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-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 ante-bellum 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.

The University of Georgia offers the Georgia Museum of Art and the Georgia Museum of Natural History and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

program, which offers classes and lectures on everything from tai chi to Civil War history.

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

Southeast and beyond.

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..

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 lively 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

or the Georgia Theatre.

Events such as Athens Wine Weekend, Classic City Brew Fest, and AthFest are annually anticipated events that bring crowds from all over the Southeast.

From the famed Top Chef, our acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson has helped placed Athens as the culinary destination of the South and continues to

inspire more local gastronomic experiences.

Athens is host to an array of entertainment from Broadway shows to comedians and music stars such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Gavin

Degraw.

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.

Hotels in Athens offer an escape from your normal day-to-day. From Hotel Indigo’s state-of-the-art green facility 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, significantly lower than the national

average of 100. Georgia is tax-friendly for retirees: Social Security benefits, along with up to $35,000 in most other types of retirement income, are

exempt from state taxes.

Athens being only 70 miles away from Atlanta offers proximity to destinations such as the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, numerous concert and sports venues, shopping, without having to deal with the daily traffic congestion.

“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)