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Athens, Ohio is a classic American college town located in the rolling Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, about 75 miles southeast of Columbus. Home to roughly 26,000 residents, the city's identity is deeply shaped by Ohio University, which has been part of the community since 1804. The two are so intertwined that the rhythms of the academic calendar effectively define life in Athens, from the surge of activity each fall when students return to the quieter pace of summer. Court Street, the main commercial strip running through the heart of uptown, is lined with independent restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and local businesses that give Athens a lively and distinctive character. The city sits along the Hocking River and is surrounded by state forests, hiking trails, and natural areas that offer students a strong outdoor recreation scene just minutes from campus. Athens has a well-earned reputation for its progressive community culture, its local food and arts scene, and an annual Halloween celebration that draws national attention. The combination of affordable cost of living, walkable neighborhoods near campus, and a vibrant social atmosphere makes Athens one of the more appealing college towns in the Midwest.
The uptown area surrounding Court Street is the social and commercial heart of Athens student life, with bars, restaurants, and shops immediately accessible. Apartments and houses here are the most expensive in the city, but the convenience and walkability to campus and entertainment make it the top choice for many upperclassmen.
The neighborhoods flanking the South Green residence halls are packed with student rental houses and apartments at a range of price points. This area is extremely walkable to academic buildings and is popular with students making their first move off campus who want to stay close to familiar campus geography.
Stimson Avenue runs along the east side of campus and hosts a high concentration of student rental houses. It offers a slightly quieter residential environment than uptown while remaining an easy walk to classes and campus facilities, making it a consistently popular stretch for off-campus students.
Richland Avenue and the western residential streets of Athens offer larger houses at lower per-person rents, attracting bigger roommate groups looking to reduce individual housing costs. CATS bus service provides a convenient connection to campus for residents in this part of the city.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Athens.
Athens is served by CATS, the Campus Area Transit System, which operates free bus routes connecting Ohio University's campus to off-campus neighborhoods throughout the city. Service is free for students with a valid OU ID and runs regularly during the academic year on routes covering major residential corridors. CATS makes it practical for students living in neighborhoods farther from the main campus core, such as Richland Avenue or West State Street, to get to class without a car.
For students living in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the campus, Athens is highly walkable. The blocks near Court Street and the South Green area put most students within a comfortable walking distance of classrooms, dining, and campus services. Biking is also a popular option, with many students using bicycles to navigate the relatively flat terrain near campus, though the surrounding hills can make some routes more demanding. Athens does not have dedicated protected bike lanes throughout the city, so cyclists should be prepared to share roads with vehicle traffic.
Owning a car in Athens is useful for trips beyond the immediate campus area, including grocery runs to larger stores, day trips to Columbus, or exploring the surrounding region. On-campus parking requires a permit and fills up quickly, so students living off campus often find street parking near their rental or pay for a closer lot. Students should confirm parking availability and any associated costs with their landlord before signing a lease, as dedicated off-street parking is not universal across Athens rentals.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Athens is one of the more affordable college towns in Ohio. Off-campus rent typically runs from $500 to $900 per person per month depending on proximity to campus and unit type. Houses shared among three to five roommates on streets like Stimson Avenue or Richland Avenue offer some of the best per-person value, while apartments closest to Court Street command higher rents.