Relocating due to job -Medical,housing etc.. advice needed (Savannah: short sale, apartments)

[MfromKent]

Hi Everyone,
I have read many posts & I am left confused on whether or not we should relocate from Kent, Ohio to Savannah.
I am hoping someone can help me make a decision by answering some questions.
My husband & I are from Kent Ohio (a small true college town); we have a very low crime rate & we are close to big cities (Akron & Cleveland) - but far enough removed to still have a small town feel. Though it does become cramped when the college students return in the fall.
We have a rental property & own a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house w/ an in ground pool. Located in a nice suburb of families - we love our neighbors!!
We do not have children - maybe some day we will, but we do own a cat.
I am most concerned about crime, health care, housing prices & Higher education.
I do have relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis & I am wondering about good health care - as I will need to find a neurologist & possibly an MS clinic.
I will admit that a high crime rate scares me & I am hoping to hear that some of the reports on this board are a bit over exaggerated? I would really like to live in a safe area - but I do not need a gated community - probably because I've never lived in one.
I paid 135,000 for my current house (of which I did get through a short sale) - the houses in the area are usually 160,000 - what does this price range get me in Savannah?
I am also concerned w/ higher education, as SCAD does not offer anything I could enroll for. Both my husband and I would eventually like to get our Doctoral degrees (Mine would be in English Literature, my husband's in Business) - are there any options for us?
I am very unfamiliar w/ Savannah & have no clue of what to think after reading the boards - just hoping for some advice - as this is a huge decision for us. We are in our middle 30's & hope that this will be our last move.
We will rent at first, just to get a feel for things - Are there houses available for rent - or are apt., condo's the way to go? Any area's to live in is appreciated.
Oh - my brother & sister-in-law live in Marietta - so it would be nice to live semi close to them (as I understand it, it's about 4 hours away); & I can tell you I will not miss the snow in Ohio.
Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, on or off the board

[Padgett2]

there are three other universities in Savannah. Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah State University and South University. Georgia Southern University is just a short distance away at Statesboro. I don't think you would have any problem getting what you want. SCAD would not be the school you want for those degrees.

Our hospitals are teaching hospitals connected with the Medical College of Georgia and Mercer Medical School. We have one large Neurological Group and several smaller ones.

At the present time, prices are falling, so it would be hard to say what you could get for that price. However, renting first is wise. You should, with a little luck, find what you need if you take time to shop around. Location is a big factor in pricing.

[MfromKent]

Thanks Padgett2:
We have about 2 days to accept the job, therefore deciding to move.
I have tried to research what I can, but its hard being so far away.
My husband visited Savannah a couple of weeks ago, and he really thought it was beautiful; but it was not enough time to get a real idea of the city.
Thank-you for the medical info; I am a lucky MS person. I am not sick, nor have I ever been - but I do need to have a neurologist as a "just in case".
I did not mean to ask what I could get housing wise for $160,00; what I meant to ask was that I would like to eventually get a 3 bedroom house in a nice/safe area w/ great "chatty" neighbors. I like to talk!!! I have been told that housing costs are abut 32% higher in Savannah than in Kent.

Academics are important to us - as that is the field we both work in; so I will be giving up my job (& the doctoral program I was starting) to move. I am concerned about finding employment & being able to further & finish my education.
I will be periodically checking & rechecking this board for info - so an early thank-you to everyone who posts!

[Robin Rogers]

Armstrong College website is armstrong.edu.
I believe the St. Joseph Hospital in Savannah has a MS clinic.

[ellie]

I'm not sure there are a whole lot of options for your doctoral degree here. Georgia Southern would be your best bet.

You can probably find something in your price range, but definitely rent first because less expensive homes are not always in the best areas. There are plenty of places for rent, single family homes, condos, and apartments. You'll probably be saving money by renting right now since purchase prices are still in flux and have not settled.

You have a tough decision ahead of you and I'm not sure what advice to give. Good luck.

[Augusta_native]

Georgia Southern is growing by leaps and bounds when it comes to doctoral degrees, but, as of yet, they don't offer either of the ones you or your husband would be interested in. All they have is the Ed.D, doctor of public health, psy.d (clinical psychology doctorate), and doctor of nursing. Of the public universities in GA, your best bets for Ph.D's would be either UGA or GA State. Outside of that, I know Kennesaw has the Doctor of Business Administration, if your husband would like to go that route.

[gapowermike]

Housing prices in Savannah are a bit higher than your price range for the things that are important to you IMO. Statesboro, however, is a fine community and Georgia Southern is growing every year. You didn't say that you'd be pursuing the degrees immediately so I'm not sure how big a concern it is for you. Statesboro is smaller than Savannah, cheaper than Savannah and you'll have a small town feel without sacrificing the proximity to Savannah for nights/weekends out on the town.

I lived in Pretoria Station on the East side of town and it fit the bill for your price range. The lots are more than a half an acre and we had a few wonderful neighbors. A lot of retirees seem to be there because of the cost of living and the climate. Everyone else seems to be a college student. East Georgia Regional Medical Center is in town and Savannah is a short drive for Specialists.

It's a very quaint community with a lot to offer. I wish you luck in finding what you're looking for. I've lived in Savannah and Statesboro and would be happy to help out with any information that I can.

Michael

[gentlearts]

MfromKent, I live in Medina and we are contemplating a move to Savannah. We are older than you, but we can't wait to have a new adventure.
You and your husband are young and unencumbered now, so if I were you I would go for it. So maybe you won't like it in Savannah? OK, then go on to somewhere else later. Why stagnate in Kent when there's a whole world out there?

[bellhead]

So, I´ll have some Bucks and Browns fans to hang out with....

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by bellhead

So, I´ll have some Bucks and Browns fans to hang out with....

You betcha.