If you're relocating to the CSRA, three Columbia County names keep coming up: Evans, Martinez, and Grovetown. All three are popular, all three have their own character, and most of my out-of-town buyers can't tell them apart on a map.
So let me walk you through how I actually think about them when I'm helping a client decide.
The short version
If you're short on time, here's the quick read:
- Evans — the most upscale of the three, strongest schools, longer commute to most of Augusta proper. Best if budget allows and schools are the priority.
- Martinez — established, central Columbia County, mix of housing stock from older to new. Best if you want a settled feel without paying Evans prices.
- Grovetown — the fastest-growing of the three, closest to Fort Gordon, lots of new construction. Best if you want a new home or you're commuting to the post.
But the short version misses what each place actually feels like, so let me get into the details.
Evans
Evans sits just north of Martinez along Washington Road and Belair Road, anchored by the Mullins Crossing shopping area and the highly-rated schools that everyone seems to know about.
What it feels like: Suburban in the polished sense. Newer subdivisions, well-maintained common areas, lots of dining and shopping right there. It's the part of the CSRA you'd point to if someone asked "where would professionals with kids want to live?"
Who it fits: Families prioritizing schools. The Columbia County school district overall is strong, but Evans-zoned schools are widely considered the best in the area. Also fits buyers who want newer construction or near-new homes without going way out.
Tradeoffs:
- Higher price point than Martinez or Grovetown for comparable square footage
- Commute to downtown Augusta or Fort Gordon is 25-35 minutes depending on traffic
- Less character than older neighborhoods — newer means more uniform
Price range (rough guide): Expect higher entry points than the other two. A move-in-ready 3-bed home in a desirable Evans subdivision typically commands a premium.
Martinez
Martinez is the more established sibling. It runs along Washington Road and Furys Ferry Road, with older neighborhoods butting up against newer developments. The Augusta National is just on the other side of the river — Martinez is one of the closest residential areas to it.
What it feels like: Lived-in, in the best way. Mature trees, established neighborhoods, a mix of older brick ranch homes and 1990s-2010s construction. Less curated than Evans, more rooted.
Who it fits: Buyers who want a settled neighborhood feel without Evans pricing. Also fits people who want more house for less money, since Martinez has a wider range of housing stock.
Tradeoffs:
- Schools are still good, but more variable than Evans — some are excellent, some are average. Verify the specific school zone before you commit.
- Older homes mean potential renovation considerations
- Less new construction available
Price range (rough guide): Generally more affordable than Evans for comparable size. The deals are out there if you're willing to consider older homes.
Grovetown
Grovetown is the boom town of the three. It's just outside the Fort Gordon gate, which makes it the natural landing spot for military families and the biggest target for new construction in the CSRA right now.
What it feels like: New. Lots of new subdivisions, new restaurants, new strip malls. The infrastructure is catching up to the growth, which means some roads feel busy for the size of the town and some amenities are still arriving.
Who it fits: Military families stationed at Fort Gordon (5-15 minute commute to most parts of the post). Also fits buyers who specifically want new construction with builder warranties, or who want the most home for the money.
Tradeoffs:
- Schools are solid but the rapid growth has stressed some of them
- Less established character — this is a place becoming itself
- Traffic on Highway 78 can get rough at peak hours
Price range (rough guide): Often the best value of the three for new construction. Older Grovetown homes can be very affordable.
How I help clients pick between them
When a client is genuinely torn, here's what I ask:
- What's your commute? Fort Gordon → Grovetown is the obvious win. Downtown Augusta, MCG, or the medical district → Martinez probably edges out Evans on time. Working remotely → Evans's schools and amenities might be the deciding factor.
- What's your budget? Be honest about the all-in monthly payment you can sustain, not the pre-approval ceiling. That number alone often narrows the choice.
- How important are schools? If it's the top priority, you should be looking at Evans first. If it's a factor but not the deciding factor, all three have viable options — but you need to verify the specific school zone for any home, not just the city name.
- Do you want new or established? New construction → Grovetown, then Evans. Established neighborhood with character → Martinez first.
- How long are you staying? Shorter stays favor easier-to-resell areas (Evans, certain Grovetown subdivisions). Longer stays give you more flexibility.
Most clients have a clear preference by the time we work through those five questions. The ones who don't usually benefit from touring a few homes in each area — what reads well on paper doesn't always feel right in person.
A few honest notes
A few things worth knowing that don't fit neatly into one of the sections above:
The school zones don't always match the city name. A home with a Martinez address might be zoned for an Evans school, or vice versa. Verify the specific school for any home you're seriously considering. Columbia County's GIS tools or your agent can check this.
Drive your commute before you decide. If possible, drive from each neighborhood to your actual destination at the time of day you'd actually be commuting. Traffic in the CSRA is generally manageable but it has its rush hours, and what looks like a 20-minute commute on Google Maps can be a 35-minute reality.
Walk the neighborhood at different times. A subdivision that looks great on a Saturday afternoon can feel different on a Tuesday evening. Especially if you're new to the area, take the time to actually see how the neighborhood lives.
Talk to actual residents if you can. HOA reputation, neighborhood quirks, and community feel don't show up in listings. Five minutes with someone who lives on the street tells you more than ten hours of online research.
A final note
Honestly, all three of these are great places to live. I have happy clients in each one, and the right choice depends on your specific situation more than any general comparison.
If you're trying to decide, send me a message. Tell me a little about your situation — where you're coming from, what your priorities are, what your budget looks like — and I'll give you my honest take on which area is worth focusing on first. No pressure, no obligation. Just a starting point.