TLDR: For most military families PCSing to Fort Gordon (also known as Fort Eisenhower until its renaming in 2025), Grovetown is the default choice: it’s closest to the post, has newer construction, and inventory moves fast. Evans is the upgrade option for families with longer assignments who want top-tier schools and strong resale value. Martinez is the middle ground, with older housing stock, lower prices, and a shorter commute than Evans. Which one is right depends on your timeline, budget, and how long you plan to stay.
Getting PCS orders to Fort Gordon and trying to pick a neighborhood from 1,000 miles away is its own kind of stressful. The 3 neighborhoods military families ask about most are Grovetown, Evans, and Martinez, and they’re genuinely different in ways that matter when you’re working with a tight timeline and a VA loan.
This breakdown covers what each area actually looks like for military families: commute time, schools, price range, housing inventory, and the honest tradeoffs nobody puts in the glossy relocation guides.
What To Know Before You Pick A Neighborhood
A few things shape this decision more than anything else:
- How long is your assignment? A 2-year tour changes the math compared to a 3-4 year assignment.
- Are you buying or renting? VA loan buyers have more flexibility on price but less inventory in some areas.
- Do you have school-age kids? Columbia County schools are strong across the board, but there are differences worth knowing.
- What’s your commute tolerance? Fort Gordon’s main gate sits on Gordon Highway. Every minute you add to the commute is a minute that matters when you have PT at 0530.
Grovetown: The Go-To For Military Families
Grovetown is the most popular choice for military families relocating to Fort Gordon, and the reasons are straightforward. It sits just outside the Chamberlain Road gate, which means commutes run 5 to 10 minutes to post, depending on where you live. Most of the housing stock is newer construction built within the last 15 years, so you’re less likely to run into deferred maintenance issues that can slow down a VA appraisal. Homes in popular Grovetown subdivisions routinely go under contract within 3 to 5 days of hitting the market, so timing matters.
The Case For Grovetown
- Closest neighborhood to Fort Gordon’s gates, 5 to 10 minutes to post
- Newer homes built after 2010 rarely trigger VA Minimum Property Requirements flags, which keeps closings on track
- Strong Columbia County school zones, including Grovetown High School and Evans High School districts
- More inventory than Martinez, more entry-level pricing than Evans
- Active military family community, easier to find neighbors who understand the lifestyle
The Honest Tradeoffs
- Inventory moves fast. Be ready to make decisions in days, not weeks.
- Less established than Evans. Newer doesn’t always mean better if you want mature trees and settled neighborhoods.
- Median home prices range from roughly $250,000 to $290,000 for newer construction, which is competitive but can stretch a lower VA loan entitlement.
Bottom line: If you’re doing a short-to-mid assignment, buying with a VA loan, and want the easiest commute, Grovetown is the right call for most families. Just be ready to move quickly when a listing hits.
Explore Grovetown neighborhoods and current listings at peterlarsonhomes.com/guide/grovetown.
Evans: The Upgrade Option
Evans is a step up in price, school performance, and resale value. It’s the neighborhood for families who know they’re staying 3 or more years and want to build real equity during the assignment. Columbia County School District ranks consistently among Georgia’s top 5 school districts by state performance data, and Evans High School and Lakeside High School zones sit at the top of that district. The tradeoff is a longer commute and tighter inventory at the lower end of the price range.
The Case For Evans
- Evans High School and Lakeside High School zones rank among the highest-performing schools in Columbia County, which is itself a top-5 Georgia school district.
- Well-established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and strong resale history
- Higher median home values mean better equity growth for buyers on longer assignments.
- Evans Town Center offers walkable dining, seasonal events, and community amenities.
- Slightly quieter and more suburban in character than Grovetown’s newer developments
The Honest Tradeoffs
- Longer commute to Fort Gordon, typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and which part of Evans you’re in
- Higher price point. Expect $300,000 and up for most move-in-ready homes.
- Inventory at the lower end of the Evans market is limited. Families on a tighter VA loan budget may find fewer options.
Bottom line: Evans makes the most sense for families with a 3-plus year assignment who are serious about building equity and have a budget that clears $300,000. The schools and resale value justify the premium if the timeline is there.
See what’s available in Evans at peterlarsonhomes.com/guide/evans.
Martinez: The Middle Ground
Martinez doesn’t get talked about as much as Grovetown or Evans, but it consistently delivers solid value for military families who want more space for less money and don’t mind older housing stock. It sits between Augusta and Evans along the Washington Road corridor, so commutes to Fort Gordon run 15 to 25 minutes without going all the way out to Grovetown. Inventory moves a bit slower here than in Grovetown, which means buyers typically have more time to evaluate a home before deciding.
The Case For Martinez
- More affordable than Evans, typically $220,000 to $280,000 for established homes with solid square footage
- Shorter commute than Evans, typically 15 to 25 minutes to Fort Gordon
- Columbia County schools, the same top-rated district as Grovetown and Evans
- Larger lots and more mature neighborhoods than the newer Grovetown subdivisions
- Less competition than Grovetown means buyers have more breathing room
The Honest Tradeoffs
- Older housing stock, mostly homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, means more potential for VA Minimum Property Requirements issues. Budget extra time for the appraisal process.
- Less of a military family concentration than Grovetown. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if community connection matters.
- Fewer new construction options. What you see is mostly what you get.
Bottom line: Martinez is underrated for military families on a budget who want established neighborhoods and a reasonable commute without paying Evans prices. Just factor in extra appraisal time on older homes.
Explore Martinez listings and neighborhood details at peterlarsonhomes.com/guide/martinez.
Quick Comparison: Fort Gordon PCS Housing At A Glance
How To Decide Before You Ever Visit Augusta
Most military families buying near Fort Gordon make an offer before they’ve set foot in Augusta. That’s not unusual, and it’s completely doable with the right support.
The process starts with a VA pre-approval so you know your real budget. From there, it comes down to being specific about your priorities: commute time, school zone, price ceiling, and how long you expect to be stationed here. Once those are clear, the right neighborhood usually becomes obvious.
Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and remote closings are standard for military buyers. If you can’t visit in person before your report date, that doesn’t have to slow anything down.
Peter Larson has been a licensed REALTOR in Georgia and South Carolina since 2016, specializing in Fort Gordon military relocation. His wife is active duty in the Army, which means he understands what a PCS timeline looks like from the inside, not just as a transaction. He has helped military families close on Fort Gordon homes remotely, including buyers who made offers without ever visiting the property in person.
For a full overview of the military relocation process in Augusta, including VA loan guidance and a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect, visit the military relocation page at peterlarsonhomes.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready To Start Your Fort Gordon Home Search?
Whether you have PCS orders in hand or you’re in early planning mode, starting the conversation now makes the process easier when your report date gets close. Peter Larson specializes in military relocation to Fort Gordon, works regularly with VA loan buyers, and has helped military families close remotely when visiting wasn’t an option.
Call or text Peter at (706) 993-0414, or visit peterlarsonhomes.com/military-relocation to learn more about how the process works for military families.
Peter Larson is a licensed REALTOR in Georgia and South Carolina with Summer House Realty, specializing in military relocation to Fort Gordon and the greater Augusta, GA area.