People who work from home enjoy more flexibility when it comes to location, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their own set of needs that need to be met. From affordable homes to reliable internet and a wonderful community, remote workers want to have it all. And they can, in Augusta, Georgia. An affordable, up and coming location in a beautiful area surrounded by nature, Augusta is remote friendly while still being an ideal place to raise a family and buy a forever home. Here are 9 reasons why remote workers should relocate to Augusta.
1. Affordability
One of the most important aspects for anyone looking to relocate is affordability; most people want to move somewhere more affordable. From that point of view, Augusta is near the top of the list for the Southern area. The cost of living index is just 80.7 compared to a national average of 100. That means life is 20% cheaper here, the biggest difference being in housing and transportation costs. If you are switching from commuting and paying rent or a mortgage in a high COL city to working remotely in Augusta, you might be slashing your costs by more than half. That is a huge draw for all remote workers who are relocating and buying homes this year.
2. Spacious Homes
And speaking of homes, there are very few places in the United States where you will get a better deal on a beautiful home than right here, in Augusta. With the median price of a home sitting at half the national average, that translates to savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whereas you might not have been able to afford a down payment or a mortgage somewhere else, living here can help make your homeownership dreams come true. Not only is it easier to afford a home, but you will get much more value for your money. People who work from home or run their business from home usually need a home office, so buying a property with extra bedrooms and bathrooms makes sense. A lot of people are also choosing to forgo going to the gym in favor of working out at home – especially given the current safety circumstances – so a dedicated space for the at- home gym is also a nice bonus. Investing in your comfort is always a sound idea.
3. Good Internet Coverage
As a remote worker, one thing you cannot afford to live somewhere with bad internet. Those who work from home largely depend on a strong internet connection for a seamless workday, and not having it can make simple tasks frustrating, or even impossible. Remote workers are seeking out communities that are remote friendly, and Georgia is definitely one of them. Up and coming locations like Augusta have been making major efforts to cater to everyone’s needs and integrate technology more into everyday life. Most residential areas in Augusta have great internet coverage, but you can also pop into one of the many cafes or co-working spaces that create a perfect work environment.
4. Access to Nature
One thing that is extremely important for remote workers is access to nature, and the opportunity to spend time outdoors, exercising, or just enjoying fresh air. Especially in the wake of the pandemic, we have learned to appreciate nature and clean air so much more. And if you are going to be spending so much time at home, it makes sense that you’d want to live somewhere with easy access to nature. Augusta is the perfect place for that – known as “The Garden City of the South”, the city is famous for its generous number of gardens and parks. In addition, the opportunities for outdoor recreation abound, from mountain biking on the F.A.T.S. Trails to kayaking on the Savannah River. If that’s too much exertion, you can also opt for lower intensity activities, like golf or just strolling on the Riverwalk. It is also a popular place for joggers if you’re looking to get your steps in, but with a view.
5. Wonderful Weather
And because spending time outdoors is such an essential part of the remote lifestyle, it helps if you can enjoy great weather. Being at home all day is fine if you can then enjoy some sunshine or even indoor-outdoor living. But if you live somewhere cold or way too hot, then all that time spent cooped up might have some unfortunate effects. That is why Augusta is such a sought-after location – the weather is gorgeous, but it’s nowhere near as hot as Texas gets in the summer. Living in the South has its advantages, and year-round sunshine to make up for the time spent indoors is one of them. Put up a table and some deck chairs, and you can work in your backyard, in the shade, sipping on a mimosa.
6. Family-Friendly Community
More and more young parents are opting for remote work because of the inherent flexibility of the schedule. They get to stay at home with their kids to tend to their needs while also being able to juggle work duties – it’s an ideal arrangement. Combined with the fact that remote work allows you to work from any location, that’s a perfect reason to move to Augusta. It’s a beautiful place to raise a growing family, not just because you can secure a large home in a great neighborhood, but also because of the community and the opportunity your kids will have here.
7. Remote-Friendly City
Even if you are not living in the heart of the city, it’s still a crucial component of a desirable location for remote workers. Georgians have been doing a lot of work modernizing their cities lately, and a lot of previously overlooked locations are developing and becoming great contenders. Downtown Augusta is one of them, and lately it has become a great destination. Anything you need is right here, from great remote-friendly cafes to small, locally owned boutiques and great restaurants. Especially considering the exodus from bigger cities and higher cost of living locations in the South, like Atlanta, Augusta is a great affordable alternative.
8. Big Retirement Community
Did you know that a significant number of remote workers are over 45 years old? They’re probably starting to think about retirement, and working from home is a great way to make the transition. It is the best of both worlds – you get to cut down on the numbers of hours you work and get to relax, while also continuing to earn an income in order to maintain a certain lifestyle or pad your retirement fund. And since you can work from anywhere, why not move to a community of fellow retirees? Augusta is a very popular destination for the over 50 crowd, so if you’re interested in socializing and activities with new friends, then this might be the perfect place to get everything you want.
9. High Quality Education
If you’re going to raise a family, education is crucial, so most young couples move where the good schools are. Augusta is a very attractive option from this point of view, boasting high-quality education not just at a primary school level, but also at a university level as well. Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia are just a couple of the popular institutions that attract the younger generations. Students are also credited for the new developments in recent years and the revival of the downtown area. Despite its fame as a retirement darling, Augusta still knows how to have fun and stay young.
Final thoughts Georgia is having a revival at the moment, with people leaving higher cost areas like California and looking for similar alternatives that will allow them to maintain the same lifestyle, be remote-friendly, family-friendly, and less expensive. Augusta is the perfect location, as an up-and-coming area that is becoming more and more popular with remote workers and young families alike. Represented by significant youth and senior communities, it is a place that caters to numerous walks of life, allowing one to work, enjoy nature, have fun, get a great education – all in the same place.
*Article written by Victoria Standridge, especially for IsellAugustaHomes.com
