Historic homes and a growing downtown draw weekenders to Athens
Located on the Hudson River about 30 miles south of Albany, Athens is a growing village with historic homes and a walkable downtown that’s become a popular place for weekend and part-time residents from New York City. “It's an easy escape from New York City. It’s a two-hour drive and has everything people want to do on their weekends,” says Christine Hinz, an associate real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Village Green. She purchased a weekend home in the area in 2007 and moved here full-time in 2017. “What I love about the area is the connection to nature and the accessibility to the outdoors, and yet the area does have a lot of cultural amenities as well.” Industry here boomed in the 1800s, and the homes themselves are as much a draw as its waterfront, locally owned businesses and proximity to the Catskill Mountains.
Historic architecture, secluded cabins and lakefront homes
The village of Athens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its range of architectural styles from the 1800s, including Queen Anne, Federal and Second Empire. Outside of the village, homes have a more rural feel, and buyers can find farmhouses from the 1800s, secluded cabins and ranch-style homes. To the north, the resort community of Sleepy Hollow Lake offers contemporary cabins, some of which are on the water. Home prices typically range from $250,000 to $510,000, while lakefront properties and luxury homes can cost between $700,000 and $1.2 million. Properties near the river are at high risk of flooding; homeowners here might have to buy flood insurance.
The waterfront and Second Street make up a growing commercial area
“One of the top places to go in Athens is the Stewart House,” Hinz says. “It’s an old hotel that really needed someone to come in and save it. They got the right investor and now it’s the hot spot to go to; they do dining, they’ve got a lounge area, they do live music and it’s on the waterfront, so it’s just a great place to gather.” The hotel’s 1883 Tavern serves farm-to-table meals in a grandly decorated dining room, while the outdoor River Garden serves cocktails and has regular live music. More businesses are on Second Street, including the trendy coffee shop The Athens Rooster. The nearest grocery stores are along U.S. Highway 9W, including Dollar General and Black Horse Farms, which has locally sourced produce and food products. Grocers like Price Chopper and Walmart are nearby in Catskill.
Getting around the Hudson River Valley
State Route 385 is the main road through the village. It leads about 5 miles to Catskill, where drivers can take the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Hudson, 9 miles away. Albany is about 30 miles away via U.S. Highway 9W and Interstate 87, and New York City is a 123-mile drive.
Sidewalks make the village area pedestrian friendly. Houses of worship here include the Federated Church of Athens. Greene County Transit has bus routes around the county, and there's a weekend ferry to Hudson. The Amtrak station in Hudson has train routes to New York City, a trip that takes roughly two hours. “A lot of people do it, and it’s an easier commute because they have Wi-Fi and the trains are really comfortable,” Hinz says. Columbia Memorial Health, the closest hospital, is roughly 10 miles away, and Albany International Airport is a 39-mile trip.
Riverfront parks, art classes and mountain adventures nearby
Athens Riverfront Park offers a scenic spot to picnic by the Hudson River. To the north is a boat ramp where kayakers can put in and spend a day on the water. Kids can join Coxsackie-Athens Little League, which plays at Athens Village Green, a park that also has a playground and basketball court. At the Athens Cultural Center, residents can take art classes or check out art exhibits. Nearby, the Catskill Mountains offer plenty of hiking trails, and there are popular ski areas like Windham Mountain Club and Hunter Mountain. Residents of Sleepy Hollow Lake have private amenities within the community, including two swimming pools, a marina and a sports complex with pickleball courts and a driving range.
B ratings and technology in Athens’ public schools
Kids attend schools in the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, which earns an overall rating of B-minus from Niche. They can start at Edward J. Arthur Elementary and then go to Coxsackie-Athens Middle; both earn a B-minus. At the B-rated Coxsackie-Athens High, each student is issued an iPad that they use for creative projects in their classes. The school’s use of technology in the classroom has earned it an Apple Distinguished School designation.
A popular summer street fair attracts crowds
For over 50 years, the Athens Street Festival has brought crowds to Second Street each July. The one-day event kicks off with a parade of children who have made paper hats and masks for the occasion. Over a hundred craft vendors set up along the street, and there are also carnival rides and games. The day ends with fireworks over the river.
Written By
Annie Franklin
