Living a College Town Lifestyle in Augusta, Georgia

The "Garden City," alive with the cultural benefits of multiple public and private universities, offers a diverse community and interesting history. Augusta, Georgia is home to the oldest autonomous African-American Baptist church in the country. Its new motto is “We feel good” in honor of native son James Brown. It is also home to the most prestigious golf tournament in the world – The Masters. Augusta (population 181,000) is the second largest city in Georgia and is located in Richmond County.

The city, now officially known as Augusta-Richmond, had a rough patch in the 1970’s when many of the downtown businesses moved out to suburban shopping malls. This reviewer remembers being stationed at nearby Ft. Gordon in the early 1970’s – the town had possibilities but a decidedly rough edge. An aggressive urban renewal project led to a revitalization of its beautiful and overlooked riverfront. The Riverwalk project now features an amphitheatre, hotels, museums, and art galleries. First Friday, a monthly night festival, is a recent project to keep the downtown vital and busy. There are many new businesses, restaurants, and art galleries in the downtown.

Augusta State University, Paine College, and Georgia Military College, among others, make this emerging city a vibrant college town.

Where to Retire in Augusta and Home Prices

Active adults who choose Augusta as their retirement community will find a great variety of housing options. You can live in a charming neighborhood – either in an historic home (more expensive) or in a smaller but newer home. The Summerville Historic District is a charming neighborhood of 18th to 20th century homes that was once a separate community of summer homes for Augusta city-dwellers. There are also condominiums and single family homes in the many active adult communities in the area. Real estate prices in Augusta tend to be lower than the rest of the state. The median home value was $170,784 in early 2023, according to Zillow. Homes in certain fancier neighborhoods or developments are higher.

What Is Special about Augusta

There is a host of sites and events that make Augusta special which include the Riverwalk Augusta area on the Savannah, Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Golf Tournament, Rockin' Rib and Music Fest, tree lined streets and antebellum mansions, and the Augusta Museum of Histor. Three colleges, including Augusta State University, are located here along with the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens the Augusta-Richmond County James Brown Arena, Confederate Powderworks, and Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home.

What Is Not Special about Augusta

There is considerable poverty in Augusta. Some northerners might have trouble adjusting to living in a southern city.

Climate and Physical Environment

Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles east of Atlanta. View Google Map for Augusta. For more retirement communities in Georgia

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The cultural scene includes Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, the Morris Museum of Art (art of the south and southern artists), Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens, Jessye Norman Amphitheater, Imperial Theatre, and the Bell Auditorium. There are also numerous performing arts organizations which include the Augusta Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Players, Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, as well as the Augusta State University Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre

Crime

Crime in Augusta is above the national average.

Medical Facilities

There are 3 hospitals including St. Josephs and the Georgia Regional Hospital

Transportation

Augusta Regional Airport offers service.  Augusta is average in walkability when compared to other communities.

Valuable Links

Augusta GA

Augusta on Wikipedia

Rate This Town