Columbus GA Info Blog

Columbus Ga is a great place to live and work. Here is a short video about the area produced by the Columbus GA Chamber of Commerce

Donna and I took the afternoon Saturday to ride up to Pine Mountain and Callaway. We stopped on top of the mountain for lunch at the Country Store. It is a popular tourist attraction for good reason. There was about a 30 minute wait so we took the time to enjoy the view and sample some of the homemade fair at the country store. When we got a table we waited a couple of minutes extra to get a corner table next to the glass with a view off the mountain. This was definitely worth a couple of extra minutes. This area is much like north Georgia where I grew up.

When the menus came I decided on the Callaway Classic burger which includes a half pound hamburger with cheese and bacon strips and a true southern thing - fried green tomatoes. While we waited for the burger they brought a plate of biscuits and cornbread with muscadine preserves. If you haven’t had muscadine preserves you have truly missed out. It was a great lunch in a relaxing atmosphere.

After all that, we needed a walk, so we went to the gardens to walk thru the 40 acre azalea bowl of Callaway a 13,000 acre resort in Pine Mountain. The Cherry trees are in full bloom and the azaleas are in the beginning stages of blooming. Read the rest

The Ledger Enquirer is reporting today that the USO will be back in Columbus Ga this summer on a permanent basis. A new USO is under construction inside the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel on Victory Drive. The owner of the hotel invited the USO to Columbus because of the BRAC military increase in Columbus and the fact that the Infantry Museum is also under construction with an expected 500,000 visitors per year.

The facility will give military and their families a place to hang out off base where they will have wireless internet, TV and video games. Read the rest

In case you were wondering I do not think I would qualify for the Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World - maybe Donna - but certainly not me. This is actually about a contest started by Real Estate Webmasters and Eric Bramlett.

It did start my thought process about what a client might expect from the “Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World”. So I am starting a list on this blog and might add to it from time to time.

Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World standards:

1) Knows values of homes in his area of the world Read the rest

I was “meme’d” or “tagged” by Lydia a fiend and Realtor in Augusta Ga with a challenge to tell 7 interesting things about ourselves. So here goes.

1) Donna and I will have been married 26 years on February 27th after meeting at UGA.

2) We have 2 outstanding grown children whom we are very proud of. Our daughter Tiffany is married and living in Tampa with her husband Nate. They are both on staff at the River Bible Institute. Jason is a student at Columbus State College and works at Fed Ex at night.

3) Donna was a High School Cheerleader for Hershel Walker at Johnson Co. High in Wrightville Georgia.

4) We had the pleasure of being at UGA when Georgia won the National Championship. We were there in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl! One of our favorite all time trips. Read the rest

If you are like me a cup of java is both relaxing and important! I thoroughly enjoy stopping by one of my favorite coffee shops to take a few minutes out of the day while relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading about the happenings in town.

One of my favorites is Fountain City Coffee downtown on Broadway. Since they have redone Broadway with streetscapes including decorative brick, art and plant beds it has become a great place to hang out anyway. At Fountain City you can get an awesome cup of coffee, specialty coffee, bagels in the morning, sandwiches for lunch or dinner, or even a glass of wine in the evening. They have wireless internet, magazines to read and and sidewalk tables if you want to sit outside. Sometimes they even have a little easy going live music. Downtown has really become a great place to hang out and Fountain City is a perfect example. Read the rest

I usually use this blog as a laid back portion of the site to talk about entertainment and fun things in our area as well as current events for the area but today I thought I would give an interest rate update as I had several lenders email me yesterday.

I am getting reports of a drop in rates with conforming 30 year fixed rates in the 5.75% range. Read the rest

1) Small town feel with big city amenities - Columbus has grown to a size that supports the theatre and world class shows like we have at the River Center or the Springer. We have minor leagues sports along with great restaurants and shopping. We really have all the amenities of a big city but you can drive all the way across the city in about 30 minutes. We think this is a perfect size.

2) Location, Location, Location - We are about 1 hour from Atlanta Airport or 1 and 1/2 hrs from downtown Atlanta and all that has to offer. 3 and 1/2 hours from the beach. 2 and 1/2 hours from the mountains of North Georgia and 5 minutes from the river. There is a lot to do and see close by.

3) Industry Growth - It always seems good to be in a place where things are on the upswing. We are in a phase of growth in our area. AFLAC is strong and in the process of adding 2000 employees, the KIA plant is locating in nearby La Grange and we are receiving spin off growth. Columbus State College is expanding and helping to revitalize the downtown area. Also we are one of the beneficiaries of the BRAC military realignment. All these things have created a really positive atmosphere in our area right now. Read the rest

Donna and I love to eat out and so we have compiled a list of our favorite eateries! Enjoy!  Map to Favorite Columbus Restaurants

1) Mikata - Japanese steak and sushi. Located at Sidney Simons Blvd. just off Airport Thruway. Outstanding Japanese Steakhouse. There are several Japanese restaurants in Columbus but Mikata is our favorite.

2) Chef Lee’s Chinese Restaurant - Located at Whitesville Rd. and Bradley Park Dr. - Top 10 Chinese Restaurant in America by USA Today

3) Ben’s Chophouse - Casual elegant - Located at Sidney Simons Blvd. off Airport Thruway - Steaks, Seafood and Drinks. Wine Tasting on the First Wednesday of the month. Easy going music on the weekends.

4) Sandwich Shanty - Weekday lunch downtown. Shrimp Poboys to wraps.

5) El Vaquero’s - On the north side of J.R. Allen Pkwy. just off Veterans Pkwy - Best Mexican fare on the planet - Great food and fast service. Margarita night is on Wednesday. See you there! Read the rest

These are some fun things to do with your family around the Columbus Area.

Callaway Gardens - a 13,000 acre resort is my top pick. We go year round for the tours of the gardens, walking trails, bike trails,(17 miles of trails)  swimming, and the high flying circus in the summer. Additionally Callaway hosts several top events like the Masters Ski Tournament, Hot Air Balloon Festival, 4th of July celebration, and Fantasy in lights. You can get a year round car pass for you and 6 friends for $100. Best Value in the area.

Coca Cola Space Science Center - Laser light shows and simulated space missions. 701 Front Ave. Columbus Ga 31901 706-649-1470 Read the rest