Considering Moving to Savannah and Would Like to Know About the School Districts (home, university)

[pink caddy]

With all the sun I have this year so far that would exclude me. Oh, well.

[wamberlo]

Originally Posted by bellhead

When you mean walk able are you talking about being able to walk to stores, restaurants, bars? or just walk to exercise?

Also Condo or house?

bellhead,

To me, walking means exercise. I would prefer a house and if that is over my budget, a condo or a town house would be fine!

[Newsboy]

You should have no problem findings homes in your price range on Wilmington Island.

[wamberlo]

Thank you, Newsboy.

What about the risk of hurricanes in the area of Wilmington Island? It is closer to the coast than, say, midtown Savannah.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by wamberlo

Thank you, Newsboy.

What about the risk of hurricanes in the area of Wilmington Island? It is closer to the coast than, say, midtown Savannah.

The Georgia coast hasn't received a direct hit from a hurricane in over 100 years. Because of our distance from the Gulf Stream, the Georgia coast has a very low hurricane risk. Even so, the risk factor between being on the islands or intown is negligible because winds do the most damage and the whole county is in a flood zone.

[bellhead]

Also what do you like to do in your free time...

If you are a home body I would look at Pooler out beyond 95, as you get a lot more for you money...

If you don't have to work then why Georgia and not Florida with the no income tax?

[Mominflipflops]

Originally Posted by masonbauknight

The best Chatham County (Savannah) public schools are still better than the best Effingham County (Rincon, Guyton) or Bryan County (Richmond Hill) public schools. All the schools in Effingham, Bryan, and Beaufort County SC are mediocre at best. The public schools in Chatham need improvement, but the possibilities are better. If your kid can get into the best public schools in Savannah-Chatham (like Savannah Arts Academy, an elite public high school with an entrance exam) or some of the other specialized (science, careers, etc.) public schools, Savannah-Chatham is still better.

We too are seriously considering a move to Savannah from an area with fabulous public schools. We are looking primarily in Ardsley Park and would like to send our kids (6 and 11) to school there. I cannot seem to figure out if it is going to be impossible to get my kids into the public schools like Ellis or Garrison. Strong middle schools seem to be the biggest challenge! Are there waiting lists to get into these schools? How does the district work?

I aplogize if I am hijacking the thread..I am trying to get as much information ahead of time as this move was unexpected.

[wamberlo]

Thank you for all the useful information. It is a big help with my ongoing analysis!

Florida has a high hurricane risk and I imagine that living in Florida is more expensive.

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by wamberlo

Thank you for all the useful information. It is a big help with my ongoing analysis!

Florida has a high hurricane risk and I imagine that living in Florida is more expensive.

In a lot of ways it isn't more expensive and the hurricane threat is overrated. Also the beaches are better and the no income tax is a big deal. I would just search areas along the coast...

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by Mominflipflops

We too are seriously considering a move to Savannah from an area with fabulous public schools. We are looking primarily in Ardsley Park and would like to send our kids (6 and 11) to school there. I cannot seem to figure out if it is going to be impossible to get my kids into the public schools like Ellis or Garrison. Strong middle schools seem to be the biggest challenge! Are there waiting lists to get into these schools? How does the district work?

I aplogize if I am hijacking the thread..I am trying to get as much information ahead of time as this move was unexpected.

A lot of the magnet schools are hard to get into as there are more kids than spots. Garrison is the arts school and Ellis is in their own world as a Montessori school, your 6 year may be able to get in there, but the 11 year old is too old unless he has the Montessori school background. The goal would be to get them into Savannah Arts which is the #1 high school in Georgia, even if they have to go private for a couple of years.

We got lucky our daughter was accepted into the honors program at DeRenne Middle school which is a school within a school. There were 2 honors classes and they attended some classes with the regular kids but the majority of the time they were on their own. After Middle school she went to Savannah Arts and now on to Emory.