Augusta Apartments and Rentals

Located in the east central section of Georgia, the city of Augusta is approximately 150 miles east of Atlanta. It is the state's oldest city, as well as its second largest, and is known for the majestic mansions and quiet, tree-lined avenues that make it easy to understand why Augusta is nicknamed "The Garden City."

That said, the city also has a vibrant side to its culture. The downtown area, situated along the banks of the Savannah River, has benefited from extensive revitalization and beautification efforts. Those looking for Augusta apartments for rent will find the city to be a Mecca of arts, culture, shopping, recreation and cuisine - and the fact that its average temperature is a balmy 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit doesn't hurt either.

Twice the capital of Georgia, the settlement of Augusta was founded in 1736 as a trading post and named after Welsh princess Augusta of Saxe Gotha. Before that time, it was home to the Creek and Cherokee Indians indigenous to the area. However, Augusta's growth didn't begin to really take off until after the construction of the Augusta Canal in 1847. The city was a pivotal site during the days of the cotton boom, and became the second largest inland cotton market in the world. Today, the Cotton Exchange, established in 1872, is among the area's extensive register of historically significant homes and buildings - along with the childhood home of former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. More than 196,000 people currently call the city home.

Augusta has nine neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Downtown Historic District and the hilltop neighborhood of Summerville. In 1996, the city merged with Richmond County to form a consolidated city-county.

Augusta is home to a number of institutes of further education, including Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, Paine College and the Medical College of Georgia. MCG has approximately 7,800 people on its payroll, along with University Hospital, which has approximately 3,860 workers. Healthcare is a big industry in Augusta - the city is home to one of the best burn treatment centers in the Southeast, as well as a state-of-the-art children's hospital. Indeed, Georgia's first heart transplant was performed in this city.

Augusta is also home to U.S. Army Signal Center Fort Gordon, which trains more military personnel than any other branch training center of the U.S. Army.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent for apartments in Augusta is $710. The cost of living isn't bad either - the city scored a 90.4 on City-Data.com's March 2011 cost of living index, lower than the national average of 100.

Augusta offers a bevy of attractions for history buffs, including a plethora of designated historic places and the numerous exhibits at the Augusta Museum of History and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Meanwhile, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, which serves as the Central Savannah River Area's only independent non-profit visual art school and gallery, is sure to capture the imaginations of art lovers. Its vast selection of studio classes and workshops allows participants to try their hand at artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpting, weaving, photography and more.

For the sportier, the Augusta National Golf Club hosts the annual Masters Golf Tournament, which has attracted the sport's brightest stars since 1934. The world-renowned course, which opened in December 1932, was built on the site of a former indigo plantation. The club boasts an exclusive members list that includes a number of well-known CEOs and high-profile political figures.

For those eager to explore the part of the city that borders the Savannah River, Riverwalk Augusta fits the bill. The Riverwalk consists of two bricked levels and spans four streets in the downtown area. In the summer, the pedestrian-only road at 8th Street and Reynolds hosts the Saturday Market on the River and the Candlelight Jazz Series, while the Japanese Gardens on the lower level are the perfect place to relax and recharge. The 1,800-seat Jessye Norman Amphitheater, located at the end of the 9th Street Plaza, is a concert venue with a perfect backdrop - the Savannah River itself.

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