Possibly leaving Greenville for Savannah, GA--Help (Charleston, Hilton Head Island: rent, insurance, crime)

[That-Guy-901]

I have recently received a job offer down in Savannah, but now I am perplexed on whether or not to move away from Greenville, SC where I have grown up all my life. I like Greenville, and I don't know that much about Savannah--

Anyone here that has made that same move--how do the two cities compare?
Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

[Akhenaton06]

Savannah is basically Georgia's answer to Charleston. If you're familiar with Charleston, then you've got a pretty good idea of what Savannah is like.

[gsupstate]

If you've grown up in Greenville, then you are used to cooler evenings, multiple days of lower humidity and few bugs. Savannah, while a beautiful city, will be much warmer and the mosquitos and bugs during spring and summer can get nasty. (Outdoor seating areas at restaurants offer cans of "Off" on the tables).

Savannah is more "Old South" than Greenville.

Savannah is much more tourist oriented.

Greenville is much more of a business center.

[Greenville]

I recently visited Savannah, and was mostly unimpressed. It is quaint and historic, and as gsupstate said it is much more "Old South" than Greenville. I think it makes for an interesting weekend trip, but I could not imagine living there.

Aside from being a much smaller metro than Greenville, Savannah feels like a town that relies almost exclusively on tourists. Although I am unaware of the business scene in Savannah, I have to wonder what the city plans to do in order to continue to not only sustain itself but to progress and grow.

As Akhenaton06 stated, it is very similar to Charleston. If you want a smaller version of Charleston, access to the coast, and a city with no open container laws - Savannah is your answer.

[karoga]

We relocated to Anderson from GA & still have family in Savannah area. Downtown Savannah is a nice place to visit. As for living there...no way. Crime is very high per capita, traffic is terrible and housing costs are out of line for what you get. The outskirts are getting just as bad. Definately "Old South" and not necessarily in a good sense. Unless you head towards Guyton (which is growing like crazy but are having serious property tax increases) the other areas have very little to offer. We lived SW of Hinesville & there is NOTHING out that way. Good luck

[South Carolina Guy]

Originally Posted by That-Guy-901

I have recently received a job offer down in Savannah, but now I am perplexed on whether or not to move away from Greenville, SC where I have grown up all my life. I like Greenville, and I don't know that much about Savannah--

Anyone here that has made that same move--how do the two cities compare?
Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

I lived in Savannah for many years. Then Hilton Head Island. In 2002 we moved to Simpsonville. I LOVE the Upstate and would never move back... UNLESS.. the job offer was too good to pass up. You might consider taking the job, putting in your time, and then moving on.

I would not want to move back but I'm glad I experienced it.

Be aware that if you plan to buy a house, coastal insurance has gotten WAY expensive. And that's if you can get coverage. I suggest you rent if you go until you decide if you like it enough to stay 3 years or more.

[NoodlesKnowles]

honestly I hear savannah is awesome but hot as hell, never visited there myself, but I plan to very soo,n i'll let ya kow hen I do

[Whippet]

I live in Bluffton which is halfway between Hilton Head and Savannah. I have to pretty much concur with what has been written here. It's beautiful and somewhat artsy/historic. I think Savannah will continue to be a relatively hot destination, but bear in mind that if you don't really care much for the beaches, boating and golf this might not be the place for you. Shopping exists, but it's limited. Entertainment is pretty much reserved to the aforementioned activities. There is a ton of growth and I think the future is still bright for this area as they try to diversify --- but down here it takes time! They don't call this the slowcountry for no reason.

Onto the bug issue. There are often periods where the bugs are minimal, but there are periods when you run the risk of getting eaten alive. It isn't just the mosquitos either ... you have to deal with sand gnats, chiggers, etc.

Regarding the heat, it isn't quite as bad as some people make it out to be. However, take note that July and August can be rather brutal --- not because of the heat because the thermometer rarely gets over 95, but down here they think that 60% humidity is DRY and during the summer it doesn't seem to go under 75-80. The nights are sultry and often times the temps don't get under 80 until very late night. The rest of the time it's fantastic and the winter days often times get into the low 60's. In my 3 years down here I never saw a day not hit at least 40. The nights rarely go below 30.

Don't get me wrong, this is definitely the place for some people! If the job is that good, as someone already suggested, go to Savannah and experience what the "old south" really has to offer --- and no, not all the "old south" aspects of this area are bad! If there are two truly "southern cities" in the US, to me they're Charleston and Savannah.