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Athens

Athens

$432,684 Average Value
$271 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

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.

Athens offers its residents some historic architecture.
Athens offers its residents some historic architecture.
A Folk Victorian boasts a unique sort of symmetry in Athens.
A Folk Victorian boasts a unique sort of symmetry in Athens.
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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.

Newer, more modern homes adorn the Athens landscape the further out one travels from the river.
Newer, more modern homes adorn the Athens landscape the further out one travels from the river.
Sleepy Hollow Lake in Athens offers its residents private docks for fun recreational weekends.
Sleepy Hollow Lake in Athens offers its residents private docks for fun recreational weekends.
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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.

Stewart House is a hotel and a restaurant  at Athens Riverfront Park.
Stewart House is a hotel and a restaurant at Athens Riverfront Park.
Athens residents stroll Main Street in Athens.
Athens residents stroll Main Street in Athens.
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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.

Athens Village Green Park is a tidy place for Athens residents to recreate.
Athens Village Green Park is a tidy place for Athens residents to recreate.
There's a large pavilion at Athens Riverfront Park.
There's a large pavilion at Athens Riverfront Park.
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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.

Coxsackie-Athens Central Schools serve Athens residents.
Coxsackie-Athens Central Schools serve Athens residents.
Coxsackie-Athens Middle School has over 300 students enrolled.
Coxsackie-Athens Middle School has over 300 students enrolled.
Athens Elementary School has less than 200 students enrolled.
Athens Elementary School has less than 200 students enrolled.
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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.

Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Lucas Dyke
Photography Contributed By
Lucas Dyke
Jason Jacot
Video By
Jason Jacot

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,492
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1987
Months of Supply
4.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,838
Below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,463
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
14,374

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 18
    Open Sat 1PM - 3PM

    685 Sandy Plains Rd, Leeds, NY 12451

    $650,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,860 Sq Ft
    • 685 Sandy Plains Rd
    • New 13 days ago

    Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 1860 sq. ft. home,sits on 4 acres of land with the Potic Creek in the backyard. The home has an open layout, you can enjoy cooking while entertaining. Enjoy the outdoors and scenery from the back deck off the kitchen/dining room or from the balcony off the primary bedroom. The full basement has glass sliding doors leading to the back yard. There is a large

    Autumn Shaw Weichert Realtors Fontaine

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Athens Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
2
Median Rent
$2,625
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,250
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,500

Demographics

Total Population
4,227
Median Age
50
Population under 18
17.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$80,854
On par with the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$103,352

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91%
College Graduates
27.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.9%
% Population in Labor Force
60.7%
On par with the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
42''

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®®

20 / 100

Not friendly

Walk Score®®

10 / 100

Not friendly

Transit Score®®

0 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Athens