From rolling countryside to urban grid, Athens offers two lifestyles
Bound to the north by the New York state line with two rivers flowing through its heart, Athens is a family-friendly community where residents can choose between rural and city lifestyles. The Bradford County borough’s urban center features a commercial corridor and a historic Main Street stretch, while the surrounding countryside offers seclusion and access to the outdoors. “It’s a really peaceful, and in our opinion, a safe and great place for families and retirees,” says Raul Azpiazu , a Realtor with Howard Hanna At Home Realty, who’s been selling homes in the Valley for two decades. He says Athens offers proximity to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, a regional medical center and top employer, a few miles north of the borough in Sayre .
A range of home styles in urban and country settings
Athens offers a variety of single-family homes. American Foursquares and Victorians neighbor small Craftsman bungalows on blocks branching off Main Street. Miles from the urban grid along two-lane country roads, ranch-style homes, farmhouses and custom builds are surrounded by woods and pastures.
The median price for a single-family home in Athens is around $160,000, significantly below the national median. Most homes fall between $120,000 and $500,000. “Properties over $500,000 are rare. In those cases, you’re going to have a lot of acreage for the property,” Azpiazu says.
Shopping in the Athens Historic District and Elmira Street Corridor
Small businesses line South Main Street in the Athens Historic District, which features red-brick buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, residents can pick up a bottle of wine from Staggering Unicorn Winery, grab a coffee from Bird’s Next Café and browse the racks at Children’s Depot. Several restaurants dot the district, including Sam’s Restaurant, a no-frills diner, and Mooney's, a tavern-style spot known for its mac and cheese. Every Thursday evening in July and August, local musicians entertain shoppers during the Athens Summer Concert series in Teaoga Square, a pocket-sized park with a Victorian-era bandstand.
National retailers and TOPS Friendly Market are along Elmira Street. This commercial corridor features a mix of chain and locally owned restaurants as well as a brewery. Azpiazu says one of his favorites is Callears Bar-B-Que Restaurant, which has been a Valley staple for more than four decades.
Recreation in the Valley from playgrounds to protected natural areas
With two rivers and a handful of parks, Athens offers multiple ways to enjoy nature. Kayaking and fishing are popular activities along the Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers, which meet along the borough’s southern edge. The 575-acre Round Top Park Recreation Area provides year-round adventure, from hiking and hunting to cross-country skiing and sledding. The park, known for its scenic views of the Valley, has typical amenities like picnic pavilions and sports courts, as well as more unique features such as a model airplane field. Athens’ littlest residents can enjoy a large playground at Valley Playland. Part of State Game Lands No. 239 is in Athens, offering hundreds of acres of undeveloped terrain for bird watching and ice fishing, when conditions are right.
Teachers and students build strong connections in Athens
The Athens Area School District earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche and has four schools. Lynch Bustin Elementary earns a B-minus, while SRU Elementary receives a C-plus. Both schools feed into the B-minus-rated Harland Rowe Middle. Athens Area High also gets a B-minus. Azpiazu says the school system, like others in the Valley, is small, which creates a close-knit atmosphere. “We may not have the amenities of the big city schools, but our kids know each other better and the teachers know the kids better,” Azpiazu says.
Commuters have access to U.S. Route 220
Athens’ urbanized center is walkable and bikeable with access to BeST Transit’s fixed-route and shared ride service. However, most of the borough is car-dependent. U.S Route 220 is a vital highway, connecting drivers to Interstate 86 for commutes across New York’s Southern Tier. Route 220 also heads south, linking up with U.S. Route 6, Pennsylvania’s scenic highway. Elmira Corning Regional Airport is about 30 miles away. Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is less than 2 miles from downtown Athens.
Important to know
Potential buyers should note that Athens can flood during major storms. In 2011, the borough suffered extensive damage when heavy rain from Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene caused the Susquehanna River to breach its banks. “The town is back, and there’s a levee down there, but there can be flooding issues on rare occasions,” Azpiazu says.
