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 | Athens, GA |
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| Temp: | 81 °F |
| Humidity: | 45 % |
| Visibility: | 9 miles |
| Wind: | 9 mph |
| Direction: | WSW |
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Athens "One of the top 5 places to retire"
 Athens, Georgia
As much as Bob and Shirley Willoughby wanted to retire near their kids in Atlanta, they didn't want the hassles of a big city. They also knew that their children might eventually move. So the Willoughbys sought a town nearby that could stand on its own, one with a vibrant cultural scene and a strong health-care system.
Athens, home to the University of Georgia, met their requirements and then some. The town of 102,700 lacks even a hint of modern urban sprawl, giving it a distinctive, cozy feel. The pedestrian-friendly downtown lines the north edge of the campus.
Two well-regarded hospitals are within five miles of the town center; three golf clubs sit just beyond the perimeter. Entertainment includes six local theaters, wine tastings in the botanical gardens and a music scene that both spawned rock superstars REM and supports a community orchestra.
Anyone over 62 can take classes at UGA for free. And Learning in Retirement, a local member-run nonprofit, taps professors to teach classes ranging from foreign relations to geology.
To folks arriving from any big city metro area, Athens is strikingly affordable. Modest homes start at less than $150,000 and dinner for two at one of Athens' finer restaurants runs less than $50.
"This is the best decision we ever made," says Bob, a retired Alcoa executive who is taking an herbology class this semester and recently attended his first Bulldogs football game. "We'll be okay here even if our kids move."
Athens is 70 miles from the closest major airport, Hartsfield International in Atlanta. The most convenient downtown hotel is the Holiday Inn (197 East Broad Street) at the tip of the University of Georgia's north campus. The room rates start at $92 but can vary depending on the time of year. There are also some smaller inns and bed-and-breakfasts, but they tend to be farther from the action. You can easily navigate the downtown area, where most of the shops, restaurants and music sites are situated, by walking. But you will need a car to get to the State Botanical Garden, the flea market and some of the restaurants.
The town has produced waves of fresh local acts and a growing number of live music sites since. Even if the music is not to your taste, the stately homes, lovely university campus, eclectic restaurants and sleepy Southern atmosphere provide plenty of other reasons to choose Athens.
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