Moving to Athens, Georgia? Things to Know (Part II)

This is Part II of what I guess is going to now be longer than two parts about thing to know about ATH. Again, I welcome your comments by clicking the comments button at the end of this post. And again, Things to know about Oconee County is coming soon. JP

We are a Town of Subdivisions. Once you get out of the downtown area (called In-Town here), you are in the land of many subdivisions. The tell-tale bricked and landscaped entry way will alert you to the fact that down that seemingly small side street might lay 200 or more single family homes built somewhere between the 1950's and the present. As you get farther away from town, the entry ways get more grandiose. I don't care how long you live here, you will always be discovering a new subdivision that has been here longer than you.

Folks are Moving Back to Athens from Surrounding Areas. While the surrounding counties have been luring families away from Athens with the promise of better education, safer neighborhoods, and better real estate investments, there is a reverse movement taking place. With the cost of everything going up, proximity to town is getting more attractive. From my informal inquiries, it seems people are also deciding they want to be a little closer to the cultural hub that Athens is.

Volunteerism is Big in Athens. Not sure where it comes from, but it is an indisputable fact. And why not? This town is home many intelligent people who are at the top of their professions, and they bring this expertise to their community in a variety of ways. The sense of duty to community and others is palpable here. If you are considering a move, consider volunteering, and you will make lasting friendships right away and in a most noble way.

Many People in Athens Live at or Below the Poverty Level. I don't know the exact place in the national rankings, but we're up there with regard to per capita living at or below the poverty level. It's no joke. We're talking generational poverty. Everyone knows it, and the community has lately been taking very vocal steps to address this glaring reality. Partners for a Prosperous Athens is trying to address root causes while attempting to serve more immediate needs. Like all groups trying to address social issues, they have their supporters and their critics. Why does Athens have so much poverty? Athens and poverty seem to go way back, and I could expound with an interesting historical analysis, but I will save it for another post.

There is Nothing Like Athens in the Springtime. The Indigo Girls said it best and it's true. Athens in Spring is rivaled only slightly by Athens in the Mid Fall. Dogwoods will blow your mind. They bloom and bloom and bloom, creating a greenish light under their canopies. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas with flower clusters the size of a poodle's head. Warm days and cool evenings. And the best news? It is not unusual for Spring to spring by mid-February, resulting in a season that is so romantically protracted. Yes, the dog days of summer follow, but those few months in the year when things are moderately uncomfortable are sandwiched between two glorious seasons.

People Drive Differently Here Than Elsewhere in the United States. Say what you want about the slow pace of the South, but once you get ensconced here, the pace in other areas seems downright nutty. Wait until the following scenario happens to you, and you will see what I mean. You are reading a map while at a red light only to look up and find the cars in front of you are now far through the intersection. You, and you alone, are holding up traffic! You look in the rear-view mirror, and the line of cars behind you is just patiently waiting. And I mean patiently. No horns. Twilight Zone? No. The South. You will grow to love this kind of gesture, and the next time a car in front of you is slow to move, you will more than likely think twice about laying on the horn, and you should. Also, Athenians rarely wear watches. No kidding.