In 2009, Relocate America named Augusta in its list of Top 100 Cities to Live. With a cost of living 78% of the national average, Augusta is an ideal place to live, work and raise a family. Parenting.com ranked Augusta the nation’s 20th best city for families in its 2010 list. Also named the #1 Best City in the U.S. for First Time Home Buyers by CNBC.com in 2010, Augusta’s broad range of housing options ensures home buyers will find a house that reflects their lifestyle.
Whether looking to live within a vibrant downtown district, spending evenings in a trendy loft accented with contemporary furnishings and artwork, or seeking quietude and tradition in an established historic neighborhood, where cozy cottages and stately homes nestle along tree-lined streets, or hoping to find the perfect golf retreat, coming home to a relaxing round of nine holes, people relocating to Augusta can find what they’re looking for. Whatever home sweet home means to an individual or family, such a place awaits them in the Garden City.
In addition to its varied market, there’s yet another key reason why Augusta’s housing options are so special. Forbes Magazine named Augusta as one of the Best Middle Class Housing Markets in the United States, coming in at seventh in the country, in January 2009. Business Week followed that up in September 2009, listing Augusta #6 in both America’s Strongest Housing Markets and Strongest Building Markets for Housing.
The bustling city center offers dozens of charmingly renovated apartments and lofts for lease and sale above historic storefronts, with new renovations coming every year. Over the past 10 years the area has developed into a vibrant neighborhood community, complete with restaurants, art galleries, antique stores and nightclubs, all of which attract tourists and locals alike downtown.
Similar housing options are located on the Augusta Canal at Enterprise Mill, a former cotton mill that has been renovated into trendy loft apartments and commercial office space. From cozy studio apartments to spacious three-bedroom lofts, Enterprise Mill residents enjoy a lifestyle that blends a sophisticated urban environment with unique Southern living.
Along the Savannah River, a number of luxury homes and multi-level town homes line both sides of the river. River Place, an upscale high-rise condo building, offers sky-high views and stylish living right downtown. Plans are in the works for the restoration of the city’s historic downtown train station and development of that riverfront property, which may incorporate high-end residential properties with historic charm.
On the South Carolina riverbanks, the River Golf Club features a Jim Fazio-designed riverfront golf course, which offers 18 holes of challenging play. A neighborhood of custom-built homes rests along the riverfront, North Augusta Greeneway (a 10-mile bike path) and a golf course, offering a comfortable, outdoorsy lifestyle option and one of the best views in the area. Also on the riverfront is Hammond’s Ferry, a new community that marks the completion of an original plan developed more than 100 years ago to connect the city to the Savannah River.
To experience some of the most authentic Southern living in Augusta, consider the historic Summerville area. This former winter resort of the late 19th and 20th centuries is located on the Hill, where you’ll find some of the CSRA’s most picturesque houses gracing tree-lined streets. The area is also home to Augusta State University and convenient to Walton Way and downtown shopping.
Just minutes west of downtown Augusta is Columbia County. Here, innovative development has included preserving 20 percent of the county’s land for green space, a network of bike paths and a town center philosophy. The River Island community, for instance, boasts its own on-site naturalist who organizes events to educate residents and consults with them on a variety of plant and wildlife topics. Those looking to go green can also investigate Bartram Trail, an environment-friendly community that plans to incorporate 10 miles of trails, or Tudor Branch, a wilderness trust neighborhood with plenty of walking trails.
If you really want to feel as if you are living close to nature, Southwind at Savannah Lakes is perfectly situated on Lake Thurmond. Although this popular lake and its surrounding recreation areas continue to grow, Lake Thurmond remains well-known for its pristine shoreline and wide open water. Sailing, powerboating and waterskiing are well-suited for the big water channels while canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing are popular in the more quiet coves.
Another advantage of residing in Augusta is the rewarding opportunity to rent out your home during the Masters tournament week. The first full week of April, thousands of spectators patronize Augusta area hotels and rent private housing. They shop and dine in area stores and restaurants, which generate income for the entire community. The Masters Housing Bureau, operated by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, is happy to assist you in marketing your house to one of the thousands of golf enthusiasts who visit the city each year.
Life After Retirement
Whether you desire an adventurous or a more laid-back retirement, Augusta is the perfect place to start and embrace that next chapter in life. Where To Retire magazine, CNN/Money magazine and the Wall Street Journal have recognized Augusta as a premiere place for retirees, in part because of the area’s low cost of living, easy accessibility and renowned medical centers.
Other factors bringing a national spotlight on Augusta as an ideal place to retire is the area’s affordable housing, glorious climate and wealth of outdoor activities and cultural opportunities. And it’s all available in a low-stress, small town environment.
Those seeking an all-in-one retirement living package might consider Brandon Wilde, consistently rated by New Choices Magazine and Where To Retire magazine as one of the top continuing care retirement communities in the country. Another option is Washington Commons, where residents enjoy chef-prepared meals and scheduled activities, or Wymberly, a community nestled in a country setting complete with serene fishing ponds, a par-3 golf course and shuffleboard courts. Other planned communities include Riverwood Plantation, Crawford Creek and the Village at Soap Creek. All offer gentle seclusion yet are close enough for a lifestyle rich in shopping, leisure and sports.
Although Augusta offers a varied selection of communities designed specifically for retirees, many are opting for retirement in one of the city’s golf course communities such as West Lake, Jones Creek, Goshen Plantation and Mount Vintage Plantation. Savannah Lakes Village in nearby McCormick, S.C., is a popular choice for those seeking solace on Strom Thurmond Lake.
For active retirees who aren’t quite ready to settle down with either a fishing rod or a golf club, Augusta has plenty of opportunities to stay engaged in the community and stay fit. If you want to break a sweat, consider joining a team on a senior tennis league, taking a leisurely kayak ride down the Augusta Canal or signing up for exercise programs at one of the many area health clubs. Health Central, for instance, is one of the nation’s first hospital-based wellness and fitness centers offering a team of specialists to help you reach your goals in a healthy, safe manner. There are also 10 YMCA locations across the area. In Augusta, it’s virtually impossible to miss out on opportunities to keep on top of your health.
If you’re adventurous spirit is calling you to go exploring beyond the CSRA, Augusta is close to several desirable weekend destinations. Whether it’s the beaches of South Georgia, the mountains of North Georgia or a trip to Atlanta or a quaint, historic town in South Carolina, Augustans are never far away from anything.
Retirees can also keep their minds sharp and active at one of several universities, technical colleges and professional schools in the region, including: Augusta State University, Troy State University, University of Phoenix, Medical College of Georgia, Paine College, Augusta Technical College, Savannah River College, Georgia Military College and many others. And here’s an added incentive to attend a class or two: Georgia residents age 62 or older may attend class tuition free at state institutions.
In Augusta, there are an array of opportunities to give back to the community, with several faith-based groups and traditional Rotary, Kiwanis and Exchange clubs located throughout the area. There are more than 300 non-profit agencies in the region offering volunteer work, from the Morris Museum of Art’s docent program to outreach projects for various health and human agencies. Additionally, the presence of many large hospitals and care services creates an abundance of ways to serve in the medical field. And speaking of the medical community, retirees will find comfort in the fact that the Augusta region has one of the largest concentrations of quality healthcare in the southeast.
The area’s retirement community is among the city’s most active, supporting its arts and charities with both funding and essential volunteer hours. Retirement life in Augusta is a perfect fit for the new image of this exciting, active and fulfilling life chapter.