Augusta, the second-largest city in Georgia, is located on the southern bank of the Savannah River midway between the Great Smokey Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a growing and thriving city with a metropolitan- area population of around 400,000, and recently ranked the second most favorable place to live in Georgia. The area is known for its balmy climate, with an annual mean temperature of 64 degrees.
Founded in 1736 by General James E. Oglethorpe, Augusta is Georgia’s second-oldest city. Oglethorpe named the city for Princess Augusta, wife of the Prince of Wales. Augusta was Georgia’s capital in 1778 and from 1785 to 1795.
The city offers a wide array of cultural and recreational activities. Downtown Augusta hosts events including First Friday cultural celebrations, the Westabou Festival and Arts in the Heart of Augusta. Attractions that promise both fun and enlightenment include the Morris Museum of Art, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, the Augusta Cotton Exchange Welcome Center and Museum, the Augusta Convention Center and the Augusta Museum of History.
Augusta has many associations dedicated to the performing and visual arts, including the Fort Gordon Dinner Theater; Augusta Opera Association, the only resident opera company in Georgia; the Augusta Ballet, an Honor Company nationally known for its high-quality performances; the Augusta Players, bringing first-rate plays to Augusta; The Augusta Children’s Theatre; The Augusta Symphony; and the Augusta Art Association.
The city of Augusta offers affordable urban and suburban living options. Past fellows have lived in downtown Augusta, Evans, and Grovetown, all of which are within a 20 to 30 minute drive from East Central Regional Hospital. Augusta is home to a wide variety of restaurants. Faculty and fellow favorites include: Metro Diner, Laziza Mediterranean Grill, Fat Man’s Mill Cafe, Oliviana Bar Italiano and Pizzeria, Manuel’s Bread Cafe, and Bee’s Knees. Although Augusta does not have professional sports teams, it is only a two hour drive to Atlanta and located in the heard of SEC/ACC territory. North Augusta, South Carolina (which is located less than 5 minutes from the center of downtown Augusta) is also home to the Augusta GreenJackets, which is a minor league baseball team affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.
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