Ben T. Epps built and flew his own planes, and in 1904 opened Athens’ first aviation shop. The first Epps-built airplane, built in 1907 was powered by a two-cylinder Anzani engine of approximately 15

horsepower.

Athens, GAHome of Georgia’s first aviator

Athens-Ben Epps Airport is a base for corporate jets, charter services, and flying schools. Athens Airport is currently the busiest small commercial airport in the state of Georgia with 104 flights a

day.

Athens is rightly known as Georgia’s “Classic City.” Athens is a harmony of old and new: southern culture and antebellum mansions,

contemporary art and eclectic nightlife, a Victorian-era downtown teeming with funky shops and one of the South's most progressive

culinary scenes.

Athens consistently ranks as among the nation's best towns for relocation and retirement. New residents are drawn to Athens by its moderate climate; convenience to Atlanta; top hospitals and medical

care; plus the culture, opportunity, and excitement a college town provides.

Get a real taste of Athens' unique flavor in our distinctive boutique shops, local eateries, and experience Georgia’s best night life in

Downtown Athens.

Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services maintains more than 2,000 acres of parks and facilities throughout the community,

including a zoo, nature center, a lake, water parks, dog parks, fields, and miles of greenway that extend through downtown for walking

and biking.

Athens is home to the University of Georgia offers over 140 degree programs in a wide array of disciplines. The University campus also includes the Georgia Museum of Art, the

Georgia Museum of Natural History, the Special Collections Library, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a 313-acre garden on the Middle Oconee River, serves as a cultural, educational

and recreational facility.

Athens is also the center of a legendary and diverse music scene. Locals hoping to catch the next R.E.M.—which, along with the B-52s

and Widespread Panic, got its start in Athens—can check out up-and-coming bands at the 40 Watt Club, the Georgia Theatre or

any of the other 40 music venues.

Events such as Athens Wine Weekend, Classic City Brew Fest, and AthFest are annually

anticipated events that bring crowds from all over the Southeast.

UGA sports including football, hockey, baseball, basketball, softball, swimming, gymnastics, golf, and more draw visitors from all

over the Southeast and beyond.

No community of comparable size in the Southeast can boast richer cultural resources than Athens. A night out on the town can include a

touring Broadway production at the Classic Center, one of the world’s best symphonies, local theatre as only a college town can

offer, or a gallery exhibition.

Compliment your evening’s entertainment with fine dining at one of Athens’ distinctive eateries, which feature works of local artists on

both the walls and the plate. From the show Top Chef, our acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson has helped establish Athens as the culinary

destination of the South and continues to inspire more local gastronomic experiences.

Athens residents experience the four seasons throughout the year. The summer months can average high temperatures around 90

degrees, and the winter months average low temperatures in the 30’s. There is an average of 4 inches of rainfall each month and even though it is not very common, there can be snowfall during the winter

months.

The many hotels in Athens offer an escape from your normal day-to-day. From Hotel Indigo’s upscale boutique green hotel to the

romantic retreat at Foundry Park Inn, guests are quickly whisked away.

With three high-tech hospitals and an impressive range of support services Athens residents and visitors enjoy the immeasurable benefits of outstanding healthcare professionals, leading-edge

technology, and superb facilities.

Residents of Athens enjoy a lower cost of living than the national average. Athens’ Cost of Living Index is 92. We pride ourselves on

being a safe, friendly and close-knit community.

Athens is only 70 miles away from Atlanta which offers proximity to destinations such as the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta,

shopping, historical sites, numerous concert and sports venues.

“The Best Places in Georgia for Job Seekers" NerdWallet.com (2013)

#4 of the “10 Great College Towns to Retire to" Kiplinger (July 2014)

#8 of the “14 Underrated Places You’ll Really Want To Move To”BuzzFeed (May 2014)

#3 of “The 10 Best Places To Live In Georgia”MOVOTO Blog (May 2014)

1st Place: “The South's Best Foodie Cities for Groups, South-East Region”

ConventionSouth Magazine (March 2014)

Athens, GA