Can someone tell me about Savannah? (Atlanta, Brunswick: appointed, real estate, rent)

[NYLATINQT]

I've only been in Atlanta one year. It's overrated. I have yet to visit the east coast of GA. Is it just a place to go on vacation (that's the impression that I get) or can you live there comfortably and peacefully? What are real estate prices like? I'd also like to hear about other areas like Brunswick. The good, the bad and the ugly... Thanks.

[Figment 07]

I've only been in Atlanta one year. It's overrated.

Some areas are overrated, true; others are underrated.

Our notorious traffic couldn't possibly have surprised you so it must be something else.

What?

Our weather? Schools? Levels of "diversity"? The housing? Prices? Crime? Attitudes? Local politics? Perhaps your expectations of southerners or of the south in general?

Tell us the things about Atlanta living that have disappointed you most and then maybe we can describe how Savannah and other coastal Georgia towns might compare, for better and for worse.

can you live there comfortably

Me? No, not now. But how can we answer that for you unless you describe what makes you so uncomfortable with Atlanta? What would be your description of living "comfortably"?

[cpowers21]

I am in the Pooler, Ga. area. Home prices here seem more affordable than most houses up north and some place in Atlanta. If you live in downtown Savannah, there is crime there. The islands are a good place to live if you like being near the ocean. The Southside is close to Savannah but affordable. The homes there are mainly older homes. If you go more North, you are in West Chatham County, which is where I am. You can get a new home or buy an older home if you like. The elementary and middle school is good here, but the highschool leaves a little to be desired. If you continue more North, you are in effingham county. The homes out there are a little more affordable. There are places with acreage. The schools are very good. Moderator cut: Removed

[ellie]

Savannah is a great city. Please consider living within the existing city boundaries or within areas which have already been developed.

Building and buying homes in newly cleared agricultural and/or forest results in a net loss of natural resources for our country. This is becoming one of our country's emerging national security issues. If we fill up all of our best ag land with houses, what's going to happen if we somehow cease to be on good terms with some of our neighbors, who are now producing much of the food we consume? Once land has been built on, it is no longer available for other uses. Maybe it seems like a small issue now, but it's like a tiny leak in your roof, evenually a substantial amount of damage can and will happen.

And I apologize for going eco-ballistic on everyone - I've been holding back for awhile.

And if you are still considering building or buying in one of the coastal counties, here's some helpful info.

www.buydryland.org.

[Figment 07]

I posted a blog about this on my website under my links as current real estate news titled Where do you belong, if you would like to read it.

Great blog, Ms. Powers!

You've put a lot of work into gathering pertinent information -- not just for the Savannah area market, but about real estate in general (Current Real Estate News). I would recommend a look at your blog to all considering a move to Savannah.

[cpowers21]

Thank you Figment. I have been working on keeping up to date on everything current in the area and in the nation. Information is power.

[Georgiadog]

Savannah is a beatiful historic city.

[bgnzsavnh]

If you go more North, you are in West Chatham County, which is where I am. You can get a new home or buy an older home if you like. The elementary and middle school is good here, but the highschool leaves a little to be desired.

A new elem and Middle and Technology High are being built on Benton Blvd Between Highlands Ave and Jimmy Deloach Parkway in West Chatham near GA Tech's Buildings

http://savannahnow.com/node/181405
'Buy Dry' campaign urges consumers to be wary of homes built in wetlands

Before you buy a home or rent check out the 100 year flood maps for your location. We live in 10 miles from Savannah and would not be flooded by even a Cat 5 hurricane (blown away but not flooded) A little research to stay clear of those expenses the cost of flood insurance depends on the chance of and frequency of flood

http://cema.chathamcounty.org/flooding.htm

You should know your flood hazard. Check with the Chatham County Department of Engineering at (652-7800) to find out what flood zone you are in and what the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is for your neighborhood. You can also use the forms or email address on this page to obtain a Flood Zone Determination letter.

http://www.chathamcounty.org/Flood_Map5.html

[cpowers21]

Originally Posted by bgnzsavnh

A new elem and Middle and Technology High are being built on Benton Blvd Between Highlands Ave and Jimmy Deloach Parkway in West Chatham near GA Tech's Buildings

I have heard mixed things about these new schools. At first I was told they were only going to be for the whole community called the Highlands. I asked someone else and they said it would be open to the area. However, I read the cities minutes about the schools and it said that they were going to be two neighborhood schools. To me, that is implying those schools will only be available for those subdivisions in the Highlands.

[bgnzsavnh]

The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools attendance zones for all elementary (Gr. K-5), middle (Gr. 6-8), and high schools (Gr. 9-12) are determined by geographical boundaries. Each home address within Chatham County has an assigned school for each level. Middle school assignments are determined by the elementary school zone you live in.

This is all falls under the BOE. The schools will be in the City of Savannah but the BOE is a city/county independent bureaucracy. The westside attendance zones would be reworked, equalizing the volume of students in each school. No one knows where the lines may fall. It could extend to include Lakeshore and Rice Hope and Godley Station. The High school does not have a site yet. Bloomingdade may loose its Fine and Performing Arts Academy also.