Savannah, Georgia - What do you know about it?

[nylons73]

Hoping someone can give me some info ~

Since I am married to a Marine, the military has the right to move us anytime. DH also has the chance to request an assignment before we are just 'moved' anywhere, and because he has 14 years in, he has a good chance of going 'somewhere' he would like to.

Anyways, today's news involves a possible move to Savannah, Georgia in the new year. I've never been there but I have heard it's beautiful!

Anybody know anything about Savannah?

Thanks in advance!! :D

[Jaycee]

Nayla, I've never been there either but have heard only great things about it and that is is absolutly beautiful!!

[tbell]

I've been a few times. It's gorgeous in a old-fashioned kind of way. You should check out: www.savannah-visit.com or www.ci.savannah.ga.us for some things to do or facts about the city.

Have you ever read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? Since it takes place in Savannah, it's fun to see all the landmarks mentioned in the book.

[Mrs. M.]

I lived there for 1.5 years.

I personally thought it was a great place to visit, but did not enjoy living there. It might have changed though, I left 6 years ago.

It was kind-of out of the way. We used to say Savannah is at the end of a road, because there is no major city nearby.

We found the combination odd, but interesting... we are still telling stories from when we lived there: Savannah has a huge army base, an art school and it's in the deep south, many very different people put together in a small town! You might see the pained art student (blue hair, etc...), the army ranger, and the redneck with a gunrack in his car all at the same time.

I found there to be a lot of racism - from both sides.

I could not stand the hot weather, it can get very muggy and oppresing, especially in the summer.

Mh. Trying to think of what else to write...

[ManteoChik]

It's a really nice place if you want a nice, quiet, relaxing time. It's Georgia's first city. It's a beautiful place and does have quite a bit to do. A good website with tons of info is: www.savannah-visit.com It can tell you places to stay, where to eat, what to do, and pretty much anything else you need to know. As for necessities....Savannah has everything anywhere else would such as a Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and other stores, they do have a mall and other shopping isn't too far away. However, it is about 3 hours away from Atlanta and the "Big City". I guess it all depends on how much you like being near a city. I was born and raised on the Outer Banks, NC and our closest mall in 1 1/2 hours into VA, or 4 hours to Raleigh (our nearest city) - I've never really had a problem with it because everything we need is right there and anytime we want to go to a mall we make it an all day trip.

[Mrs. M.]

It is quiet and relaxing. Everything moves just a bit slower down there.

The historic district is beautiful, with mansions straight out of "Gone with the wind".

It has everything when it comes to stores, including 2 malls, Target, Pier1, etc...

There is a beach about 30 minutes away, but the water isn't great because Savannah has a big port. Still nice to hang out at the beach, though.

It has a big paper mill, and the town can get smelly because of that sometimes.

It will flood during hurricane season, so do not get an apartment on the ground floor (2 friends of ours got flooded).

[apoppy]

Many people have mentioned the historic character of Savannah. There is good reason for this. The residents in Savannah were among the first in the country to really concentrate on preserving the historic neighborhoods of the city (rather than just the odd historic mansion, or house of an important dead white man), and it is a model for historic preservationists today. So, living there could be cool if you are into that type of thing.

That is if you don't mind the oppressive heat & humidity!

[nylons73]

Thanks to all who replied! I loved looking at the websites and your information has me more excited than I was a few days ago. It sounds like a really beautiful and interesting place to live.

Note to self - Must re-read 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil!' heh heh

As far as the heat and humidity goes, me thinks it will be a bit better or on par with where we live now (florida) so I'll probably think it's refreshing! ;)

Thanks again to all of you who posted insights, opinions and websites! I have a lot of research to do! :)

[Quartercentury]

My sister was one of those art students Mrs M mentioned. Although I don't think she ever dyed her hair blue. Did come away with a number of new piercings, though...

From the few times I visited her there, my impressions were of a lovely historic but gentrified city. Very noticable racial segregation. Surprisingly sophisticated for being a small southern town (in terms of restaurants, bars, museums, etc.).

[KrissyCat7]

I love Savannah...I love visiting there. If I could afford to live right in the historic distric, I would move there in a heartbeat. However, I wasnt really impressed with the surrounding areas.

[Quartercentury]

I love Savannah...I love visiting there. If I could afford to live right in the historic distric, I would move there in a heartbeat. However, I wasnt really impressed with the surrounding areas.
Yes, that's exactly what I felt/mean by gentrification and segregation!

The middle of the city is full of lovingly restored old homes. It's amazing and gorgeous. But as you move away from the historic center, you find those some old homes literally tumbling down. And brown people living in them, whereas the nice houses/converted apartments in the center are mostly occupied by white people.

My sister lived in a neighborhood where some of the houses were in really good shape, because they'd been fixed up and then rented out to art students, but other houses were painfully in need of structural attention and some paint.

[Larissa]

They have a HUGE St. Patrick's Day party :D

I've been there a few times. It's really fun to visit with all the old homes and walking tours. I was much younger when I was there so I can't tell you much else.

[Blondeinabmw]

I've spent a lot of time in Savannah recently (LONG STORY - relative in the hospital there). Prior to these most recent visits, I had only been there for class trips and weekend vacations, spending all my time in the Historic District - which is lovely - or at the beach.

Now, as an adult and visiting under the circumstances that require me to be there for extended periods, it is VERY apparent, as others have mentioned, that Savannah consists mostly of HAVES and HAVE-NOTS. There does not seem to be any middle class, unlike other cities on the Southeastern coast and throughout Georgia. Aside from the economic gap, education level among everyone you encounter strikes me as a huge difference.

I have spent some time in the neighborhoods near Waters and Abercorn Avenues and driven down the streets numbered in the 60's blocks. The homes are modest brick ranches that seem well maintained. No idea of pricing, but it strikes me as a decent place to live.

I have also noticed Savannah seems to have a larger-than-usual homosexual population - and this is coming from an Atlantan! The community appears very accepting of "alternative" lifestyles. I suspect this influences the community leadership very heavily, so if you're a conservative republican, it may be challenging to immerse yourself in a community with more diverse populous. Likewise, if lean toward more liberal views, it might be your utopia!

[Mrs. M.]

Another thing I remembered...

A lot of people in Savannah are VERY religious, and "in your face" about it.

I worked at a hotel there and people would show up late for work on Sundays, and there was always church on the radio in the cafeteria. A lot of bibles were carried around. Once, I even overheard a women in the restroom say "thank you lord" after going to the toilet :eek:

So, if you are religious, it won't be hard to find a like-minded group. If you are not religious, it might make you a bit of an outsider, as in "what, you dont go to church!?!?"