QUALITY OF LIFE

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. These are only some of the reasons that over 16,000 retiree family members from Fort Gordon call Augusta home.

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.

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

FOOTBALL
Augusta Stallions (Arenafootball2), a regionally based minor-league version of Arena Football.

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

• 9 private
• 14 public

RECREATION
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 Park
Wildwood Park

Local Parks 57
Public swimming Pools 8
Health clubs 14
Tennis courts 60

AMUSEMENT PLACES
Funsville
Krystal River Water Park
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

>> This information provided courtesy of The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.