Atl to Aug (Atlanta, Martinez, Evans: insurance, house, established neighborhood)

[vomarte]

Relocating to the Augusta area and looking to find out information. On the nicest suburban cities/towns around Augusta. Later this week on saturday we are visiting. Need advice on safe areas that have homes in the 350k range. My husband will be starting a job at the wachovia building downtown.

[lilmusket]

I would highly suggest Hammonds Ferry in North Augusta.. it is truly a unique devt for the Augusta area and it only miniutes from downtown. If you want suburbia in the Gwinnett or East Cobb style then you will probably like Evans in Columbia County.

[MantaRay]

Hammonds Ferry is very nice. You should at least visit the North Augusta Riverfront- drive south on Crystal Lake Dr. through the Hammond's Ferry development to the public park along the river. You can parallel park there and check out that section of greenway. One thing to be aware of is that due to the cost of Hammond's Ferry homes, growth has been slow, so even if you do really like the neighborhood, if you're only planning on being here for a couple years, I would be worried about being able to sell your house. Not that the value would drop, but the price range effectively prices out probably 98% of buyers.

For your price range, check out The Rapids subdivision in North Augusta where W. Martintown Rd. crosses under the greenway pedestrian bridge. Not only are there nice homes, but you have greenway access in the neighborhood. The North Augusta greenway is the nicest recreational amenity in town, and it runs about 7 continuous miles including the stretch at The Rapids and the stretch along the riverfront. You won't have to worry about resale in The Rapids, as it is a more established neighborhood with typical homes in the $300s rather than homes starting in the $300s and typical homes in the $500s and up like Hammond's Ferry.

You should also know that property taxes, gas, automobile insurance, and house for the money is less expensive in North Augusta than in Evans, and both areas have good schools. North Augusta will make an EASY commute to downtown. From The Rapids you can get to downtown in about 5 minutes or so. It is also convenient to shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are within a 10-15 minute drive. You will have very little traffic in North Augusta at any time and the thickest rush hour traffic in the metro area in Evans. North Augusta would be my first choice. In your price range, my second choice would be west Augusta in the neighborhoods along Stevens Creek Rd. between Riverwatch Parkway and Evans to Locks Rd.

[lilmusket]

Actually the area you mention as "West Augusta" ...the part along stevens Creek Rd and Evans to Lock Rd.. is not in Augusta.. but Columbia County... and is called simply Evans by most ppl.. since Evans is not an incorporated town... it's more a geographical concept.. to refer to the developed areas of eastern columbia county just north of Martinez.

[nortonguy]

Evans, Martinez, North Augusta, and Aiken would be good choices.

[judgeme]

Downtown Aiken is very beautiful for a small town.

[nortonguy]

Don't forget about some of the smaller suburbs like Grovetown, Thomson, and Hephzibah which are growing.

[lilmusket]

I like Thomson, but that is one long drive to have to make back and forth everyday. And shopping and dining options are still rather limited, so you are talking about another 25 mile drive to go the mall or movie theater and other such things. Grovetown is actually becoming a real suburb, it used to be nothing more than a little hick town 20 years ago.
Hephzibah is still too rural to be considered a suburb..that is if you are talking about Hephzibah proper.

[burr]

None of these suggestions would come close to a commute in the Atlanta area. Not even close !

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by burr

None of these suggestions would come close to a commute in the Atlanta area. Not even close !

Tis true..... the Thomson to Augusta commute is similar to the Suwanee to downtown Atlanta commute... but suwanee is a much more built up suburban area with more shopping and restaurants...