Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Erica Palmisano. Palmisano works for Fred’s His toric Properties, a property manager overseeing about 55 units downtown. Rad Homrich, an economics major from Stone Moun tain, shared the same sentiments. He lives in the Farmer's Exchange, the build ing situated on the wedge created by the intersection of Broad and Oconee streets on the southeast corner of downtown. ’’! just like going downtown. There's nice bars and it's so close to campus." he said. losh Kramer, a business major from Whiteville. N.C., and his family were look ing for a place downtown for him to move in to next year. "I think there's a real quaint college environment, lot's of good girl watching and a good selection of restaurants." said his father. Michael. "It would be the per fect place, especially if you're young and single." losh added proximity to his classes on North Campus and downtown's vibrant nightlife to the list. Because of all these advantages, loca tions downtown are always in high de mand. "It is pretty consistent." Palmisano said. "We're 100 percent leased out right now." Living downtown doesn't come without its downsides, though. losh Kramer was concerned there would be "not as much of a sense of community." He also mentioned noise from sources such as crowds at night and street sweep ers in the mornings. Many places downtown are very old, and this can negatively affect a resident's experience. "Our building is really old and it shows. It's like, more than 100 years old." Homrich said. Palmisano said businesses that lease spaces in old buildings and maintain a cer tain amount of the buildings' original archi tecture can get a tax write-off for owning a historic property. Another issue living downtown can be the price of rent. Palmisano said the high prices downtown are a result of high de mand. Homrich said his rent was "pretty expen sive." However, both Kramers said the price for the five-bedroom apartment they'd looked at on Clayton Street was “very reasonable." Being downtown and constantly sur rounded by so manv people, crime would <#. HIT V \ JR-1 mM i t '4, HHL ■* : r ' 1 1 ' ' Be .' : 5 W life mßMb> seem to be a problem. However, both Kramer and Homrich said that they didn't consider crime an issue. “In five years ll've been working herel, there's been no break ins, no homeless people hanging out in the hallways or anything like that." Palmisano said. "We have 24-hour surveillance and staff living on-site." She also said serious issues with crime usually only occurred when a party at one of the downtown residences got out of hand. LOKIS 1 -6 bedroom floor plans starting at $685 • Exposed beams & brick a • Concrete & wood floors • Full kitchens • On-site laundry • Parking included • Pets allowed (706)548-0270 580 East Broad St. Athens, Ga 30601 email: farmerslofts@ram mgt.com www.rampartnersllc..com 9