Athens, Georgia Details

Home to The University of Georgia – the area offers lots of activities, including symphonies at the performing arts center, sporting events, road shows, Broadway productions, and well-known guest speakers. A four season climate, lower costs and a college campus attract retirees to this vibrant Georgia town.

The spotlight of the city is the college – which is in the center of town, drawing students internationally and providing a global environment.

The charming town is filled with restaurants, clubs, galleries, newsstands, coffee shops, and weaver D’s, known for its collard greens and as the unofficial lunch spot of rock legends REM. Long a musical hub, Athens boasts a vibrant music scene that began gaining international recognition in the late 70’s. Bands such as REM and the B-52’s rose to the top during the 80’s as other bands perfected their talents in area clubs.

Athens allows easy access for weekend getaways, either to mountains or the beaches. In addition, the area has a military base, Navy Supply Corps School, with a commissary and exchange.

Sales Tax

7% (state 4%, city and county 3%), groceries are exempt.

Income Exemptions

or residents age 62 and older, retirement income up to $15,000 is not taxed. Up to $4000 of earned income can be included in the $15,000. There is no tax on Social Security, interest on US obligations or railroad retirement income.

Estate Tax

Georgia does not levy estate tax on inheritances resulting from deaths after Jan. 1, 2005.

Property Tax

Property is taxed on assessed value, which is defined as 40 percent of the fair market value. Thus, the assessed value of a $150,000 house is $60,000 and the tax rate of $33.05 per $1000 of assessed value produces taxes of $1983, without exemptions. You’ll find more details on http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/tc.

Personal Property Tax: Household property is not normally taxable. Automobiles are taxed on the assessed value, which is defined as 40% of the ffair market value Thus, the assessed value of a $30,000 vehicle is $12,000, and the property tax rate of .03305 totals taxes of $397.

Homestead Exemption

There is an exemptions of $10,000 off assessed value. Therefore, on a $150,000 house, the net assessed value is $50,000. Its actual taxes are $1653, but a credit for $264 provided by a grant to owners of homesteaded property reduces the owner’s bill to $1389.

Religion

The Athens area has more than 86 houses of worship representing 17 denominations, including Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Islamic.

Education

The community is home to the University of Georgia and satellite campuses of Gainesville College, Piedmont College, Old Dominion University and Athens Technical College. Affiliated with Elderhostel, Learning in Retirement (LIR) in Athens (http://www.geron.uga.edu/lir) from September through may offers daytime courses such as strength training, medieval and renaissance papacy, French bistro cooking and computer skills/ LIR year round offers bridge, quilting and conversational French plus summer activities and a travel/study program with day trips.

Health

The area has 157 physicians, 42 dentists and 2 hospitals, St. Mary’s hospital with 196 beds and Athens regional medical center with 319 beds. Athens has 3 immediate care facilities, four outpatient surgery clinics, there mental health centers, 5 rehabilitation centers and 4 nursing homes.

Further Details

706-357-4430
800-653-0603
http://www.visitathensga.com