Augusta, GA is becoming a huge city. I was shock as a native atlantan. Perfect time to get out of ATL (Columbus: houses)

[toomuch]

Hello everybody im from atlanta but just came back from visting augusta. I haven't been back to augusta since 2006. And boy was i amazed at how much growth has taken place in this city since then. This was once just a regular mid-size southern city in georgia. But not anymore there was alot of construction happening throughout the city. I saw several huge interstate projects going on while visiting too. The augusta mall looks like a mall that would be located here in atlanta. The downtown area has so much potential and had a nice feel to it. For augusta to only be a mid-size city their were alot bars/resturants and people downtown. The traffic here is pretty bad for a city its size. Augusta traffic is alot worse compared to that of savannah, macon, & columbus. But still nowhere near the atlanta traffic though. I was planning on moving to county futher out in the metro atlanta area. But now im thinking about moving to augusta. For native augustans your city is really growing up

What the nice areas inside the city of augusta? Close to resturants and shopping. A subdvision of some sort is fine

What are the good areas in the suburban counties outside of augusta? Nothing more than 45 mins from augusta would be nice

[cyclingintheson]

North Augusta S.C. is great if you want a quaint southern feel with a 1 minute drive across the bridge to downtown Augusta.The school system is good and you can get around with out a car with a trail and greenway network throughout the city. If you want a more Cobb or Gwinnett County feel then Evans Columbia County is the place. The draw back there is the lack of side walks and trail leaving your car as your only way of getting around even if it is just around the corner. The School system is great. This area is 20 minutes away but 45 during rush hour. If you want urban living then there are several condo projects proposed for downtown within the next few years. The Whites Building is opening this summer but have already pre sold many units. The only draw back is the schools but there is Davidson High School and A.R. Johnson High school as well as other middle and elementary magnet schools downtown that are ranked top in the nation. There is always the private school option as well. West Augusta is a nice place to live as well with a better school district which is closer to the mall and other shopping areas. There is also a new 1 million sq. ft lifestyle center planned for Riverwatch and I-20 in west Augusta that is to open by 2010.

[Frankie117]

North Augusta over in SC does have good schools, but they are grossly overcrowded. While for many years downtown Augusta had sort of become rundown, there are quite a few restoration and revitalization projects underway. A lot of Augusta's growth comes from its Suburbans, especially Evans and Martinez. The South Carolina side has some really nice subdivisions up near I-20, but they are cookie cutter homes, not sure if you're into that or not. The Hammonds Ferry development by the river is great too, most of its inhabitants are from New Jersey and New York, but I'm sure if you really wanted to move there, it would be no problem (until the next regional flood).

[Tidbits]

I agree with you that the city is growing and, personally, I like the area. I don't mean to insult your intelligence but word to the wise...look into the job market prior to moving. Jobs in Augusta are quite limited and the compensation for most aren't sufficient to live in the suburbs of Evans and Martinez.

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by Tidbits

I agree with you that the city is growing and, personally, I like the area. I don't mean to insult your intelligence but word to the wise...look into the job market prior to moving. Jobs in Augusta are quite limited and the compensation for most aren't sufficient to live in the suburbs of Evans and Martinez.

Jobs are quite difficult to come by in Augusta, which is why it is more of a retirement community. Industrial jobs are pretty hard to find, and Augusta industries have had it quite rough. The medical and professional fields are where the good jobs are now.

[brentyoung12]

This s true though a FEW others on here will for some odd reason say Augusta is DEAD and Columbus is much more live, which is the biggest bunch of bull I've ever read after being in both cities.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by brentyoung12

This s true though a FEW others on here will for some odd reason say Augusta is DEAD and Columbus is much more live, which is the biggest bunch of bull I've ever read after being in both cities.

OK. You're entitled to your opinion, so have at it. But don't get upset, when others disagree with your personal opinion, because it is their opinion. I have been to both several times, and my opinion is... Of course I might be a little biased, based on where I live and where I chose not to live. So I will just sit here fit and happy. Gotta go, one of the 4 Gold's Gyms in the area is calling me. This boring city with all these college students, bars, resturaunts, churches, houses, lofts and condos downtown, what in world is left to do, but go workout? Oh, the choices.

[matrixguy]

I would check out wilkes county georgia. About 45 mins to augusta and its very quiet. Lincoln or Mcduffie county are good options also. If you want to live closer there are nice areas everywhere. If pretty much depends on your tast and prefrence. Alot of the newer homes are being further out in the city limits of hephzibah. Its very quiet before all the new homes start going up. I agree augusta is going through a major change for the better.

[DisgustaSucks]

Try more like an hour to Augusta..
I mean seriously... why not just live in Athens?

[DisgustaSucks]

Augusta is hardly becoming a "huge" city. Sure there are some development projects going on.. after nearly 15 years of pure stagnation..
The interstate is finally being widened.. something that has been on the drawing board for over 20 years! And they are just now getting around to completing I520... after 35 years!!
Overall the Augusta area is still growing at a slower pace than the state average.. and the city of Augusta has fewer people today then it did back in 2000.