Lol Aiken county a suburb of a Georgia city

[rmljw]

I am sorry if I offended someone with the use of the term "open-minded", however it means actually the opposite of "agrees with you", and I meant it in the way it is defined not in the way you chose to interpret it.
Not everyone feels comfortable in every place for various reasons, that does not mean their experiences and opinions are not valid. I have actually lived all over this country and traveled to various parts of the world.
It would be nice if an online forum like this would allow people to share information without being ridiculed.
Best wishes to windsorwet in finding a good fit for your family.

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by rmljw

I am sorry if I offended someone with the use of the term "open-minded", however it means actually the opposite of "agrees with you", and I meant it in the way it is defined not in the way you chose to interpret it.
Not everyone feels comfortable in every place for various reasons, that does not mean their experiences and opinions are not valid. I have actually lived all over this country and traveled to various parts of the world.
It would be nice if an online forum like this would allow people to share information without being ridiculed.
Best wishes to windsorwet in finding a good fit for your family.

We will have to agree to disagree. How often does someone take a polar opposite stance from you and you still say they are open minded? My guess is, not often, if ever.

[lberry]

We moved from Augusta to North Augusta in 1996 because we wanted our sons to be enrolled in the North Augusta school system. We bought a house and we live in the same house today (although we added on). We are very proud to live here. It only gets better and better.

[Butterfly4u]

Just to respond to the original poster again,
Aiken city has the largest (65 miles) urban woods in the entire country. Hichcock Woods.
There are bike riding trails, park tours and horse trails also.
There is a fresh farmers market in town, a fresh deli (someone from NY opened it, it is great!),
Museums, Horse Shows, Lobster races (yes- they race lobsters), Steeplechase competitions are held here, Polo competitions, a nice size park complete with a running trail, skateboard competitions, free basketball courts, handball courts, there is something going on all the time in Aiken.
Some of the stores include Sears, Belk, Jc Penney, Home Goods,Marshalls,TJ Max,BedBathBeyond,at least 2 Super Walmarts, 100 food places,(I'm not kidding),Miniature Golf, Oh, and MANY gold courses, everywhere, if you visit Aiken, be sure to go to Hopeland Gardens. They have free concerts there all spring and summer long, it is gorgeous, and you should take the dog and the kids too.
You would not believe the gigantic football stadium they have for the football teams! I was impressed!
Downtown they have a wonderful art museum where local artists display their work and you can buy something if you would like. They also have children classes in the building on different nites after school.
The downtown is the older part of Aiken, with classy restraunts and microbreweries and muscians and people sitting out on the side walk with tables til late on the weekend.
Nicest people you'll ever meet, also.
So, see, there are things to do in Aiken, I guess it's all in how you look at things.

[takinapeek]

I think RMLJW's points are helpful. I am thinking of moving to Aiken and have small children and these types of tips at least give a clue of what to ask and look for. And I don't agree with Rapunzll's comment on Open Mindedness (sigh)

If you don't attend church or perhaps are athiest, this would be something that a person should at least investigate. When I look at these boards, I view them as opinions and experiences from which I can either take or leave. I appreciate all comments on this board - Cheers.

[kawatkins]

I am an Aiken native, and have to agree with the more positive posts. I also work in the Tourism sector of our community a good bit.
I do not attend church, and must say that I have not been discriminated against for not being very religious at all.
Aiken is very safe, we have lots of great local shops and restaurants in addition to big chain stores (like Walmart, Target, JC Penny, Books-A-Million).
If you look around there are lots of things to do. You just have to call different places to see what is going on. Call the City PRT department, County PRT department, or Chamber of Commerce. They could give you great information on events and things to do or places to go.

The cost of living is very low, on a 300k budget for a home you can find something very nice within a country club type neighborhood (Houndslake, Cedar Creek, etc

We do have activities for kids, some nice day camps in the summer, decent public and private schools- there is a nice Mom's Club, a Newcomer's Club and us locals do not mind the newbies.
And yes, on the Southside of Aiken there is not a lot of sidewalks, but if you head downtown (where you would actually want to walk!) there is.
There is a great library, lots of beautiful scenery, and the folks here are pretty easy-going.
Don't let one post about someone who is unhappy here ruin your view of our little community.
Anything that you cannot find in Aiken would easily be found in Augusta, although I do agree with a pp- I rarely go to Augusta.