Athens offers access to nearby hiking trails and natural scenery. (Reddit)
Residents note a strong sense of community and safety, though some find the town's social attitudes preachy at times. (Reddit, Reddit)
Uptown Athens blends historic charm with an artsy, energetic atmosphere near the center of the community. (uptownathensneighborhood.org)
“Athens is incredibly safe!” (a resident)
Who tends to love Athens, OH
Foodies: Multiple residents praise local spots like Jackie O's, Avalanche Pizza, and OBetty's for great food.
Hikers and trail users: Residents enjoy trails like Strouds Run and the bike path between Nelsonville and Athens.
Live music and nightlife fans: Venues like The Union, Casa Cantina, Tony's, and Jackie O's host bands and offer social hangouts.
Arts and culture seekers: Residents highlight Art Park, Dairy Barn Arts, and local artists.
General impressions
"It's a little preachy with lots of virtue signaling but a good place to live." It's a little preachy with lots of virtue signaling but a good place to live.(Reddit)
One resident said housing in Athens is strained, with limited food, dog-friendly spots, and thrifting options. (Reddit)
One resident says the area has extensive trails and a thriving local farm industry offering local produce, meat, and dairy. There are miles and miles of beautiful trails here, a thriving local farm industry(Reddit)
One resident says the appeal depends on your interests, citing trails, hiking, and small town proximity to everything as positives. The trails, hiking, and small town proximity to everything here are all positivies(Reddit)
Outdoors and trails
Strouds Run offers hiking trails along with old graveyards and settlements to explore. Strouds Run has good hiking trails and old grave yards/settlements.(Reddit)
One resident says their favorite Ohio bike path runs between Nelsonville and Athens, with a favorite stop at the Eclipse Company Store favorite bike path in Ohio runs from Nelsonville to Athens or vice versa(Reddit)
Food and coffee
One resident said Section Donkey is great and also praised Jackie O's Bake Shop. Court Street coffee's location on State street is your best bet.(Reddit)
One resident favors Ginger and Bagel Street for weekly lunch along with Avalanche Pizza and Dynasty. I go to one of Ginger or Bagel Street for lunch every single week(Reddit)
One resident says OBetty's offers the most unique food experience and also praises Avalanche, Kiser's, Jackie O's, and Star of India. OBetty's is the most unique Athens food experience hands down(Reddit)
One resident likes Eclipse in the Plains and considers Jackie O's a bit pricey but great in food and atmosphere. Jackie O's is a little pricey but is in Athens and has great food and atmosphere(Reddit)
Nightlife and social
Tony's and Jackie O's were named as the best hangout spots in Athens. Jackie O's or Tonys would be the best bets honestly.(Reddit)
One resident says Devil's Kettle is their favorite spot with a wide variety of beers at a great price and its own food truck serving pierogis, brats, and fries. A wide variety of beers at a great price. They have their own food truck with pierogis and brats and fries(Reddit)
Jobs and work
One commenter argued that Athens needs to bring local salaries up to current reality given the level of work expected. relative to the level of job that's being done for some of these the numbers(Reddit)
One resident noted that forklift drivers earn a bit more than non certified receiving employees in a part time job. Forklift drivers are paid a little more than non certified receiving employees(Reddit)
One resident said they are trying to change careers after struggling to pay off degrees on low income. I'm looking to pivot career paths (and hopefully use the degrees I've been paying off with barely enough income to do so)(Reddit)
One resident said to expect a pay cut working in Athens County compared to Columbus or other cities. Expect a pay cut for anything in Athens County if you've been working in Columbus or any city(Reddit)
Making friends
One resident struggling to connect with others in the area for a long time wonders about ways to meet people. struggled to connect with people in the area for quite a while(Reddit)
Events and festivals
One resident recommends The Union Bar & Grill as the ideal choice, with Casa Cantina as second best and Smiling Skull Saloon as a rougher biker bar option. The Union Bar & Grill - your ideal choice(Reddit)
One resident says not to bother with anything other than Mill, Palmer, and High, and notes that Number Fest is actually a two day music festival with Migos added later. Number Fest is actually a two day music festival(Reddit)
Cost of living
One resident mentioned that their off campus OU student saw a considerable rise in electric bills during September and October. Their electric bill has gone up quite considerably in the months of September and October(Reddit)
What Athens, OH is known for
Athens Community Music Festival (August): Local band music festival held each August
Ohio Pawpaw Festival (September): Festival celebrating the native pawpaw fruit
Halloween Block Party (October): Large annual Halloween street celebration drawing international attention
Ohio Brew Week: Nine day craft beer festival with keg tappings and live music
More on Athens, OH
The full Varro guide adds rent and home prices, local taxes, schools, healthcare, getting around, weather by month, and a quiz that shows how Athens, OH fits what you want.