North Augusta

If you’re house shopping in Downtown North Augusta, you’ll need to start golf cart shopping too. It’s not so much that everyone in this South Carolina community is a golf enthusiast, it’s just that golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation here. “Everybody here has golf carts. I live downtown, and I ride my golf cart to work,” says Betsey Davis, an associate broker with Jim Hadden Real Estate. “I take my kids to school, dance class, and drop them off at the pool on the golf cart. You can take your golf cart everywhere here.” Downtown North Augusta is located less than 5 miles from Augusta, Ga., the site of the iconic Masters golf tournament. Those looking to move here will find everything from historic Victorians to 1960s one-level ranch homes to newly constructed homes along the Savannah River. Prices range anywhere from the low-$200,000s all the way up to $1 million. “Things are on the market 19 to 21 days before contract right now,” Davis says. “It’s a strong market, but like most places, it’s slower than it used to be.” Davis says the primary reason why she and her clients chose to live in Downtown North Augusta is the sense of community. “It’s community, 100 percent,” Davis says. “Everybody is friendly. It’s got a small-town vibe.” Public school students in the area may attend schools such as North Augusta Elementary School, Paul Knox Middle School and North Augusta High School. The elementary and middle school earn overall grades of B+, while the high school scores an A-, according to Niche. Residents here have easy access to nationally recognized chains, as well as independent shops. Publix grocery store is less than a mile away and there’s a cornucopia of mom-and-pop shops to choose from. You can grab a cup of coffee at Cavalier Coffeehouse, take a yoga class at GVO Studios, or go dress shopping at Shoppe 3130. For a taste of something local, try Antonio’s for king-sized slices of New-York style pizza. And the retro Sno-Cap Drive-In has been a community mainstay since 1964. You can nosh on their chili burgers, fries and root beer floats indoors or they’ll bring your order to your car. Outdoor options abound in Downtown North Augusta. You can launch your kayak from the North Augusta Boat Ramp on Hammonds Ferry Rd. and paddle the Savannah River, which serves as the dividing line between South Carolina and Georgia. The 12-mile North Augusta Greeneway, which runs along the river, is a popular spot for joggers and bikers alike. Wandering around the 40-acre Brick Pond Park, you’ll likely see ponds adorned with water lilies, blue herons and alligators. And right next door to Brick Pond Park is SRP Park, the home of the Augusta GreenJackets Minor League Baseball team. Catching a home game during the season, which runs from April to September, is a popular pastime among locals. “There’s something for everybody,” Davis says. “It’s a great place for people who are retiring and looking for a slower-paced community. If you’re young and you want to go out to the bars, Augusta is just three blocks over. For people with small children, the outdoor activities are phenomenal. Everybody is welcome.”

Hammond’s Ferry is the new old South. Resting beside the Savannah River, this neighborhood is chock-full of genteel antebellum-style homes that were all built in the modern day. “It’s a unique neighborhood. The whole feel of it is very Southern, but it’s very current at the same time.” says Tera Velasco, a Realtor with Meybohm Real Estate. “There are not a lot of homes that go on the market there, and when they do they go very fast. People are drawn to the beauty of the old-style houses and the landscaping. There are little boutiques and restaurants down there. It’s like its own little town.” Wandering around this walkable North Augusta, S.C. neighborhood, you’ll discover plenty of recently constructed Charleston-style homes with double porches, ornate Victorians and wood-clapboard farmhouses. They typically range in size from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet and rest on flat lots with well-manicured flowerbeds and shrubbery. Prices range anywhere from $650,000 to upwards of $1 million. “Homes there sell within days,” Velasco says. Public school students may attend schools such as Hammond Hill Elementary School, Paul Knox Middle School, or North Augusta High School. The elementary and middle school earn overall grades of B+, while the high school scores an A-, according to Niche. Residents in Hammond’s Ferry don’t have far to travel to access nationally recognized chains. Publix, Rack Room Shoes, and Ross discount department store can all be found at North Augusta Plaza, which is less than 5 miles away. In neighboring Downtown North Augusta, there are a cornucopia of mom-and pop shops. You can grab a cup of coffee at Cavalier Coffeehouse, take a yoga class at GVO Studios, or go dress shopping at Shoppe 3130. For dining out in the neighborhood, try Manuel’s Bread Café. From chewy baguettes to frog legs, Francophiles are sure to be pleased by the authentic cuisine at this bistro, which is owned by a French ex-pat. And The Larder is the go-to spot for Sunday brunch. The Hangover Burger and boozy coffees are on the menu. Outdoor options abound in Hammond’s Ferry. You can launch your kayak from the nearby Riverview Park boat ramp on Hammonds Ferry Road and paddle the Savannah River, which serves as the dividing line between South Carolina and Georgia. The 12-mile North Augusta Greeneway, which partially runs along the river, is a popular spot for walkers, joggers, bikers and bird watchers alike. The greenway cuts through the neighborhood’s Boeckh Park, where you can fish from the dock or have a picnic supper while watching the sunset over the river. Another popular pastime is catching an Augusta GreenJackets baseball game. The Minor League team’s home games take place at the nearby SRP Park from April to September. And music concerts regularly take place at the 4,500-seat venue. “Hammond’s Ferry is a great place for anyone, but especially young families and retirees,” Velasco says. “Young families enjoy the access to shops, the greenway and the baseball park and so do the retirees. It’s a quiet neighborhood. It’s very quaint.”

Resting against the Savannah River, life in Southeast Edgefield County, South Carolina, has a peaceful and convenient flow. Residents of this North Augusta community enjoy being close to shopping, dining and the outdoors. “It’s a sought-after area. You’re close to a lot of amenities, but it still has a rural feel,” says Stephanie Holmes, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, and a longtime area resident. “There are newer subdivisions, but there are also properties with a lot of land. So, you can have a little bit more of a country lifestyle if you want that. Who doesn’t want to be close to the river? Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are all really popular.” Homes here were primarily built from the late 1980s to the modern day. They come in a myriad of styles, including split levels, contemporary homes with two-car garages and sprawling mini-mansions. The newly constructed subdivisions commonly feature sidewalk-lined streets with compact manicured lots and fledgling trees. “It’s still a strong market,” Holmes says. “On average, things sell within a few weeks if they’re priced right and in good condition.” List prices range from $225,000 to nearly $1 million. A three-bedroom, two-bath could be found for $300,000, while a more spacious five-bedroom, four-bath may cost around $400,000. “It’s relatively inexpensive to live in this area compared to Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia — any of your major outlying cities,” Holmes says. Public school students may attend Merriwether Elementary, Merriwether Middle, and Strom Thurmond High. The elementary and high schools earn B-minus Niche grades, while the middle school scores a B. Home of the Rebels, the high school boasts a state-championship-winning mock trial team. From Walmart Supercenter to Wendy’s, residents will find a slew of nationally known retailers along Edgefield Road. And there are some independent options to choose from as well, such as Smallcakes, a self-described cupcakery. For dining out, residents go to Feed Sack for the upscale fare and stay for the creative cocktails and ambiance provided by live piano music. Next door, at Pablo’s, locals can gut their Mexican cravings in a more casual environment with free chips and salsa. Outdoor options abound in the area and the Savannah River is the main attraction. From Stevens Creek Public Park, on Dock Drive, residents can launch their canoe and kayak and paddle the river or just spend the day fishing. The North Augusta Greeneway, a 12-mile paved trail that winds through the woods and along the Savannah River, is a popular spot among walkers, runners and bikers alike. And with an easy 15-mile trip west via Interstate 20, entertainment on a larger scale awaits in Augusta, Georgia.