Fort Gordon is located just a few miles southwest of Augusta, Georgia. Augusta straddles the Georgia and South Carolina state line and the Savannah River. Once at Fort Gordon, you’ll officially become residents of the Central Savannah River Area, aka the CSRA.
Fort Gordon is one of those military installations that you might not hear too much about until you get orders to PCS. One of Fort Gordon’s best secrets is its “center of everything” map location. So if you’re one to maximize every new adventure a duty station offers, you’re in for a treat. You’ll have easy access to big metropolitan and historical cities and have about a three-hour drive from the beach and mountain activities.
Fort Gordon is 140 miles east of Atlanta, 80 miles southwest of Columbia, South Carolina, and 122 miles northwest of Savannah, Georgia.
If you happen to have military connections at other military bases nearby, these are the closest to Fort Gordon.
Balfour Beatty operates Fort Gordon Family Homes on post if you’re interested in living in military housing. It manages six neighborhoods, with houses with two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom layouts in townhomes and single-family homes. The community is pet-friendly, walkable, and amenities include playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and a fitness center.
You’ll find that many military families live off base, too. The cities around Fort Gordon are affordable, but military members choose their locations because of their specific features. They usually find homes in one of these three cities.
Evans is very family-friendly and was ranked #1 by Money as Best Place to Live 2020.
Grovetown has the shortest commute, wide-open spaces, and a rural feel.
Georgia life will come easy in this ranch style home! You'll find plenty of parking out front, and in the back is a privacy fenced yard with a large porch for relaxing outside. This 1,720 square-foot-home features gorgeous hardwood floors and a fireplace to make things cozy on a chilly winter day. You'll be located near major shopping, restaurants, and other amenities. Families with children, note that this home is located near Evans middle and high schools.
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Here’s what to expect for some of Fort Gordon’s BAH categories for zip code 30905:
Regardless of living on or off base, you’ll find tight-knit communities with plenty of opportunities to experience the best of outdoor living, including festivals, concerts, and recreational outlets such as nearby hiking trails and river activities.
If you weren’t familiar with Fort Gordon, you probably have at least heard of Augusta, thanks to the historic golf tournament, The Masters. Each year, the tournament takes over the city for the first two weeks of April, and the excitement ripples into military family life. Golf draws flocks of tourists to Augusta, and the entire region buzzes with celebratory events.
Luckily, servicemembers are offered a chance of attending The Masters either through a lottery system or via a limited number of donated official badges. Don’t worry if you miss your chance; you can join fellow golf enthusiasts on the “Best Golf Course in the Army,” Gordon Lakes Golf Club.
If you can’t play at The Masters, try one of these! The Best Golf Courses Near Military Bases.
If you’re looking for traditional military support groups and organizations to connect with the community, these are great places to start.
For more information about schools around Fort Gordon and the contact information for the Student Liaison Officer, check out Fort Gordon MWR’s School Support Services.
If you haven’t lived in the South before, Fort Gordon is a good introduction thanks to its modern meets traditional vibe, plus easy access to bucket list vacation spots, like Charleston, S.C. Augusta has all of the familiar stores and restaurants you're used to, but there’s plenty of southern charm to add character and hospitality to the community.