Mathis Apartments

I've lived in Mathis for the better part of a decade and couldn't imagine moving anywhere else in Athens.

It's almost 70 years old and from what I've seen, the units are mostly original, so they come with the attendant old-building caveats. If you must have central A/C, a dishwasher, and laundry in your apartment, this probably isn't the place for you. For me, the trade off os getting a really cool, inexpensive, charming apartment with original details is absolutely worth it.

The units have... original hardwood floors, classic black-and-white tile bathrooms, and crank-out steel casement windows that are perfect for catching the breeze on a nice fall or spring day. They have window unit air conditioners and radiators for heat, which keep the place nice and toasty in the winter. Hot water is centralized, comes on instantly, and there's great water pressure.

The property itself is wonderful and really feels like home to me. It's the only complex around here where you walk out your front door onto a huge front lawn instead of a parking lot. The lawns are mowed weekly and are perfect for relaxing outdoors. There are maybe a dozen huge old oak trees that shade much of the complex and it's not unusual to see people lounging in hammocks.

Another great thing is that the people who live here are not a single demographic. There's a really cool mix of students, professionals, and hipster artists and townies. Several of us have lived here ten years or longer. One of my neighbors is a landscaper and has started a garden in several of the flowerbeds; another works with the management company as an on-site handyman in case there's an emergency. The management is generally responsive and friendly.

Here are a couple of caveats: some of the units I've been in are pristine and some are a bit worse for the wear, so make sure you take a look at the exact unit before you sign a lease. If you're neurotic about noise, a lot of outside sounds make their way into the units; if you're on the first floor you'll probably be able to hear the footsteps of people walking around above you—just be aware that you won't be moving into an isolation chamber. The neighbors are nice and respectful, though, so it's never been a problem for me.

I know it's not for everyone, but iIf all of this sounds good to you, you should really check Mathis out. I really love living here and would buy my unit outright if I could. Lee mas