Cresswind at Spring Haven
Newnan, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
What It Is Like to Retire in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia, the "Garden City," is a city of contrasts. On one hand it is home to the oldest autonomous African-American Baptist church in the country. Its new motto is “We feel good” in honor of native son James Brown. And yet it is home to the most prestigious golf tournament in the world – The Masters. Augusta (population 181,000) is the second largest city in Georgia and is located in Richmond County.
The city, now officially known as Augusta-Richmond, had a rough patch in the 1970’s when many of the downtown businesses moved out to suburban shopping malls. This reviewer remembers being stationed at nearby Ft. Gordon in the early 1970’s – the town had possibilities but a decidedly rough edge. An aggressive urban renewal project led to a revitalization of its beautiful and overlooked riverfront. The Riverwalk project now features an amphitheatre, hotels, museums, and art galleries. First Friday, a monthly night festival, is a recent project to keep the downtown vital and busy. There are many new businesses, restaurants, and art galleries in the downtown.
Where to Retire in Augusta and Home Prices
Active adults who choose Augusta as their retirement community will find a great variety of housing options. You can live in a charming neighborhood – either in an historic home (more expensive) or in a smaller but newer home. The Summerville Historic District is a charming neighborhood of 18th to 20th century homes that was once a separate community of summer homes for Augusta city-dwellers. There are also condominiums and single family homes in the many active adult communities in the area.
Real estate prices in Augusta tend to be lower than the rest of the state. The median home value was $134,159 in mid-2021, according to Zillow. Homes in certain fancier neighborhoods or developments are higher.
What Is Special about Augusta
Riverwalk Augusta area on the Savannah; Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Golf Tournament; Rockin' Rib and Music Fest; tree lined streets and antebellum mansions; Augusta Museum of History; 3 colleges including Augusta State University; Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens; Augusta-Richmond County James Brown Arena; Confederate Powderworks; Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home
What Is Not Special about Augusta
There is considerable poverty in Augusta. Some northerners might have trouble adjusting to living in a southern city.
Who Will Like Retirement in Augusta
Augusta attracts a community of adults who want an active lifestyle and who want to live in the south in a diverse culture (about 50% of the residents of the county are African-American). Many former military personnel live here.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The region's three largest employers include the Savannah River Site (a nuclear facility), the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon, and the Medical College of Georgia. The Masters Golf Tournament brings in considerable revenue in the spring. Two of the largest golf cart manufacturers are here E-Z-Go and Club Car. Construction has almost become very important.
Climate and Physical Environment
Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles east of Atlanta. View Google Map for Augusta. For more retirement communities in Georgia
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; Morris Museum of Art (art of the south and southern artists); Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens; Jessye Norman Amphitheater; Imperial Theatre; Bell Auditorium; numerous performing arts organizations include the Augusta Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Players, Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, as well as the Augusta State University Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre
Crime
Crime in Augusta is above the national average.
Medical facilities
There are 3 hospitals including St. Josephs and the Georgia Regional Hospital
Transportation
Augusta Regional Airport offers service. Augusta is average in walkability when compared to other communities.
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