Southside - Augusta, GA

The Savannah River brought southeastern tribes to the region that now goes by Augusta. The river provided food, water and transportation for the tribes through the 1700s until James Oglethorpe instructed his men to build a crossing at the passable portion of the river. The city rapidly grew afterward, and by the 1800s, it became a place with large cotton plantations that slaves were forced to maintain.

While the neighborhood of Southside once thrived as a farming town, it now provides low income residents with a sense of suburbia. Because the area is rich in historical significance, historical monuments and facilities help unfold the area’s past. The Augusta Museum of History showcases artifacts, documents, photographs and more connected to the city’s past. For just $4 per adult and $2 per child, you and your family can explore the collections preserved within the museums. Temporary exhibitions also provide valuable historical knowledge.

Major fast-food chains and worldwide restaurants align just north of the neighborhood near the Mike Padgett Highway. Located on the same highway is T’s Seafood Restaurant, a family-oriented place diners visit to enjoy fresh seafood. The rustic dining room gives the appeal of a friendly Southern environment. Wine and spirits along with homemade hush puppies and catfish might be the perfect pairing for anyone craving old-fashioned Southern food.

For authentic Korean cuisine, the Happy House on Dean’s Bridge Road offers its guests ethnic cuisine options that include la galbi, kim chi and whole fried fish. The diner provides plenty of seating surrounded by large picturesque windows. The reasonable prices make it a great place to stop for lunch during a the busy workday.

The old-fashioned barbecue served at Sconyer’s Bar-B-Que makes the spot one of the neighborhood’s favorites. The plantation platter provides enough meat for a small family to snack on. The platter includes a quarter of a whole chicken or sliced turkey, two ribs, chopped beef and chipped pork. All side choices for platters and plates include Cole slaw or potato salad and hash with rice and pickles. From 10 am to 10 pm, you can sit in the wooden dining room featuring large windows that extend into skylights. The open patio and natural surroundings give this restaurant its singular charm.

While the nightlife throughout the Southside neighborhood tends to be quiet, the area's outskirts provide plenty of opportunities for friends to gather during the late hours. The Fishbowl Lounge on Lumpkin along with the many bars and clubs situated downtown let residents to have drinks and participate in tavern games and dancing.

One place highly recommended by locals is Villa Europa, a German lounge on Deans Bridge Road, just a short distance away from the Happy House. While many come for the food, the elegance of the lounge lets friends and peers to gather for fine wine, German beer and other international craft brews in style. The large patio and dining area offer for plenty of seating.

Travel by personal vehicle is the primary mode of commuting in the Southside neighborhood. However, ample sidewalks and safe streets make walking and bicycling easy as well. For a quick commute, major roads such as the Bobby Jones Expressway, the Mike Padgett Highway, Old Louisville Road and Route 25 provide accessible routes to anywhere within and outside of Augusta. Along with Uber service, Greyhound and the Augusta Regional Airport, the city also provides many bus routes that make public transportation a viable option in the region.

The many parks situated throughout the area consist of natural settings suitable for dogs, children and adults. Some of the parks provide kayaking and other rigorous outdoor activities for those feeling adventurous. People of all ages throughout Southside take advantage of these parks on a regular basis.

To let your pet get some exercise, visit the Pendleton King Bark Park on Troupe Street. This large, shaded dog park provides plenty of space for pets to run free within the fenced-in areas where pine trees and seats await. Limited parking is available and the park can get busy, but ample free parking sits within walking distance.

Annual events often occur throughout Augusta, Evans, Aiken and other surrounding regions. The Paddlefest happens every year at the Augusta Riverfront Marina. For $75, everyone can gather to enter in the paddle race down the river. Make use of any canoe, kayak or raft to make your way to first place.

Living in the Southside neighborhood remains cheaper than living in the center of Augusta. One-bedroom rental rates average about $545 per month.

If you want to grab a beer after work, you typically spend about $3.50 a pint unless you catch a happy hour special. The average fuel price per gallon in Augusta sits at about 1 percent lower than the national average cost. A one-way fare to travel one of the nine fixed routes that connect to Augusta’s public bus station costs $1.25, while a weekly pass costs $15.00. Uber provides rides to those in the area. To get from Southside to the airport, it costs about $15, while taking an Uber X ride from your residence to Atlanta costs nearly $200.

Shopping thrives in the neighborhood in the form of major stores such as Lowe's and Walgreens. Colony Plaza is within walking distance and contain stores where you can find everything you need. Nonetheless, as you get closer to the downtown region of Augusta, you find that boutiques, thrift shops, shopping centers, and privately owned specialty stores are more prevalent.

Antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces can be purchased at the Antique Market Interiors and Gifts on Pleasant Home Road. This small shop contains many treasures from furniture to home decor. The Trends and Traditions Antique Mall on Washington Road offers items similar to those in Antique Market Interiors and Gifts but has a much larger inventory. All sorts of antiques make up the store's inventory, including golf clubs, suitcases, books, dolls, furniture, electronics and more.

Kroger, the favored chain grocery store in the area, has stores in several locations. Smaller markets that sell fresh produce and local meat are also within proximity. The Augusta Market opens on Saturdays from March to November. This market normally includes well over 30 vendors each season. It sells everything from jewelry to food at low prices throughout the warmer weather months.