Moving to Augusta Area-- houses schools etc (Evans, Riverside: neighborhood, costs)

[ARURRY]

I am relocating with my wife and two boys (ages 2 and 6) to the Augusta area from Michigan. I am leaving Ford and joining EZ-GO! We are excited and looking forward to the move. We will be able to afford 200k for a home hopefully. My wife and kids want a neighborhood with kids and a good school system. I require enough land to put up a 24 by 48 shop building for my woodworking and metal working hobbies. I understand that we should be looking mostly at Columbia county for the schools ( or at least that is what everyone tells us). DOes anyone have a suggestion as to where we should look? for both the kid friendly neighborhood and the ability to build a shop building ( if it is not already there)?

[proeye]

Originally Posted by ARURRY

I am relocating with my wife and two boys (ages 2 and 6) to the Augusta area from Michigan. I am leaving Ford and joining EZ-GO! We are excited and looking forward to the move. We will be able to afford 200k for a home hopefully. My wife and kids want a neighborhood with kids and a good school system. I require enough land to put up a 24 by 48 shop building for my woodworking and metal working hobbies. I understand that we should be looking mostly at Columbia county for the schools ( or at least that is what everyone tells us). DOes anyone have a suggestion as to where we should look? for both the kid friendly neighborhood and the ability to build a shop building ( if it is not already there)?

Honestly, just about anywhere in Columbia county would be fine. The further you go out however, the costs go down.

Interesting tidbit... My daughter, who was 5 at the time, and this girl were having a good ol' time at this park in Evans. I think the school was Riverside Elementary? I can't remember the name since it's been a couple of years. They really got along well. Eventually they had to leave but as they were leaving another couple told us it was Phil Mickelson's daughter. It was during the Masters and apparently they must like to get away from the crowds because it's a long way to downtown Augusta. You know, I'm still not sure if that was his wife or house keeper (she "claimed" to be the housekeeper... uh huh...). So... You might run into a few celebs out there...