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 a wide variety of amenities within just a short drive, you will find
the area pleasantly devoid of the traffic snarls plaguing so many metropolitan
areas.
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.
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 over 40 retirement communities, assisted living
and nursing home facilities in the Augusta and Columbia County area.
Augusta has always been committed to its residents' safety
and well being. The Augusta 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 Augusta Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency service
from 19 stations around the city. The department is staffed by 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.
PUBLIC RESOURCES
COST OF LIVING
In the 1st quarter of 2000 the current cost of living in Augusta was 96.8
percent of the national average, which ranks the area as 6th among 12
Georgia cities.
SHOPPING & DINING
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.
CHURCHES
Regardless of religion, there are numerous places of worship. Over 500
churches and synagogues minister to a wide range of denominations in the
Augusta Area.
LIBRARY SERVICES
The Augusta and Columbia County libraries house a collection of more than
430,000 volumes and public access to over 30 computers.
HEALTH CARE
The health and well being of Augusta-Aiken MSA's 468,710 residents are
met through the area's outstanding health-care system. This includes the
nationally recognized Medical College of Georgia, the state's health science
university. The Medical College of Georgia is considered one of the top
ten schools in the country for general practitioners. Augusta offers one
of the South's premiere medical communities, with medical centers such
as: University Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, Doctor's Hospital, VA
Medical Center and Eisenhower Medical Center. Over 25,000 people are employed
in the health care industry, with 1,625 physicians and 219 dentists. The
area also has various emergency care clinics, nursing homes, assisted
living, sports medicine clinics, physical therapy services, trauma centers,
Alzheimer's Association and hospice programs which provide additional
medical services.
CLIMATE
Annual average temperature 65.1º
Average annual Rainfall 47.1"
Average annual Snowfall: 0
Average heating degree-days per year 2,707
Average cooling degree-days per year 1,854
Average clear days per year 111
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
HOCKEY
The Augusta Lynx - East Coast Hockey League - Affiliated with
NHL's New Jersey Devils & Vancouver Canucks.
BASEBALL
The Augusta Green Jackets - Minor league (Single A) baseball team - Affiliated
with the Boston Red Sox
GOLF
Augusta is also proud host each spring to the Masters® golf
tournament, the sport's most prestigious event. Since 1934,
the golf course designed by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts
has awed spectators for one week each April with its lush lawns
and brilliant foliage.
GOLF COURSES
RECREATION ACTIVITIES
Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Lake Thurmond, is the largest
man-made lake east of the Mississippi with a 1200 mile shoreline
that is longer than the entire U.S. eastern seaboard.
STATE PARKS
Elijah Clark & Mistletoe
COUNTY PARKS
Wildwood Park
Local Parks 57
Public swimming Pools 8
Health clubs 14
Tennis courts 60
AMUSEMENT PLACES
Funsville
Putt-Putt Golf & Games
Red Wing Rollerway (Rollerskating)
Ice Palace (Ice Skating)
Northside Lanes (Bowling)
ARTISTIC VENUES
Augusta Symphony (Ranked #1 in the state, by the GA Arts Council)
Augusta Ballet
Augusta Opera
Augusta Mini Theatre
Augusta Choral Society
Ft. Gordon Dinner Theatre
Augusta Collegium Museum
Augusta Theatre Company
Storyland Theatre
Augusta Children's Choral
Augusta Jazz Project
Augusta State University - Fine Arts Department
Paine College Evening of Jazz
Paine College Fine Arts Department
Augusta Players
Stage III Productions
PERFORMING CENTERS
Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre
Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center
F. Gordon Dinner Theatre
William B. Bell Memorial Auditorium
Jessye Norman Amphitheater
Sacred Heart Cultural Center
Imperial Theatre
Augusta Technical Institute Theatre
MUSEUMS
Morris Museum of Art
National Science Center's Fort Discovery
Augusta Museum of History
Cotton Exchange Welcome Center Museum
Lucy Craft Laney Museum
Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Augusta Genealogical Society
Authors Club of Augusta
Barbershop Chorus
Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
Greater Augusta Arts Council
Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society
Historic Augusta Incorporated
Richmond County Historical Society
Sand Hills Writers Conference
Sweet Adelines
