Should You Live in Aiken SC or Augusta GA?

[@veronicaobryant3827]

I’m from Augusta Georgia and I am trying get back. I love my home town

[@edwingarcia9626]

Born in the AUG

[@j.daniel6516]

Live in Aiken. You can always take the short trip to Augusta to visit if you choose to. Don't make a mistake and do it the other way.

[@Seasider702]

Thank you for the content uploads. I like when comparisons are done of towns.

[@abchappell01]

This has been wanted the most informative video presentation I have ever heard. You did an awesome job. And believe it or not, I never knew what CSRA ever meant before now. Thank you so very much. 😊

[@drmayo10]

What I don’t find your videos address are crime rates. For someone like myself who is relocating it would be helpful in understanding the crime rates in the various communities in Aiken.

[@pngproductions8529]

depends who you ask. those who moved here over a decade or more, from outside the region or those born and raised here who has never left and has zero concept of what the rest of the world is like. I sleep with house unlocked, cars unlocked, walk alone at night, and walk downtown nightly alone. never a single issue to date. There is not a crime rate here, yet. however enough transplants that will change.

[@deborahr.7696]

That's what Google is for!

[@Crunchifyable2]

I live in the area and would not consider Aiken. Lots of nasty crime. Augusta has better police plus you can live near Evans which is low crime. But Aiken is like gangland. They find bodies.

[@daniellott4661]

It all depends on the part of town you go. The north side of aiken city has over 50 percent poverty rate and high crime. There is not many job opportunities in Aiken. Augusta has bad areas too but most people are moving to evans that want to get out. Neither are the ideal for crime. Aiken got so desperate they moved the entire police station to combat crime at one apartment complex next door to the new station.

[@debraspence3559]

@@Crunchifyable2 totally agree about Aiken!

[@ShowtimeSeeley]

Schools and stuff to do with kids is my biggest thing. We just moved from Massachusetts to Lexington, Sc instead of Aiken where I’ll be working because of that

[@danforthrhodes8960]

I am originally from Massachusetts and traveled in the military all over the USA. You'll probably never find schools as good as Massachusetts in the South or Southwest. I am generalizing but states are also ranked so you can check for yourself. Georgia ranks 26th & SC 42th & Massachusetts ranks #2. That said, parents can augment education and should get more involved which might offset much if not all the negatives.

[@taquaviousjackson3885]

I live in Augusta took a trip to Aiken it was barely anything to do there it was like the country side

[@TheOneAndOnlyLeage]

Been in both film in both. Home is Augusta but I do love Aiken

[@dArtagnan712]

Had no idea how close Aiken is to Augusta; easy drive for shopping, gym, healthcare, etc. Are there plenty of single-family rental market options?

[@Jojo-hf5fh]

Thanks for the info. Always valuable is also a conversation on taxes: sales, income, property 🧐

[@danforthrhodes8960]

Your video was very informative. I echo one of the other comments that it would be good to know if there were any differences in crime rates. I am glad you mentioned medical facilities. Are the sales taxes, real estate taxes, and income taxes for those two areas about the same or does one county have lower taxes on average? Even a general overview would be nice, especially for retirees with Social Security or retired military. I will look it up myself but it would've been nice to know. Lastly, how home prices generally historically comparatively faired between the two after the 2007-11 downturn in both areas and predictions for the current housing market downturn for these two areas. Thank you.

[@NoobServbot]

I'm about 6 months late with my two cents and I haven't checked the recent numbers/statistics but I wanted to give a few quick responses from living in the area since 1993 (though my family briefly lived in North Augusta for two years in the mid '80s). Aiken County feels like it has a lower crime rate than Augusta. Both places' rates are higher than the national average (the last time I checked), though it really does depend on what area of each place you are in, and for the most part, you'll feel pretty safe in most places. Since the time I've been looking into getting a home, the median value of the homes in Augusta has usually been lower than that of the city of Aiken (as mentioned in the video). North Augusta's prices tend to be in between the value of both locations, but again, it'll depend on where in the city you're looking to purchase a home. My ex would've preferred to remain in North Augusta but ended up finding a home for a better value in Evans, GA (one of the suburbs of Augusta). Graniteville and Aiken have an increasing number of subdivisions popping up, so much so that a few schools have been enlarged while a few new schools have been built.

[@brucepincus9133]

Aiken and Augusta are RIGHT next to each other--I don't think so--it's about a 40 minute drive..Hello

[@yesorlando05]

Good video. Augusta also has one of the best medical burn centers in the nation.

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

This is such great info - I didn’t know that!! Thanks so much for tuning in and commenting ☺️ - Lindsey

[@janetscruising]

I would like to know about all the little small towns around Augusta and Aiken because Grovetown has way too much traffic for me to want to be in and I assume all of them are like that but I don’t know and I haven’t heard anybody say I saw one person that was out on the roads in Augusta, but it was a holiday and there was nobody there which didn’t make sense so I’m looking for good information

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

Hey there! Thanks so much for watching our videos. Aiken and Augusta have some great small towns on the outskirts. Because Augusta is a larger city, suburbs like Grovetown and Evans are growing quickly and becoming more busy. If you’re looking for something more laid back, you might consider the towns between Aiken and Augusta… like North Augusta Graniteville, or Beech Island areas. They all had affordable options for housing and also convenient being between Aiken and Augusta for whatever you need. I hope that helps! Stay tuned for more videos going into detail in the future… next Sunday, March 5, I’ll be publishing “Aiken vs. North Augusta” comparing the two towns.

[@jiwms]

Small towns in the area like Louisville, Waynesboro, Thomson and Harlem are all within a short drive form Augusta, but more of a country life style.

[@erickoch6665]

I just want to be in South Carolina I am from Pennsylvania and live in Utah now

[@TheSolitary1]

Thanks for the video 😊

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

Thanks so much for watching! ☺️

[@teresa978]

Very informative thank you

[@VincentpalatucciPalatucci]

Thank You very informative.

[@nuranarrowood5808]

I AM AT SOUTH AUGUSTA GA,, NORTH AUGUSTA SC ONLY 45 MIN DRIVE

[@brucefrank6119]

I was in Aiken in mid-December 2022. Been 6 years since I was last there. I grew up there and we are moving back there in a few months. Walking around Aiken and was disappointed in the number of vacant stores in "down town!" Most disappinting is that the hotel appears to be destined for demolishment. A hundred year old classic structure. And the "Alley" is now a bar district rather than a restaurant destination. Also, all the "horse country" sculptures seemed to have dissapeared! I am hoping it is just a slow down due to COVID pandemic.

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

Thanks for watching!! I’m sorry you were disappointed with your visit. Our downtown is actually thriving and new retail and restaurants opening and expanding our active downtown area. Compared to other small towns, I find Aiken very active and vibrant with small business. When I first moved here 8 years ago, Park Avenue was basically vacant with the exception of a sewing shop, hair salon and flower shop. Now it’s thriving with new businesses and restaurants. The alley is definitely not a bar district, it’s a great area where people like to gather and listen to live music, meet with friends and just enjoy being outside. There isn’t a night life in Aiken, and for anything active at dinner time or after, is going to be The Alley. All the businesses are restaurants with two of them being a “hangout” spot for those looking to enjoy a bar-type scene. The hotel is a project in the works currently. It’s a major part of our history, which is why many were against it being demolished. The city and community are working together to develop a plan to cherish the history of the old hotel while bringing something new to downtown infrastructure. I love the painted horses throughout town - one of my favorite things! They are still around town, all of them ☺️ every once in a while they are taken in to get paint touch ups. Some of them are absolutely beautiful right now after their new paint job!! I hope you’re able to get a better experience next time you visit ☺️ - Lindsey

[@nikinick3153]

the hotel is going to be demolished and turned into a whole new hotel, that whole side where its located is all going to be demolished and made into that new hotel. Its apparently going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, Ridiculous.

[@DCata]

We visited Aiken with an interest in relocating and found it to be underwhelming.

[@debraspence3559]

They roll up the sidewalks lol!

[@larabardot6836]

It is, don’t move here especially if you’re younger. It’s so boring and not much to do. Tons of retirees and families with children. Husband and I are desperate to move out.

[@blondd221]

Yes we lived there a year and not many jobs or shopping

[@sardarmehmood8063]

Very nice ❤❤❤

[@dgh5223]

My daughter lives in Augusta, Georgia for about 6 years now and wants to move out so bad. Its very hot there. They had a guy to run through their yard who was running from cops. Augusta is where the big golf The Masters happen at. Locals try to avoid that area when it’s happening. They filmed the Clint Eastwood movie “The Mule” about a block from my daughters house. They filmed at a real daylily nursery called Shaws Sunshine Garden. You can actually buy lilies there.

[@pngproductions8529]

the area you speak is not the masters location, it is closer to columbia county still with in richmond county

[@dgh5223]

@@pngproductions8529 sorry if I dont exactly know where the county lines are around The Masters since I don’t live there. All I know is that its in Augusta.

[@pngproductions8529]

Martinez Ga is were the golf is at, and columbia county..not augusta

[@happybabies7176]

Good content, thank you.

[@nuranarrowood5808]

VERY TRUE

[@TJ-sp9xp]

Do any of these towns/cities Offer mountain views off the back porches of homes

[@cannotbeshaken7889]

No, only the front porches.

[@larabardot6836]

If you’re a younger person with no interest in joining country clubs and snobby sports like golf, polo and riding do yourself a favor and SKIP this dreadful town. Husband and I live here because of his job and it’s so BORING. Tons of retirees and families with small children. Not much content for young people AT ALL. They keep complaining that young people leave the town while opening ludicrous amounts of mattress shops, car washes and fast food restaurants. It’s insane!! They don’t care about young people at all. Best they have is live music in downtown on Thursdays. Gym is your best bet when it comes to entertainment. Also shopping, bars and restaurants but that’s about it. No activities where you can actually meet other young people and make friends. It’s a tight-knit community like in every small town and if you don’t have connections you basically don’t exist. The only friends we have in Aiken are my husband’s colleagues from work and their wives. Mostly all activities are for children or old people. I’ve wanted to take dancing classes and had to drive all the way to Augusta because in Aiken they have multiple dancing studios but of course for children only. I’ve been interested in martial arts and again- same thing. I’ve lived in different countries and places in the world but never in my life have I ever felt so constricted and bored. I’m so disappointed in this town and purchasing a house here was the biggest mistake we made. Also it’s true that according to statistics crime rate here is in fact really high, especially in the North side of town. We’re desperate to move out as soon as possible!!

[@elizabethdg]

True. I grew up in Aiken and loved it as a kid. But find it too boring for young adults.

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

Sorry you aren’t enjoying your time here. As I mention in my other reply, everyone has different interests and I know Aiken doesn’t have everything or it wouldn’t be the small town that it is. We have a lot to do for a variety of interests, it’s just on a smaller scale. One thing I would love to see is a brewery farm with live music and yard games - for a spot to hang out for younger people. I’ve seen this in Virginia in a few places and always thought it would do well here to bring some of the younger crowd. I hope you do find a place you love living. If I can help with your move when the time comes let me know. ☺️ -Lindsey

[@ignatiusl.7478]

I love Aiken. Augusta not so much. I go there if I have to.

[@ortezchambliss3189]

EASIEST WAY TO EXPLAIN…..If you want PRIVACY with no big buildings or BIG CITY SHENANIGANS move to AIKEN COUNTY. If you love NIGHTLIFE, STRIP CLUBS, and want to party move to AUGUSTA: Four Main Street to FIND EVERYTHING go to WASHINGTON ROAD, WRIGHTSBORO ROAD, BROAD STREET, and around BOBBY JONES EXPRESSWAY.

[@ortezchambliss3189]

I lived off Washington Road and Wrightsboro Road. My PARENTS stayed on Greengate near Costco Bobby Jones Expressway. And BROAD STREET is Downtown Augusta GA.

[@ortezchambliss3189]

CHILL OUT AIKEN COUNTY…..If I stayed in AIKEN there is ONLY ONE AREA where I found privacy like WHATCOM or SKAGIT where houses are really stretched apart. ANYTHING OFF of WHISKEY RD going past TSC TRACTOR SUPPLY away from the Downtown Aiken Area. When I played FOOTBALL we had two practice fields: We practiced at LAKE OLMSTED in Augusta GA and the SPORTS PARK off of Whiskey Rd in Aiken SC!! We was a CSRA team representing GA & SC as ONE UNIT. We had ALL the top football players from AIKEN COUNTY TO RICHMOND COUNTY.

[@ortezchambliss3189]

And North Augusta which is an extension of Aiken County and we are talking about low crime. I haven’t visited since 2014 I personally stayed in CRESTLAND subdivision when Popz & Mom got their money right!!! 😂😂 I started thinking of the WESTCOAST CLASSIC by DRE “Get your money right. 😂😂😇🙏🤲🏽

[@nuranarrowood5808]

YES I KNOW CSRA

[@nuranarrowood5808]

WOW AIKEN SC

[@nuranarrowood5808]

JAMES'S BIRTH PLACE AUGUSTA

[@sandracloke6268]

Augusta, GA versus Aiken, S.C. I live on the outskirts of Augusta and have spent much time in Aiken, SC with my friends. Augusta was a great city at one time. However, Augusta is run by dems and has crime, high prices and other problems. Aiken is a super nice city, neat eating places, horse country but does not have the shopping as Augusta outskirts. Both have their advantages.

[@pinkishOreo]

3rd largest

[@Scorpion24]

should you live in Aiken SC or Augusta GA? Hmmmm and the question was what is this video about? Ummmm let me guess......Florida

[@nuranarrowood5808]

AUGUSTA HAVE IT COM FROM AUGUSTA TO ATLANTA AND OTHER IS PRIVET

[@MariaCalabria18]

Ah GA isn’t cheaper!!!!!! You never even talked about the taxes!!!!!

[@paulbaughman1898]

😂 don’t move to Augusta, the best part of Augusta is the middle of the bridge back to Aiken sc. Augusta ga is on declined just watch the local news everyday. 😅

[@buk6708]

Aiken has a ton of murders, spaced out but a seedy place with an amazing horse community

[@livinginsouthcarolina]

This is an interesting perspective. Do you care to share more? You say the area has “tons of murders”…. In comparison to where/what? What is the definition of “tons”? Every town in the U.S. has a crime rate. Are you comparing Aiken to Chicago? Or to another random small town in SC that barely has enough population to calculate that rate. Truly curious about your input because “crime rate” is a common question when someone is moving to a new area, Aiken or anywhere.

[@buk6708]

@@livinginsouthcarolina bruh it’s not rocket science, Aiken is small, they always in the news. I live here and don’t want to look up numbers but even a few murders would make it off the chart. The Valley is probably worst place in S. Carolina. Highway 421 (bath, burnettown, gloverville, Langley, Clearwater) these are White ghettos also. Quite a spectacle to see. Aiken getting so bad My aunt and cousins stay in Aiken, they will also tell you it’s getting bad quick there. It’s a shame, Aiken was better than Evans and Martínez back in the day lol. But hey, when your economy is built on horses and nuclear waste, you get what you get lol.

[@buk6708]

@@livinginsouthcarolina I have worked all through Aiken also for a few customers (I am a Carpenter) my Great Grandma had her land bought by DuPont to build the plant (srs) and she worked there for 30 years and has a spot in the museum in dt Aiken! She was also a poet.

[@buk6708]

@@livinginsouthcarolina 1st google result. “Aiken has one of the highest overall crime rates of any U.S. city. For comparison, the national total crime rate is 2,489 incidents for every 100,000 people. Aiken's overall crime rate is 57% higher than the overall crime rate in South Carolina.”

[@elizabethdg]

I grew up in Aiken. My family lives there. While the outskirts can be depressing, the city proper is quaint and very professional In fact, there is a highly educated scientific community that works at the Savannah River Site. There are three diverse communities: horse racing, scientists and retirees. So beyond the usual slumy areas, Aiken is a great place to live. I never felt unsafe

[@nuranarrowood5808]

DONT FORGET FT GORDEN

[@nuranarrowood5808]

I AM RETIRED FROM FT GORDEN MED CENTER EISENHOWER

[@brucemcclure1315]

Aiken has become just as violent as Augusta. I moved to Augusta in 1995 and I use to not be afraid to go out in public. Now I dread going out in public or to Walmart or the Mall. Before you move to either place you should check the crime statistics for both. Look at the number of gun violence.

[@southernfried19]

I think South Carolina is a better ran state. Augusta is slowly but surely gonna turn into a little mini-Atlanta. That’s not a good thing.

[@kevenclinton4970]

All depends on its demographics.