Warm Weather, Entertainment Make Augusta a Great Retirement Spot

Editor’s Note: Recently, MoneyWise revealed its list of the 40 most frugal and friendly places to retire. In a bid to provide an idea of what housing inventory is available in these cities and towns, we’re taking a look at listings in each of the cities on the list.

Not everyone can spend $1 million or more on a second home, even if it’s with the idea that eventually you’ll retire there. So when MoneyWise’s list of 40 places to retire that are more budget-friendly came out, we were curious — what kind of homes could you find in these towns?

Last week, we looked at the 37th city on the list — Torrance, California. This week, we look at Augusta, Georgia, and found some great options for — get this — less than $300,000.

“Augusta is a gem of Southern living. It is an inexpensive city, with a median household income of about $38,000,” Moneywise said. “Augusta’s crime rate is low and the town is rich in Southern history, and offers a wide variety of shopping and nightlife options.”

“With its warm weather and two medical centers that focus exclusively on women’s healthcare, Augusta sets a high standard for retirement living on this list,” the article added.

TINY HOUSE BUILT FOR THE TRAVELING RETIREE

Price: $44,900

At 808 square feet, you may think we’re off our rockers to even suggest this home, but hear us out.
For one, it’s adorable. Two, it’s less than $45,000, which means you can easily afford to do any updating you want (although it really doesn’t need anything). Three, and this is the big one — did you want to spend your retirement traveling, but didn’t really feel too jazzed about the RV life, or not having a home base? This is the house that could give you the best of both worlds. Small enough (and cheap enough) to be nearly lock-and-leave — hire a lawn service to keep the substantial backyard and the nicely manicured front lawn mowed, and off you go to Greece, or Italy, or wherever your heart desires, all with a home base in Augusta to come back to.

Inside this cute-as-a-button two-bedroom brick cottage, refinished hardwood floors do great work bouncing around the light and making the square footage feel bigger. The living room is open to the dining room, and while the kitchen is small, it’s the perfect size for cooking when you want to, with quick cleanups.

The home has been freshly painted inside, has one-year-old appliances, window heat and air units and light fixtures, newer windows, a nearly-new water heater, and there’s even a workshop in the fenced-in backyard — along with a nice deck.
The home is listed by Natalie Walls with Auben Realty.

FIVE-YEAR-OLD HOME NEAR SHOPPING WITH COVERED BACK PORCH

Price: $186,500

Need a bit more space? Have less wanderlust in your retirement plan? This single-story Beazley home is three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,672 square feet of move-in ready, well-maintained space.

Inside, five-inch hand-scraped hardwood floors greet you in the foyer. A spacious great room, with its vaulted ceilings, is open to the kitchen with its granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The dining room is open to the kitchen as well.

A split floor plan separates the master suite with its tray ceiling, walk-in closet, and its en-suite bath with garden tub from the other two bedrooms.

Outside, a large covered back porch and an extended patio area provide plenty of room for entertaining, along with an oversized backyard.

The Ranch-style home is also two minutes from great Augusta shopping and other conveniences, and is listed by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate.

1955 RAMBLER WITH TONS OF CHARACTER

Price: $239,900

This Ranch-style Rambler in Country Club Hills, Augusta, was built in 1955, and has tons of charm and character. And with 2,316 square feet, it’s the largest of the houses we’re featuring today.

It has four bedrooms, two full baths, and one powder room, which means you can still easily host family Christmases.

A spacious living room and dining room have hardwood flooring running throughout, and a charming den with a fireplace will provide a cozy place for game nights and before-bed reading.

The gourmet kitchen has granite counters and an island, and a full slate of stainless steel appliances.

Both the front and back yards are landscaped, and a patio area runs the length of the backside of the house.

The home is listed by Ann Marie McManus with Meybohm Realtors-Wheeler Road.