Safest Areas (Atlanta, Savannah, Richmond Hill: violent crime, how much, new home)

[Mr_D]

Hi, I am currently looking at a job related move to Savannah. I am very concerned about safety for my family in looking for a new home.

Having read through these forums I can see that crime is a problem in Savannah but it is hard for me to tell if is contained to central/downtown Savannah or if the surrounding areas are bad as well?

Can someone tell me what are considered the safest areas?

Which are considered the most affluent neighborhoods and if they are safe?

Are there gated communities?

We are moving from a very safe town with little to no crime and would like to keep it that way.

Thanks.

[scubashawn]

Anywhere on the Islands are safe, as is Richmond Hill and most of Pooler.

[bgnzsavnh]

Are there gated communities?
The Landings and Modena on Skidaway Island
Modena Island Drive being tops...........

[Padgett2]

Lots of gated communities. Lots of affluent areas. Lots of safe areas. Your best bet is to come visit, look around and decide how much driving you want to do. It could be that living near some co-workers would appeal to you.

Savannah is a medium sized city. But it is spread out. No place is 100% totally crime free, but there are many areas where it is a very seldom occurance. My family moved here in 1927. And to this day, I don't know of any members that have ever had anything of a criminal nature happen to them.

[ayannaaaliyah]

Before I moved the Islands were safe, it's been 2 years, I can't imagine much has changed since then. Good luck

[Mr_D]

Thanks for the replies, I will be visiting Savannah in the next couple of weeks and will explore the Islands.

What about cars? Would driving a nice car (BMW, Porsche etc.) be asking for a car-jacking or car-theft once you've left the security of a gated community?

[Padgett2]

Oh, Good Grief!! Guess what!!! lots of people in Savannah drive BMWs and Porsches. There are even people who drive a Jag or a Lexus and or even a Lotus. We even have sidewalks and indoor plumbing too.

This isn't the back side of nowhere. Rich people live here. They have for generations. They even manage to survive living in areas that aren't gated.

Yes, we have crime. Most cities with a ghetto type area do. If your business is one that would take you in that sort of area, then, yes, you may have a problem.

[Mr_D]

Sorry if I come across as being overly cautious and naive, but when your only insight into Savannah is through this forum and Google searches, crime seems to be a big topic of life in Savannah. You have to admit the crime statistics are unsettling for such a small city...

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You have to understand that I've lived in countries with less murder rates for the whole country!

I am only trying to guage if it is as bad as I have read. I really hope it is not because I am really looking forward to move to such a beautiful and historic city.

[Padgett2]

I understand how you feel when you read statistics from 2003 that aren't broken down into WHERE those crimes occur. Once a week, the paper publishes a full page map marking every incident in every area. In some areas, the little markings cannot be distingused from one another. Most of the entire Savannah metropoliton area will have zero markings. And to be very ugly about it.....a lot of it is black on black crime. Drugs, drunks, jealous boy/girl friends, and stupid teens trying to prove their manhood.

It's entirely possible to live and work your entire life in Savannah and never even go into those areas where crime is a problem.

It would be a shame to move here and be so worried that you can't enjoy yourself. I have a feeling that the south is going to be a big cultural shock to you. SOME areas will be just like living and working in SOME areas of New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, or Detroit.

[Cattknap]

Do not let any one fool you - crime is completely out of control in Savannah - please start reading the local newspaper and keeping up on what is going on there. We have found that people in the south generally will not admit to there being a crime problem even when it is staring them in the face.

Below is an article that appeared only a few days ago in the local paper - notice the jump in violent crime of 22% over last year.

It is ludicrous to think that poor, violent minorities stay only in the bad part of town to commit their rapes, car thefts, robberies and murders. Here is the article:

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