Whether you’re moving to Athens for work, school, or just because it’s a pretty awesome place to land, you should get to know some of the things that make living in Athens, Ohio unique. The neighborhoods here are set in the hills all surrounding the valley center, where you find Ohio University’s historic campus and Athens’ equally historic Uptown. It’s a little Appalachian Rome.
Two-hundred-plus years of growth and development have made for a fairly diverse, mix-and-match spread of historic homes, apartment buildings, converted Uptown buildings, and 8-bedroom houses turned into several smaller apartments. There are buildings cantilevered off the hillsides in the steeper neighborhoods, and converted apartments over the shops on Court Street.
So, where do you look when viewing rental properties in Athens, Ohio? And what do you look for?
Types of Apartments and Homes for Rent in Athens
Obviously, everybody’s list of must-haves is different when looking for apartments or rental homes in Athens. Luckily, housing in Athens offers a range of options for almost any living situation:
- Studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments near Uptown bars and campus green are great for singles or couples who want to live near Court Street for work or school.
- 5-room rentals, 4-bedroom, or even 8-bedroom rental homes in the neighborhoods around Court Street are perfect for groups of students who want that quintessential Athens OU experience.
- 1-to-3-bedroom apartments in historic buildings near Uptown let people rent housing in Athens that’s a real part of the town’s history.
- Two- and three-bedroom units in some rental properties let a couple of smaller groups of friends have the option of connecting the apartments and creating a way bigger living space.
What to Look for in Apartments near Ohio University
Finding an Athens rental isn't just about choosing the property with the most bedrooms or the shortest distance to campus. Think about how the rental will fit into your daily routine before comparing specific listings.
- Location: Consider how close you want to be to Ohio University, Uptown Athens, work, medical facilities, grocery stores, and other places you visit regularly. A rental that looks ideal online may not be the best fit if its location makes your everyday commute inconvenient.
- Floor plan: Look beyond the bedroom count. Compare bathrooms, common living areas, kitchen space, closets, storage, and how bedrooms are positioned within the home.
- Amenities: Depending on the property, useful features may include air conditioning, laundry, updated kitchens and bathrooms, in-unit laundry, outdoor space, storage, and other conveniences.
- Parking and transportation: If you bring a car to Athens, check whether parking is available at the property and whether additional parking arrangements are necessary. If you don't drive, consider how easily you can walk or travel to campus and Uptown.
- Lease terms and costs: Before signing, make sure you understand the lease dates, rent, security deposit, utilities, occupancy rules, maintenance responsibilities, and any other costs associated with the rental.
- Roommates’ preferences: If you're renting with friends, make sure the floor plan and shared spaces work for the entire group. A property that looks spacious on paper may feel very different depending on how many people share the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and storage areas.
Where to Find the Right Rental for You
Because Uptown Athens is set in the center of it all, and the South half of Athens is primarily campus, rental housing in the Athens neighborhoods around Uptown offers great, central locations that are tailored to different kinds of lifestyles.
- Apartments and rental properties in the South Side near Uptown are ideal for medical professionals at OU and O’Bleness, med students, and physical science students. Foster Place is one street that’s pretty much an equal distance to the medical school as Court Street each way.
- The best places to rent in Athens for Fine Arts students, faculty, and staff are rental properties near the Court Street and State Street intersection, like Lash Street or Fern Street. You’re renting an apartment that’s a stone’s throw from Uptown Athens, but you’re also within sprinting distance of Jefferson when you’re late to dance rehearsal.
- Rental housing on the North end of Uptown, such as N Congress, Franklin, and State, is good for apartments and homes to rent for people who want central locations that are partially residential, like professors and their families in 4-bedroom rentals, or a group of university friends in a Court Street-adjacent 3-bedroom rental house.
- The streets directly West of Court, like Washington and High Streets, are a fun mix of party houses and little cantilevered treehouse-style rental properties on hillsides. It’s a microcosm of Athens’ mix of nature and culture. This area has apartments and rental housing in locations convenient to the social science halls as well as physical science and med school buildings.
There isn't one universally "best" neighborhood for renting in Athens. A student who spends most of the day on campus may prioritize a different location than someone working at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital or a family looking for a quieter residential setting.
Before choosing an apartment in Athens, think about the places you visit most often. Consider your campus buildings or workplace, your preferred grocery and dining options, whether you drive, and how important it is to be within walking distance of Uptown.
Choosing your rental based on your actual routine can help you avoid paying for a location that doesn't provide the convenience you need.
Kleinpenny Rentals: Athens Rental Housing for Everybody
We love living in Athens, and we mean to help others love living here, too! We have a portfolio of rental properties that can cater to anyone, all in great locations near Uptown Athens and OU campus. We regularly update all our Athens apartments and rental homes with luxury features, which makes them cool rentals for OU students and attractive, functional rentals for OU alumni and their families. Take a look at our property list and use our detailed search to find the best Athens, Ohio rental housing for you.