Georgia Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Augusta, Georgia

Population: 44,639

Located in Richmond County

Augusta 's Southern hospitality is evident from the temperate climate to the
year-round greenery that reminds residents and visitors alike of Augusta's
designation as the Garden City.
 
According to the magazine "Where to Retire", Augusta is ranked number four
among the nation's low-cost cities for retirement. This is partially based
on the area's low cost of living and proximity to the respected health
community.
 
Bolstered by nearly half a million residents, the city offers a rich variety
of sophisticated amenities including a vibrant arts community and a wealth
of fine restaurants. With all this just a short drive, you will find the
area pleasantly devoid of the traffic snarls plaguing so many metropolitan
areas.
 
In addition to the low cost of living and affordable housing, Augusta offers
retirees beautiful historic city with a diverse culture, vibrant arts
community and mild climate. There are more than 40 retirement communities,
assisted living and nursing home facilities in the Augusta and Columbia
County area.
 
August¹s strong medical infrastructure base, provided by the Medical College
of Georgia and eleven area hospitals, continues to expand. Over the past
three years, more than 3,000 new jobs were created with the recruitment of
companies such as Automatic Data Processing, a Fortune 300 company which has
just completed a
160,000 square foot LEED Certified facility to employ over 1,000 people.
 
Fort Gordon, the U.S. Army
Signal center, provides the opportunity for Augusta¹s economic development
efforts to focus to a large degree on Information Technology with its
medical infrastructure, and the Medical College of Georgia in particular,
allowing for a focus on biotech.
 
Although our region's economy is being impacted by the current national
economic situation, there are many bright spots locally that speak to how
well the local economy in Augusta is positioned to take full advantage of
the inevitable national economic recovery.
 
In the past month alone, the metro Augusta area was recognized by both
Forbes Magazine and MSN Money for appreciation in home values, ranking
second in the nation on the MSN list and seventh by Forbes.
 
During a time when most housing markets nationally are seeing a significant
depreciation in values, the fact that the local housing market continues to
show appreciating values is nothing short of remarkable. Having not
experienced the real estate bubble of over-inflated values, the housing
market, although it has seen a slowdown in sales, remains on much more
stable footing than most others across the nation.
 
Redevelopment projects such as National Hills Shopping Center and the new
Kroger on Washington Road represent millions of dollars invested in
Augusta¹s local economy. The new IHOP on Peach Orchard road has added
another dining option for south Augusta, and customers continue to take
advantage of the chain's largest store on a regular basis. Earlier this
year, the first phase of construction was completed on the new Augusta Mini
Theater, and the facility has already had a major impact on the lives of
children throughout the community. Augusta is also fortunate to see
numerous hotel and motel facilities continue to spring up throughout the
city.  Furthermore, unlike many other cities throughout Georgia, Augusta¹s
sales tax revenues are up year-to-date over last year. The hotel/motel tax
revenues have also increased by 3.7 percent in 2007. Both of these facts
played a role in allowing the Augusta Commission to approve a budget with no
tax increase and very little impact to essential services.
 
In the past three months, ground was broken on Augusta¹s new library, as
well as much-needed new
jail pods and a new judicial center.
Projects such as these will also have a major impact on Augusta¹s local
economy, and their progress stands as a testament to what can be achieved
when a governmental body can come together on one accord with a focus on
moving Augusta forward.
 
In 2008, both Forbes Magazine and MSN Money ranked the local
housing market in the top ten markets nationally for home value
appreciation, and Augusta was listed in "The 10 Best Places to Retire in
Georgia" by Retire in Georgia Magazine.
 
Augusta is home to a large number of higher educational opportunities
including Augusta State University, Paine College, the Medical College of
Georgia and Augusta Technical College, to name just a few. Augusta State
University offers many continuing education courses for adults Augusta
Technical College provides local citizens with a strong option for
vocational opportunities.
 
Augusta has always been committed to its residents' safety and well being.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Department is manned by over 270 sworn
officers. The total crime rate has decreased by 25 percent since 1996. The
1998 crime rate per 100,000 residents for violent crimes was at 492 and the
property crime rate is at 798 per 100,000 residents.
 
The Richmond County Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency
service from 19 stations around the city. The department is staffed by more
than 309 full-time fire fighters and handles more than 7,000 calls annually.
Augusta-Richmond emergency transport system provides advanced life support
services with state-of-the-art emergency medical equipment and professional
paramedic staffing.
 
Shopping opportunities abound in Augusta! Most of the retail centers,
grocery stores, and specialty shops are within a short driving distance. The
Augusta Mall ranks as the second largest mall outside of Atlanta, with
department stores such as Rich's, Dillard's, JC Penney, and Sears. Other
shopping areas include downtown Augusta, Surrey Center and Augusta Exchange.
There are also endless dining opportunities, with options ranging from
elegant to home-style. With more than 500 eating establishments in the city,
there is a restaurant sure to meet every budget, appetite or occasion.
 
Community events in Augusta include the annual Arts in the Heart Cultural
Festival, the Westobou Festival (an annual ten-day arts and music festival),
Thunder Over Augusta (an annual event to honor our armed services), the
annual Christmas Tree Light Up Spectacular and the annual Mayor's Masters
Reception.
 
Augusta has now permanently protected more than 800 acres of buffer zones
around the surrounding flowing water bodies, which also serve
as passive recreational areas. Augusta is also home to the award-winning
1100-acre Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, the Spirit Creek Educational Forest and
the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.
 
Augusta¹s Parks and Recreation Department operates seven community centers,
fifteen neighborhood parks and the Diamond Lakes Regional Park. The
Department also has many adult sports leagues (basketball,
softball, flag football), while offering numerous classes from swim and
tennis lesson to aerobics, pottery making and much more! The availability of
access to community programs and recreational opportunities for citizens of
all ages and socio-economic conditions is outstanding!
 
Come home to Augusta, where community is strong, opportunities are great and
living is sublime!