Thinking of relocating to Hephzibah, Ga (Atlanta, Martinez: crime rate, houses, employment)

[rant913]

My family & I are thinking about relocating to Ga. Can anyone tell me about any of the areas? We were looking at Hephzibah. Don't ask me why there it just popped out at me one day. We live in Ohio now (have for 17 years). Before that we lived in Florida. Ohio's cold is getting to us. Florida hurricanes are not appealing. We are looking for places where we can continue raising the remaining 3 of the 5 children. We have a 11, 12, 16, 17 & 18 year old. The 17 & 18 do not live with us. We are also looking for jobs in the fields of medical billers for myself and my husband works as a supervisor in a steel mill currently which he really doesn't want to get into again. Any suggestions?

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by rant913

My family & I are thinking about relocating to Ga. Can anyone tell me about any of the areas? We were looking at Hephzibah. Don't ask me why there it just popped out at me one day. We live in Ohio now (have for 17 years). Before that we lived in Florida. Ohio's cold is getting to us. Florida hurricanes are not appealing. We are looking for places where we can continue raising the remaining 3 of the 5 children. We have a 11, 12, 16, 17 & 18 year old. The 17 & 18 do not live with us. We are also looking for jobs in the fields of medical billers for myself and my husband works as a supervisor in a steel mill currently which he really doesn't want to get into again. Any suggestions?

I looked at a map--having never heard of Hephzibah--and it seems to be in the Augusta area. A very small town--population under 4,000.

Hephzibah>>>
http://www.hephzibahgeorgia.com/

IIRC, some posters have said that employment opportunities are not plentiful in that area.

Before relocating a family I would find stable work. What does your DH want to do--or think he can do?

You might consider Carrollton, GA/Carroll County in West Georgia or La Grange.

Good luck.

sls

[rant913]

Thanks for the information. Is there any other areas that are nice for familes?

[TakeAhike]

I don't really know what sort of lifestyle you seek and employment opportunities vary as does the quality of education.

If you can be more specific posters can respond more appropriately.

sls

[cotton]

If you are looking for good schools for your children, you might look at Columbia County. Lakeside and Greenbrier are two of the best school systems around and are located Martinez and Evans, respectively. They are both nice areas and are near Augusta, GA.

[b52]

Originally Posted by cotton

If you are looking for good schools for your children, you might look at Columbia County. Lakeside and Greenbrier are two of the best school systems around and are located Martinez and Evans, respectively. They are both nice areas and are near Augusta, GA.

Hephzibah is in what is considered South Augusta. Though Ft. Gordon is located there, it is looked down by many in the area. White flight has taken most upper middle class folks to Columbia County (Evans, Martinez). In Hephzibah, there is a small post office, a high school, lots of trailers and a couple of dollar stores and lots of Confederate flags. It is very rural. Go north on Hwy 25 or 88 and in 10 minutes you are in South Augusta. It takes about 20 minutes to go from any place in Augusta. The area has 3 wal-mart stores (I'm including the one in Columbia County) and one mall. Columbia County, the 'jewel' of the area is one long strip mall accessed by Washington Road, which is mile after mile of chain stores and restaurants. Star Bucks recently came to town and it was a big deal. The areas local government is gridlocked over race and good old boy cronyism. Housing is cheap. Wages are low. The people who like it here are older, retirees and locals who don't yet know the War is over. There is nothing for young people, no cultural venues unless you like pig pulling. Unless your child is in a magnet school, forget the schools. Progressive it is NOT. Crime is also rapidly on the rise with a police department that makes Mayberry look cutting edge. Each year the streets get cleaned for The Masters so those that have can line their pockets with more, and then it's business as usual. Move here? Don't do that to your family...I do not exaggerate.

[cotton]

Unfortunately, b52 is confusing Augusta with the suburbs, of which Martinez and Evans are a part of. Augusta Richmond County indeed "is gridlocked over race and good old boy cronyism." Everything that happens in Richmond County the news makes a race issue. Crime is high. Not so in Columbia County, whose population is growing and crime rate is decreasing, although it was never high. The schools are top of the line and consistently show up in the top 25 in Georgia. There is plenty to do in the area. There is a minor leage baseball team, First Friday in Augusta is always interesting, the Saturday Farmer's Market is great for shopping for fresh produce and baked goodies. You can picnic at Lake Olmstead or at the Lake - 20 minutes away. Great boating and/or fishing at either place. There are concerts, ballet, theater plus lots of movie houses. Columbia Cty has a good sports program for children of all ages. There is bowling, a skating rink and an ice skating rink in the area. Best part is the location. Three hours to the ocean, or mountains, two hours to Atlanta.

[vortexx]

I second Columbia County. (especially Evans). You simply CANNOT go wrong moving there.

[globalvisioneers]

Originally Posted by rant913

My family & I are thinking about relocating to Ga. Can anyone tell me about any of the areas? We were looking at Hephzibah. Don't ask me why there it just popped out at me one day. We live in Ohio now (have for 17 years). Before that we lived in Florida. Ohio's cold is getting to us. Florida hurricanes are not appealing. We are looking for places where we can continue raising the remaining 3 of the 5 children. We have a 11, 12, 16, 17 & 18 year old. The 17 & 18 do not live with us. We are also looking for jobs in the fields of medical billers for myself and my husband works as a supervisor in a steel mill currently which he really doesn't want to get into again. Any suggestions?

columbia county, is not, better than richmond county, columbia county school's has the same issue's that richmond county it's just not report as much, because it depend on who"s that child parent's, richmond county does not cover up. you are made aware.....columbia county is conjusted, remind me of the city trenton, nj just a little cleaner. hephzibah ga is a great place to live. no hidden agenda's, it has it"s {up's and down's}

[globalvisioneers]

columbia county, is not, better than richmond county, columbia county school's has the same issue's that richmond county it's just not reported as much, because it depend on who"s that child parent's, richmond county does not cover up. you are made aware.....columbia county is conjusted, remind me of the city trenton, nj just a little cleaner. hephzibah ga is a great place to live. no hidden agenda's, it has it"s {up's and down's}