Many people consider Downtown Savannah the most beautiful downtown in the country - and Jones street the most beautiful street in that most beautiful downtown. It is unchanged in 170 years with stunning brick architecture, brick roads and beautiful streets lined with southern live oaks that drape the sidewalks and cool the blocks. There really is nothing like it and this area alone is worth the trip and an anchor for a city beloved by locals.

**Here's a local with some pros on living in Savannah:**
*-It doesn't feel like a major city so much as a very large small town. no skyscrapers*
*-Very walkable if you don't have any mobility issues*
*-Streets are on a grid which makes navigating on foot easy*
*-Downtown is absolutely as beautiful as it looks in the photos*
*-Getting drunk walking around downtown IS pretty fun*

For more reviews of what living in Savannah is like from locals check out: [**The Buzz**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/savannah?page=buzz)

Historic District / Jones Street

The Best Thing about Savannah?

Savannah has two prolific bugs. Sand gnats (very small biting flies) that can drive people crazy, and Palmetto bugs (big cockroaches with a more pleasant name). If you don’t mind bugs then never fear. If you hate them then you are suitably warned.

**Here are some thoughts from a born and raised local about the bugs here:** 
*What we call Cockroaches (others call them Palmetto Bugs) are in the cleanest and neatest of homes. Having a monthly exterminator come spray keeps them at bay for the most part.
Lots of talk about gnats and mosquitoes that I agree with, but another bug I didn't notice was mentioned are Fire Ants. They are one of those species that weren't around when I was a kid, but found a home in the South*


Bugs

The Worst Thing about Savannah 

Savannah has a reputation for extreme friendliness mixed with a dose of peculiarity. That was well represented in the book and movie, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. The southern charm overflows here and the restaurant scene, bars and general culture are ripe with that welcoming vibe. The city is an interesting mix of heavy tourism downtown and family-focused neighborhoods surrounding that booming center. 

One downside to the city is considered to be the lack of higher-end white collar jobs. Not unusual for heavy tourist-trade smaller cities, but something to consider nonetheless. Moving here without a gig is ok if you’re looking for service jobs but rougher for building a career. The lack of big business in the area suppresses the job opportunities. 

If you want to see how Savannah plays and gets culture check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitsavannah.com/events

Lifestyle / Worklife of Savannah 

If you can work remotely and want to live in the city many consider to be the most beautiful in the country (and considerably less expensive than those other popular northern/western cities) then put Savannah on your shortlist.


The Most Beautiful City In The Country

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Savannah can be tricky for young professionals as the more obvious downtown areas that would be populated by renters in other cities are instead filled with the original beautiful homes from nearly 200 years ago. That means you're going to be in third-floor walkups in older converted buildings or carriage house apartments. There are new apartment/condos that have gone up in more recent years on the edges of downtown so keep your eye out. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Historic District

The Victorian District is a neighborhood on the rise that draws singles and young couples (along with smaller families and retirees) attracted to the older homes and interested in preservation/renovation of those not yet fixed up. It’s a beautiful part of downtown that is unique from the more touristy areas and so is less frenetic when the youngsters are ready to get a bit more quiet but not yet bail to the suburbs. 
- Victorian District
- Starland/Thomas Square Streetcar District


DINKs/SINKs

Victorian District

Savannah has plenty of stunning neighborhoods for families, and more downtown than most cities of even bigger sizes. The Historic District is certainly one of these although the homes are harder to come by. There are areas of the Historic District that have smaller, still beautiful, but more affordable homes including, Parkside District and Starland District. Parkside is more affordable than the center of the Historic District and it is near Daffin Park, which has a swimming pool, basketball courts and playgrounds so kiddos of all ages can recreate. 

West Chatham is another great option that is a more traditional neighborhood. It has one of the best golf courses in the entire state and there are luxurious and more reasonably priced homes in the area to serve those looking to live fabulously and those on a more modest budget. 
- Parkside District
- Starland District
- West Chatham
- Dutch Island
- Ardsley Park 


Families

Parkside District

Savannah

**What is it like to live in Savannah, GA?**

2 yrs
I think I have answered this and some other posts but it is a pleasure to do it again! Life in Savannah is awesome! From gorgeous weather year-round including the winter to the most beautiful downtown area I've ever been to, fabulous restaurants, genuinely nice warm people, and always some kind of a festival going on. If there is a downside it is that there's not a lot of high level executive employment opportunities here. Definitely a lot of mid-level positions. Property are lower than many cities especially in the northeast or out west. I think housing is very affordable and cost of utilities here is blow, especially electric compared to many areas. If you are a high-end shopper, you may not be happy with what Savannah offers although we do have a few killer boutiques. If you are a concert-goer, you may find yourself traveling to Atlanta which is 4 hours away, or Jacksonville and Charleston which are 2 hours away.Hopefully that gives you a good snapshot of life in Savannah!

**Pros and cons of living in Savannah?**

2 yr. ago
From personal experience: sure there's a lot of crime here, but you get that in every city. I've personally never felt unsafe. I live in the Thomas Square neighborhood, which is on the edge of the Starland District and a short walk to a DOT ride from downtown (the DOT is a free shuttle service). Sounds to me like you might enjoy living somewhere near Starland District, too. It's outside of the tourist hub of downtown, but with great shops and bars and restaurants (or at least before the coronavirus...hoping these businesses survive). It seems pretty family-friendly, too. Henny Penny is a cute little cafe that has crafts for kids and devotes much of its seating space for that. Also Starland Yard is a lot of fun for families, too. Whenever I go there's always parents and kids there, and it's great. I can't speak to all of your questions, hopefully someone else can chime in. Anyway, hope that helps somewhat!

**Pros and cons of living in Savannah?**

2 yr. ago
Hilton Head resident, daily Savannah commuter here. I live 35 mi/1 hr away, but work a 9 to 5 in midtown Savannah and have spent a lot of time researching Savannah as a place to live just in case.

-I would not personally live in a suburb of Savannah, unless you consider going into South Carolina to Bluffton or Hilton Head. But that would mean you're living somewhere that's not like Savannah at all. And the reality is that we come over for the occasional Saturday afternoon but we don't get to Savannah as a family nearly as much as we'd like. We can discuss further via DM if you'd like to travel further down that path.

-Your list of criteria is very similar to mine (44, married, 2 kids, 1 and 5, moved to the area from a very hip, urban, gentrifying neighborhood in a major metro and miss a LOT of what that offered). And Ardsley Park seems to be the 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for us. It is not inexpensive by Savannah standards, but the home prices seem very appropriate for what you get. (In a market like Atlanta or quite possibly where you are in SoFla, you're probably paying 30-40% more for similar real estate.) If you can afford it, it checks every box.

-Gordonston is probably the next option if you want to stay in Savannah. I'm not sure what the schools are like over there.

-After that, I would start moving out towards the islands. I know many people who are quite happy on Whitemarsh and Wilmington. But, as with Bluffton and Hilton Head, you are definitely getting a significantly different, decidedly non-Brooklyn vibe out there. Others in this sub would be able to speak more intelligently on that.

-Savannah seems like a very cool city. It is incredibly beautiful in the historic center and seems very welcoming. There is art and culture and tolerance here. You are close to lots of *beaches and coastline and salt marshes and all the activities and cuisine associated with such a landscape. But...

-...not much *happens* in this area. Don't expect many touring acts coming through, no sports other than the minor league baseball team (who sell out literally every single home game), etc. For example, the Savannah Music Festival is actually a 2-month or so string of individual (and awesome!) concerts in the spring, and then the calendar the rest of the year is pretty sparse. You're looking at Jacksonville or Atlanta for most of that stuff. But...

-...if you're just looking for a small town where you'll be content to take family walks/bike rides (very flat, bicycle-friendly town) to a park, have tons of good **dining (and drinking) options, people are friendly, there is history, beautiful architecture, natural beauty, you can actually afford to live comfortably here, you don't mind a little bit of city dirt getting on your shoes or busting through your passenger window every once in blue moon, occasional farmers markets in the park or ethnic food festivals or more intimate concerts and shows, with a short drive to the beach... I mean, I think it really is that kind of town.

-Oh, jobs. There aren't many good ones for professionals.

-Weather is normally a thing to discuss, but maybe not if you're coming from south Florida. Suffice it to say it's also very hot and humid here most of the year.

*Tybee Island. Definitely do some additional research on that. See if you can determine for yourself if it sounds like a beach/beach town you'd take advantage of on a regular basis. I again must defer to true locals, but it seems like a place that is a massive amenity for some locals and just another place that other locals never seem to get to as much as they'd like.

**I LOVE the bar and restaurant scene here. It doesn't have as many fine/progressive dining options as where I used to live, but it's MUCH easier to find affordable, family-friendly places where the food is actually pretty good. And the only ethnic option we haven't been able to find yet is Ethiopian.

Sorry. For whatever reason, I always get on one with threads like this.

**Pros and cons of living in Savannah?**

2 yr. ago
I wouldn't look to Savannah as a growth opportunity if that's where you are in life. You can find jobs, but careers are few and far between. Someone will undoubtedly chime in here with Hospitals/JCB/Gulfstream talk which demonstrates "few" in my statement.

Making friends in your 20 & 30's is pretty easy, but brain drain is a real thing and people tend to leave when they want career growth.

With all of that said, it's a wonderful place. As far as crime, just be smart. Weather is great with the exception of maybe 2 months a year when the heat is abusive but you're from South Florida so it would be a welcomed change.




Savannah, Georgia