What Are The Best Places To Live In Athens, Georgia?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

People move to Athens, Georgia, for many reasons and some of those reasons are quality of life, weather, and education. Athens is also known for many live music events that entice people from all over the United States. It can be a great place to live, but some of the best areas to settle down are outside Athens but still within city limits.

Some of the best places to live in the Athens suburbs are Watkinsville, Bogart, and Winterville. All of these towns are close to Athens but provide a very suburban feel while still being close enough to get all of Athens’s activities.

There is a rich southern culture in this area, and everyone is welcoming. Many retired people move to Athens because of the low cost of living and tax benefits. The area has a rich history and lately has had a great economy for the people living there. There are new job opportunities and good ways to earn a living.

While you’re exploring good areas to live in Athens, you may also want to check out our guide on The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In Georgia.

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The Top 10 Best Places To Live In Athens, Georgia

Below are some of the best places to live that will give you the experience of Athens but feel at home outside of the main area. You will see that each town has something unique to provide and lower crime rates than in other areas of Georgia.

  • Watkinsville
  • Bogart
  • Winterville
  • Jefferson
  • Stratham
  • Commerce
  • Arcade
  • Bishop
  • Maxeys
  • North High Shoals

Exploring the Top Places To Live In Athens

Here are more details of the top ten places to live in Athens or near Athens. You won’t be disappointed with these towns!

1. Watkinsville

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 125
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 873
  • Population: 2,904

In this town, the public schools come highly rated, and many of the folks who live here love this town because of the rural feel. It is super close to Athens. You can get there quickly by car from this area, making it a super convenient location to live in. There are plenty of business opportunities and open jobs in the local neighborhood. This little town has focused on becoming a very desirable area to live in.

They have succeeded in doing so. Most of the people who live in this area tend to have conservative views. Still, you will find a mixture of people and beliefs, which makes this area so attractive to newcomers. Families tend to own their own homes rather than rent due to reasonable prices in mortgages. The median home value in this area is $201,100, and the median rental price is $1,085.

2. Bogart

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 126
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 878
  • Population: 1,440

Many people will agree right next to Watkinsville that Bogart is the second-best place to live. It has a super small population that ensures you will know most of your neighbors and the people who work in town. It has a small city vibe while still being close to downtown Athens. It has a very suburban feel to the area, and many young professionals tend to live in this area.

If you have a family with a mix of ages, this is the perfect place to live. There are several highly rated senior citizen homes. For the kids, the school district comes highly rated in all of Georgia. Most families choose to own homes because the cost of living is low, and the median home income makes it possible to afford a lovely house. The median home value of this area is $171,300, while the median rent is $861.

3. Winterville

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 115
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 799
  • Population: 1,202

Just under five miles outside of Athens, a small town called Wintersville is one of the best places to live. It has a small community but plenty of well-paying jobs for its residents. If you are not happy with the job selection, the best thing is you can easily take a few minute car ride into Athens for more opportunities. This is a very family-oriented community where many young people move to settle down.

The political view is very mixed here; it tends to split right down the middle, but it doesn’t stop anyone from being friends. The local elementary school has been part of the local community for over 100 years. It comes as a top-rated school in Georgia. Families tend to buy their houses rather than rent. The median home value of Winterville is $154,800, while the median rent is $1,014 per month.

4. Jefferson

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 306
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,130
  • Population: 11,114

If you are looking for a small town where the neighbors are friendly, and everyone is close in a tight-knit community, this is the town for you. This is a small town right outside of Athens that is focused on the family. The cost of living in this area is lower than in Athens, making it affordable for most people to move to.

The area tends to lean towards a more conservative side, but there is a mix of political views. There are more homeowners than renters, and the median home value of the area is $201,300, and the average rent is $729 per month.

5. Statham

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 7
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 43
  • Population: 2,696

If you are a working person, this is the best place for you to be. This town is full of office workers, construction workers, and other professionals looking for a low cost of living. It’s further away from Athens but still a short drive, and there are some beautiful houses in this area on the Market.

Most of the town leans conservative, but you will have all types of people looking to move here. The entire area has less crime; it is 26% lower than the national average, attracting many families to the area. This area’s median home value is $121,100, and the average rent for a place is $858 per month.

6. Commerce

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 367
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,557
  • Population: 6,858

This is a sparse area, and when you move to this town, you will find that you know most of your neighbors. The hospitality in this area is amazing, and you will find most folks possess that good old southern charm we see in movies. The area’s crime rate is 3% lower than the national average, making most families feel very comfortable.

The schools in the neighborhood come highly rated like most others that made it on the list. Many people choose to buy a family property in this neighborhood, but there are many renters as well. The median home value in Commerce is $116,400, while the average rent is $788 per month.

7. Arcade

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 9
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 59
  • Population: 1,515

This small town is located in Jackson County and is just outside of the Athens area. It is smaller than most others on the list, and you will find that everyone knows everyone who lives in the town. Most of the kids will attend the same local schools, which are rated above average for Georgia.

The nightlife is not as booming as it is in other cities; this is a much more quiet and family-oriented place. There are cafes and restaurants, but the bars are more for the locals to grab a quick drink after work and not for wild dance parties. Over 76% of people in this area choose to buy their homes rather than rent one. The median home value is $105,800, while the median rent is $826 per month.

8. Bishop

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 304
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,120
  • Population: 341

You may be wondering what such a small town is doing on this list? The answer is, most people love living in this town, and the small amount of crime does not affect them. The public schools are highly rated. Most people who move here decide to do so because it is far away from the big city and lets everyone have their own privacy while still connected.

There is really no nightlife in this area, and if you are looking for a good time, you may want to head over to Athens. Most people in the neighborhood choose to own their houses instead of rent, and you will see that there are plenty to buy on the market. The median home value of the area is $233,100, and the average rental is $1,125.

9. Maxeys

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 382
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,665
  • Population: 348

People choose to live in Maxeys because the cost of living is much lower than most of Georgia. It is a convenient location away from Athens but being close enough someone could commute in for work if necessary. The place is super tiny and most people know each other very well. You will find that in Oglethorpe County where this town is located that the schools are above average. The median home value is $138,300 and the average price for a rental is $675. However you will see that 90% of people in this town choose to buy a house.

10. North High Shoals

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 188
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,307
  • Population: 531

Another small town in Georgia that resides in Oconee county provides a home to a few families. It has some of the best schools known around the area that are highly ranked. Most of the residents love the rural feeling the neighborhood provides. Almost everyone knows each other in this town. You will see that most people choose to own rather than rent in this neighborhood. The median home value is $253,600, while the average rent is $1,063 per month.

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Our Takeaway

Georgia has many homes to offer you when you choose to move. Athens is one of the best places to settle down, and most of the surrounding areas are very safe with low crime rates. If you are looking for family homes, you should stay away from Exarcheia, Vathi; these places have very high crime rates.

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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