I would not move to Savannah... (Atlanta, Statesboro: sex offender, scorpions, schools)

[Needsomesun]

Savannah is really more like two distinct cities. And the older, historic part is surrounded by the high crime areas. Out in the other Savannah, is a wonderful place to live. People can live here their entire lives without even going into the historic areas or without having any problem with crime. Most of those murders were over drugs, jealous boy/girl friend, or someone trying to prove he's the biggest, baddest, meanest macho male. And if I were ugly, I would mention that a very large percent of it is black on black crime done only in black sections of town. Unfortunately, a lot of the housing patterns in Savannah date back to the days of intergration and that's where most of the worse crime is. Not all of it, of course, but a large percent...

I was expecting to see "bless their hearts" after the above statement. Not being a southerner I was surprised to read the above ugly statement and that no one else before me commented on it. This sheds some light for me regarding Michael Vick. I would like to regard it as maladjusted human being torturing and killing mans best friend. But reading some of the comments illuminates why people are making it a black and white thing.

[Joss]

Originally Posted by Needsomesun

I was expecting to see "bless their hearts" after the above statement. Not being a southerner I was surprised to read the above ugly statement and that no one else before me commented on it. This sheds some light for me regarding Michael Vick. I would like to regard it as maladjusted human being torturing and killing mans best friend. But reading some of the comments illuminates why people are making it a black and white thing.

I don't mind commenting. Maybe your "sensitivity" filter is just tweaked up a notch higher than your "common sense" filter.

The majority of crime in Savannah actually is black on black and occurs in predominantly black residential areas. I might not have chosen the same words, but what exactly is your guidance on this? Is the problem you see here a case of the facts not being worded diplomatically enough? Or was it simply that they were stated at all?

And then maybe you could address how Michael Vick fits into this subject. Saying that, "...people are making it a black and white thing..." clearly brings this topic into the catagory of prejudice or stereotyping in your mind, with all the implied unsavory aspects of judging people by groups rather than as individuals. Thus, how is your "Not being a southerner...." statement not doing exactly what shouldn't be done? It sounds perilously close to you adding that "everyone knows how Southerners are".... bless your heart.

[lg19]

I lived in Savannah for four years. I completely agree with all of the points that you brought up. Crime is bad, white collar jobs are few and far between, and housing is expensive. Also, if you have children and actually care about their education, private school is unfortunately the only option. However, if you are under 35 and single or retired and financially stable, it's a great place to live. It's a very unique city and full of charm, and I've never been any place like it.

[eikato]

I am sitting here laughing at the clown who is defending Fairfax County??
I grew up in Fairfax and I moved to Savannah 4 years ago, I think your nuts. First of all if your working as a commericial realtor your making bank and probably live in a very upper class neighboorhood in Centerville. Which means your not exposed to the great things you left out like all the migrant workers lining all the streets every morning. It highest the highest population of Koreans per capita in the US and Of Pakistaini's. It's like a foreign country. Not to mention the outragious cost of housing, traffic and crime. My car was broken into three times in 10 years(in my driveway), attempts to break into my house twice. I didn't exactly live in a poor neighboorhood either. I do believe that Fairfax is competeing with LA for Latino MS-13 commited crimes. Any place is great if you have money!!!! I think you should stay right up there and enjoy life, we dont't need any Fairfax people down here. By the way I also hope you enjoy the lack of beaches, the cripling DC snow. All of the great outdoor activities DC has to offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Savannah is Awesome!!!!!!!

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by eikato

I am sitting here laughing at the clown who is defending Fairfax County??
I grew up in Fairfax and I moved to Savannah 4 years ago, I think your nuts. First of all if your working as a commericial realtor your making bank and probably live in a very upper class neighboorhood in Centerville. Which means your not exposed to the great things you left out like all the migrant workers lining all the streets every morning. It highest the highest population of Koreans per capita in the US and Of Pakistaini's. It's like a foreign country. Not to mention the outragious cost of housing, traffic and crime. My car was broken into three times in 10 years(in my driveway), attempts to break into my house twice. I didn't exactly live in a poor neighboorhood either. I do believe that Fairfax is competeing with LA for Latino MS-13 commited crimes. Any place is great if you have money!!!! I think you should stay right up there and enjoy life, we dont't need any Fairfax people down here. By the way I also hope you enjoy the lack of beaches, the cripling DC snow. All of the great outdoor activities DC has to offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Savannah is Awesome!!!!!!!

Do you live right in the city? Are there many illegal hispanics there? Are there a lot in the surrounding areas?

Where we live, outside of Atlanta, this area is overrun w/illegal hispanics. The downtown and several neighborhoods have turned into mini barrios. I never really noticed a lot of illegals whenever I've been to Savannah. But I would think, as many as Georgia has let in, that there would be more down there.
Besides the obvious, the reason it's a big deal to me is that they hurt my line of business, which I plan to restart when we move down there.

[Mrs. Garrison]

How do you "notice illegals"? I'm not thinking that one would be able to tell the difference in a "legal" and an "illegal" just by looking.

[eikato]

How do you tell the difference? Easy you can't. But if that is your focus then your missing my point. I don't care if there legal or illegal for the pusrpose of this disscusion. It makes no difference of anyones ethnic backround or there staus here. But I do care that when I lived there and every where I turned from 5:30am to 12noon, day loborers were stacked on top of each other in there work clothes drinking coffee and beer and littering. It doesn't really help the aesthetics of the community. On a side note I feel pretty confident that If your standing on a public higway flaging down construction vehicles for day work, Either the economy really does suck or you can't get an above the table job, because you don't have a social security card. Why becuase ur illegal!!!!!

[kimnrandy2007]

hmmm this is a blog ,so why is it people get so nasty??If someone has changed there mind about moving to your town due to crime or education stats then good for them to due there homeowrk before they bring there family somewhere that wont be right for there lifestyle.

[Everett]

The south is pretty much the same all over. Every town has a % of poor blacks and whites. Most of the crime is in those areas. Conversations on this forum about cities are usually overly general. The closer you are to the lower socio-economic populations the closer you are to crime.

If you like historical ambiance, good climate, lots of trees and greenery, then you will like Savannah, Charleston, Beaufort, St. Marys, etc.etc. All of these cities have gated communities, and expensive subdivisions where there is no crime to speak of.

The perspective is different for retirees, hourly workers, frontline managers, senior managers, executives, and entrepreneurs. If you want jobs, go to Austin or Atlanta.

You cannot walk around at night in any southern city unless you are packing or have many friends--large friends. Daytime, usually no problem unless you like to troll the slums.

[ThinkerBelle]

Everett is absolutely correct. Except for one thing: you can't walk around at night alone anywhere anymore. Other than that Everett's right.

I'm from Georgia and lived in Savannah for 10 years. Moved to Chicago 7 years ago. Why? Couldn't find a job that paid more than $10/hr. That's the south. Even in Atlanta the majority of jobs are going to pay low. Or if it does pay well you're going to use that extra money for gas because you have to drive so far to get away from the people who are still earning $10/hr. Yes, the cost of living is going up but the pay isn't. Sucks but it's been that way for the 15 years I've been in the job market and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.

Want the charm of the old south? Yeah, you're gonna have to put up with crime. When those charming old places fell into disarray years ago they became populated by the less advantaged because they could afford that cheap "old charm." Now that everyone loves that "old charm" the less advantaged have to move. But you can't snap your fingers and make them disappear (though sounds like many of you wish you could). So you have to live closer to them than some of you obviously would prefer. One day you'll be able to drive them out of those lovely old homes and neighborhoods you so desire. And then you'll b***h about the high taxes, rent, and everything else that goes up.

You'll never be happy. The people who are complaining the most are the people who are moving to their idea of shangra lai only to find out that it doesn't exist. It's a city. With people. People of varied socio-economic levels. You can't honestly move to a city and not expect problems.

Sounds like some of you have an idea that moving to the south will be easy. Those dumb old southerns will be so happy to see you that they'll point you to the prettiest house that's selling/renting for 1/3 of what it's worth. They'll be so happy to see you that they'll let you know of the job opening that pays 10x more than the same job you had back home. They'll be so happy to see you that they'll let all of their criminal friends know not to mess with you because it's you and you finally arrived in Savannah!

I have no idea what you actually expected when you moved to Savannah. But what are you doing to make it better? Leave? Good idea. Stay? Do something to help your city and quit blaming the people who lived there long before you pulled up in your U-Haul. After all, you're a Savannahian now.