Local Insights: Greater Augusta
Thinking about a move in the Greater Augusta area? Here is our local take on six communities we love: what makes each one special, what to do there and what buyers should know before they start looking.
Grovetown
Columbia CountyA fast-growing city in western Columbia County, about 15 miles west of downtown Augusta and just north of Fort Eisenhower. Newer subdivisions, family-friendly parks and an easy commute to post make it a favorite with military families and first-time buyers.
Things to do
- Walk, run or bike the Euchee Creek Greenway, a trail of roughly four miles that links several neighborhoods
- Spend a Saturday at Liberty Park and the city's other parks
- Dig into local history at the Grovetown Museum
- Catch an event at the Columbia County Exhibition Center
- Enjoy the Fourth of July barbecue and the Lights of the South holiday light show
Good to know
- Fort Eisenhower, home of the Army Signal Corps and Army Cyber Command, sits about two miles south
- Public schools are part of the Columbia County School District
- Lots of newer construction, so compare builders, HOA rules and fees
Evans
Columbia CountyAn established, unincorporated community in Columbia County with shopping, dining and some of the area's most popular parks and venues. Evans offers a wide range of homes, from starter neighborhoods to lake-area and golf-course properties.
Things to do
- See a Broadway tour, concert or local production at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center
- Bring a chair to an outdoor concert at Evans Towne Center Park
- Head north to the shores of Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond Lake) for boating and fishing
- Shop and eat along the Washington Road and Furys Ferry Road corridors
Good to know
- Evans is unincorporated, so services come through Columbia County rather than a city government
- Public schools are part of the Columbia County School District
- A convenient spot between Augusta and the lake
Martinez
Columbia CountyBordering Augusta to the northwest, Martinez is an unincorporated Columbia County community with mature, tree-lined neighborhoods and quick access to the river, I-20 and Augusta's job centers.
Things to do
- Paddle, bike or walk from Savannah Rapids Park, at the head of the historic Augusta Canal
- Follow the nearly level canal towpath trail toward downtown Augusta
- Picnic by Reed Creek Falls at Savannah Rapids
- Take a guided paddle to Stallings Island, a National Historic Landmark in the Savannah River
Good to know
- Many neighborhoods were built from the 1970s through the 1990s, offering larger lots and established landscaping
- Public schools are part of the Columbia County School District
- Short drives to Augusta's medical district and shopping
Augusta
Richmond CountyThe heart of the region and home of the Masters Tournament. Augusta and Richmond County share a consolidated government, and the city mixes a revitalized downtown with historic districts and suburban neighborhoods.
Things to do
- Stroll the Augusta Riverwalk and shop the Saturday Market at the River
- Take a boat tour on the 1840s-era Augusta Canal and visit its Discovery Center
- See Southern art at the Morris Museum of Art and local history at the Augusta Museum of History
- Catch a show at the historic Imperial Theatre or hike the trails at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
- Explore the shops, restaurants and sculpture trail downtown along Broad Street
Good to know
- Masters week each April brings visitors from around the world, and some homeowners rent out their homes that week
- A major medical and university hub, including Augusta University
- Public schools are part of the Richmond County School System
- Home styles range from historic downtown properties to newer suburban builds
Hephzibah
Richmond CountyA small city in southern Richmond County with a quieter, more rural feel, larger lots and generally more affordable prices, while staying minutes from Fort Eisenhower and major highways.
Things to do
- Play, skate or fish at Diamond Lakes Regional Park, with its ballfields, walking trails and playgrounds
- Picnic and walk the trails around the Diamond Lakes ponds
- Drive into Augusta for dining, shopping and events
Good to know
- A good fit for buyers looking for more land or more home for the money
- Convenient to Fort Eisenhower
- Public schools are part of the Richmond County School System
- Some properties are on well or septic, so ask before you buy
Appling
Columbia CountyThe county seat of Columbia County, Appling is a small, rural community northwest of Augusta near the shores of Clarks Hill Lake. It's a natural choice for buyers who want acreage, privacy and lake life.
Things to do
- Hike, camp, fish or rent a cottage at Mistletoe State Park on Clarks Hill Lake
- Boat and fish on the roughly 70,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond Lake)
- Enjoy quiet country roads and wide-open space
Good to know
- Expect more land, more privacy and a longer drive to shopping and services
- Public schools are part of the Columbia County School District
- Lake-area homes can involve docks, shoreline permits and well or septic systems, so plan your inspections accordingly
Not sure which area fits you?
Deontai can walk you through neighborhoods, schools, commutes and prices across Greater Augusta.
Talk With DeontaiAttractions, school assignments and local rules change over time. Please confirm details for a specific address before you buy.