tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665995.post-1140013551236085162006-02-15T09:25:00.000-05:002006-02-15T09:25:53.880-05:00Athens, 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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."<div class="blogger-post-footer">Athens Georgia Real Estate</div>Burton Real Estate &amp; Developmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08818859657451845676noreply@blogger.com