Moving to Savannah (Wilmington Island, Richmond Hill, Pooler: 2009, homeowners insurance, assessors)

[Curious1234]

My family and I decided to take a job in Savannah and we are trying to get an idea of affordable living with decent size homes and good public schools. I have read other forums which mentioned Pooler, Richmond Hills, Guyton, South Effingham, Effingham County, and Rincon. Any suggestions would be great.

[Padgett2]

A lot will depend on what your idea of "affordable" and "decent size" is. That could include many, many pieces of property. Do you want a big yard? Lots of neighbors? Close to certain churches? Elementary school or High Schools? Walk to school or a loooongg ride on the school bus?

A lot should depend on where the new job will be. There are many areas where you really wouldn't want to commute from the places that you mentioned, nor are all areas of those places good to live in.

[Curious1234]

We would like at least a 2200sf house with a yard possibly in a community with a pool, playground, etc. Although depending on the setup of the house, maybe even 1900sf. The yard is always difficult, big enough to let a dog run. And we want a safe neighborhood with families and kids.

The public schools are probably most important. I would like to be in a good elementary school that will hopefully feed into a decent middle and high school.

The commute time doesn't matter since I have a travelling job; however, we would like to be close to the necessities (Target, grocery, Home Depot, etc.) instead of having to drive two towns away.

Are there any shopping malls in the area? Also, since there are no professional sports in the area, are there minor league sports or good college sports.

[Curious1234]

Also, is homeowners insurance expensive beacause of hurricanes? Or are hurricanes not a big deal in the area?

How are property taxes?

[Padgett2]

That size house in a good neighborhood will be easy to find. There are two large Malls in the area and many smaller shopping centers. Supermarkets all over the place. Also, all of the big box stores and Target.

There is a minor league baseball team, the Savannah Sand Gnats, that are in the South Atlantic League. Also, a very active softball and baseball programs sponsored by various churches, clubs, and YMCAs for all ages and both sexes.

If you are interested in sports for your children, think about the Wilmington/Whitmarsh/Talahi Island areas. The Islands YMCA (I think they have a web site) and Chatham County programs are great. The Y also has sdult programs and an excellent exercise room.

The schools are good too. Very family oriented. Prices will run from the low 100,000s to multi-million for water front property. Close to the beach, plenty of shopping. Anything you could possibly want is in that area.....well, there's no cemetery. There's a funeral home, but if you need burial, they have to carry you across the bridges into Savannah. Otherwise you never have to cross the bridges.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

Anything you could possibly want is in that area.....well, there's no cemetery. There's a funeral home, but if you need burial, they have to carry you across the bridges into Savannah. Otherwise you never have to cross the bridges.

Funny observation. Hopefully this will not be necessary anytime soon for any of us.

[bgnzsavnh]

Chatham Emergency Management Agency
http://www.chathamemergency.org/asse...e%20Map-37.php


Savannah-Chatham County Public schools offer many open enrollment Specialty Program Schools
Magnet and Charter

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
Savannah Arts Academy: Best High Schools - USNews.com
Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School
Georgia Tech Savannah: Home
Denied:1up! Software ()
http://site.westchathamprepacademy.com/

[Curious1234]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

That size house in a good neighborhood will be easy to find. There are two large Malls in the area and many smaller shopping centers. Supermarkets all over the place. Also, all of the big box stores and Target.

There is a minor league baseball team, the Savannah Sand Gnats, that are in the South Atlantic League. Also, a very active softball and baseball programs sponsored by various churches, clubs, and YMCAs for all ages and both sexes.

If you are interested in sports for your children, think about the Wilmington/Whitmarsh/Talahi Island areas. The Islands YMCA (I think they have a web site) and Chatham County programs are great. The Y also has sdult programs and an excellent exercise room.

The schools are good too. Very family oriented. Prices will run from the low 100,000s to multi-million for water front property. Close to the beach, plenty of shopping. Anything you could possibly want is in that area.....well, there's no cemetery. There's a funeral home, but if you need burial, they have to carry you across the bridges into Savannah. Otherwise you never have to cross the bridges.

Thanks for the information. We looked at housing on Wilmington Island and it doesn't seem like you can get as big of a home or as new, although the schools at least seemed to be good thorugh middle school.

Can I get some recommendations for cities if we want to stay to the West or SW of Savannah. I heard schools are fairly good. It seems like the high schools are the ones to worry about. We would like a newer home or new construction so we don't have to do any updates to it right away. And it would nice to be in a community or subdivision that has a pool, playground. Are property taxes higher in Savannah then for example North Carolina. I heard property taxes and insurance are very low in Charlotte. How does Savannah compare?

[bgnzsavnh]

Originally Posted by Curious1234

I heard property taxes and insurance are very low in Charlotte. How does Savannah compare?

Chatham County
Board of Assessors Welcome Page
http://www.chathamcounty.org/boa_facts.pdf

[Curious1234]

OK so I am getting some great advice from you all. THank you. I do need to be more blunt though and hopefully will get some more direct answers.

I do not need the perfect world but Here is what I am looking for:

SAFETY! A good safe neighborhood for a white 30 year old couple with two children 10 and 5. I dont mind some culture in my neighbors though and as a matter of fact I enjoy it. As long as they are responsible hard working adults like ourselves.

Would like newer homes in a community type setting with an association, Pool, Park etc.

close to Savannah or in SAvannah.

a little diversity is fine but I do not want gang problems or too many punks running the streets. I do not want to see people working on their cars in the street, I wantgto go walking at 5 am and 9 pm without worries, I want to play with my kids all night in my front yard without worries. I want to be close to a target, wal mart, movies, dining etc.

would like to be around younger families like ourselves.
would like to be around activities and social events.

I am also wondering how much property taxes are $ per Value, we are looking at homes around $200,000 wondering what to expect to pay for property taxes.

DO we pay automobile taxes every year or just once then registration each year for new tags?

IS there state income tax in Geogia?

We are looking at Pooler, is this a good town?

other than POoler and the Whitmarsh and Willmington areas are there any areas downtown that are fun and safe?

Blunt answers would be greatly appreciated, I can handle it.