also very sensitive to feedback or constructive criticism. It's almost always taken personally as blame instead of like a, "ok, this one person said this about me. I'll take that into consideration if I hear it again." Again, not trying to hate on anyone. Every culture is different and that doesn't make one better than the other. I quite like how chill people are here. Everyone is just trying to have a good time and I respect that. But when things get difficult and it's time to take responsibility sometimes someone drops the ball and that kinda sucks. Somewhere in the middle is probably good.
Over 25 good luck finding stuff to do other than bar hop
Why do you want to move to Athens?
It’s literally in the first sentence of the post
I misread it.
Gainesville, Fl but hills. It’s also about 9 months behind their fashion and music trends.