Richmond Hill, Rincon, Guydon? (Atlanta, Savannah: loan, house, transfer)

[gentlearts]

A realtor has suggested these 3 possible towns to us for house hunting in the Savannah area.
Could someone compare them? Are they towns with a downtown, or just bedroom communities for Savannah?
We haven't been able to get there to look ourselves yet.

[Robin Rogers]

Pooler is more or less an extension of Savannah. It has grown a lot over the last few years. There are many new construction homes, Walmart, Lowes, Home depot, quite a few restaurants, small strip malls and it is close to the airport. Approx. 25 minutes to down town Savannah.
Guyton is a rural/farm community. Approx. 45 minutes to down town Savannah.
Richmond Hill is a small town south of Savannah. Well liked for the school system.
Approx. 25 minutes to down town Savannah. Richmond Hill website www.richmondhillga.com

[scottchristy]

Hi
We just moved to Richmond Hill a month ago from Atlanta. Husband was transferred and we chose RH because of schools. It is a small town with small town charm. Richmond Hill is located in Bryan County vs. Chatham County where Sav. is located. No major chains for shopping, but new Publix and Kroger grocery stores and Savannah is 25-30 miles drive. Pooler seems to have more shopping and is nearer to Savannah, but public schools are not as good. Depends on what you're looking for. We are still getting used to a much slower way of life here vs. Atlanta. No one is in much of a hurry down here. Good luck.

[gapowermike]

Guyton is a serious hump if you're driving into Savannah everyday with gas at ~$4/gallon. Richmond Hill is pricey but has excellent schools. Also a long drive if Savannah is your everyday destination. Pooler is Chatham County so the school system will be lackluster. The drive is shorter.

Depends on your situation. Do you have school age children? It's got everything to do with it in my mind. If you've got the disposable income, I would recommend living in Midtown (Ardsley Park, Habersham Woods, Kensington Park) and sending the children to private school. If you don't, Richmond Hill is a better choice if you can live with the sand gnats.

Good Luck,

Michael

[ellie]

I agree with Mike, unless schools are holding you back. The neighborhoods he mentioned are really good ones, great people live there, and they are close to everything. There are affordable options in each if you have time to shop around.

Plus you'd be an asset to the community. I've always enjoyed reading your posts.

[bgnzsavnh]

Effingham taxes and impact fees are on the rise. and unless you expect $1 gas again soon............

The schools in Pooler/ Bloomingdale are similar to both Effingham and Bryan County. The "Better" is not academic. The inner-city schools in the system are a drag to the county average, but there are many better choices in Chatham Magnet and Charter schools that are not available in the outer counties. My children go to Savannah Arts Academy (http://www.sccpss.com/Schools/High+Schools/Savannah+Arts+Academy/ - broken link), Bloomingdale, Oglethorpe Charter, and DeRenne Honors Academy (http://www.sccpss.com/Schools/Middle+Schools/DeRenne+Middle+School/Honors+Academy.htm - broken link)
Savannah Arts Academy: Best High Schools - USNews.com

SPRINGFIELD - An industrial development deal has dissolved, jeopardizing the future of a 1,700-acre tract near Interstate 16 and leaving the Effingham County industrial recruiters holding a $40 million taxpayer-secured loan that helped kickstart the project.

The IDA borrowed $38 million to buy the land and pledged taxpayer money to guarantee it. The IDA intended to use the money generated in the deal with DP Partners to repay the loan.

$200 million deal dead in Effingham County | SavannahNow.com

[gentlearts]

Thanks, all.
We have no children in school, but cannot see moving to a community where having good schools is not a priority.
Also, hubby works from home, so no commute issue.
We just want to be near our, as yet unconceived, future grandchildren in Pooler.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Thanks, all.
We have no children in school, but cannot see moving to a community where having good schools is not a priority.
Also, hubby works from home, so no commute issue.
We just want to be near our, as yet unconceived, future grandchildren in Pooler.

I think good schools are a priority here in Savannah, but it's more easily said than done. We're dealing with very difficult and entrenched issues that all or most cities deal with. The reason that the bedroom communities have "better" schools is because they are not in the inner city and don't have the same volume of chronically low-income and at-risk families.

Bgnzsavh is the one who knows the school systems. Take him at his word. Pooler is perfectly fine. It's also sterile, sprawling, safe, and generic. I have to go out there often these days, and am usually saddened at what I see. It looks like anyplace America, not like the Savannah I know and love.

[bgnzsavnh]

When looking in "Pooler" the subdivisions along Jimmy Deloach Parkway, Highlands Ave and Benton Blvd are actually within the City of Savannah. And are taxed at a higher rate and have an automatic CPI increase .......